Be ready for backyard fun!

We have the simple tips guaranteed to get everything from grills to gardening tools shipshape for all your outdoor plans this season

- LINDSAY BOSSLETT

To get your grill going: Clean it with an onion

Months of sitting unused in cold weather can cause rust to form on your grill. The fix: Turn the grill on high, then cut an onion in half; stick the onion on a grilling fork and rub it along the grates. “You can make this work even more effectively by covering the cut half of the onion with salt,” says Jamie Penney, of The Backyard Pros (TheBackyardPros.com). While the acids in the onion break down rust, the gritty salt dislodges gunk from the metal. Also smart: When the grill is cool, Penney suggests spraying the interior with cooking oil, then buffing it quickly to “re-season” the surfaces.

To get patio furniture ready: Spritz with this DIY cocktail