Summer Essentials for Mountain Living in Hayesville, NC

Summer in the Blue Ridge Mountains isn’t just another season—it’s a way of life.

Around here, weekends are spent tending the garden, relaxing on the porch, firing up the grill, heading to Lake Chatuge, or gathering around a campfire with family and friends. Whether you’re a lifelong local, a seasonal homeowner, or just visiting for the weekend, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy summer in Western North Carolina and North Georgia.

For many seasons, families have stopped by George’s Paint & Hardware in Hayesville, NC before heading home to plant a garden, refill the propane tank, pack the cooler for a day on the lake, or pick up a few camping essentials. We’re proud to be more than just a hardware store—we’re your hometown destination for everything that makes mountain summers memorable.

Still getting your property ready for the season? Check out our guide to Getting Your Mountain Home Ready for Summer before diving into all the fun.

In this guide, we’re sharing some of our favorite ways to enjoy the season, along with the products, trusted brands, and friendly advice that can help you spend less time making last-minute trips and more time making memories.

Here’s how we do summertime at George’s.

Grow Your Mountain Garden

Around here, summer is the perfect time to grow something.

Maybe it’s your first tomato plant. Maybe you’re filling raised beds with fresh vegetables, planting herbs by the kitchen door, or adding colorful flowers and hanging baskets to welcome friends and family. Whether you’re growing a backyard garden or simply sprucing up the porch, gardening is one of our favorite ways to enjoy summer in the mountains.

If you’re just getting started, don’t worry—you don’t need a green thumb to enjoy gardening. Start with a few healthy plants, good soil, and a little sunshine, then watch your confidence grow right alongside your garden. And if you have questions, just ask. Helping neighbors across Western North Carolina and North Georgia find the right products for their yard and garden is what we’ve been doing for generations.

Find Everything You Need at George’s Hardware Store in Hayesville, NC

Before you plant, stop by George’s Paint & Hardware for all your lawn and garden essentials, including:

• Tomato, pepper, herb, and vegetable plants
• Flowers, hanging baskets, and seasonal plants
• Seeds for vegetables and flowers
• Potting soil, garden soil, and mulch
• Fertilizers and plant food
• Gardening gloves and hand tools
• Hoses, watering cans, spray nozzles, and watering wands
• Wheelbarrows, spreaders, and other lawn and garden equipment
• STIHL® outdoor power equipment to help keep your property looking its best — see our full STIHL power tools & service lineup online.

If your mower or outdoor power equipment needs attention before the busiest part of the growing season, our guide to common reasons a lawn mower won’t start can help you troubleshoot the problem—or stop by George’s, where our service department is here to help.

Whether you’re planting a few containers on the porch or caring for a yard that’s been in the family for generations, George’s is your hometown destination for everything lawn and garden. From trusted brands and quality products to friendly advice when you need it, we’re here to help you make the most of another beautiful mountain summer.

Once your garden is growing, it’s time to enjoy the spaces around it. Add a few colorful hanging baskets, freshen up your porch with new planters, or create a relaxing backyard retreat where you can kick back and enjoy those cool mountain evenings.

Create Your Perfect Mountain Backyard

One of the best things about living in the mountains is that your backyard becomes another room of the house during the summer.

It’s where morning coffee tastes a little better, neighbors stop by to visit, kids play until sunset, and evenings are spent listening to the sounds of nature from the porch or around the fire pit. Whether you have a sprawling backyard in Hayesville or a cozy front porch in Blairsville, creating an inviting outdoor space doesn’t have to be a big project.

Sometimes it’s the little touches that make all the difference—a fresh hanging basket by the front door, colorful flower pots on the deck, a hummingbird feeder outside the kitchen window, or a hammock tucked beneath your favorite shade tree. Add a few Adirondack chairs around the fire pit, light a few citronella candles, and you’ve got the perfect spot to unwind after a busy day.

Backyard Favorites at George’s

Before you settle in for the season, stop by George’s for a few backyard essentials:

• Colorful flowers and hanging baskets
• Decorative planters and flower pots
• Garden accents and outdoor décor
• Bird feeders and bird seed
• Hoses and watering supplies
• Citronella candles and insect protection
• Fire pit accessories
• Outdoor lighting for evening gatherings

The best part about a mountain backyard isn’t how big it is—it’s the memories you make there. And once you’ve created the perfect place to relax, there’s only one thing left to do… fire up the grill and invite everyone over.

Fire Up the Grill

Around here, a backyard cookout is the unofficial way we celebrate summer.

Maybe it’s burgers after a day on Lake Chatuge. Steaks on the patio after working in the garden. Or pancakes and bacon on the Blackstone before heading out to fish or hike. However you spend your weekends, there’s something special about gathering around the grill with family and friends as the sun sets behind the mountains.

At George’s Paint & Hardware in Hayesville, NC, we believe outdoor cooking is about more than just the grill—it’s about creating memories. Whether you’re upgrading your outdoor kitchen or replacing a worn-out grill brush, you’ll find trusted brands like Weber, Traeger, and Blackstone in our Outdoor Living & Grilling Supplies department, along with everything you need to cook, serve, and enjoy your next backyard gathering.

Grilling Supplies in Hayesville, NC — Stop by Before Your Next Cookout

Get your backyard ready with summer grilling essentials, including:

• Weber gas and charcoal grills
• Traeger wood pellet grills and pellets
• Blackstone griddles and accessories
• Propane tank refills and exchanges
• Charcoal, wood pellets, and fire starters
• Grill brushes, cleaners, and grill covers
• Grill tools, spatulas, tongs, and basting brushes
• Instant-read meat thermometers
• Seasonings, rubs, sauces, and smoking chips

Whether you’re hosting the whole neighborhood, or simply enjoying dinner on the deck, George’s has everything you need to make outdoor cooking easy—and summer even more enjoyable.

And when the meal is over, don’t put the cooler away just yet. Fill it with ice, grab your favorite drinks, and get ready for another mountain tradition—a day on the water at Lake Chatuge, Lake Nottely, or Hiwassee Lake.

Head to the Lake: Lake Chatuge, Lake Nottely & Hiwassee Lake

Summer in the mountains wouldn’t be complete without a day on the water.

Whether you’re launching the boat on Lake Chatuge, fishing on Lake Nottely, paddling across Hiwassee Lake, or simply relaxing on the shoreline, a little planning goes a long way toward making it a great day. The best lake days start early—with a packed cooler, plenty of ice, and everything ready before you leave the driveway.

At George’s Paint & Hardware, we’ve helped local families in Hayesville, Blairsville, Hiawassee, and Young Harris get ready for weekends on the lake for generations. From keeping drinks ice cold to making sure you have those easy-to-forget essentials, we’re your one-stop shop before heading out for a day of mountain adventure.

Lake Day Favorites — Stop by George’s Before You Hit the Water

Don’t forget these lake day favorites:

• YETI coolers and drinkware
• Ice to keep everything cold
• Rope and utility cord
• Life jackets and boating essentials
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Towels and dry bags
• Snacks and drinks
• First aid supplies
• Waterproof storage containers

A few minutes of preparation means less time worrying about what you forgot and more time making memories on the water with family and friends.

Boat Safety Checklist for North Carolina & Georgia Lakes

Before leaving the driveway, take a few minutes to make sure your boat is ready for a safe day on the water. Check your battery, fuel level, drain plug, trailer lights, and the weather forecast before heading to the lake.

Both North Carolina and Georgia require certain safety equipment on recreational boats. Before launching, make sure you have:

• U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for every passenger
• A fire extinguisher
• A sound-producing device, such as a horn or whistle
• Navigation lights (when required)
• A throwable flotation device for applicable vessels
• Current boat registration

George’s carries many of the boating essentials you’ll want before heading to Lake Chatuge, Lake Nottely, or Hiwassee Lake, making it easy to pick up those last-minute items before a day on the water.

Be sure to review the current boating regulations for North Carolina or Georgia before your next trip, as equipment requirements vary depending on your vessel.

Once you’ve enjoyed a day on the lake, why let the weekend end? Load up the cooler, grab your camping gear, and head for the campground or gather around the backyard fire pit for another evening under the stars.

Go Camping in the North Georgia & Western North Carolina Mountains

One of the best things about summer in the mountains is that adventure is never far away. Whether you’re spending the weekend at a nearby campground, taking the camper to your favorite spot, or simply gathering around the backyard fire pit, a little preparation helps you enjoy every minute outdoors.

There’s something special about cooking over the campfire, telling stories under the stars, and waking up to cool mountain mornings. Before you head out, take a few minutes to check your gear so you’re not making an extra trip once you arrive.

Camping Supplies in Hayesville, NC — Stop by Before Your Next Trip

Pack your campsite with summer favorites like:

• YETI coolers and drinkware
• Propane cylinders and camp fuel
• Lanterns and flashlights
• Extra batteries
• Rope and utility cord
• Camping chairs
• Camp cooking supplies
• Fire starters
• First aid supplies
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Multi-tools and outdoor essentials

Whether you’re exploring the mountains for the weekend or simply enjoying an evening around the fire with family and friends, George’s has everything you need to make your next outdoor adventure a little easier and a lot more enjoyable.

Because that’s what summer in the mountains is all about—good food, great company, fresh mountain air, and making memories that last long after the season ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Make This Your Best Mountain Summer Yet

Summer in the mountains has a way of bringing people together. It’s sharing fresh vegetables from the garden, watching the sunset from the porch, gathering around the grill, spending long days on the lake, and ending the evening around a campfire with family and friends.

At George’s Paint & Hardware, we’ve been helping our neighbors enjoy mountain life for generations. Whether you’re planting your first garden, picking up propane for a backyard cookout, packing the cooler for a day on Lake Chatuge, or grabbing a few camping essentials before heading into the mountains, we’re here to help make every summer adventure a little easier.

From trusted brands like STIHL, Benjamin Moore, Weber, Traeger, Blackstone, and YETI to the friendly, knowledgeable service you can only find at a locally owned hardware store, George’s is your one-stop shop for everything summer.

So before your next adventure, stop by and see us in Hayesville, NC. We’ll help you spend less time searching for supplies—and more time making memories in the mountains.

Here’s to another unforgettable mountain summer. We’ll see you at George’s.