It’s that time of year again. You grab your hat and glasses and rush outside into the summer heat – only to find that nothing in your garden is ready! Use our tips to get one step ahead, so you can wind down this summer as soon as the sun grazes your garden.
Get the jet washer out!
A little bit of high-pressure water is all you need to bring your patio back to life! Work smarter, not harder this summer and use a jet washer to freshen up all the nooks and crannies in your garden. For decking, put the washer on its lowest pressure and leave some distance between the nozzle and the decking boards; that way, you won’t strip any of the paint off.
Give the shed some TLC
Shed away some of the clutter and make your gardening tools feel at home. Giving your shed a good clean-out and sweep will make it look good from the inside out. Your shed is the most practical element in your garden, but it doesn’t need to look like it! Consider using hanging baskets, fun paint colours or outdoor fairy lights to match your shed to your garden’s ambience.
Clean the barbeque
Don’t keep your guests waiting! Cleaning your barbeque just before outdoor dining weather means you won’t have any unpleasant surprises when you next open the lid. Use a wire brush or scourer to clean burnt food off the metal racks, then wash the whole thing with hot soapy water.
Clean up the garden furniture
It’s difficult to kick back and relax on grubby garden furniture! Hot soapy water and a dusting cloth can make all the difference. Be sure to maintain your dusting habits throughout the summer – there’s nothing worse than finding a creepy crawly on your chair!
Prep for outdoor guests
It’s the perfect time of year to have friends over, so make sure your garden is ready for them! Check that your parasol still works and give it a brush down. If you have glass garden lights, give them a clean so they illuminate your garden effectively. Finally, make use of citronella candles and bug-spray to keep insects at bay.
Plan out your planting!
Planning out any additions and removals is the best place to start. Drawing a map of your garden can give you a good idea of what will and won’t work, which could save you a lot of time and money lost from guesswork.
Plant pots add a pop of colour
Summer means colour! Don’t let flower beds do all the work; you can implement beautiful colour variety using container displays. These can be found in garden centres and DIY shops. Containers allow you freedom to choose the location and arrangement of your flowers, creating a fresh, summery feel.
Tidy up borders
Get rid of any weeds in your beds and borders before the weather gets hot and they become too stubborn to move! While you’re at it, remember to remove any dead plants and prune any shrubs that need tidying up. Doing this will enable you to see any gaps that need filling with fresh plants.
A garden tidy-up can seem a daunting task, but always remember to go at a leisurely pace and plan as far ahead as possible. Summer is all about winding down and enjoying the fruits of your labour, so put in the work now and you’ll be ready to relax later.
