It only feels like yesterday when the nights were drawing in, and the chilly weather was all around us. Now spring is here, the summer months will arrive before we know it! If you’re the type of homeowner who loves getting outdoors and making the most of the sunshine, now is the perfect time to employ garden maintenance services to get your garden in tip-top shape.
Before you start planning outdoor parties and entertaining guests, here are some steps to take to get your garden ready for the summer months ahead.
Inspect Outdoor Furniture
Over the winter months, your outdoor furniture may have taken a beating. Harsh weather conditions like storms, heavy rain, and snow may have caused damage to your garden chairs and tables. While a quick clean may do the job and get them back into pristine condition, you may decide it’s time to purchase new pieces for your outdoor space.
Rather than opting for modern garden furniture, you may want to consider antiques. There is a range of antique garden furniture like tables, chairs, and benches you can purchase from Antiques Boutique. They also sell antiques like garden statues, birdbaths, water features, and accessories from different time periods, like Georgian, Edwardian, and Victorian. Buying new outdoor furniture will ensure your garden is ready and raring to go for the summer.
Check Gardening Equipment
Before any maintenance work begins on your garden, you need to check your equipment to ensure it’s in good working order. The last thing you want is to be mowing the lawn to find your lawnmower packs in halfway through the job. There’s also a safety element to be aware of too. Faulty garden equipment can result in nasty injuries which could see a spell in A&E which nobody wants.
Give your garden tools a thorough clean with a stiff brush, and if required, sharpen any blades. If there is any old grass lurking underneath your lawnmower, make sure you get rid of it before getting to work. If there is any damaged equipment that’s beyond repair, make a checklist of what needs to be replaced.
Clean Patio or Decking
If you have a patio or decking, they serve as fantastic areas to entertain guests and throw fabulous parties. However, you’ll be surprised how much wear and tear they endure during the winter months. There may be lots of dirt that has accumulated, so now is the time to give it a good clean.
You can brighten up your patio or decking by giving it a good sweep. Next, wash it down with soapy, hot water. Alternatively, you can use a pressure washer that will do the trick and be more thorough. Whatever option you pick, ensure you rinse with clean water to finish. You don’t want guests to slip over after all!
Declutter Your Shed
There are all sorts of things homeowners store in their garden shed. Whether it’s garden tools, power tools, lawnmowers, or furniture, now is the time to give it a thorough declutter. Drag out anything that’s taking up too much room and give the inside a good sweep. Use this time to look for any damage to the roof felt or loose panels, as you may need to make repairs if necessary.
If your garden shed is looking a little tired, you can give it a new lease of life by adding a new coat of wood preservative. To make your shed stand out, why not consider using a completely different colour? There are accessories you can add to your garden shed for the finishing touch, such as adding hanging baskets.
Tend to Your Lawn
It’s not a job many of us like to do, but when it comes to getting your garden ready for the warm weather, you need to get your lawn in tip-top shape. This means digging out the lawnmower and going over it to ensure it’s all even, neat, and tidy. Your lawn can go through a lot thanks to rain, frost, and general neglect, so giving it some TLC is a must.
Make sure you water your lawn and cut the grass. You can also consider aerating it too. This involves creating holes that enable water and oxygen to travel down to you’re the roots of your grass. If you’re really not keen on doing these tasks, it may be worth contacting a professional gardener to tackle the job instead.
Eliminate Weeds
Weeds, weeds, weeds. Every garden has them, regardless of how well you maintain it. How you decide to eliminate them can massively affect the rest of your garden. Although there may be situations where weed killers are the correct response, you should avoid using them at every opportunity. This is because weed killers can damage far more than your weeds, such as nearby plants if care isn’t taken.
When getting rid of weeds, the rule of thumb is to remove the root. Although you can use your fingers and hands to sort the problem, having gardening equipment handy like brushes, trowels, and pullers can make the job less tiring.
Add a Pop of Colour
With the sun soon to rear its head, adding a pop of colour to your garden can be a great way to liven up your space and boost its aesthetic appeal. Some of the best plants that will instantly add colour to your outdoor space include sunflowers, fuchsias, and hydrangeas.
To add even more colour to your garden, why not paint your pots or customise them with shells, sequins, or pebbles? You can even paint your patio and purchase an outdoor rug. When the sun goes down, hanging up fairy lights around your trees and bushes can create a glistening garden that promotes calm, peace, and relaxation.
As temperatures start to slowly rise, before you get the BBQ on and bask in the sunshine, getting your garden summer ready will ensure you have an outdoor space you can relax in with loved ones, and leave you with a garden you’re proud of.
