February 09, 2018

Essential Steps to Get Your Garden Summer-Ready

Essential Steps to Get Your Garden Summer-Ready.  

As the cold days of winter slowly fade away, the promise of Spring brings anticipation for warmer weather and vibrant blooms. Preparing your garden for summer now! will ensure it’s in full bloom and ready to bask in the sun.  In this guide, we’ll explore eight essential steps to transform your post-winter garden into a beautiful and inviting outdoor space. From clearing out debris to adding trendy decor pieces…you’ll discover how to create an ideal summer garden that you can be proud of.

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1. Clear Out and Revitalize

If you haven’t used your garden much during recent months, you might find that there is a lot of mess out there thanks to the wind and a lack of TLC.  Not to mention, if you own a dog, like me and you have been a bit lazy over the winter and not picked up all their poo’s (rolling eyes face!!) you will probably be putting this phase off!  But I promise, the sooner you get out there and do these off-putting jobs, the better!

• Remove all debris and clutter that may have accumulated during the winter months. This includes fallen leaves, twigs, and any other garden waste.  It will instantly look better and make you feel good too!
• Conduct a thorough clean-up of your garden beds, borders, and pathways to create a tidy and presentable space.
• Trim any dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs to promote healthy growth.
• Dispose of broken pots or ornaments that may pose a hazard to pets and children.

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2. Banish Weeds to get Summer Ready for Good!

Some people find weeding therapeutic; others find it a chore. No matter what your feelings are about it, it’s one of those jobs that has to be done to get your garden looking at its best. There are some useful tips on controlling weeds that you can follow to help make it easier to get rid of your existing weeds, while also preventing them from coming back

• Use a handheld weeder, garden hoe, or gardening gloves to remove existing weeds from your garden beds and lawn.
• Apply organic mulch around plants to suppress weed growth and retain soil moisture.
• Consider using natural weed killers like vinegar or boiling water on stubborn weeds.
• Regularly check for new weed growth and remove them promptly to prevent further spreading.

3. Restore You’re Lush Lawn

The winter can be a damaging time for your lawn. The harsh weather can leave it looking patchy rather than lush, which doesn’t make for the most inviting ground to walk on. If you start getting your grass in order now, come mid-spring, it will be restored to health and look beautiful and green. 

• Begin by raking and removing dead grass, leaves, and debris from your lawn.
• Aerating your lawn will help improve soil drainage and oxygenation, promoting healthier grass growth.
• Over-seed your lawn with high-quality grass seeds to fill in any bare patches and encourage a thicker, lusher lawn.
• Water your lawn appropriately and fertilize it to support robust growth during the spring and summer months.

4. A Fresh Coat of Colour

Painting your fence is another one of those tasks that people tend to put off. But why put off until tomorrow when you can do today? When you’ve got some free time and a dry spell, take the opportunity to paint your fence.  If you want to give your garden a bit of a refresh, you could always paint it a new colour – Black is becoming a popular colour for garden fences and makes a nice change from the typical browns.

• Before painting your fence, ensure it’s clean and free of dirt and debris. Consider pressure washing if needed.
• Opt for high-quality outdoor paint or stain that offers protection against weather elements.
• Choose a colour that complements your garden’s overall theme and enhances its visual appeal.
• Apply the paint using long, even strokes, and consider using a paint sprayer for larger fence areas.

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5. Embrace Outdoor Living

This time of year is an excellent time to invest in new garden furniture. If you’re lucky, you can still take advantage of the end of the winter sales and pick up some high-quality pieces at affordable prices. This year’s garden trends include a focus on ‘outdoor living,’ with living room-esque pieces making their way out on the patio. Make sure you choose furniture that is waterproof or buy heavy duty covers. You can also get some affordable garden furniture from Amazon, Groupon and eBay, so if you’re in the market for some new or second hand pieces then start thinking of what to buy now.

• Evaluate your current garden furniture and determine if it needs replacement or repair.
• Look for durable and weather-resistant materials like aluminium, teak, or resin for your new furniture.
• Consider investing in comfortable outdoor cushions and pillows to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere.
• Purchase heavy-duty covers to protect your furniture during inclement weather or when not in use.

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6. Decked to Perfection

If your decking is looking a bit tired, or you’d like to install decking for the first time, then you’ll be pleased to know that decking will continue to be an on-trend design feature this summer. There are some fun ways to upgrade your decking that can give it an incredible look, ideal for dining outdoors during the summer or having friends and family round for some drinks.

• Inspect your existing decking for any signs of damage, such as loose boards or nails, and address these issues.
• Use a jet cleaner or pressure washer to remove dirt, grime, and algae from the decking’s surface.
• Consider staining or painting the decking for a refreshed look and added protection against the elements.
• Enhance your deck’s ambiance with outdoor rugs, potted plants, and outdoor lighting.

7. Blooms and Bountiful Harvests

If you love your garden to be full of colour, now is the time to start thinking about planting some flowers. There are some beautiful bulb plants which you can plant in February so that by the time you get into spring, you’ll have a garden full of stunning flowers that will really brighten things up. If you’re interested in growing some of your own fruit and vegetables too, you can make a start on planting items like garlic, shallots, parsnips, carrots, spinach and lettuce. It gives you a good excuse to get some fresh air at this time of year and can also make a great calorie burner!

• Choose a variety of flowering bulbs and plants that thrive in your local climate and soil conditions.
• Plant bulbs in well-prepared soil, following specific planting depths and spacing guidelines.
• For vegetables, follow planting instructions on seed packets and ensure they receive adequate sunlight and water.
• Regularly care for your plants by watering, fertilizing, and protecting them from pests and diseases.

8. Trendy Garden Decor

It’s possible to create some stunning themes with your garden, particularly if you love to keep things on trend.  It’s worth taking a look at what’s in stores to get an idea of the current trends and themes and to take advantage of any discounts that might be around.

• Explore current garden decor trends, such as bohemian, modern farmhouse, or minimalist styles.
• Incorporate decorative elements like lanterns, fairy lights, and string lights to add ambiance during evenings.
• Select cushions, throws, and outdoor rugs that match your garden’s theme and colour scheme.
• Consider adding statues, sculptures, or decorative water features as focal points in your garden.

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With the spring countdown on, there are plenty of things you can get on with to make sure your garden is fully ready for summer. By tackling some of the typical gardening jobs, you might find that you start developing an enjoyable hobby that could give you even further ideas for creating the ideal summer garden. Check out Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube for some great ideas for things you can do to your garden to turn it into something you can be proud of.

I can’t wait to get started!