If you want to make the most of your garden and outdoor area this summer, now is the time to start planning your garden’s design and layout. Our gardens are frequently left to their own devices throughout the winter, which means there is always work to be done in order to prepare them to be appreciated to their greatest potential. Whether you intend to host barbecues in the sunshine for friends and family, or you simply want to ensure that you and your children have a safe and enjoyable space to play and relax, our super simple steps will provide you with all the guidance you need to achieve your goals. Read on for more information.
Cleaning the barbecue, garden furniture, patio, and decking
During the winter months, it is remarkable how much dirt, debris, and even algae may develop on garden furniture, patio furniture, and deck furniture. It is quite simple to instantly brighten things up and give them a lift in an instant. Barbecues are frequently only in need of a good brush down and a rinse with soapy water after they have been used. Patios, decks, and furniture can all benefit from a thorough cleaning with a power washer, or they can simply be scrubbed with hot soapy water and a brush. The patios, decking, and garden furniture may all be restored to their former glory using specialized cleaning detergents, which are available in a variety of formulations.
Tidy out the shed
Right now is a great opportunity to clear the shed and go through everything that may have been stashed there during the winter. Remove everything from the cabinet, go through what you need and do not need, and give it a thorough cleaning before placing everything back in its proper location. This means that you will be able to locate those critical items and equipment quickly and readily when you need them, rather than fumbling about for an extended period of time.
Paint, stain or treat your fencing
Bad weather may have a significant influence on our garden fences, therefore it is important to give your fence and shed some TLC. A specialized fence paint or treatment will restore the fence to its former glory while also helping to protect it from the weather. There are many different garden paint colors to pick from these days that are perfect for fences, sheds, and even garden furniture. These colors will entirely transform your garden, adding color and brightness to it, and will fully transform your garden.
Sort out the lawn
Months of cold, wet weather can put a lot of stress on our lawns, and by this time of year, many may require some maintenance to restore their former glory. It is worthwhile to use a garden fork to drill holes in the ground or a wire rake to scratch the surface to aid in the aeration of the soil. Besides allowing for better drainage, it also allows for more sunshine to pass through the area. Mow the lawn after you have removed any weeds with your hands. It is crucial not to mow the grass down to less than 1cm because doing so will make it appear unhealthy. If you are short on time, a strimmer is an excellent tool for tidying up the edges of your lawn.
Keep the weeds at bay
To get rid of weeds before they become too established, the most effective method is to pull them out from the root system. They can begin to take over your grass, flower beds, and even your patios and sidewalks if you do not take action. You might consider purchasing a weed killer that is specifically developed to combat weeds if you feel like you are losing the battle against them.
Make sure all of your tools are ready
Plant pruning with rusty old shears is not a nice experience, so make sure your instruments are in good working order before you start gardening. Spent some time rubbing linseed oil into hardwood handles, cleaning metal surfaces with a wire brush to remove corrosion, honing blades, and lubricating moving parts, among other things.
Give your soil a boost
For those of you who have not given your soil some tender loving care in some time, now is the time to give it a boost. Cover the area with a thick layer of high-quality compost or manure, and then till the soil until everything is well distributed. For those of you who want to spread additional seeds in the near future, this is a very vital duty to complete. Avoid using peat if at all possible. Despite efforts by governments and environmental organizations to protect peatlands, which are a unique ecosystem that serves as a vast carbon sink, peatlands are in significant danger of disappearing.
Decorate your garden
It is possible to make your garden look truly beautiful and inviting by using a variety of methods. Flowers in planters and hanging baskets will add instant color to your home without costing a fortune, and they will also attract beneficial pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, to your garden. Alternatively, you could hang some string lights or solar-powered garden lights to add interest and to create a lovely cozy effect in the evenings. Alternatively, you could light some citronella candles, which will keep uninvited insects away while also providing a lovely scent and ambience to your summer evenings in the garden.
Clean out the greenhouse
Now is an excellent opportunity to give your greenhouse a thorough cleaning in preparation for the arrival of spring seedlings and cuttings. Clean the outside of your greenhouse with a disinfectant or detergent to get rid of algae, moss, and other grime that has accumulated. This will allow for more light to enter throughout the growing season while also removing potential breeding grounds for pests and disease. In addition, make careful to disinfect any cracks or crevices on the inside of the glass because overwintering pests and disease can thrive in the smallest of spaces.
Make a thorough sweep of the floor and benches, and then wash them with a hot solution of a garden disinfectant such as Jeyes Fluid to remove any plant material. Meanwhile, wash pots and seed trays to help prevent diseases such as “damping off” from infecting your newly planted seeds or seedlings. Over the next few days, make sure to fully ventilate your greenhouse to ensure that it dries completely.
Following the cleaning and polishing of your greenhouse structure, take the time to inspect the structure for any damage to the glass or vents, and replace any broken components.
Create an area for composting
You should consider setting up a compost area in your garden right away if you have not done so already. This could be as simple as purchasing a ready-made compost container, or it could be as involved as building your own out of scrap wood.
A compost area provides a convenient location for storing all of your organic waste. Once it has decomposed, you will be left with a nice, rich compost that your plants will flourish in. Make sure you have a decent mix of grass clippings, vegetable peelings, paper, and woody prunings in your compost pile before starting. You will also need to turn your compost with a garden fork once a month to keep it aerated, which will allow it to progress more quickly.
Think about a vegetable plot
Make 2022 the year that you master the art of cultivating your own vegetables from seed to harvest. Indeed, cultivating your own fresh, organic vegetables and fruits is a very doable endeavor. Start ordering seeds from seed catalogs now since you can sow certain vegetable seeds now, either indoors on a warm windowsill or outside under cloches or fleece, if you get them soon enough.
Utilize windowsills to increase the amount of growing area available for tomato, sweet pepper, and chili plants, and potatoes can also be started from seed indoors to save on space.
If the weather conditions are favorable, it is possible to seed some kinds outside as well. This includes beetroot, peas, spinach, onions, and garlic, among other vegetables. This way, you will have a steady stream of fresh produce to get you through the spring and into the summer.
The key is to plant tiny amounts of a variety of crops that provide large amounts of yield.
Opt for low-maintenance kinds that can be harvested again and again, such as cut and return salad leaves and leafy greens such as kale and chard.
Provide a shaded area for people to sit in
Do not forget about the heat of the summer and the fact that you and your guests will still require sun protection during this time of year. Prevent the need to fight with an umbrella or parasol by placing something more substantial and solid in its place, which will also enhance the overall appearance of your garden. You may also want to think about updating your garden furniture, perhaps even treating yourself to some new stylish patio accessories.
Instal a water butt
If we have a particularly dry summer, having a plentiful supply of free water to draw from will be really beneficial. In the event that you do not already have one, now is an excellent time to purchase and install one, so that you will be ready to take advantage of the upcoming spring rains.