Now that spring is finally here, you’re probably looking forward to the summertime when you can spend as much time as possible relaxing in your garden. There’s a good chance that over the winter months, you haven’t spent much time out there, which means it’s probably looking a little neglected. And, if you’re the type that loves to have friends and family over to entertain, it’s understandable that you want your garden to be in ship shape so that you can enjoy many hours of sun-filled laughter.
It’s warming up outside, which means it’s the perfect time to start preparing your garden for the summer because the soil is warming up, it’s dry enough to mow your lawn, and it’s not so cold that you don’t want to be outside. With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at some tips to get your garden ready for the summer.
Create storage
Over the years, you’ve probably accumulated lots of things you use in the garden, such as tools, watering cans, and even fertilizers to help make your plants and lawn look incredible. Or, maybe you’ve got some garden furniture that you want to protect from the elements? Either way, having a shed in your garden is always a nice addition. It helps keep your garden looking neat and tidy, and it really isn’t as difficult as you think to build.
While you can absolutely buy pre-built sheds, it might work out cheaper to buy the materials and build them yourself. One of the main benefits of this is that you can build it to the perfect size and shape for your garden. So, if you’ve got an odd corner at the back of your lawn, you can build it to fit the space perfectly.
A shed doesn’t have to be an eyesore either, as you can paint it whatever color you choose. The next big decision is whether to seamlessly blend it into your garden or go bright and bold with your color choice.
Get a BBQ station ready!
There’s nothing quite like cooking burgers and hot dogs on the BBQ during the summer. Instead of buying disposable trays to do your cooking this year, why not build a BBQ station and make it a more permanent fixture? You can easily do it using bricks and cement, and again, you can make it the perfect size and shape for your garden and your needs. Even if you’re not DIY-minded, there are lots of YouTube tutorials on how to build a brick BBQ that you could follow.Now the only thing left to do is make sure you’ve got enough space around you to hold a cold glass of your favorite drink and a plate with all of the delicious food you’re about to cook!
Pull weeds
Weeds are a pain no matter which way you look at it. And, because it’s likely that you haven’t spent much time in your garden over the winter, there’s a good chance that they’ve made an appearance and are making your garden look scruffy.
Now’s the time to concentrate on some weed control in your garden. If the weeds are particularly stubborn, it might be worth getting some professional help to make sure they don’t return any time soon. Of course, you can use a decent weed killer to help eliminate them, but you’ll need to be careful not to damage your lawn or any surrounding plants or shrubbery.
Clear things out
Again, because you haven’t spent much time in your garden over the last few months, there’s probably been an accumulation of dead leaves, broken branches, and even bits of rubbish brought in with the wind.
Take the time to rake everything up and throw it away. If it’s natural debris like leaves and sticks, you could add it to your compost heap if you have one. If not, you can always pop it into a biodegradable bag and throw it into the trash. Clearing things up alone will make a huge difference to how your garden looks, and it might only take an hour or so!
Invest or upcycle your furniture
If your garden furniture is broken or may have rotted during the winter months, then it’s time to invest in new furniture so that everyone can relax when you’re hosting your BBQs. You might even choose to buy the materials so that you can make custom garden furniture to fit your garden. Or, you could go and treat yourself to a new set completely at a garden store.
If your budget is tight, then why not consider looking for some second hand furniture that you could upcycle? Or, if you’ve got some unused furniture in your home, consider making it waterproof with a sealant and turning it into garden furniture. As long as it’s comfortable, who cares where it came from?
Plant evergreens
It might still be slightly too cold to plant some of the flowers you may be planning for your garden, but that doesn’t mean your garden can’t look pretty in the meantime. Why not find some evergreen plants and dot them around your garden? That way, even during the next winter, your garden will still look pretty with shrubbery!
Add ambient lighting
Finally, if you’re like most, just because the sun has gone down doesn’t mean it’s time to go inside. It’s still warm out, and you’re happy sitting and socializing in your garden, so why ruin the fun? Think about how you can add some ambient lighting to really help set the tone for your evening. You could consider solar-panelled lighting to save on energy costs—they’re really inexpensive and look really pretty at night.
Or, you could install spotlights in the floor of your deckingto give a warm and cosy glow after a really warm and super fun day. You might need an electrician to help with the installation, but it will be totally worth it in the long run when you’re enjoying your garden!