With the warmer months on the horizon, many of us are eager to start preparing our gardens for the upcoming summer season.
The promise of longer days and sunnier weather makes it easier to turn our attention to our outdoor spaces, keen to make the most of the garden once spring finally arrives.
To help gardeners get ahead, a landscaping expert has shared some essential tips that will make for an easier transition into the new season.
Trevor Knight from Marshalls Plc, outlines crucial tasks that need to be completed before March to give the plants and flowers in your garden the best start.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your outdoor space is not only ready for the warmer weather but is primed to flourish throughout the spring and summer months.
Clean your patio
Cleaning your patio can extend its lifespan and removing contaminants like dirt and mould can help prevent structural issues like cracks in your jointing material, staining and discolouration.
Use a hard-bristled brush and warm soapy water to clean patio slabs, starting from the corners and working inwards. Rinse and repeat until satisfied, then wash with clean water to remove any residue. Avoid directing suds into drainage points or flower borders, where they could harm plants.
If there is a build-up of organic growth such as algae, this can prove stubborn to tackle but can be easily removed with a pressure washer.
Trevor said: “To ensure you don’t damage the paving, work from the corners on a low power setting, holding the pressure washer at a 30-degree angle at a 30-50cm distance and working your way down the paved area.”
Attend to garden furniture
“Remove your garden furniture from storage and use it to create a focal point,” Trevor said. “If your furniture has been out all winter, give it some much-deserved TLC by cleaning it up and repainting it if required.
“This one feature has the potential to make your entire garden much more inviting, whether you decide to paint, clean or take it a step further by adding soft furnishings.”
Create sections
If you’ve got a relatively large garden and want to make the most of the outdoors this year, you might want to break your area up into defined spaces so you can utilise the space better.
Different sections could include a social space, an outdoor kitchen or an activity area to enjoy. Use different paving designs or colours to designate each area and even add low walling, planting beds or plant pots to help divide up the space.
Introduce some height
Trevor said: “You can introduce height to your garden by using a structure like a pergola. Using a pergola defines the vertical space and can make a smaller garden appear larger. Installing a vertical structure can open up the possibility of including more climbing plants in your space, such as clematis, climbing roses or honeysuckles.”
You can also promote biodiversity by attracting insects, bees and other wildlife.
Alternatively, you could include adding window boxes, hanging baskets or a feeding table for birds.