​Tips to transform your garden in time for summer

Collaborative Post | The warm weather has been a long time coming this year, but it seems, finally, to have arrived. You can be sure that those blistering summer days will be with us very shortly. If you’re going to get the most out of it, you’ll need to get your garden ready. But what, exactly, does that mean? Let’s run through some of the more important chores

Photo by Doug Kelley on Unsplash

Refresh old paint on fences and gates 

Your fence and gates will make a significant difference to the overall look of your garden. This goes especially if it’s taking up a large amount of your field of view. Getting it in good condition is often a matter of applying a coat of wood stain or paint, and repairing any damage. Be on the lookout for rot, and make sure that you have enough room for moisture to spread away from the bottom. If you bury it, the chances are good that it will rot. Surround the foot with a layer of coarse gravel, and this won’t be a problem.

Declutter and add storage

Clutter is as much a problem in the garden as it is in the home. The only difference is that it’s easier to ignore when it’s outdoors – especially if you’re staying indoors.

Here’s where some outdoor storage furniture can be enormously beneficial. Boxes can be easily built from pressure-treated timber. The same goes for plant pots, which can be either concealed with a timber box, or formed by one.

If you have access to a quality Milwaukee mitre saw, then you can easily cut lengths of timber to exactly the required length. It’ll shave hours, or even days, off your total build time. And you’ll be able to use it for future projects, too.

Plant seeds for flowers now

It’s time to consult your planting calendar, and make sure that any seeds for plants that will be blooming in late summer have enough time to come to flower. The earlier you get on top of this, the less likely it is to be a problem.

Set up a composting area

A composting area is a great addition to your garden and the perfect way to dispose of old fruit and vegetables skins and garden waste. These will provide much needed nourishment for your plants and flowers. You should invest in a suitable bin to store your compost, or you could even make your own.

Remove any unwanted garden pests

Over the winter pests are bound to have set up in your garden. Particularly in wet weather slugs and snails can destroy your plans for a bright garden. If you start removing these in Spring it will ensure these no longer become an issue for your garden.

You should also spray plants with diluted soapy water to keep bugs and insects away. Sprinkle coffee over plants to keep slugs and snails at bay and finally Keep caterpillars away by spreading oregano and thyme around your plants. You can also keep weeds at bay with weed killer spray.

Clean your garden furniture

Ideally, you’ll be getting plenty of use out of your garden furniture in the months to come. As such, it’s worth investing an hour or so cleaning it thoroughly. Use warm soapy water and a stiff brush. Make sure that it has a chance to completely dry, especially if it’s made from timber!


Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.