Well we’ve hopefully seen the last of the rain for a while. Now thankfully the temperature is beginning to increase and let’s hope that better weather is just around the corner and we will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy our outdoor spaces. Many of us are already thinking about getting our gardens and patios ready for the summer ahead. But how exactly do you go about preparing the garden for summer? We’ve put together some handy tips and tricks to help you get your garden summer ready.
When do I start tidying my garden?
April is the perfect time to begin preparing the garden before the hot weather descends and the weeds run rampant. Take time to first clean your gardening tools before tackling those weeds as they start to appear in numbers. Look in between paving slabs and along borders and ease them out with a small trowel or fork, making sure to pull out all the roots so they don’t come back. This will also help keep any weeds from stealing precious nutrients from your soil. Once you are weed free you can think about cleaning and pressure washing your patio and decking area to remove any winter grime and moss, leaving your paving sparkling clean and ready for your summer garden parties and barbecues.
How do you keep outdoor furniture in good condition?
With the warmer months approaching no doubt you’ll want to begin inviting family and friends round for some alfresco dining. Make sure your garden furniture is in prime condition, and when you get it out of storage make sure to give it a good dust and clean from where any grime may have accumulated, before giving them the once over to make sure they are not damaged or weathered. To get the most out of your garden furniture we would recommend treating your wood with a good quality sealant to help protect its longevity and preserve it for future use, which works great for garden benches and sun lounger chairs. This will also help protect it from the elements and water spillages. If using a new sealant we would also recommend testing it on the underside of your furniture to test how dark the stain will dry. Do remember that if you plan to treat your furniture it will need to be sanded beforehand.
At Za Za Homes we sell a lot of natural rattan furniture, and you can read more about this wonderful material HERE. Whilst you’re at it why not repaint your wooden fences or garden walls; a fresh coat of paint will do wonders and will brighten up your outdoor spaces and make them even more inviting.
Tending to your garden
Make sure to keep on top of flower beds too; remove any weeds and dead leaves, and trim back bushes to cut away old branches, and deadhead last year’s flowers. This will allow for new growth and flowers to bloom. Don’t forget to add plants such as Dahlias, Asters and Sunflowers to help your gardens explode with colour! If you don’t have the space for flower beds, why not add a raised garden planter; a lovely and in style way to add summer flowers to your patio area.
Keeping your garden friendly for pets and loved ones
Sometimes it can be easy to reach for the pesticides to keep control of the garden undesirables, but this can be toxic not only for wildlife, but for pets and children too. Consider using natural alternatives wherever possible, such as crushed eggshells to discourage slugs, or Nematodes to counter pests within your garden whilst making your space friendly for other wildlife. Similarly keep bird tables and bird baths well maintained to encourage avian life, which will also help keep on top of any pests.
Conserve water
Although we’re hopefully getting less rain for a time, that doesn’t mean it will be dry all the time either. Investing in a couple of water butts can not only save your water bills, but is also a great eco-friendly way of watering your plants. Consider using pots in your garden too, as these often require less watering than beds. It’s also a handy way to get around those troublesome hosepipe bans!
Garden lighting tips
Plants and flowers aren’t the only great things to add to a garden, and along with garden furniture you should never overlook the lighting in the garden. Want to enjoy those long and warm summer evenings? Why not invest in some oil torches and oil lamps? Light up your garden in style, and impress your guests with the power of a flickering flame. Simply pour torch oil into the lamp and light the wick. You can watch a handy video on how to do this HERE. They are also great for warding off insects from your next garden party when used with Citronella oil as they hate the smell, leaving you to dine in peace. Candle lanterns are another great way to light up your spaces at night, the secure glass will keep the flames away from any breezes. Why not hang them from branches or hooks? Another alternative is solar lighting. Use the natural power of the sun to charge your lights with no mains electricity involved; allowing you to save money whilst enjoying the beautiful glow of magical lighting. If the weather does turn chilly then a fire pit is also a great investment; a cool alternative to a barbeque it will keep you warm whilst chatting with friends and family, or just helping you relax in the late evenings.
Alfresco dining
Finally what garden party would be complete without the appropriate outdoor tableware and accessories? Think about how you can use chopping boards and serveware to easily carry and display your tasty alfresco food, and use placemats and coasters to help preserve your furniture and protect from stains, spillages and heat marks.
Rugs can add a sense of style too, and make the perfect picnic accessory for those more informal gatherings…
We hope you’ve found these Za Za garden tips helpful. Planning your outdoor space or the summer can be really enjoyable, especially when you have some fun garden parties and alfresco dinners planned. Whatever the weather may bring, we hope that you enjoy your summer in the comfort of your own gardens.
