I’m a gardening expert – how to autumn-proof your garden to deal with thunderstorms
IT’S been a summer of heatwaves, but as we move into September it’s time to start prepping your garden for the start of autumn.
After the recent thunderstorms, experts have revealed their top tips to getting your outdoor space in top condition for the changing weather.
Retailer Next reveals the ultimate guide to preparing your garden for the seasonal switch…
Give your garden furniture an autumn spring clean
A drop in temperature means garden furniture will be used less regularly, so it’s important to clean furniture before storing it away.
The experts said: “If left exposed to the elements, furniture such as garden umbrellas can become discoloured, and fire pits can corrode, and it is therefore best to store under a protective cover.”
When it comes to removing built up dirt and grime from garden furniture that has been sitting out all summer, it’s important to know that certain styles of furniture should be cleaned differently to avoid damage.
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For households with wooden garden furniture, a mixture of sugar soap and warm water is enough to remove dirt and leave a long-lasting effect.
Baking soda and warm water does the trick for plastic furniture, simply scrub with a soft sponge or cloth to tackle stains but avoid using bleach as this can corrode the material.
When it comes to metal furniture, scrub dry furniture with steel wool to remove existing rust. Hot, soapy water is the next best thing for removing dirt and debris that may have gathered over the summer months.
Steam clean your BBQ
A spate of heatwaves this summer gave us plenty of opportunities to enjoy a BBQ, but now is the best time to think about deep cleaning your grill ahead of storing it away for the autumn and winter.
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The Next experts said: “Leaving your BBQ exposed to harsh elements including wind, rain and cold temperatures could be damaging.
“Ideally, you should store your BBQ indoors in a shed or garage, or store under a protective cover.”
BBQ covers are available to buy from Next, including the Charcoal BBQ Grill Cover by Tepro which retails at just £30.
Cleaning your BBQ doesn’t have to be a tough job – in fact, all it takes is newspaper.
A clever hack for cleaning your BBQ grill is to steam it using a slightly damp newspaper.
Wait for the BBQ to cool and spray some water onto a sheet of newspaper and lay it on top. Close the BBQ lid and leave for half an hour.
The heat will produce steam and rid the grill of grime.
Don’t let your lawn go hungry
Soaring temperatures and hosepipe bans mean our lawns will be thirsty in the run up to autumn.
The experts said: “Autumn could be the last opportunity to mow your lawn before the winter months, so it’s important to prevent grass growing too long before frost sets in.”
Freezing temperatures have a detrimental effect on grass, and lawn food is a great way to strengthen grass for it to survive the winter months when it will rarely be tended to.
This makes for a much happier, greener lawn to enjoy in the spring.
Check your plant pots are weatherproof
If you’ve spent plenty of time decorating your garden this summer, don’t let the hard work go to waste.
Plant pots may look great, but they should also be weatherproof to prevent damage in harsh weather.
The experts at Next said: “Cold weather can cause plant pots to crack, which can ultimately affect the plants that you’ve been working on keeping healthy in the summer.
“You should check that your outdoor plant pots are weatherproof and can withstand the elements.”
Avoid using ceramic pots in the autumn and winter months.
Bring in light for the dark nights
Autumn not only brings with it the colder temperatures, but darker nights also.
“Garden lighting is key for brightening the area, which can be especially pleasing when the sun begins to set on a cold autumn night.
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The experts said: “Outdoor lighting can bring a theatrical feel to any garden, it can also be done in an affordable and sustainable way by choosing to invest in solar powered lights. “Garden lighting is also a clever way of drawing attention to some of the most exciting elements of your garden.”
Fairy lights can add a lot of warmth to a garden during the coldest seasons, you can shop the Solar Garden Fairy Fine Lights for only £22 at Next.
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