The important and overlooked job people always forget in their gardens
WITH the summer season approaching, many of us are looking forward to getting out and relaxing in the garden.
It can be the perfect place to put your feet up, relax, and take in the sunshine while enjoying the greenery.
But after a long, horrible winter and plenty of rainy days in spring, our gardens have taken quite a hit.
And as a result, they might need some much-needed attention.
Luckily experts have shared their top tips on how to get your garden into the perfect condition for summer.
Joshua Houston, garden expert at Household Quotes, also revealed the one overlooked job that people always forget to do.
Clearing out your gutters is essential to prevent damage to your home and garden, but it’s a job that often gets missed.
Not only can a clogged gutter smell awful, but it can hamper rainwater drainage and in the long term it can cause expensive damage to your property.
”Our gardens are an important part of our property, sitting outside in the sun after work sipping a cold drink is a fantastic way to spend an evening… we know that the hot weather is far and few between, so don’t be unprepared for that first period of hot weather
Joshua Houston
But he insists that you need to do it as soon as possible so you don’t waste those first few days of sunshine.
Joshua explains: “Blocked gutters can be a real nightmare, a range of different materials building up can result in bad odours arising.
“This can leave your outdoor space smelling unpleasant for yourself and any guests you entertain.
“The longer you leave it, the worse it will get so it’s important you act if you discover that your gutters are full.
“Full gutters can cause your garden other problems, it attracts pests like birds, mice and rats which can make your outside space a scary place to be.
“It will also affect your plant life, as these rodents often like to feed on your plants and homegrown fruit and vegetables.”
He also urged homeowners to cut back their bushes after a long winter to improve their gardens.
Joshua adds: “Bushes are another part of your garden that can overgrow during the Winter months.
“They can be dangerous to young children playing, as sharp wooden twigs are hidden by the bright green leaves.
“A hedge trimmer is the ideal piece of equipment to use costing anywhere from £40.
Top tips to look after your lawn
JOSHUA has shared his top tips for looking after your grass and your lawn after it's been battered by winter weather.
He says: “One of the most stand-out features of any garden is the lawn, an uncared-for lawn can make your entire home look unpleasant.
“Start planting seeds now if you haven’t already to fill parts of your lawn that might be muddy messes. You can buy lawn seed for less than £10, and it only takes six to eight weeks for grass to fully grow.
“Muddy patches may not be a problem, but the length might be. It’s normal for grass to overgrow during the colder months.
“Let’s face it, not many of us want to spend our free time out in relentless British rain. Start mowing your lawn regularly, once every fortnight should be sufficient.
“In order for your grass and other plants to grow, they need to have enough access to resources like water and sunlight.
“Weeds can cause real concerns, they provide no food value, nutrients or visual appeal. So it’s crucial that you deal with them accordingly, spray them with weedkiller which normally takes seven days to do its job.”
“If this isn’t in your budget, you can use shears which will take more time but give you better control of what you’re cutting.”
And while people often put off cleaning the paving in their gardens, Joshua says the beginning of summer is the best time to do it.
He explains: “After the unusually wet few months we’ve had, a lot of mud from other parts of our gardens would’ve found its way onto the paving.
“Use a jet wash to clear any mud, moss or other stains that are preventing that nice clear finish.
“If you’re planning to spend a lot of time outside this summer then start cleaning now to avoid ugly stains on your feet and shoes.”
Check your garden furniture and equipment
IF you have some furniture or equipment in your garden, Joshua says you should check it over after winter months.
He says: “It’s natural that over winter, some of your equipment that has been left exposed to the elements will be a little worse for wear. Give each piece of equipment a thorough inspection, making sure that it is still safe and component to use.
If it is found to be faulty, it will leave you plenty of time to get it fixed or replaced. Given we’re out of the Summer season, you might find better deals on equipment, saving you money.”
He adds: “Garden furniture also is particularly vulnerable to bad weather, paint can fade quickly resulting in an unattractive look. Top up your furniture with a bit of paint now, so when Summer arrives you are good to go.
“Choose a paint low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), as those with high VOCs are toxic to the environment. They are particularly dangerous to people who have breathing conditions such as asthma. In a garden environment where your children or pets might be running around it is best to avoid this risk altogether.”