With the weather starting to warm up and the daylight hours getting longer, spring is definitely one of the best times to hit the outdoors, clean up your house, and make necessary maintenance repairs. However, it is also the perfect time of the year to think about your garden. Summer is only a few months away, and the best way to make the most of your outdoors is to have a well-prepped yard. For complete garden makeovers search East London skip hire.
Below, we have provided a brief guide for garden prepping that will ensure that you enjoy your yard during the summer season, whether you are an avid gardener or just starting out.
1) Clean your tools
After months of being neglected in the shed, your gardening tools are most probably dirty and covered in mud. Keep in mind that dirty tools tend to deteriorate faster, and can also infect plants and spread diseases.
It is time to get them cleaned. Use a high-pressure hose to remove the dirt, and for the stubborn mud, use a stiff brush. It is recommended that you keep your tools well-oiled to prevent rust. Also, ensure to clean up your tools after every use in order to prolong their life and protect the health of your plants and flowers.
If you are removing a lot of garden waste, a 4-yard would be the best size for your needs. You won’t have to make lots of trips to the tip and the waste company will remove the skip for you as soon as you’re finished tidying your garden. If you need skip hire Sheffield, make sure you book your skip in advance as it can get booked up, especially during bank holidays in the city.
2) Tidy up the flower beds and borders
Autumn is closely associated with dead foliage falling from trees and bushes. It is likely that your flower beds may have gathered a few during winter. So, take the time to get rid of all the dead leaves and clutter that may have accumulated in your beds and borders over the winter.
Also, trim the edges and cultivate the soil by turning to help your plants thrive.
3) Remove weeds and pests
Weeding is one of the least favorite tasks around the home. However, it is a crucial task that needs to be duly completed. Spring is the best time to get rid of any weeds in your soil and lawn. Also, check for any that might have grown in cracks or between paving slabs on your patio surface.
This will not only help to make your garden look tidier, but it will also help to maintain the nutrients in your soil, keeping it fertile.
Your next step should be to ensure that your garden is free of any pests. More specifically, be on the lookout for ones like slugs as they are notorious for wreaking havoc on flower beds. Instead of rushing to buy toxic pesticides, consider more environmentally-friendly solutions like sprinkling crushed eggshells over the soil. This is a safe and effective way of keeping slugs away from your garden.
4) Trim the bushes
Spring is when most trees and bushes start to flower and grow new leaves again. However, it is crucial that you you first get rid of any old leaves and branches that may have been left. This will help to remove any dead parts that may prevent new buds from blossoming.
Prune the bushes and deadhead the climbing plants to allow them to flower during spring and summer.
5) Go for summer flowering plants and bulbs
What’s more beautiful than a summer garden bursting with all kinds of colors from attractive plants and flowers? By planting summer flowering bulbs and plants during spring, you will help breathe majestic new life into your garden this summer.
Choose colorful options like iris, dahlias, crocuses, and lilies.
6) Clean up the patio area
The patio or decking is definitely one of the best places to relax and enjoy your garden. However, it is common for this are to get a bit run down during winter.
Give your patio a face life by getting rid of any rubbish that may have collected and water blast the paving stones with a pressure washer to remove any dirt or moss and restore their new look.
7) Tidy up the bird tables
If you enjoy having wildlife in your garden, you’ve most probably stationed a bird table somewhere. Birds are sure to flock your garden when they are invited with a selection of treats as well as a bath.
But it is important to ensure that that the bird table is always kept clean to avoid causing harm to the birds. As you go about your spring cleaning, ensure to give the bird table a good clean and restock with seeds and nuts.
8) Start composting
Good compost can significantly enhance your soil quality. What’s more, you can make your own quality compost without spending as much. You just need a compost bin – you can make one from an old container or some wood if you don’t have one – then use it to store your garden waste and kitchen waste like vegetable peelings. The rotting process will generate great compost ideal for using in your garden.
9) Collect and recycle rainwater
Just because it’s summer in the UK, it does not mean that we won’t be getting rain. While it can be a bummer having your plans to spend the day enjoying your garden foiled by some unexpected rain, it’s not all bad news. You can make the most of your situation by collecting the rain water in a water butt and use it to water your plant when the soil is dry.
Besides helping the environment, recycling rainwater is also beneficial to the plants as rain water is usually less alkaline than tap water. High alkalinity can harm certain varieties of plants.
Using a water butt will also ensure that you are not too much affected by any hosepipe bans that may be imposed when the weather is particularly hot.
10) Treat your garden furniture
Summer is just around the corner. It is usually the perfect time to invite friends and family for garden parties and barbecues. And for this reason, it makes sense that you’d want to invest in garden furniture.
If you packed away your furniture in the garage during winter, it is highly likely that it has collected dust over the time. So, if you are planning to use it in summer, ensure to give it a quick once over to get rid of any dirt that may have collected. Also, consider treating it to preserve the wood. This will not only help to protect your furniture against spillages that are likely to happen, but it will also help it last longer.
