Eight easy ways to get your garden ready for summer
If your garden’s looking a little unloved after a winter’s worth of rain, snow, frost and wind, we’ve got lots of ways to bring it back to its best...just in time for summer parties!
1. Get the timing right
As tempting as it is to get started as soon as the sun makes an appearance, make sure the bad weather’s behind you first. The last thing you want is to be doing the same job twice. Patio cleaning and fence painting for example are jobs best done when there’s a nice long spell of dry weather.
2. Give it a good tidy up
Start by getting your garden looking great. Mow the lawn, get rid of any pesky weeds and neaten up borders and pathways.
Don’t forget to clear your paths and patios of any algae and dirt that’s collected over the colder months too. A good quality patio cleaner will do all the hard work for you!
3. Bring out the BBQ
SIf the BBQ’s been stored away over winter, now’s a good time to bring it out of hibernation. It’s best to give it a good clean to get it ready for its first outing ahead of time so you’re not rushing to get rid of dirt and grime on the day.
Collect any ash in a bucket before cleaning the base of the BBQ with warm, soapy water. If the grill’s in need of a spruce up too, use a wire brush to get rid of any grease and grime. Finish by giving the outside a wipe down, then leave it to dry.
Don’t forget to pop your BBQ cover back on so it stays looking sparkling until you’re ready to get grilling.
4. Give fencing and furniture some TLC
A winter’s worth of harsh weather will no doubt have left your fencing looking worn. The good news is that a lick of paint will quickly bring it back to its best.
Start by sanding it down to remove any lumps, bumps and debris then apply a fresh coat of outdoor wood paint using a brush or sprayer. Why not be a little adventurous with colour? We’ve got over 20 paint shades to choose from!
And while you’ve got the brush out, if you’ve got a wooden furniture set or a wooden bench, now’s a great time to give it a makeover too. You could go for the same colour as your fencing or paint it a complementary colour; the choice is yours!
Take a look at our blog for even more tips on sprucing up your wooden furniture.
5. Add some colour with accessories
So your patio’s gleaming but it’s lacking a bit of personality. You can quickly fix that with a few well-chosen accessories!
Garden ornaments are a simple yet effective way to brighten up your outdoor space. Pop one of our cheeky gnomes on your patio to keep an eye on guests at your party! Or plant your favourite blooms in decorative plant pots for a gorgeous pop of colour! Got something to celebrate? Why not bring out the bunting too?
If you’re planning to party long after the sun has set, don't forget the outdoor lighting. Post lights look great when dotted around the outside of your patio or along pathways. You could even go all out and hang brightly coloured solar string lights from your wall, hedge or fencing – energy saving and eye-catching!
6. Prep for poor weather
No matter how hot it is outside, in Britain there’s always a chance of summer showers! Don’t let rain stop play though, invest in a gazebo or pergola. Having a sheltered area is also a good idea if it’s red hot, as you’ll want to seek shade without needing to go back indoors.
7. Create a space to relax
Make sure everyone’s got a seat around the table. If you’re planning a big bash, take a look at our 10-seater garden furniture sets – large enough for the whole gang!
Don’t worry if there’s more coming than planned though, you can always bring out a couple of camping chairs, a comfy outdoor floor cushion, or even a few dining chairs!
Top tip - if you’re short on storage space, choose a folding furniture set.
8. Keep the kids busy
Last but not least, if you’ve got little ones, you’ll want a few toys and games to keep them entertained.
If it’s set to be a scorcher, why not let them cool off in the garden with a water fight! We’ve got a great range of water guns for some serious soaking (but we can’t promise the big kids won’t want to get involved too!).
When the water fight is over, there’s nothing quite like having a quick dip in a pool to cool off...the big challenge is getting the adults out of it first!
