There’s nothing better than summertime in the garden. However, it can take some work to ensure your garden is ready for the summer. Whether you want to use your garden for entertaining, sunbathing or growing vegetables, there is a lot of preparation to do to get your garden ready for summer. However, these five ways can help you get there, alongside some helpful gardening hacks to help get your garden up to scratch in no time.
By getting in early and preparing your garden in spring, as soon as summer arrives, you can make the most of your beautifully updated garden.
1. Preparation work
There are lots of small odd jobs that you can do around the garden to get it shipshape for summer. These tasks include;
- Clearing the gutters to prevent house damage
- Empty the shed of anything you don’t need or want (be ruthless!)
- Banish weeds from the pathways and treat the paths as necessary
- Install a water butt to catch water now to irrigate your garden in the summer
- Check your fencing for any repair work and add a lick of protection paint to increase the longevity of your fence
- Give your tools a good clean.
Garden hack: If your tools do not have wooden handles, you can clean them in the dishwasher to save time.
2. Create the perfect lawn
When you think about summer in the garden, then chances are you think of a lush, green lawn. Fortunately, it is easy to install a lawn in your garden and even ensure you get even stripes by using turf.
To start with, prepare the ground by clearing any existing turf. This can be done with a spade in a small area. However, for a large area, you can hire a turf cutter for the day from your local tool hire shop.
How to level a garden for turf
After clearing the area, you need to level the garden for turf. To start with, use a rotovator to provide around a 20cm depth of loose topsoil, you may need to buy in and replenish the ground with good quality soil. Then you can level the garden by raking over the soil to remove lumps and create an even surface.
Then you need to dance! Well, for fun, many gardeners will do a little jig over the soil to ensure it is flat and firm. However, you can walk if you prefer. Just make sure to step on every inch so that all the soil is firm and flat.
How to turf your garden
Then add pre-turfing seed to help the turf root in quickly and give the soil a final rake to level the garden for turf. Then buy and lay your turf following the instruction provided by the turf provider. When the turf Is laid, water the lawn well for the next two weeks. Consider adding feed to the turf to keep it looking as healthy as possible.
Garden hack: When you buy turf, make sure that you have time to lay it within 24 hours of purchase to get the best results for your lawn.
3. Add a deck
If you want a low maintenance garden for summer, then adding a deck is a fantastic and stylish way to prepare your garden for summer. A deck is not only a great place to relax or dine al fresco but can add value to your home too. Decking has really advanced in recent years, and there are so many styles and designs to choose from.
For a DIY decking project, make sure you have a solid plan in place before starting. One of the easiest ways to install a deck is to use a decking frame. Then the deck can be laid easily on top. However, if you want a low maintenance garden from start to finish, then ask your local landscape gardener for assistance.
Once your deck is complete, think of it as an extra living space or another room without walls. Consider outdoor trunks for storing cushion and chair covers and invest in a high-quality, durable furniture set so that you are well and truly set for summer.
4. Bring out the barbecue
Nothing says summer more than a barbecue. Furthermore, if this year is anything like last year, then a barbecue is essential for a sizzling summer. If you don’t yet have a barbecue or are looking to buy a new one, there are so many options out there to choose from.
Typically, your choice is split between two options; gas barbecues and charcoal barbecues. A gas BBQ is usually much easier to use, and you just switch on and go. You have much more control over the heat, and the clean-up operation is minimal. However, with a charcoal BBQ, you can create an authentic smoky BBQ flavour. Typically, charcoal BBQs are smaller and more portable, while the gas alternatives are larger and tend to stay in situ.
If you have a BBQ already, now is the time to give it a quick spring clean and remove any rust and you’ll be ready for outdoor cooking on the first warm day of summer.
5. Add some style
We hope that you’ll be spending most of the summer in your garden, so it deserves as much attention as any other room in your home. Fortunately, there are so many ways to style your garden, so it becomes a lush paradise to while away the days and nights in.
If you’re green-fingered, start by adding in some border plants so they’ll bloom in summer. Lobelia geraniums, sweet pea, begonia and the favourite busy lizzies are all summer flowering plants that can add colour to your garden. What’s more, these are all super-easy to maintain, just plant and bloom which is perfect for a low maintenance garden.
While flowers provide colour in the day, think about evenings in your garden too and how you can inject light and colour into your night-time garden. Outdoor fairy lights can offer a beautiful boho vibe while huge hurricane candle jars can look great too. Consider using citronella candles to keep the pests away at night. Solar lanterns can look fantastic also and are perfect for lining your pathways.
If flowers aren’t your thing, add style by painting your fence with a stylish design or colour block pattern. Add decorations such as mirrors (out of the flight path of birds), arches, benches and statues for a low maintenance garden that is an extension of your home.
