As spring arrives, it’s only natural to start dreaming of warmer days and long afternoons in the garden. Now is the perfect time to start getting your garden ready to spend more time in it. If you spend some weeks during spring getting your garden ready for summer, all you’ll need to do when summer arrives is sit back and relax.
It’s common knowledge that gardening is hard work so try and spread your tasks out rather than attempt them all at once. Here are a few jobs to put on the list.
Clean Your Tools
You can’t keep your garden trim and tidy without the use of your tools. If you want your tools to do a good job, they have to be well maintained. If they’ve been sitting in your shed covered in mud and grass all winter, you may have some work to do.
Wash your tools clean with water and brush off any stubborn dirt. When your tools are clean, oil them to prevent them from rusting. Try and remember to wash them clean after each use.
Kill Weeds
It’s common for weeds to show up as spring starts. You may begin to notice them more obviously as the weather gets warmer. They’re usually found in lawns and flower beds, and even in the cracks of patio stones.
It’s vital to use weed control to kill any weeds in your garden. Not only can they quickly take over and spread but they also steal essential nutrients from your lawn and plants.
Tidy Flower Beds
Along with the rest of your garden, your flower beds go through harsh winter weather like wind, rain, and snow. If you find debris in your flower beds, remove it and dispose of it. You may spot fallen, dead leaves or trash that has blown in from neighboring gardens.
Once you remove this debris, your flower bed has a better chance of getting sunlight, water, and nutrients to the root of your plants. You can also trim the edges of the beds to make it look neater.
Get Rid of Pests
Gardens are like havens for some pests but pests are always destroyers. From the smallest bugs to caterpillars, rats and everything in between- no-one wants to find pests in their garden. Fortunately there are ways you can deter pests from making a home in your garden.
The best way to make sure that your garden is clean and tidy. This eliminates the chance of pests finding food or places to hide. You can use pest repellants but these can harm your plants so using natural methods is favored. For instance, putting broken egg shells into your soil is a great way to keep slugs away.
Trim Bushes and Trees
Spring is the perfect time to trim back bushes and trees. It’s likely that they’ve overgrown throughout the winter and may be causing a hazardous obstacle in your garden. Similarly, overgrown trees can be a danger to life in strong winds or could cause damage to your property.
You can easily trim bushes yourself with the right tools. However, trees can be more complicated. You may need to contact a professional to cut down large branches if your tree is particularly tall.
Plant Summer Seeds and Bulbs
If you like to look out at an array of color in your garden when summer arrives, it’s time to start planting. There’s a wide variety of flowers that will be ready for summer if you start planting now. For instance, lilies, crocuses, and iris are all ideal for a colorful garden and work well in the same space together. If you have a raised bed to use, even better.
Clean Your Patio
Like the rest of your garden, your patio has likely taken a hit through the winter. It may look dirty and covered in debris. The good news is, patios are often easy to clean, especially if you have a jet wash to hand. Remove the debris and jet wash your patio to remove dirt and grime.
If you have any stubborn stains left, you can remove these with soapy water and a brush. Look over the stones to check for any cracks or holes. It’s important that these are fixed as soon as possible because they can weaken your patio flooring and invite weeds and pests to stay in your garden.
Garden Sustainability
Your garden is a natural environment so it only makes sense to keep it as natural and as sustainable as possible. One of the ways you can do this is to start collecting rainwater. Your plants, flowers, and lawn will need to be watered during the summer but that doesn’t mean you have to do it with your hose pipe.
You can also think about starting to compost. Compost offers your plants rich nutrients and the best growing environment. It takes patience to create your own compost but it’s certainly worth it in the long run.
Clean and Treat Garden Furniture
You’ll never use your garden furniture more than during the summer months. Whether you’re spending time alone in your garden or entertaining guests, your furniture must be in good condition. Start by cleaning your furniture with some soapy water to remove the dirt.
Once your furniture is cleaned, you should treat it. You can do this yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Treating your furniture will ensure it can stand the test of time by avoiding damage from the sun or spillages.
Invite The Right Wildlife
Although it’s important to keep pests away, the right kind of wildlife should be welcome in your garden. By planting wildflowers, you’ll encourage bees into your garden which is a must for the environment.
You can also use bird feeders and bird baths to welcome all different kinds of bird species to your garden. They’re fascinating to watch and beautiful to hear on a summer morning.
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