With the weather already getting warmer, now is the perfect time to give your garden a makeover and ensure it’s ready for the summer. As more people are set to enjoy staycations this year, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the perfect outdoor oasis while the sun is out.
Fortunately, getting your garden summer-ready is easier than you think. With these handy tips and tricks, you’ll be all set to soak up the sun and have plenty of outdoor fun this summer:
- Make it safe
Before you can truly relax and enjoy your garden, you’ll want to make sure it’s perfectly safe. If you haven’t been in your garden much during winter, be sure to assess every area and make a list of things you need to get done before your outdoor space is fully usable. This is an essential task for anyone who wants to make the most of their garden this summer but it’s particularly important if you’ve got young children or pets. By making your garden safer, you can ensure that everyone has the ultimate place to relax, play and have fun.
Remember – Long grass can hide a multitude of dangers, so get the mower out and cut the lawn before you begin enjoying your garden. Similarly, pressure washing patios and steps will remove mildew and make them much less slippery. Pruning overhanging branches and twigs will also prevent unnecessary injuries, so grab some shears or secateurs and get to work.
As well as enhancing the safety of your outdoor space, these little jobs will ensure your garden looks fantastic throughout the summer. Whether you’re planning on using your yard for relaxation, parties or family-fun, safety is a top priority.
- Get some shade
If you’ve spent all winter craving the warm rays of the sun, it’s hard to imagine you’ll need a break from them any time soon. However, having no shade in your garden can really hamper your enjoyment of the space, so be sure to create a shady spot for when temperatures really start to rise.
With plenty of options available, you can add a little extra shade to any garden. Awnings are a great choice, particularly if you opt for a motorised style which can be open and closed within seconds. Taking up minimal room, an awning can be used as and when it’s needed, without the hassle that outdoor umbrellas or canopies bring. As an awning is easy to retract, it simply remains discreetly in place when it’s not in use, ready to provide the perfect level of coverage when it’s required.
As well as protecting you from getting too much sun, an awning makes your garden far more versatile. With the right fabric, even a spot of light rain won’t prevent you from being outside when you have an awning you can rely on. In addition to this, the shade offered by the right awning will make it easier to read a book or view a screen, so you can turn your patio into a home office and enjoy the sun while you work.
- Grab some outdoor furniture
If there’s one thing your garden definitely needs, it’s some outdoor furniture for you to relax on. Whether you’re hosting big al fresco dinners for family and friends or you simply want to relax in some afternoon sun, you’ll need a comfy chair you can lounge on and, perhaps, a table and extra chairs to cater for all of your guests.
Although there are plenty of outdoor furniture sets available in the shops and online, you don’t have to blow your budget on something new. If you want to make the most of what you’ve already got, commit to giving it a makeover before summer is in full flow. Even indoor furniture can be customised for outdoor use, so take a look around and decide whether any of your coffee tables or chairs are ready to find a new outdoor home.
Making the Most of Summertime
Being woken by the sun each morning and having long, light evenings to look forward to puts a smile on everyone’s face, so it’s not surprising so many people look forward to the summer each year. Although you can get your garden summer-ready relatively easily, there’s no need to worry if you’re rushed off your feet and don’t have the time you need to enhance your outdoor space. With help from a reputable gardener or landscaper, you garden can be restored to a stunning idyll in time for the bright days that are on the way.
