Spring is a busy time for homeowners, who start to prepare for the summer months by having a good ol’ clean-up and declutter of their homes. But it’s not just your home that needs a spot of TLC.
Whether you have a large garden, or a small patio area, now is the perfect time to take a few small steps to making your outdoor space look more appealing for those (hopefully) long, summer months.
Here are a few ideas from pest control Croydon experts to help you on your way.
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Feed Your Lawn
Gardeners recommend fertilising and seeding your lawn up to four times a year, and spring is the perfect time. Depending on the size of your lawn, this task can take 1-2 hours, but it will definitely be worth it. Feeding your lawn will banish any bare patches, prevent weeds from taking root, and make it long lasting, and lovely and springy to walk on.
A Coat of Paint
An old, crumbling fence and tatty, dilapidated shed can make your garden look drab and unloved. Start by replacing any rotten boards, and ensuring that the structure is secure. Then sand down the wood, and use a primer before giving it a new lick of paint.
Don’t be boring by sticking to standard colours. Have a look around your local hardware shops – there are some lovely, cheerful colours for outdoor paints, so opt for something bright and fresh.
Trim Shrubs, Bushes and Trees
Pruning your shrubs, bushes and trees can vastly improve the appearance of your garden, and make it look loved and cared for.
While most pruning takes place in the autumn or winter months, many flowering shrubs and bushes need pruning in the spring to encourage new blooms.
Clean Your Patio
It’s surprising how much dirt builds up on your patio or decking over the winter months. A power hose is one of the most effective ways to remove the dirt and grunge quickly. If you don’t have your own, you can hire one, or take to the floor with a bucket of soapy water and a garden broom.
Remove the Weeds
Weeds make your garden look messy and unappealing. Fortunately, it’s a fairly easy job to tackle, and it’s great exercise too.
Grab a gardening fork and make sure you remove the weeds at their roots. If you wish, you can use a weedkiller on your lawn to help prevent their return.
Add a Water Feature
If you have the space, adding a small pond in your garden is excellent for wildlife, and adding a water fountain looks great and sounds soothing.
Don’t worry if you don’t have the space. Adding a birdbath is a simple way to add some interest into your garden. And the birds will love you for it.
Shine the Light
Adding some light to your garden is a fantastic way of making those long spring/summer evenings seem even longer, and can be a great deterrent for burglars too.
There’s a huge range of garden lighting available, including battery-operated lights and solar lighting.
It’s not necessary to spend huge amounts of time and money preparing your garden for the spring and summer. Get outside and enjoy these few easy tasks, and you’ll have plenty of time to relax and appreciate your work when the sun finally comes out to play.
