If you are feeling like you want to get out and enjoy the summer sunshine, but your garden is not looking as good as it could do, there are lots of quick and easy things that you can do to make it look better and a more pleasant place to spend time – you don’t have to spend a fortune on a full on garden makeover to get a great garden either. Here are a few ideas on how to get your garden looking great so you can sit out and enjoy the summer sunshine!
Storage is a great way to de-clutter the garden – a small shed is ideal as a place to keep all those odds and ends, and if you are not too great with a flat pack set, get someone like this handyman Hereford based Odd Job Octopus to come and put it up for you. Outdoor storage boxes are another great storage solution to keep the garden neat.
Flowers always make a place look nicer, but if you aren’t particularly green fingered don’t worry! Buy some ready made planters, pots and hanging baskets to put out in the garden to add some summer colour, you can even paint the pots bright colours to cheer it up even more!
If you like to sit out in the evening and relax, then you can add some solar lighting to the garden for the warm summer evenings when the sun sets. There are so many available – string lights can be draped in trees and along fences, or stake lights which can be placed in pots or in the ground.
Fencing, lighting and seating for summer
After winter, many gardens need more than a quick tidy. Plants are an easy way to brighten things up even in a small space. Choose varieties that suit pots if room is limited, and for borders pick plants that are suited to your soil type so they thrive rather than struggle.
Fencing is easy to overlook, but it protects the garden and has a big effect on how it looks. If a fence is shabby or close to collapse, early summer is a good time to repair or replace it.
Lighting and ornaments help make the space your own. Solar lights look attractive as the sun goes down on a summer evening and can also improve security. Finally, a patio with a seating area can transform a garden, giving you somewhere to relax on your own and to entertain friends and family.
Summer garden jobs worth doing early
Before you can enjoy the garden as an extra room in summer, a few jobs are worth tackling. Clear the previous season’s weeds from paths, lawn and borders, and if they have got out of hand, a suitable weed control product may help.
The shed often collects clutter over winter. Take everything out, sort it into what to keep and what to go, then recycle or give away the rest. Be realistic about what the shed can hold, clean the inside, and put things back in a sensible order.
Next, check the summer essentials. Barbecues may need rust removing after a wet winter, or just a quick clean if they were stored away. Make sure outdoor furniture is fit for use, and bring cushions indoors over winter to protect them. Finally, give fences a protective treatment or a fresh coat of colour to repair winter wear. If the garden lacks shade, an awning is worth considering too.