So the weather has finally warmed up, and it feels like we’re well and truly into spring: trees are laden with blossom, plants are putting on lots of new growth, and the lawnmower is back into regular action. Doesn’t it make you feel altogether more cheerful?
Warmer temperatures also make it a lot easier to motivate yourself to tackle some outdoor projects. After months of cold weather, chances are your garden and outdoor space is in need of some maintenance. Now is a great time to get on with some jobs, so that when summer arrives you’re all set to sit back and enjoy your garden.
Here are some suggestions for perfect spring garden projects that will set you up nicely for summer, whenever it chooses to arrive!
Garden tool maintenance
Ideally, you should make sure your tools are cleaned and maintained at the end of summer, so that they’re ready to use again next year. Being completely honest, I usually fail to do this! So the next best option is to sort them out in spring. Use a stiff brush to give tools a good clean, sharpen any blades that have become blunt, and replace any broken or damaged equipment.
Declutter outdoor storage
If your shed or garage is anything like ours, it will be overrun with things that have been quickly shoved in during the winter months, and not put away properly. It’s time for a declutter! Pick a dry day to get everything out and have a good sort through it, throwing away anything that’s broken or unwanted. This also applies to any outdoor toys that you might have lying around, which could well have been outgrown since they were last used. This is also an ideal time to give the shed or garage a good sweep, repair any damage, and add a coat of wood preservative or paint if required.
Clean patios, decking and driveways
It’s amazing how grubby a patio, deck or driveway can get in just a few months! Giving yours a good clean can make the whole area look brighter and more welcoming. Start by sweeping away any loose dust and dirt, then give the whole area a good wash. A pressure washer is ideal for this job; if you’ve got quite a large area to cover the Karcher K5 pressure washer is ideal, while the compact Karcher K2 model is perfect for smaller spaces. You can keep everything tidy in that newly-decluttered shed using the Accessory Organiser too.
Sort out plant supports
It’s so much easier to get plant supports in place before your plants need them, and doing it sooner rather than later will also give your plants a much more natural look. Typical candidates for supports are peonies, hydrangeas and lavatera (mallow), and climbing plants such as clematis and honeysuckle.
Conservatory care
Like outdoor storage, conservatories can accumulate all manner of clutter over winter, so it’s a good idea to have a tidy-up in here too. Conservatory plants will also benefit from some attention: give leaves a good dust, repot into larger containers where necessary, and give everything a good feed with a plant food designed specifically for houseplants. You can also use your pressure washer with a Window & Conservatory Cleaning Kit to give the outside a sparkling finish.
Get a grip on weeds
Everything grows so fast once spring gets going, and that includes weeds. Get on top of them now, and you’ll save yourself lots of time later in the season, as well as giving your plants a much better chance of thriving. My weed control tips post has lots of ideas on how to tackle them.
Colourful containers
If your garden is taking it’s time to burst into life (and let’s face it, after the weather we’ve had this year, whose isn’t?), you can make a real difference by planting up a few containers with colourful spring flowers for pots. You’ll find a wide range of low-cost bedding plants in garden centres, DIY shops and even supermarkets throughout spring, perfect for creating an instant display of colour. Keep your container plants happy by watering them regularly, feeding every few weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser, and removing old flowers to encourage new blooms.
Revive the lawn
Winter weather takes its toll on lawns, and you could well have bare patches, compacted ground and weeds to deal with. It’s amazing how quickly a lawn can perk up with just a bit of tlc though. To deal with waterlogging and compaction, use a garden fork to make holes in the ground at regular intervals. It’s a good idea to also rake ‘thatch’ from the surface – this is dead grass that has become matted at ground level, making it difficult for new grass to grow – and dig out any weeds, removing as much root as possible. Finally, sprinkle grass seed on any bare patches and give the whole lawn a good feed with a product specifically designed for grass. You’ll see a big difference in just a couple of weeks.
And there you have it: lots of suggestions for spring garden projects that will spruce up your outdoor space and get you ready for summer. Which garden projects are on your list this spring?
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