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Now that the weather is finally showing signs of summer, many of us are looking to spend more time in our gardens. If you’re looking to make the space a bit more enjoyable, here are some small changes you can make to your garden this summer.
Clear the weeds
I don’t know about you, but weeds in a garden make me feel a bit stressed. If I’m sitting trying to relax, I know there are things that need doing and weeds that need pulling up. It’s a good idea to have a good clear out of as many weeds as possible before the weather gets too hot. After this, you’ll only have minimal maintenance and you’ll be able to enjoy the garden more.
Add some lights
So many people miss out on being able to use their garden in the evenings because there isn’t enough light out there. Adding some outdoor lights is really easy, can be quite cheap and can make a huge difference to your garden. There are so many options to choose from including flood lights, solar lights in the ground or maybe twinkly lights around your fence are more your style.
Find some shade
Some gardens, especially if they’re south facing, can get really hot during the day. It’s important to find yourself a shady area so you have somewhere to escape from the sun. While planting trees is a great idea, they take a long time to grow! Instead, a simple parasol and heavy base will provide some much needed relief from the heat.
Upcycle old furniture
Garden furniture can be expensive, especially if you buy brand new. Maybe you have an old table and chairs lying around that have seen better days. If you have wooden garden furniture, this can easily be sanded down and restrained, costing a fraction of buying something new. You can get some really cool colours now for garden furniture so this could also add something bright to your garden as well.
Warm up outside
Another issue with spending time in the garden in the evening is that it can get chilly quite quickly. For families, a chiminea is a great option. Unlike fire pits, the chiminea directs the heat upwards and has less possibility for sparks to hurt someone. Always follow fire safety though if you plan on using a chiminea in your garden.
Invest in raised planters
A really easy way to change an area of your garden is to add some raised planters. There are lots of different styles and designs available and you could even paint them to match your newly upcycled furniture. Raised planters make it possible to grow some beautiful plants and flowers without digging into your ground or having a huge redesign. What’s even better, is that you can change them when you want and move where they are if you’re not happy with the location.
Spring cleaning
Just like with weeds, other areas of your garden might need cleaning before you can really enjoy it this summer. Patios are one of the worst areas of a garden for needing cleaning, especially after the winter months. Aviara Pavers shares that a jet washer/ pressure washer can make a huge difference to your patio and takes minimal effort. I don’t fancy scrubbing patio slabs to get them clean so this is a much better idea.
Create a vegetable garden
Have you ever fancied growing your own fruit and vegetables? Well, now is the perfect time. Find a small area of your garden that you’re willing to change and make your own vegetable garden. Do a bit of research beforehand so you can find out what will be best for the type of garden you have as well as the time you have to take care of it.
Paint the shed
Just like with old furniture, sheds tend to get really battered thanks to the weather. Although sanding down a shed is a good idea, it’s not really necessary, unless you want to get rid of the old paint completely. Re-painting the shed in a similar colour is a cheap option and will make it look like new again… even if you will have to do it again in a year or two.