Garden Makeover

Summertime is barbeque and garden party season, the time of year when friends and family gather outside and soak in the sun. While it may seem early to be thinking about this, garden renovations and maintenance should start ahead of time so that everything is ready for Summer and we can enjoy our outdoor area rather than spend time working on it. 

If your garden needs some TLC, take the time to give it a simple and affordable makeover so that you can get optimum use of it in the warmer months. Take a look at these tips on how to create the perfect entertainment and relaxation hub for you and your guests: 

Invest in the Right Tools 

Before you go near your garden, you should invest in the right tools for the jobs that you’re planning on undertaking. Purchasing good tools is an investment but will save you time and money in the future if you’re planning on taking this seriously. 

Always use sharpened tools in good condition and if you need specialist tools you can hire them, as long as you are confident in your ability to use them. If you have a bigger job to undergo and don’t have much experience in the garden, think about hiring help. 

If you decide to purchase your own tools, do your research first and get good quality ones so that you won’t have to replace them regularly or run the risk of injuring yourself. 

Get Weeding 

The first thing to do when giving your garden a makeover is to clean up everything that is overgrown. Get rid of all the weeds and mow the lawn. 

If you have garden weeds in your flowers or on the lawn and they’re getting in the way of enjoying your outdoor area, a weed puller will be your best friend. A weed puller is a simple tool that will enable you to get rid of the weeds easily and effectively without having to kneel down on the hard ground. 

Next thing to do is to get your lawn under control. Use a lawnmower to cut your grass and make sure to tidy the loose grass up afterwards if your lawnmower doesn’t have a grass collection box. To leave your lawn looking perfect use a grass trimmer to leave the edges looking fresh and crisp. 

Perfect the Lawn

For many of you, mowing the lawn is enough but some green areas may have specific issues. 

Lawns can have certain problems like brown patches, mushroom and moss growth, or bald spots and special treatments might be needed for these issues. 

Lawn treatments are often made of hazardous chemicals so if you don’t have a particular green thumb, you could seek out an expert and pay for their services instead of running the risk of mishandling dangerous chemicals. Going about this the right way could also save you money on tools and seeds if you haven’t spent much time working in the garden before this. 

Cut Trees and Shrubs  

If you have a lot of shrubs and bush foliage, your garden will start to look unkept unless you look after it. Get your hedge trimmer out and trim everything back. This will make your garden much neater and open up the space, making your garden appear bigger and more inviting. If your hedges get too large, it will be hard for sunlight to get in so use hand pruners to create some spaces in the hedge for light and air. 

If you have larger trees and shrubs that require power tools to be cut, you should think about hiring help once again. If you’re not experienced, these tools can be dangerous and certain plants must be cut in certain ways or else it could affect regrowth. 

Lay Out the Garden 

Seeding or turfing your garden is simple and vital for a healthy looking lawn. Digging and planting your own flowers and plants is easy and can be done yourself. 

Mulching your flower beds is a cost-effective way of retaining moisture in the soil and helps to keep your plants looking neat and tidy. Achieving a fresh and colourful garden doesn’t need to be expensive or difficult to do, as long as you keep on top of things and are prepared to put in some work. 

Create a Pathway

If you’re looking to create a new path or patio or renovate your existing one, gravel and good quality weed membrane are cost effective and easy to use. A hard base isn’t necessary for areas that aren’t used much, you just need to make sure the soil is compacted and at an even level. 

Old bits of slab and bricks can be upcycled and used to create a path or patio as well. They also need to be put firmly into the soil and placed at an even level to ensure they’re safe to step on. 

These ideas are great if you’re on a budget as you don’t need to hire a professional and are conveniently eco-friendly and sustainable! 

Tidy Paths and Patios

Once you have your paths and patios done, it’s time to tidy them up. Sweep the paths, paving and decking to remove any leaves and dirt. You’ll have to do this regularly to maintain a clean and tidy space. Giving your garden a pressure wash is a wonderful way of making your paving look like new. 

If you don’t have time to keep up with the maintenance or want to make your life a little easier, a large outdoor rug to cover your patio will do the trick. It breaks up the garden and draws attention away from your tired paving and patio, while also adding a fabulous visual element to your outdoor area. 

Paint Fences and Sheds

Next step is to tackle any fences and sheds you have that may be looking worn down. Add a pop of colour to your garden by painting them in bold colours and brighten up the place. Alternatively, you could use a wood stain if you prefer the natural look of your fences and sheds. 

Use a wood protective paint to keep your fences and sheds protected from the outdoors and to prevent rotting. 

Hanging Baskets and Plant Pots

Once your outdoor area is tidy and cleaned up, it’s time to start adding some colour and vibrancy. Flowers will brighten up your garden and hanging baskets are a dynamic addition to your space and the baskets can be filled with any flower or plant of your choice. 

Baskets and pots are handy as they are self-contained, so they are cost-effective and easy to maintain. They are perfect for smaller gardens to maximise your space or if you’re looking to cover up an area in a larger garden. 

Choose your favourite easy-care plants that will bring an instant splash of colour to gardens, terraces and balconies or if you’re looking for minimal maintenance, buy some artificial plants that require no work at all! 

Now that your garden is fresh and tidy, think about adding some extra character to it with our Outdoor Living Space blogpost!