Getting your garden ready for summertime

The weather may still be a little unpredictable in just now, from March winds to may cold snap, but stand for a moment in the sun and you will be pleased to feel it's warmth once again And that means summer is not far away! With daytime temperatures climbing into double figures again, the soil warms and very slowly, new life starts to bud from trees and shrubs. And then in a blink of an eye, the garden is full of new leaves. The bees are back, the wasps are around too, and tiny creatures of all kinds emerge from wherever they have been hiding over the spring. But to enjoy the summer in your garden, you want it to look the part. So, what can you do now in order to get your garden summer-ready?

1. Make a list of what to order

This is the time to design your garden. You not only need to order the tools, compost and paint for your fence that you will need to transform your garden into your outdoor paradise. You also need to think about the things you really need to be done in your garden before summertime.

For instance, I am looking at getting a new patio laid. My old patio is very broken and no longer level and I do not need to tell you how annoying that is when trying to put your garden furniture back out. I have been getting quotes from different people so I know the cost to lay a patio. It is a lot cheaper than I thought. I have no idea why I put it off for so long. So why not really think about what you really want out of your garden and go for it.

2. Tidy up

Even the most organised of gardeners will run out of time come the autumn to get everything put away, ready for use in the spring and summer.

So, complete the small tidying jobs that will make a big difference come the summer;

First Tidy the shed. This will make the whole process easier as you will know where all your told and weed killer is located.
Wash out and disinfect plant pots ready for spring sowing
Spend time giving some attention to border and pots by adding a top layer of mulch or organic matter – now is the time to add nutrients to the soil that have been lost in winter rain and gales
Pile fallen branches, twigs etc. into a quiet corner of the garden so that they act as a bug hotel for garden-friendly insects, such as ladybirds, this summer and beyond

3. Nutrition is the key to success.

Like our bodies, to maintain good health, plants need a variety of things – water being one, nutrition is the other. The harsh cold and rains of winter mean the top layer of the soil has had much of nutrients washed or blown away. Likewise, deeper down in the soil, nutrients can be a little thin too.

Most plants have different requirements, and you will see you need to spend this time giving your soil some much-needed attention in the shape of adding nutrients to their diet.

4. Turn the compost heap

If you have a compost heap, a must-do gardening task for this time of year is to give it a good turn. This incorporates air into it and this combined with the warmer temperatures accelerates the decomposition process.

Use the ready compost for sowing spring seeds.

5. Trim and cut back

With the danger of frost long past – keep an eye on nighttime temperatures though – most shrubs and bushes would welcome a cut.

Pruning takes a little time, but it is worth spending some time trimming back branches so that you encourage new growth but, strong growth in the right places. By helping the plant to maintain its shape, you’ll notice that it grows lovely and strong, rather than thin and straggly. I actually did this last week and I am already seeing the benefits.

6. Clean the garden furniture

Whether you have hardwood or another type of garden furniture, now is the time to whip off the protective cover and give the garden furniture a clean. Using a soft-bristled brush, sweep out the nooks and crannies either rinse it down with a bucket of warm soapy water or a good dousing from the hose pipe. Leave to dry naturally, preferably on a warm, breezy spring day than sitting in direct sun. You may have to repaint if you have wooden furniture so this is the time to get this one.

This is also the time to think about what you want to purchase for your garden. Do you need to replace the existing furniture? Or fancy something a bit more special like a hammock or new BBQ now is the time to start making a plan on what you really want out of your garden.

MissLJBeauty