Getting Your Garden Ready For The Summer
Spring is the perfect time to get your garden ready for the summer. With just a bit of care and attention, your outside space will look lovely for the whole season. This blog looks at a few of those jobs you can be doing now in preparation.
Pretty plants & fabulous foliage
This time of year your plants will hopefully be flowering, causing a riot of colour around your garden. To keep them looking stunning all summer:
- Deadhead them on a regular basis to encourage new growth.
- Water frequently, especially if there hasn't been any rain.
- Feed once a week for some extra help.
By giving your plants a little bit of love and care, they should reward you with summer-long colour for you to enjoy.
Guttering & downpipe maintenance
Spring provides the perfect time to clean out your guttering and downpipes. Over the winter months, dirt, leaves, and other debris will have accumulated, which, if left, can affect the performance of your guttering system and cause irreparable damage. So now is the time to get cleaning.
Always remember safety first. Use a safe, sturdy ladder and ask a friend, family member, or neighbour to hold the bottom for you. Wearing protective gloves is also a good idea to protect you against any sharp sticks and thorns. First, check your guttering for nests. If there is a nest, we would recommend waiting until the nest is empty before starting to clear your guttering. Next, clear out all the loose debris you can. You can then clean the guttering by using a bucket of warm water and either a specialist cleaning product or washing-up liquid. You can wash the outside of your guttering and downpipe with a pressure washer. Cleaning your guttering also gives you an opportunity to inspect it and repair any cracks or holes you notice. You should now have sparkling, empty, and clean guttering which will see you through till next spring!
Decking & Patios
If you have a deck or patio, now is a great time to prepare it for those long summer evenings of relaxing and entertaining. Whether you have a timber deck, stone patio, or composite deck, start off by removing or moving any furniture or plant pots. Then give the surface a good sweep. This will clear away any loose dirt and debris from the surface. Your next step will depend on whether you have a deck or patio.
Patios
Most patios can be cleaned using a pressure washer. This will help to remove those stubborn stains which can be created when water gets trapped underneath debris. Using a hosepipe and soft-bristled brush will also work. If you want to use a cleaning product, we always recommend reading the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it can be used on your type of patio.
Timber Decking
Timber decking can also be cleaned with a pressure washer to remove those most stubborn stains. Alternatively, again, a hosepipe and soft-bristled brush will work – you will just need a bit more elbow grease! Timber also needs protecting from the elements to prevent it from splintering and splitting. It may also need staining, especially if the colour has faded in the sun. Spring is the ideal time to do both so your deck looks lovely throughout the summer and is protected during the autumn and winter.
Composite Decking
Once swept, composite decking will only need a wash down with warm water – a hosepipe will suffice – to get it clean. As composite is split resistant, it does not need any treatments to protect it from the weather. This means you can enjoy your decking sooner!
If you have any queries or would like further information about our range of guttering and decking, or any other products in our extensive range, call our friendly expert team today on 0800 22 77 77.
