Gardens and other outdoor spaces can get understandably neglected during the winter months, as we’re busy spending the majority of our time indoors. Summer is where they really come into their own, so wouldn’t it be great to be able to get the most out of your garden when you need it? Here are some of our top tips for refreshing your garden or outdoor space and creating the perfect summer space.
Have a tidy up
It’s an obvious one, but we couldn’t really start anywhere else. Gardens and outdoor spaces can become a bit of a dumping ground for various bits and bobs throughout the year, which then restricts the space that you have to enjoy when all you want to do is kick back and sunbathe. It can also just look really messy and no one wants that view out of their kitchen window!
So start by having a good tidy up of your outdoor space. Organise any garden furniture (and give it a quick wipe-down if you haven’t used it recently) and sort through any clutter to work out what you want to keep and what’s destined for the local tip.
If you don’t have a garage or the one you have is looking a little full, then it’s really worth considering a shed. They’re available in various shapes and sizes, so you can find one that suits the dimensions and angles of your garden, and instantly create additional storage for gardening implements, lawnmowers, tools, bikes and more.
One of our top picks is the Yardmaster Shiplap Deluxe Metal Shed. Measuring 8 x 6 feet, this shed features a sturdy steel construction, white inside walls and two translucent roof panels for a brighter interior. There’s extra headroom for more comfortable access and a padlockable double sliding door to help keep the contents safe. Add some Halfords Boltless Shelving and you can create your own bespoke storage space.
Get your gardening gloves on
While the experts recommend waiting until autumn and winter to plant anything new, there’s still plenty of maintenance and prep work that can be done in your garden during the summer months.
If you’ve got any flowering plants or shrubs, why not give them a light pruning once they’ve finished flowering? It’ll help to keep them to a manageable size and set them up well for the next flowering season.
Be on the lookout for any plants, shrubs or trees that may not have survived the winter months as they can be removed to make way for new growth. A pruning saw like the Roughneck Gorilla Fast Cut Folding Pruning Saw will come in handy here as it’ll help you to work through thicker branches and foliage.
Speaking of new growth, you could also spend some time planning and preparing areas for planting later in the year. Using a hoe to loosen the soil (and help to remove any weeds) and a spade for any particularly stubborn areas will help you to get your flower beds ready for new residents in autumn and winter.
Finally, lawnmowers are a great way to keep the grass trimmed on the majority of your lawn, but there are always those pesky edges that they just can’t reach. That’s where an edging iron like the Roughneck Sharp-Edge Lawn Edging Iron comes in. The sharp, serrated blade makes light work of cutting through turf, while the large foot treads make it easy to apply force, so run it along the sides of your lawn and you’ll have a neat and tidy edge in no time.
Tackle some basic repairs
Leave anything outside for long enough and the weather’s going to take a toll. This means any garden furniture, play equipment, bird tables or even just your patio itself will probably benefit from a bit of TLC during the summer season.
You don’t need to be an expert to carry out a lot of basic repairs in your outdoor space. Equip yourself with some good quality hand tools and you should be able to tighten loose screws, file any rough edges and encourage any nails back into place without too much trouble.
It’s also a great opportunity to tackle those annoying little issues that you’ve been putting off for months. Got a creaky gate that’s been driving you mad? Treat it to some WD40. How about a fence panel that keeps banging in the wind? Secure a spare piece of wood into the gap between the panel and post. Don’t forget that if you need to tackle any taller issues, you can give yourself a height advantage with one of our handy ladders or work platforms.
When it comes to your patio, there are few things as satisfying as plugging in a pressure washer and watching it blast the dirt away. Pressure washers come with various settings, features and lances, so just make sure you choose one that’s suitable for the surface you’re planning to clean. Check out our Pressure Washers Buyer’s Guide for more advice.
Kick back and relax
With the hard work done, it’s almost time to sit back and bask in the fruits of your labour. Of course, you need somewhere to sit first and we can definitely recommend some comfy camping chairs here. As well as being a useful addition to your garden or outdoor space, these chairs can also be folded up and taken with you on camping trips, visits to the seaside and more. Add in a table and picnic rug and you’ll have every avenue covered.
All that’s left to do is kick back, grab a cold drink from your coolbox and enjoy the rest of summer (perhaps with a sneaky dip in the padding pool or spa if the temperature gets too hot)!
We hope these tips help you to get the most out of your garden this summer. Head over to Halfords.com to check out our full range of garden and leisure products.
