Is there anything as wonderful as relaxing in your garden in the summer months? But to really make the most of the summer garden fun, you need to take care of a couple of things before the sun starts really beating down.
Over the wintertime, it isn’t uncommon for many people to let their garden rest for a while and then head out in the spring with the shears and a handful of bulbs ready to plant. During the summer months, many people also look to add some extra space or upgrade outbuildings to something that will last longer too.
Your summer garden is a place uniquely yours. Furnish it as how you’d want to spend the warm days as relaxing or productively as you’d like.
On days when you want to enjoy the vibrant scenery outside, a gorgeous beach umbrella can help you set up a nicely shaded area in the garden. Complete the setup with a wicker or beach chair, a table for your book, and a quintessential cool summer drink.
If you’re unsure where to start or need some inspiration for your next steps, here are some pointers to help you get your hardened shipshape in no time.
Weeding
While most of the garden will be dormant in the winter, as soon as the sunshine hits – the weeds will start growing at a rapid rate. Weeding can be a swift job, and if you keep on top of it by doing it weekly, your plants will have the best chance of growing well.
Plants
After you have tackled the weeds, you will see you have a lot more earth to use. Take a few laps around the garden, even if it is smaller, and think about what shapes and colors you wish to have.
It is a good idea to also pay attention to where the sun hits in the garden and where the shady spots are. This will help you to plant the right things in the right place.
Also, keep in mind how big the plants you want to add will grow and if they will need extra care later in the year.
Landscaping
While the soil is a little bit damper during the spring, it is good to do any big landscaping jobs then. As it hots up, it can become more difficult to break the earth to add things.
If you are considering adding concrete walls, repairing guttering, and/or retaining walls, then the spring months are the ideal time to do it, as you are less likely to end up with a wet and muddy site to work on.
Clean up
If you have decking, slabbing, or wooden fencing, it probably took some wear and tear over the winter months. It’s time to clean all the wood down and decide if it needs a new protective coating or if it can survive another year.
One of the fastest ways to clean down slabs and decking is with a pressure washer, but if you don’t have one, then warm water, soap, and a sturdy scrubbing brush will do the job perfectly well.
If you have wooden furniture that has seen better days, it is a great idea to give that a good scrub and treat it to some oil or protective varnish coating too.
Vegetables
If you keep meaning to plant a vegetable and herb garden but never get around to it – here is your sign to do it! Creating a raised vegetable bed doesn’t need to be complicated, and there are premade boxes that just need to be filled with soil.
Here are some great options to plant that most people have some success with:
- Radishes
- Potatoes
- Peas
- Beetroot
- Green onions (spring onions)
- Garlic
If you prefer to go for herbs, the best options are basil in sunny spots, chives, thyme, and rosemary. Planting the herbs and vegetables together is a great idea and makes picking them nice and easy.
Remember that if you choose to create a raised bed, there should be sufficient drainage so that it doesn’t become soggy and waterlogged when it rains.
Color
A fun way to add plenty of colors while waiting for your flowers to start blooming is to decorate the ceramic pots. This is a great activity if you have children too. Just remember to seal the pain in a waterproof varnish!
For some inspiration for the pot decoration, check out this post: Diy: Paint Dipped Ceramic Pot.
