Get your outdoor space ready for the warm weather

Whether you have a garden or a balcony there are lots of things you can do now to get your outdoor space ready for summer.

Getting the preparation work in early will mean you can reap the rewards later on.

Tidy up

Give your garden a spring clean by collecting any dead leaves and stalks that have fallen to the ground. Don’t forget to sweep and clean up your patio, deck or balcony too.

Ensure your balcony is safe

Make sure there is nothing stored under the balcony railings that could be used by a child to climb over the rails. It’s important your balcony can drain rainwater properly so don’t lay materials like vinyl sheets or tiles on the floor which would also make the surface slippery and dangerous when wet. 

Pigeons can be a problem on balconies as their nesting materials can block pipes and cause water damage so please don’t encourage them with bird feed on your balcony. If you do have issues with pigeons contact Pest Control online or call on 023 8083 3005 (option 4).

Take care of your lawn

Spring is a good time to feed and rake your lawn. Clear away all debris and dead grass cuttings to allow your lawn to breathe and not become waterlogged. Now is a good time to level off any uneven areas and then add new grass seed to give your turf a bit of a facelift.

Look after your flower beds

Remove the weeds that will have shot up over winter and then give the soil a rake over to maintain airflow and give new perennials the best start possible.

Reduce, reuse, compost

Once you’ve cleared away all the organic matter from the garden, put it in the composter if you have one. And if you turn over the compost pile, you’ll probably find that the bottom layer will make an excellent mulch – perfect to spread around your flower bed.

Start preparing the kitchen garden

Vegetable growers can now sow seeds undercover. If you have a greenhouse or windowsill, you can start preparing your containers for propagating. Thoroughly clean up any old pots or make your own containers out of newspaper, yoghurt pots or old egg boxes.

Give your plants some TLC

Check if your pot plants need re-potting or moving to a more protected area of the garden or terrace/balcony. You can also trim the stems to encourage new growth. 

Restore your garden furniture

Revive plastic garden furniture with a good wash using warm soapy water and a sponge. Give your timber outdoor table and chairs a simple clean and then use an appropriate wood oil to seal and protect them from the elements.

Don’t forget the birds

Protect fruit trees and bushes with protective netting where possible and put out some nuts or bird food in a feeder to attract birds and wildlife to enjoy the garden with you!

If you don’t have your own garden but want to help care for a community garden near you then why not join one of our community gardening clubs? We have several gardening clubs in council estates across the city and many are supported by Mayfield Nurseries who offer free advice and workshops. Community gardening is a great way to meet people, keep active and improve the look of your neighbourhood at the same time. Get in touch to find out more.