Get your garden ready for summer

Summer is here! Of course, the typically unpredictable British weather can put a spanner in the
works for any gardener. But how can you go about keeping your green space in the best condition
for when the sun does make an appearance?

Here are a few things you can do to make the most of your garden this summer.

Lawn Magic

Keeping your lawn well fed and watered can help lift a garden above the mundane. A decent
lawnmower is a must, it doesn’t have to be anything too fancy, though having those stripes up and
down your grass does add an air of sophistication.

During the drier parts of the year, it’s recommended to water your stretch of grass at least once a
week to keep it looking lush and green and a sprinkling of lawn food every now and then won’t go
amiss either.

Bring the indoors, outdoors

It’s time to get that patio nice and clean, so that you can make the most of your outdoor space. A
pressure washer is the ideal piece of equipment for this task, but a hose and a solid brush will also
get your area clean.

Got a big garden? Try zoning the area to add depth and interest. Painting sections of your fence in a
bright, geometric pattern will instantly attracts your eyes to a certain space. Ensure you add a
selection of seasonal shrubs and flowers, carefully choosing plants of different heights to add visual
stimulation.

Keep It Simple

You don’t need a complex planting design. Simple repeating patterns can be very beautiful and much easier for a novice gardener to plant and maintain. Pots and feature plants can interest and colour whenever you have the time and energy! The image below is of a very simple garden however it is still lovely. You could add a few tall tulip bulbs in purple or yellow to give some spring colour and agapanthus or dahlias for summer colour. A riot of colour would not fit such a simple design – choose one highlight colour that compliments the colour like yellow or purple. You could select yellow tulips for spring and purple or peach dahlias for summer giving you interest and little to no additional work.

A simple garden design - it's still beautiful though
A simple garden design – it’s still beautiful though

Small yard? That’s not a problem. Using outdoor wall décor like mirrors creates a feeling of vastness
and having wall-mounted solar lights ensures you’re not taking up valuable floor space, while still
maximising the room that you do have. Hanging baskets are a great option for those short on space
and can be filled with colourful blooms such as Petunia, Viola and Fuchsias.

It’s time to get planting

Produce clever displays using pots of differing heights to add a visual feast for the eyes. Trailing
plants work particularly well, with Geraniums, Fuchsias and Begonias all featuring a stunning
cascading variety. Adding perennial Lavender and Salvia into the mix will waft a gorgeous scent throughout your garden – and they’ll attract the bumblebees too.

Container flowers will need feeding once a week during the summer and aim to water them every
evening once the sun has started to set as this prevents scorching. Investing in a water butt to collect
rainwater is a smart move for any keen gardener.

Wildlife Wonders

Attracting wildlife into your garden is one of the most rewarding parts of creating your own Eden.
It’s easier to do than it first appears and there are a lot of products on the market that can help in
tempting animals and birds to your outside space.

When it comes to birds, it’s simple. First, you’ll need a table and a decent quality seed. The pigeons
will arrive first, but soon you’ll be seeing Finches, Blue Tits, Wrens and maybe the odd Woodpecker
too.

Bees love lavender
Bees love lavender

Bees love fragrant plants like Lavender and Salvia. You could even go the extra mile and invest in an
insect house, as with many species of bees now featuring on “endangered” lists, you’ll be doing your
bit for the environment too.

Simple actions like cutting a small circular hole at the bottom of your fence means that hedgehogs
will have easy access to and from your garden, as well as that of your neighbours. A hedgehog house
is also a nice resting place for the animals

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