There’s nothing like the gentle enjoyment of relaxing in your own garden. But outdoor living spaces require a bit of work to keep them up to spec.
Don’t let things get on top of you – with a little bit of maintenance, you can keep your outdoor space looking great the whole year round, even if things do slip a little in the winter months. Check out our six top tips below.
Deep clean your patio
You may not have noticed the dirt and gunk building up across your patio or pavement, but introduce a pressure washer and you will see the change!
If you pressure wash in sections it can help you see clearly where discolouration has occurred over time, and if you have a large area that needs cleaning in parts you can see your progress and resume later. Deep cleaning is especially important for decking, which, when it takes on mould, can become dangerously slippery in wet weather. However, high pressure washing can damage the wooden surface so you should use a low setting. Find specific instructions on decking maintenance here.
Re-evaluate your surroundings
Stand back and take a look at your surroundings. By taking in the whole picture you can see if any accessories can be added such as a windchime which can add to the whole ambience of your outdoor living space. Try adding a birdhouse or feeder to introduce birdsong into your garden!
You can even add an ornament that can be placed perfectly to catch some sunlight. A metal statue is great for creating interesting and beautiful light patterns across the lawn. It’s all about experimenting with different placements to see what works well for you.
Identify any areas you don’t like and think about how they can be imporved. A good example is hiding away ugly plastic wheelie bins.
Consider adding lighting so when it gets dark and you and your guests are still out, you don’t have to rely on the large, bright security lights. Instead, you can use softer lighting such as fairy lights and outdoor lamps or candles for visibility. Solar powered lights can add some atmpospheric soft lighting for dusk and the nightime. Since they don’t need cables or power they are a great option for hard to reach areas of your garden.
Restore your garden furniture
Over time, your beloved garden furniture will get worn down by the weather. This can cause paint to chip, and rust to form. Tackle rust using a professional rust remover -it’s the best way to solve this problem quickly and effectively. Use a steel wool brush to remove any excess debris or dirt gently without damaging the surface, and apply using a soft brush.
A great way to dry off the rust remover after the application is to use a lint-free cloth. You can even paint over the rust-free surface with a new coat, making your rusted bench, chair, or table look good as new. You could even consider a finish like powder coating which lasts longer than normal paint and comes in a range of interesting finishes from soft mtallics to acid neons.
Refurbish your old fence
Is your fence too high and blocking some beautiful rays of sunshine? Or is your fence in need of a new lick of paint? Repainting your fence can make an old garden feel new and different, or painting over with a new coat of the same colour can refresh the appearance.
Make sure you use a paint that is specific to your material, whether that is wood or metal it’s good to get the relevant one so that it is easy to apply and having the correct paint for your surface protects it from harsh weather properly.
If your fence or boundary wall is unsightly but too expensive to replace then you can mask it cheaply using plants. What a bout a traditional hedge or even a living willow structure?
Invest in plants – and look after them!
Bring life into your garden by decorating it with plants. Some examples of great patio flowers include Hostas, which are suitable for a shaded patio area and can be grown in the soil, or in a pot. Philadelphus, or mock orange, makes a superb patio flower as the bright orange colour gives off a citrus scent too. Not only will it look luscious, but it will attract wildlife and brighten up your patio areas by adding splashes of colour.
If you don’t have a great space for a patch of soil, using separate pots with different designs and colours can also add character to your outdoor patio area. Consider using plants with varying heights and sizes for a real blend, you can even purchase hanging baskets to go on the side of your house for a space-saving option.
If growing crops is your thing, then why not buy some seeds or grow your own vegetable patch. Some vegetables that work well growing in small pots include sweet peas, cherry tomatoes and salad leaves. Imagine sitting around the table and being able to use your patio plants for your lunch!
Whatever you choose to grow remeber that plants need some TLC so think about adding drip irrigation watering system and fertilise your plants.
Keep on top of weeding
It’s important to keep on top of weeds as they can quickly become out of control. Cutting them will avoid overcrowding and save space.
Often, weeds will creep up between the cracks of your patio slabs. This can be a problem when left untreated and in extreme cases, ruin the paving slabs. Using a weed killer can be a quick and easy solution, but if you have pets or wildlife you may want to consider manual removal. Dig out the weed making sure you pull out the entire root, the best time to do this is after rainfall as the soil is softer.
Some natural remedies for removing weeds include using white vinegar to spray directly onto the weeds, drying them out on contact. It is a cost-effective treatment and can be bought in any local supermarket. Alternatively, you can use a white vinegar weed killer from your garden centre.
We hope these steps can help revitalise your outdoor living space and keep it looking beautiful with added life and character. You can read more about improving your outdoor areas by looking after your garden and preparing it for the summer here.
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