After months of grey skies and drizzle, there’s finally that unmistakable feeling in the air. The days are stretching out, the sun’s got a bit more warmth to it, and before we know it, we’ll all be complaining it’s too hot. For most of us, this means one thing: the garden needs sorting.
Winter’s been rough on outdoor spaces. What looked decent back in autumn has probably taken a right battering from frost, wind and endless rain. Patios are looking grubby, lawns are patchy, and fence panels might be hanging on for dear life. The good news? Spring’s the perfect time to sort it all out before you actually want to be outside enjoying it.
Have a Good Look Around
Before you start ripping things up or buying half the garden centre, just have a wander round and see what actually needs doing. Where’s the water pooling after rain? Is the grass completely knackered in places? Are the fences still standing upright or leaning like they’ve had a few too many?
One thing people tend to ignore until it’s actually dangerous is the paving and paths. Over winter, patios and driveways can crack, sink or just generally fall apart. Getting surface repairs done early sorts out the look of your garden and stops small problems turning into expensive nightmares later. Plus, nobody wants to be tripping over wonky paving slabs when they’re carrying drinks outside.
Sort Out the Lawn
If your lawn looks like it’s given up, now’s the time to help it out. Start by raking up all the moss, dead grass and general muck that’s built up. Gets some air to the soil and gives new grass a fighting chance. If you walk on it a lot, it’s worth aerating it too. Just means poking holes in it to stop it getting too compacted.
Once that’s done, chuck some topsoil and grass seed on any bald patches. Keep it watered for a few weeks and you should see it filling in nicely. A decent lawn makes such a difference in summer. Somewhere for the kids to play, somewhere to sit without getting muddy, and it just looks better than a dirt patch.
Check Your Fencing
Your fence isn’t just there to mark where your garden ends. It keeps next door’s dog out, blocks the wind, and stops everyone seeing you in your pyjamas on Sunday morning. After a winter of storms, posts can work loose and panels can split. A wobbly fence will only get worse, and the last thing you need is it collapsing right before you’ve got people round.
Get any repairs done now while you’re thinking about it. A bit of wood treatment or a lick of paint can make old fencing look half decent again without spending a fortune on replacing the whole lot.
Think About How You’ll Use It
Once the weather warms up, you’ll want to actually be out there. Morning coffee outside, Sunday lunch in the sunshine, or just sitting with a book and a cold drink. Worth thinking about what you need to make that happen.
Do you need somewhere comfortable to sit? A table big enough for everyone? Maybe just a quiet spot away from the house where you can hide from the chaos for five minutes. Work out what matters to you and go from there.
Plants obviously make a massive difference. Climbers hide ugly fences, pots full of flowers brighten things up instantly. Herbs by the back door are brilliant because you can grab them for cooking and they smell lovely. Lavender, rosemary and thyme all do well here and don’t need much fussing over.
Get Ready Now
Going from winter into spring is always exciting. Gardens that have looked dead for months suddenly come back to life, and a bit of work now means you can enjoy it all summer without spending every weekend fixing things.
Sort out what needs repairing, tidy up the tired bits, and think about what you actually want from your outdoor space. Do that and you’ll be ready to make the most of every sunny day we get.
So stick the kettle on, find your gardening gloves, and get outside. Your garden’s waiting, and the heat’s nearly here.
