Blog
Get your garden ready for summer.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Spring is here and as the evenings get longer and the days get warmer you can really start to dream about lazy days and sunshine. So what better time to give some serious thought to what you can do to get your garden ready for summer and make it a real haven for relaxing or entertaining? Whatever the size of your garden, even if it’s a small patio or roof terrace, a total transformation is almost instantly possible even if you’re getting your property ready to sell or are renting a property and don’t want anything too permanent. There’s something to suit every budget and ideas you can tailor to meet your needs.
Use the next few weeks to get planting and pruning sorted so that by summer you can relax and enjoy your garden. The Royal Horticultural Society https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/in-month/april has some great advice for jobs to do each month and in the top 10 for April are keeping weeds under control, protecting plants from late frosts, tying in climbing roses, sowing new lawns or repairing bare patches and feeding hungry shrubs and roses. Seek advice on planting for minimum maintenance and maximum enjoyment with fragrance and colour for impact.
Choose an area to transform and create a designated space for entertaining with some careful planning. Start with a really good clean up – it makes sense to buy or hire a power washer. Then reinvent the look with furniture for dining alfresco. Replace tired old garden furniture if you have the budget or upcycle with a coat of outdoor paint. Enclosing your outdoor space will make it feel like an extra room. A pergola covered with climbing plants or lattice panel and large potted plants will give privacy and you can add shade with a parasol or awnings.
Have fun converting an existing garden shed into a creative and functional space for relaxing and getting away from it all. With a lick of paint, lighting and some well-chosen accessories you can create a relaxing haven where you can unwind with your friends.
Invest in good lighting for when the sun goes down. Combine a mix of outdoor lanterns, low voltage and solar lights to make your garden a magical place after dark. Add fountains, fireplaces, and fire pits to enhance the beauty and functionality of your outdoor room and don’t forget a few soft wraps and cushions for comfort. Last but not least, if the weather changes suddenly, a pop-up gazebo offers perfect protection in case of a downpour.
However you decide to transform your garden, it’s important to choose something that you and your family will enjoy after all your effort. And whilst garden improvements may add the all-important “Wow” factor and make your property appealing to more buyers or tenants, they may not actually add to the value of your home, so it’s worth checking before you invest significant money.
If you would like advice on how to add value outdoors or in, contact your local Frost Partnership office. Then put your feet up, relax and dream of long, summer days ahead.
