Get your garden summer ready

FOCUS ON YOUR GARDEN

From pruning plants to treating garden furniture, now is the perfect time to tidy up your garden so you can reap the rewards this summer

With the kids at home, now is a great time to get them involved

Make sure your lawn is in tip top condition by removing any lawn weeds

Don’t just pull out the barbecue when you need to use it. Clean it up and remove any rust which may have built up during the winter months. If you’ve had it stored away in the shed, it might just be the case of giving it a dusting down. SORT OUT YOUR SUMMER ESSENTIALS

Remember to wash any outdoor cushions so they are fresh and pristine. You can also use scatter cushions and rugs to make your garden cosy and comfy.

Firstly, you should make sure your lawn is in tip top condition by removing any lawn weeds. It’s better to pull them out individually, as this will avoid the plants getting established. Next, mow your lawn but remember not to cut it too short as you may kill off the grass. GET MOWING!

As nice as it is to enjoy your garden during the sunny daytime, it’s also just as lovely to sit out on a cool evening. Combine a fire pit area with comfortable seating to create a cosy retreat. MAKE YOUR GARDEN COSY

Lighting is also key to creating an inviting atmosphere in the evening. Solar panelled fairy lights will look fantastic in the garden and is an eco-friendly way to create light.

Sweet peas work well at the front of beds and borders and have a delightful fragrance throughout the summer. Meanwhile, Lobelias are dainty flowers which create wonderful colours and would suit hanging baskets and containers. GIVE LIFE TO YOUR BORDERS

Rudbeckias, also known as coneflowers, look fabulous in the garden and make excellent long lasting cut flowers for a vase indoors. Finally, Cosmos will attract bees and are mainly available in shades of pink, red and white; they too make fantastic cut flowers for a vase.

With the kids at home, now is a great time to get them involved. Get them to don their gardening gloves and help with tasks such as weeding and pruning. It’s the ideal opportunity to teach them about plants and nature in your garden too. GET THE KIDS INVOLVED!

Why not use the internet to research what insects, flowers and birds are in your garden? You could even keep a nature diary to chart your finds – and get the kids to draw them too. Most of all – have fun!