The FIVE things to do to your garden to ensure it’s blooming lovely by spring, and why you should start with the patio

WITH spring just around the corner, many of us are dreaming of warmer weather and spending all day in the garden.

Before you get the deck chair out though, there are a few chores you’ll need to tackle to make sure your garden is in full bloom all year long.

4

4

For those who aren’t green-fingered, we even have a list for you thanks to Marshalls – the expert garden and driveway designers.

Thankfully, don't have to be a wannabe Alan Titchmarsh to get these chores done as the brand’s Head of Domestic Design, Johanna Elvidge, has offered her advice for a great-looking garden.

Whilst spring cleaning is usually confined to the house, she recommends tidying your outdoor space in early March to help prepare it for the warmer weather.

CLEAN SLATE

Her first step is to remove any weeds that are cluttering up your lawn, as well as unused furniture, rubbish and anything that is taking up precious space.

Once this is done, the gardening guru then suggests getting to grips with your patio or paving stones -especially after a long damp winter.

Johanna explained: “There may be a build-up of organic growth such as algae which can be cleared up with a pressure washer; be sure to use this on a low power setting and at a slight angle to ensure you don’t damage your paving.”

PART OF THE FURNITURE

Whilst it might not be deck chair weather just yet, she also suggests giving your garden furniture a bit of TLC after being kept in storage over the colder months.

In addition to giving it a good wipe, she also says that early spring is a great time to touch any chipped paint or revarnish the wood.

Not only does this help to protect the often expensive furniture, the domestic goddess suggests that has the potential to make your entire garden ‘much more inviting’.

Sadly though, sometimes keeping your lawn chairs in storage isn’t enough to save them and just as spring arrives – they fall to bits.

Don’t despair though, as Johanna has revealed that you can often make DIY versions of high furniture with scrap materials – for a fraction of the cost.

“If you’re yet to buy furniture you can DIY with some pallets or storage containers,” the domestic goddess explained, adding: “When prepped and painted you can pair these with cushions to make an outdoor living room.”

MAKE ROOM

Just like you would in your home, gardens should have broken up based on how you intend to use the space – according to the Marshalls exec.

Whilst you might not have space to add an Olympic-sized pool or a tennis court, Johanna does suggest using different materials to define areas.

She told the press: “If you’ve got a relatively large garden, you might want to break it up into defined spaces, by using different materials to create sections, such as paving, wood chippings and grass.

“Different sections could include; lawns, vegetable patches and seating areas. You can also create a children’s play area as a great way of introducing them to nature.”

DIZZYING HEIGHTS

For those that do have a smaller garden, Johanna has a surprising suggestion and says that adding taller structures will totally transform your space.

“You can introduce height to your garden by using a structure like a pergola. Using a pergola defines the vertical space and can make a smaller garden appear larger,” she revealed, adding that these can also offer a frame for plants to climb.

GRASS ROOTS

Finally, Johanna suggests making sure you tend to your lawn by early spring to ensure it looks perfect for the rest of the year.

This is because the warmer weather in March can often cause grass to grow rapidly, so it’s best to mow your lawn a couple of time so it is easier to maintain later.

Don’t be tempted to over do this or scarify your lawn though, as more intense prune is more effective in the summer.

4

4