It has been unseasonably cold. It’s official, April 2021 was the third coldest April in the UK since records began 140 years ago! However, warmer days are on the horizon. Roaring heat is predicted to sweep Britain just weeks after an unseasonably start to May.

So what should you be doing now to prepare your garden for the warm summer months? Most importantly, how could introducing a garden room in the next few weeks set you up for a fabulous summer?

Well, it’s easy to think of preparing your garden in just three simple steps; manicuring your lawn and tidying your borders, carrying out any necessary repairs and once you’re on top of those, you can then think about introducing new social spaces (yes, we said it – ‘social’ spaces where you can meet and entertain friends!).

Prepare Your Lawn and borders

As summer approaches, we all look forward to longer, sunnier days. Time spent relaxing in our summer outdoor space after a long day at work. While the shift in weather is great for our mood, changes in conditions can cause your lawn to look somewhat dishevelled. You know, the sparse unhealthy patches of grass that are just enough to take the shine off an otherwise beautiful summer garden.

So, what can you do to keep your lawn looking green?

• Cut your grass regularly. We know it’s a chore, but if you cut your grass once a week (or bi-weekly), it will look greener for longer.
• Remove moss and weeds. Moss thrives in humid, damp conditions, so you must rake it away and apply chemical treatments if needed. Likewise, weeds tend to sprout up overnight in a summer garden. You must get on top of these to stop them from spreading. However, remember not to use a trowel if dealing with dandelions or other weeds with long roots. Instead, use a purposefully designed extractor that is long and narrow, rather like a screwdriver. You’ll be able to pick one up from your local garden centre.
• Remember to feed your lawn. Be careful what feed you choose though, as it needs to be suitable for the season. Ask your local garden centre or farmer about the best spring or summer fertiliser to apply.
• Over-seed the patches. If you already have patches of grass that have become thin over the winter, break up the ground’s surface with a fork and sow your seeds, spreading evenly with a rake. If the weather is relatively dry and you gently water the area, you should expect to see green shoots in 7-10 days.
• Tidy your borders. Regular weeding will keep your borders neat and tidy and looking their best. Large shrubs should be kept trimmed back to avoid overcrowding and in some cases, getting very woody.

 

Prepare Your Shed, Fence and Tools

Even though we all spent more time in our summer outdoor space last year, getting hold of the tools needed to improve our gardens last spring was somewhat difficult.

If you haven’t had a chance to get on top of your garden, you might be wondering where to start?

To prevent your summer garden from being spoilt by loose decking, un-kept fences and broken structures, it’s a good idea to make a list. The likes of Paperchase and Etsy have some fabulous garden journals for you to choose from if you want to jazz things up a little!

Just as a note though, you’ll want to keep a watchful eye on the weather. If you’re planning on painting your fence or shed, for example, you’ll want to be sure it’s not likely to rain. You’ll also want to check that the fence posts and panels haven’t split or rotted before treating them.

Likewise, late spring is a good time to create a new summer outdoor space. This can be achieved by removing structures you do not use or finally getting rid of that bamboo that has run wild!

Don’t be afraid to get creative and have a go at drawing your own garden design. There are plenty of free landscaping apps to choose from. Just remember to measure correctly!

 

Prepare for Outdoor Social Events

We’ve all been waiting to say this for so long, but now’s a great time to prepare your outdoor space for entertaining.

So how do you make the most of your space and impress your guests with the personal touch that makes your outdoor space inviting?

Here are a few tips:

• Plant some wonderfully scented flowers such as Jasmine or Honeysuckle to add an aromatic fragrance to any gathering.
• Create shaded areas, especially if you have a south-facing garden. You could retreat to a purposefully-built garden room if you’re lucky enough to have one. If you also have a patio area, consider a stylish sail shade, which is very much on-trend at the moment.
• Introduce an herb wall close to your BBQ area. Not only will it smell fantastic, but you can also pinch herbs and add them to your cooking and cocktails during your party.
• Have somewhere warm to retreat to of an evening. This could be a gently lit garden room, or you may have a fire pit to gather around.
• Think about your lighting. There’s nothing worse than a darkened outdoor space. If you want to carry your party long into the evening, think about darting solar panel lights throughout your garden and opting for a garden room that looks bright and inviting. For example, our Affinity Range (pictured below) features internal and canopy LED downlights for a warm and welcoming effect.

In fact, adding a garden room to your outdoor space is a real benefit when it comes to entertaining. Not only does it give you great social space, but it can also be a real show-stopper in terms of design and even add value to your house.

You can create a social space that works for the entire family, as one of our clients has with their Belle Garden Room painted in Emmerson Grey.

With over 60 sizes to choose from in each of our 7 ranges, you can configure your outdoor space however you wish. The expansive decking area leading from the family garden room above perfectly moulds into its surroundings to become one big entertaining area.

Order Your Brochure Now

We hope you’ve found these tips useful. For inspiration, you’re welcome to download our brochure, which includes some beautiful examples of garden rooms. Prices start from £9,115, and every one of our ranges boasts full thermal insulation, making them genuinely versatile social spaces all year long.

Being in Bury St Edmunds, we also encourage free no-obligation garden room design consultations to clients all across Mainland UK. So, if you need a little inspiration, please feel free to reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.