After spending a sunshine-filled day at North Wirral Coastal Park with my new, 16-week-old Irish Doodle, Tilly, I couldn’t help but notice the warmth in the sun, the quality of bright light and the general sense of well-being amongst everybody there. Spring is certainly in the air, and personally, that has me keen to shake off the winter in my garden and prepare for a deep spring clean. 

Now is the perfect time to take these pockets of blue skies and get ahead in the garden – after all, spring cleaning isn’t indoor territory only. Read on for my best outdoor spring clean tips

GRASS AND LAWN

If the earth is dry enough, by biggest spring clean tip is to take off a layer of grass. Take only a little off the top; you don’t want to stress the grass and inhibit its growth. 

For the first fortnight, I recommend cutting grass on your lawnmower’s highest setting once weekly. Each following week, move the lawnmower’s setting down one notch each week to a height that’s ideal for your lawn’s aesthetic. The Husqvarna LC347V Petrol Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is perfect for a lawn maintenance strategy as its size ranges from 20 – 75mm and means your grass with be in tip-top shape for March when it’s time for moss-killing and grass fertilizer. 

Now is an ideal time to clear away leaves lingering on the ground. While a light coverage of leaves can help provide some nutrients to the grass, too much will prohibit the moisture from escaping and block the sunlight from providing UV. Ensuring your grass is getting enough light and room for water to evaporate will ensure you avoid moss growth early in the season.

PAVERS AND DECKING

The upkeep of pavers in winter is essential to enjoying a clean and tidy area underfoot in spring. Cold, frosty and icy spells can wreak havoc on patio pavers, causing cracking and moss build-up. Sealing your pavers is your first port of call to protect your patios, footpaths and driveways.

  • Clear water or solvent-based coating will ensure long-term protection and reduce water damage and erosion during cold, wintery spells. I recently completed a job for a customer who preferred the wet look of the Resiblock Superior Original Block Paving Sealer in gloss, and I like it for stopping weed growth. Still, one of my favourites is Everbuild 405 Path and Patio Seal Paving Sealer for its overall finish and fungicide properties.
  • Avoid salting your pavers, as the salt contains moisture, and once that salt is re-frozen and integrated within the paver, it can cause cracks.
  • Clean your pavers as frequently as you can with a hard-bristle brush. Keeping up-to-date with your bushing will prevent a build-up of stubborn moss.
  • A power wash will do wonders as the sun comes out and allow for a proper assessment of any loose or cracked pavers that need mending or replacing. 

Just as I’ve advised you to rake up leaves in your garden, those that have hit your wooden deck must be given the heave-ho, too. Wet leaves turn into a mulchy sludge that can cause rot!

Check under heavy outdoor items and furniture to ensure a damp spot hasn’t developed over the winter. Treat or repair any damage, so it’s ready for you to enjoy in the coming months.

Remember April showers, so before inevitable wet spring days, check the forecast for a few days of dry weather and add a coat of timber treatment and water repellent. 

OUTDOOR LIVING

I am a big fan of storage solutions. It’s one of the primary services we offer at Man Van and Plan. So I particularly love outdoor storage solutions that make summer spaces a breeze should dark clouds start to roll over.

Bench seats of furniture with built-in cushion storage will save you mountains of space in your garage – you can easily store your cushions and throws overnight and bring them out again in the morning.

While gazing out on your springtime garden, what else can you see that may need a refresh? Think of your fence as an extension of your favourite shrub or patch of flower beds. It boards your strenuous efforts and needs attention, too. Any loose panels or chips can bring down the overall look of a garden, so pay attention, and you’ll likely save money in the long run too.

Painting sheds is a great way to breathe life into your garden too. The usual weather-treating and re-felting of the roof is a must, but also consider a bright, bold colour to give your garden personality and charm. 

What are your thoughts? Any garden spring clean tips and tricks you like to use to spruce your space? Please share them in the comments below…