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Spring is a time of renewal, and your garden is no exception. The long winter is officially over (and about time too!) so it’s a great time to get your outdoor space ready for the warmer months. Whether you’re looking at creating a beautiful flower bed, fixing up your garden furniture, or repairing some worn fencing, there’s plenty of stuff to get stuck into. We’ve got decades of experience with timber decking and composite decking here at Savoy Timber, so we’ve got our fair share of suggestions – here are five of the biggest!
Spring is the perfect time to give your garden tools the attention they deserve. After a long winter, your rake, spade, shears, and trowels may need some care before they can help you tackle your garden tasks effectively. Start by cleaning off any dirt or debris that may have built up over the months. A simple soapy water wash and a good scrub with a stiff brush will do the trick, but don’t forget to thoroughly dry them afterwards to prevent rusting.
Once they’re clean, you can then check the edges of your tools for any signs of rust or dullness. Sharpen the blades with a sharpening stone or file to ensure they’re ready for use. For tools like shears, hedge trimmers, and pruners, take extra care to ensure that the cutting surfaces are sharp enough to make clean cuts, which will benefit your plants in the long run. And don’t forget to oil any metal parts to prevent rust from forming.
Lastly, make sure to inspect the handles for damage – a cracked or splintered handle could make gardening more difficult or even dangerous. If necessary, you can sand the handle down or replace it entirely to maintain a smoother, safer grip.
Over the winter months, your garden fencing can take a beating from strong winds, rain, and frost. If you’ve noticed that your fence is looking a little worse for wear, now is a great time to assess its condition. Walk along the perimeter of your garden, checking for broken or leaning panels, loose posts, and any sections that might have become warped or weakened.
If any panels or posts are damaged beyond repair, you’ll want to replace them to prevent further issues. If just a few parts are affected, you might want to consider replacing individual fence boards or reinforcing weak sections. For a more robust repair, you can reinforce loose posts with concrete or add extra support with metal brackets. If the entire fence needs a makeover, you could potentially replace it with sturdy, weather-resistant timber that will stand up to the elements for years to come. Not only will a well-maintained fence improve the overall appearance of your garden, but it will also help ensure the safety of your outdoor space.
Spring is the time to start planting those early bloomers that will bring colour and life back into your garden. Crocuses, daffodils, and primroses are all great choices for early spring flowers, and they can be planted as bulbs or small plants in your flower beds. These flowers will give your garden a lovely pop of colour after the dullness of winter, and they often require very little maintenance to thrive.
When planting, make sure to prepare your soil by loosening it with a fork and adding compost to improve drainage and nutrients. If you’re planting bulbs, dig holes that are about two to three times deeper than the bulb’s height. Once planted, make sure to water them well, ensuring the roots have enough moisture to establish themselves.
Then, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on their progress as the weather warms, and use mulch to help retain moisture during the dry months. If you’re looking to extend the bloom time of your garden, you can think about including a variety of plants that flower at different times throughout the season.
Spring is the perfect time to freshen up your decking, making it look inviting and ready for summer gatherings. So, it’s a brilliant time to start by cleaning your decking thoroughly to remove dirt, moss, and any debris that may have accumulated over the months. Some people like to use pressure washers to do this, but it’s not something we’d generally recommend, to be honest. If you’re using one, make sure it’s not set to a high pressure that could damage the wood.
Once the decking is clean, check for any loose or damaged boards, and replace or repair any sections that are weakened or broken to avoid safety hazards. After the necessary repairs are done, it’s a good idea to treat your decking with a protective sealant. This will help prevent moisture from seeping into the wood, protecting it from rot and extending its life. Adding a fresh coat of outdoor wood oil or stain will also restore the look of your decking and enhance its natural colour, ensuring your outdoor space is ready for relaxation and entertaining.
One of the best ways to ensure you’re making the most of your decking is with your garden furniture! Whether it’s a wooden bench, a metal table, or a comfortable chair, your garden furniture will likely need a little TLC after the winter months. It’s always best to start by cleaning the furniture thoroughly, removing dirt, dust, and debris. A good scrub with warm soapy water should do the job, but for tougher stains, try using a specialist cleaner suited to the material of the furniture.
For wooden furniture, you can sand any rough patches and treat the wood with an outdoor wood oil or varnish to protect it from the elements. This will help preserve the wood and keep it looking fresh throughout the summer. For metal furniture, look out for signs of rust and treat them with a rust remover before applying a fresh coat of outdoor paint. If your cushions or fabrics have weathered over the winter, consider replacing or cleaning them to restore their comfort and appearance.
And that’s all the essentials covered! These are just a couple of ideas to get you started – you may well find you spot plenty more tasks you want to get done yourself! And if you need supplies or advice on upgrading your garden this spring, whether it’s with timber decking or something else, feel free to stop by one of our stores in Blackpool, Bradford, Wigan, or Preston. Or if you’re not local, you could always just give our expert a team call at 0345 0268 799 for some friendly, helpful advice over the phone!
