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It may not feel like it yet, but summer is on its way. And most people have already started preparing their gardens by planting bulbs and repairing fences. But what if you haven’t found the time to do anything yet?
Well, there’s no need to panic as there are plenty of tricks you can use to get your garden ready for summer in super quick time. Here’s six to get you started.
Lay a fake lawn
Seeding a new lawn takes time as you need to level and prep the ground before you can even think about sowing. This is typically done during spring but if you haven’t found the time or if you have a stoney or hard surface that needs taking up first, you could take a different approach and lay a fake lawn instead.
An artificial lawn only needs a level surface, so your empty patch of soil could be perfect. You’ll typically only need a fine aggregate raking over the top and a weed-control membrane. Then, you’re good to go.
There are different types of artificial grass you can buy, but in general, polypropylene versions are cheapest and will keep your artificial grass cost down. However, a nylon version is your best bet for a sunny garden that gets a lot of use.
Paint fences with a sprayer
Painting fences, sheds and other parts of the garden can be incredibly time consuming. But using a paint sprayer can speed this job up considerably. And thanks to the fine spraying action, you should be able to get an even coverage without too much hassle. You can buy outdoor paints that are sprayable, so you shouldn’t need to water the paint down and many just need one coat, saving you further time and effort.
Before starting, you’ll still need to brush your surfaces down and you’ll need to throw covers over the areas you don’t won’t painting. But other than that, the process should be straightforward and much quicker than using a brush.
Scatter flower seeds
Empty beds and borders can take time to fill with plants as you need to weed and prep the soil first before you can start digging holes for your bulbs and young plants. Thankfully, there are boxes of flower seed mixes you can buy. In most cases these are simply scattered over the ground, saving you lots of time and effort.
Boxes of woodland flowers are best for shady borders while meadow and cottage flower mixes tend to do well in sunny beds. Native wildflowers typically grow well in poor soil, saving you the effort of digging in compost and applying fertilisers. If you choose perennial seeds, they’ll come back year after year, saving you time in the future too.
Buy ready planted pots and baskets
For patios and front gardens, scattering seeds isn’t always practical, but you can still save yourself time by opting for ready planted pots and baskets. This gives you an instant display without needing to get your hands dirty.
Going for pots that have a selection of evergreen and long-flowering plants will ensure your displays stay colourful for months on end. Deadheading the flowers can help them to keep flowering throughout the summer. Again, choosing planters with hardy perennials will mean your plants will regrow the following year, saving the need to buy more pots next summer.
Jetwash the patio
Cleaning a patio can take a lot of effort when you’re scrubbing it manually with a brush. So, if you’re struggling with time, a pressure washer is a worthwhile investment. It can remove dirt, stains and algae in no time and you shouldn’t need to add any chemical cleaners, saving you a lot of faff.
The only thing you should do first, is to give your patio a good sweep and move pots out of the way. Although this takes a bit of time, it does speed up the jet-washing process.
If you’re buying a new pressure washer, look for one with a lengthy hose, adjustable nozzles and a range of attachments, to avoid any struggles. And a lightweight or wheeled model will require less effort to move around as you work.
Go with easy décor updates
One of the simplest ways to get your garden spruced up ready for summer is to do some quick décor updates.
You could cover tables with cloths and seats with new cushions to make them look more attractive without needing to give them a fresh paint job. An outdoor rug will do a good job of hiding dated or drab patio slabs and a parasol can add privacy as well as shade to your seating area without needing to install screening. Finally, putting up some outdoor lights or adding a fire pit will create a nice ambience without needing to make any major changes.
Here are some ideas for getting your garden ready for spring here.