8 Tips to Get Your Garden Ready for Summer

Summer is the time of year when our gardens truly shine. Whether it’s blooming flowerbeds or a relaxed family BBQ, there’s a lot to look forward to this season. 

To ensure your garden reaches its full potential before the summer starts, it’s wise to prepare beforehand so you can kick back and relax. This handy guide from the team at Hills Home & Garden will outline how to get your garden summer-ready so you can start enjoying the golden months from day one.

Our summer garden checklist

Prepping an outdoor space will look different for everyone, so make sure you take care of your garden’s specific needs. For a general overview, here are our top tips for getting your garden ready for summer: 

• Get rid of debris: The windy and rainy winter months usually result in a lot of debris gathering on your lawn. Clear this away for a clean slate and to prevent it from rotting down into the ground. 

• Mow your lawn: Grass grows the most during early summer, due to the favourable conditions, so give it a mow beforehand to stop it getting too wild. 

• Get weeding: If grass thrives in summer, so do weeds. Banish these unwelcome guests early on to get a head start on their growth. 

• Clean the garden furniture: Over the colder months, we tend to put garden furniture into storage. If your pieces have been in a shed for a while, you’ll need to give them a clean to restore them to full glory before the warm season begins in earnest. It might also be an ideal opportunity to have a clearout of your shed in general. 

• Clean the barbecue: This summer essential will likely need a wash before you have your first BBQ of the year, so it’s clean, hygienic and ready to fire up. 

• Up your irrigation game: Our summers are getting hotter, so ensuring your irrigation is up to scratch has never been more important. A simple hose might not cut it anymore if you want to ensure all plants thrive, so think upgrading to sprinkler or irrigation systems. 

• Plan your planting: A dynamic and vibrant garden is best enjoyed in the summer sun. With this in mind, think about what flowers you want to see this year, and sow them with plenty of time to spare. Some species will need work in the spring, so it’s good to plan in advance. To manage your workload, you might also want to create certain zones for plants that need shady spots and those that require more watering. 

Give your garden a makeover: The start of summer can be a time for reflection and renewal, and a chance to really think about whether your garden furniture is working for you. If everything is looking a little worn or outdated, or you’re missing a few essential pieces, then indulge your garden in a little makeover before summer begins.

This isn’t a comprehensive list, so have a think about what your garden needs, drawing from your experience of what’s worked and hasn’t worked in past years.

How often should garden furniture be cleaned in summer?

Clean garden furniture at least twice a year, bookending the warmer months. Generally, it’s recommended that the first biannual clean should be done at the first signs of spring, and then once again when summer has wrapped up, and autumn is setting in. Always follow manufacturer guidance when cleaning your outdoor furniture to maintain its quality and longevity. 

Is your summer garden furniture looking a little tired? It might be time to enliven and refresh your space with garden furniture sets for summer days and warm nights. That’s where Hills Home & Garden can help. 

From corner sofa sets for those lazy coffee mornings, sun loungers for family staycations or dining sets for al fresco food, anyone can elevate their outdoor space with carefully chosen pieces from our range. 

Imagine more with Hills Home & Garden, a leading provider of summer garden furniture for Kent and beyond. With a huge range of styles, materials and manufacturers to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect pieces to complement your home. Browse our site, visit our showroom or get in touch with our team to start the journey today.