How to get your garden ready for summer

Whether you have a tiny balcony or a sprawling garden, any outdoor space where you can feel the sun on your face is a blessing right now – as well as a golden opportunity.

You don’t need to have green fingers to make the most of your outdoor space’s potential. The question is what do you want it to be? A spot to lounge on a summer's day? A sociable space for cooking and dining? A wellness corner where you can roll out your yoga mat next to a water feature? 

‘We are increasingly thinking about our gardens as the “fifth room” in our homes and our customers are investing more time into these spaces to make sure they are places they want to spend time in,’ explains Ian Ellis, Partner & Outdoor Buyer. 

Here are our tips for giving that open-air space a new lease of life.

After months of winter weather, a good clean-up is great place to start. Cut back any trailing stems, scrub down pots and planters as well as garden furniture and any hardscaping such as decking and paving. It’s a quick win that will reconnect you to the space. Give pots a quick tidy and weed until you get your summer plants in, using a garden table as a planting workbench.

Just a few hours of extra work can have a transformative effect. Newly-oiled decking makes the whole garden feel smart and welcoming while freshening up the paint on a small area of masonry or fencing will extend that crispness. If you haven’t already, then experience the joy of the pressure washer and revive your paving.

Once you’ve tidied up your garden, think back to last summer and the things you longed for then. What do your space and budget allow for this year? It might be new garden furniture to create a comfortable lounge area or a cook station with barbecue and pizza oven for weekend feasts. Or place for breakfast alfresco. Summer office, anyone? Why not.

When allocating space, look at how the light falls and think about the journey and pathways back and forth to the house. A far-flung table for two has romance, but for larger parties it becomes a logistical pain to deliver food and clear away plates. And aren’t you more likely to just pop outside for a quick five minutes in the garden with a cup of tea if you have a seat a bit closer to the house?

There’s an ease to outdoor living and comfort is key. Track the light and work out what you need in terms of protection. Is it a big breezy parasol to create shade from the midday sun? Or do you need to think longer term and build a more permanent structure to ensure greater privacy?

You can never have too many cushions so approach the outdoors as you would decorating any room. Choose a theme or colour scheme and add in interest with texture and pattern. An outdoor rug does a great job of defining a living space and can be a stand-out feature if you pick a bold pattern or simply neutral if your likes are low-key.

Your outdoor space can be a delight long after the sun goes down. Lighting is more than a practicality: a pool of light creates a welcoming glow to a seating area and can be used to highlight the sculptural effects of planting. Paths should be clearly lit so use an arsenal of lighting types from strings of fairylights to solar lanterns to brighten the way and create mood.

And, if you're out after hours, make it cosy. Fire pits are great to gather around and a few toasty blankets are always appreciated.

‘With more of us wanting to spend time outside to relax and socialise we have introduced new fire pits and outdoor heating to support this growing trend,’ says Ian. ‘And for those looking for an at-home spa experience we have introduced our first ever range of inflatable hot tubs.’

For a super-relaxing space, take a cue from the spa and appeal to all the senses. A water feature can be a meditative addition or take a portable speaker outdoors for a gentle serenade.

One of the best ways to introduce scent is in planting. Pots of herbs are an easy win and useful for cooking too. Think about highly-scented options like lavender that will release a relaxing scent on to the breeze – the bees and butterflies will love you too although a few citronella tealights will ensure you each enjoy your own space in peace.