Spring gardening

We're leaving behind the long, cold days of winter as we head in to the new season. With milder weather and lighter evenings, spring is the perfect time to get out in the garden and prepare your outside space for the summer.

Starting with a clear up is always a good idea. Over the winter our gardens can become neglected and it is easy to allow shrubs to grow too large. Sorting out overgrown areas can open up your garden and allow space for more shrubs and trees. Give your garden a good tidy as a starting point. Weeds can get a little out-of-control over winter, so start getting them in check as soon as possible.

The RHS advise that now is the time to start mowing the lawn on a weekly basis in order to get it in top condition for the summer months, as the lawn will be loving the warmer weather that spring brings.

Paving can become discoloured and dirty after a long winter of frost, snow and rain. There are several ways to clean up your paving including using a pressure washer (although precautions should be taken in order to avoid damaging the surface of the paving) or using a patio cleaner product.

With longer days and lighter evenings, you may soon be thinking about dinner alfresco. Make sure your outdoor furniture is ready by making any necessary repairs, sanding or repainting wood furniture or giving those cushion covers a good clean and air so that you can sit back and enjoy some time in the garden.