March 3rd, 2021 by Sarah Miles

After a year of social distancing, rules of 6, bubbles, Zoom calls, and full lockdowns we are all craving the company of real-life human beings and, at last, we have some light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine rollout and the roadmap for ending restrictions. In just a few weeks we could be socialising with up to 6 people in our gardens and the majority of restrictions could be lifted completely in early summer. You may now be focusing on getting those lockdown pounds off, ready for facing the world again, but your family and friends don’t really care about that: focus instead on getting your socialising spaces ready for entertaining!

Getting your garden post-lockdown-ready

You may ask, why focus specifically on your garden? Getting your garden ready makes great sense as the initial reduction of restrictions starts with being able to socialise outdoors. While, in theory, you may be able to socialise indoors a few weeks later, nothing is set in stone as these phases do depend on meeting certain tests so garden meetups could potentially remain in place for longer than anticipated. Plus, it’s now spring so you’re going to want to use your outdoor space for parties and barbecues, as well as just relaxing in, right through to September-time so it makes perfect sense to spruce it up now.

Here are a few things that will make a world of difference to your garden and provide you with a fantastic space to get together with loved ones.

Have a garden clean-up

Gardens can get quite grubby over the winter. While flower beds and planting certainly add colour, it’s the largest areas of the garden that can equally let it down or brighten the whole space up. This is usually your lawn, pathways/drives, and any decking areas. Give these a clean and it will lift the whole area.

Hard surfaces such as patios, paths, drives, and decking can all be cleaned very easily using a patio cleaner product. It is purpose made for the job and much more effective than household cleaners such as bleach (which can actually damage surfaces). It removes moss, mould, and algae and leaves it looking really clean and fresh. Simply spray on, leave to work, and then rinse away. It also protects against regrowth.

Pro-Kleen Simply Spray & Walk Away Patio Cleaner 5L

Price: £16.96

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If your patio has black ink-type spots, then you will need something more specialised as this is black lichen and requires an active ingredient to remove it. Black spot remover has the power to penetrate the crusty surface and break black lichen down. The good news is it’s just as easy to use as the patio cleaner.

Your lawn could also benefit from some attention. It may still be a bit early for mowing but treating it with iron sulphate will help it grow stronger and greener as well as kill moss and resist pests. Apply it now and you will really see a difference by the time restrictions change.

If you have artificial grass, it may be low maintenance, but you can still give it a clean up with an artificial grass cleaner. This will restore its colour and vibrancy as well as give it a good clean. It will even make it smell lovely! This is especially beneficial if you have pets who toilet on the grass.

You will no doubt want to tidy up all the leaves and detritus that have gathered in the garden over the winter but just wait until you’re confident we’ve had the last frost as these are often used for shelter by hedgehogs, bees, and other insects so you don’t want to disturb them while they still need the protection.

Furniture, fencing, and outbuildings

Glamhaus Seychelles Outdoor Antique Blue Bistro Set

Price: £130.00

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As the weather turns warmer, you may want to breathe some new life into the ‘hardware’ in your garden. Furniture, fencing, and sheds can look like new with a cleanup or even a respray in a new colour. Patio cleaner can be used for most of these types of thing. Or, given that you may be wanting to make up for the lost time and catch up with all your friends and family over the summer, some new garden furniture could be in order?

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst!

In the UK, you can never really depend on the weather but that doesn’t mean you can’t use your garden you just need to be prepared! For when evenings get a little chilly, a patio heater will allow you to comfortably remain outdoors well into the night. And who doesn’t enjoy gathering around a fire pit?!

3KW MYLEK Remote Control Infrared Outdoor Garden Patio Heater

Price: £115.00

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A parasol is also a great way of creating shade when it’s baking hot and even sheltering from a light shower (if you’ve never barbecued under a parasol, have you ever really lived?!).

As we begin to emerge from this pandemic, the key is continuing to remain safe and not blowing all the sacrifice and hard work we’ve already put in. We know that outdoor mixing is much less risky than indoors, so the garden really is going to be the place to be in summer 2021 – and you are going to want to be ready to embrace it!