Now is the perfect time to get your garden in shape ready for summer. Clearing away debris, preparing a comfortable seating area and adding vibrant plants can transform your outdoor space. Spending some time and effort on outdoor projects now allows you to really make the most of your garden and enjoy relaxing in it throughout the summer.

Make a fresh start

The first step is to clear away any debris from the previous year. Sweep up remaining fallen leaves, cut back any dead branches or stems and give hedges a good trim. Pull up any plants that have perished over the winter and mend or get rid of any broken pots or troughs. Repair or replace your fencing so your garden is secure, making sure to treat the wood correctly. You now have a blank canvas on which to create your fresh garden.

Plan a design

To make the most of your garden, think about all the features you would like to include and plan where they are best located. Vegetable beds will require plenty of sunshine whereas your seating area should be easy to reach so you make the most of it. Add interest by separating the garden into small sections then laying small stone paths or even some stepping stones to access each area. Consider too how much time you can devote to the upkeep of your garden. If you have little leisure time, a low-maintenance option is to include a seating area, plants in pots, a rockery and Japanese-style stone garden rather than a large expanse of lawn and lots of flower beds.

Build a seating area

One of the nicest ways to enjoy your garden in the summer is to prepare a seating area for barbecues, sunbathing and relaxing. This can be either a stone patio or a wooden decking area. Laying patio stones is the quickest and easiest method. Simply choose your ideal location, clear away any turf and make sure the ground is level. Your patio stones can be large flat slabs, formal paving blocks or more rustic-looking smaller stones. Get creative with your design and opt for an unusual round or curved patio to create additional interest. A raised decking area is another great option that adds a dimension of height to your garden. Edge with a railing and balustrades for somewhere to grow climbing plants.

Finishing touches

Accessorise your garden with some great furniture. A table and chairs is always useful, whether you opt for a large dining set complete with umbrella, or a small cast iron bistro set for a littler space. Some new plants will instantly give your garden a facelift. A few eye-catching colourful plants in pots make a huge impact for very little effort whilst climbing plants such as honeysuckle can be grown up trellises to disguise any unsightly walls. Don’t forget some lighting so you can use the garden well into the evening.

With the warmer weather on the way, now is the perfect time to get your garden in shape ready to enjoy this summer.