As we transition through the seasons, your garden has an awful lot to put up with when dealing with new environments and temperatures. To keep your pride and joy looking as impressive as it can be takes regular TLC, and if you’re looking to compete with your neighbours, you’ve got to prepare early. With this in mind, we’ve put together a simple (junior gardener friendly) list of some garden maintenance tips that considers all aspects, whether this be keeping your flowers blooming or dealing with pesky weeds. 

Lawn maintenance

Think of your lawn as one big house plant. Although it may appear hardy, it still needs just as much care as your leafy friends. When maintaining your lawn, be sure to give it plenty of trims to keep the grass strands at a healthy length (being 2.5cm to 4cm). Avoid cutting it too short during warmer months to prevent it from drying out. Lawns also hate overwatering as this can lead to mould, so be careful not to soak. If you’re unsure of how much to use, or just forgetful, investing in a computer controlled irrigation system could be the best way to go. 

We all love the crunchy leaves that autumn brings, but unfortunately, your lawn isn’t their biggest fan. A buildup of debris, such as thatch, moss, weeds and leaves, can end up killing the healthy grass below by blocking out the sun and preventing nutrient intake. If you don’t stay on top of garden maintenance, you could end up with a dull, lifeless lawn, and nobody wants that.

Plant care

Plants bring an explosion of colour to your garden and attract all types of wildlife. Your patch won’t be complete without them, so it’s vital to incorporate them into your garden maintenance checklist. Taking regular scans around your beds is important, as there could be all sorts going on that remains unseen. Be sure to check the soil often, particularly when the temperature creeps up, and keep it moist. Similar to your lawn, plants don’t like to be drowned in water, so they too will benefit from an irrigation system. Kick back, relax, and let your sprinkler do the work! 

Browning leaves and wilting flowers are almost inevitable with any plant species, so pull out a pair of scissors and get snipping. By removing all the dead parts, there won’t be any nutrients wasted and your plant can work on supplying to the areas that remain healthy. It’s also important to inspect your plants for pests or root rot to keep your garden in tip top condition, and to avoid any nastiness being passed on to those that surround them. You may need to treat your soil accordingly with pesticides or fungicides, being careful to wash gardening equipment when working between plants.

Weeding tips

It’s not just animals you’ve got to look out for. Weeds are silent killers; slowly suffocating your plants and lawn and depriving them of vital nutrients, so always be on the lookout to keep your garden maintained. Luckily, there are ways to avoid an infestation. You just have to plan early. 

Scatter your seeds meticulously, spacing each one relatively close to one another to grow a dense plant bed. In doing this, there isn’t as much space for weeds to grow between them, meaning your plants are less likely to come under attack. Your seedlings will also appreciate you adding mulch to the soil, which keeps the area moist and stops weeds from getting any light. 

When arming yourself with deweeding tools, prepare to dig deep to get to the weeds’ roots to halt growth. If, however, they can’t be reached without pulling up your whole flower bed, snip the heads off to prevent them from spreading.

Garden gate maintenance

For many visitors, the first glimpse of your garden will be your driveway gate. Keeping it maintained is a surefire way to boost your home’s aesthetic, giving others an inkling of what’s to come. Each gate design requires different care, but fear not! Keeping up with the maintenance isn’t as tricky as you may think. 

Just the same as your plants and lawn, your driveway gate battles against the changing seasons, which will inevitably lead to some wear and tear over time. If you’re dealing with a wooden driveway gate, be cautious of wood swelling as the summer heat can cause bowing. To keep your gate protected for as long as possible, it’s worth painting on a top coat of UV oil, varnish or paint for additional hardiness. 

Metal gates, such as an aluminum driveway gate or steel driveway gate, should be washed and rinsed regularly with warm, soapy water to get rid of grime buildup, removing any rust with sandpaper. For further protection against rust, lubricate locks and latches, and paint over your gate – this serves well for adding an extra pop of colour to your garden too! 

If you’re looking to maintain your garden’s aesthetic and need some advice about the best driveway gate designs to match, our team of friendly professionals are here to help. We have plenty to choose from, and can offer assistance with gate installation and servicing, along with setting up a gate access control system for added security. Give us a call today!