Spring’s the perfect time to give your garden a fresh lease of life. But with so many jobs to tackle, where do you even start? From soil prep to plant picks, we’ve got your back. Dive into our no-nonsense guide for anyone planning a major garden overhaul this season. Happy reading!
Why is spring a good moment for a major garden refurbishment?
Spring isn’t just about daffodils and drizzle – it’s a golden window for garden transformations. The soil’s warming up, making it easier to dig, plant, and reshape beds without battling frost or summer droughts. Rain showers keep new plants hydrated, while longer daylight hours give everything a growth boost. Plus, tackling a property refurbishment now means your garden’s ready to shine by summer BBQs. Win-win, right?
Spring garden refurbishment plan in a nutshell
A bit of planning goes a long way when it comes to garden refurbishment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started and turn your patch from “meh” to magnificent.
Assess the current state of your garden
Before making any changes, take a good look at what’s already there. Note what’s thriving, what’s barely surviving, and which features look tired (we’re looking at you, wobbly fence panels). Check drainage issues, shady spots, or areas scorched by last year’s heatwave. A clear audit stops you from wasting time – or cash – on fixes that don’t matter. Pro tip: make a list of what needs attention and decide what stays and what goes.
Prepare soil and take care of the lawn
Healthy soil is key to a flourishing garden and spring soil is like a blank canvas. Remove weeds, aerate compacted areas with a garden fork, and mix in compost or well-rotted manure. For lawns, scarify to rake out thatch, overseed bald patches, and apply a slow-release fertiliser. Pro tip: Wait until soil temps hit 8–10°C before sowing grass seed – patience pays off.
Choose and plant new plants
Spring’s the prime time for planting hardy annuals and perennials. Consider these UK-friendly plants:
- Evergreen structure: Boxwood, lavender, or hebe;
- Colour punches: Alliums, foxgloves, or hardy geraniums;
- Edibles: Strawberries, spinach, or rosemary (yes, herbs count as garden glam).
Avoid frost-tender plants like begonias until late spring – unless you fancy playing weather roulette. Skip also fast-growing climbers like ivy unless you’re prepared for a lifetime of pruning wars.
Refresh garden structures and hardscaping
Pressure-wash patios, re-stain weathered decking, and repair wobbly pergolas. If your shed has seen better days, a coat of high-quality preservative works wonders. For bigger projects like retaining walls or new pathways, partnering with a trusted refurbishment company ensures materials and designs stand up to British downpours and winters.
Set up watering and irrigation systems
Ditch the hose juggle – those endless loops around flowerbeds and pots aren’t just tedious, they’re downright inefficient. Upgrade to soaker hoses for borders; these clever tools snake through beds, delivering steady moisture directly to plant roots. For pots, drip irrigation is a smarter bet, targeting thirsty plants without drowning the rest. Modern smart timers take the hassle further, letting you tweak watering schedules from your phone – ideal for holidays or busy weeks.
Control pests and weeds
Slugs and snails (but not only) adore spring seedlings. Combat them with nematodes or other natural methods, if you want to avoid chemical control. For weeds, a pre-emergent herbicide applied early stops them hijacking your beds. Or go old-school: mulch with bark chippings to smother invaders.
Add final touches and upgrade garden aesthetics
String up solar fairy lights, pop in a bird feeder, or add a fire pit for cosy evenings. Even small tweaks – like swapping cracked planters for galvanised steel troughs – elevate the vibe without breaking the bank. For a dash of personality, try repurposing vintage finds like old ladders as plant stands or rusted buckets as quirky herb pots.
Is it worth hiring professionals for garden refurbishment?
Sure, you could DIY it all. But sometimes, calling in the pros saves time, stress, and costly blunders. Here’s why:
- Pro equipment: Refurbishment companies have industrial-grade tools (mini diggers, stump grinders) that make light work of back-breaking tasks.
- Design flair: They’ll spot potential you’d miss – like turning a boggy corner into a wildlife pond.
- Regs know-how: Navigating planning permissions for fences, outbuildings, or drainage? Pros handle the red tape.
- Long-term fixes: Proper groundwork (like installing French drains) prevents recurring issues – no more soggy lawns every winter.
Bottom line? If your plans involve heavy lifting, technical skills, or you’d rather sip G&Ts than wrestle with cultivators, pro help is simply a smart investment.