Gardeners have been urged to get out in their green space in April (Image: Getty)
Gardeners have been urged to get out in their green space in April as the Spring weather comes on. An expert in the field has urged people to look over their garden and do some important jobs as temperatures rise.
Matthew Lock, director of garden furniture shop Luxus Home and Garden, said April is a “hugely important month to prepare our outdoor spaces for more frequent usage in the coming months.”. He spoke about some key tasks to do over the coming weeks.
Mr Lock said: “One of the key tasks to complete is a deep clean of outdoor items, patios, decks, surfaces and lawns. If you have left garden furniture such as chairs, benches and tables in storage or covered up throughout winter, now is the time to restore them to where you want them to be.”
It makes a huge difference
He said a simple clean up of your furniture is well worth the time. The outdoor expert said: “Deep cleaning garden furniture is a relatively straightforward yet important task as it can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your garden.”
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He set out the steps to follow: “First, carry out a full inspection of the item, paying particular attention to joints and any structural weaknesses that may have developed over winter. Use a hose or watering can to wash away the surface dirt and grime, then take a soft cloth or soft-bristle brush to carefully scrub.
“A toothbrush can be a really useful tool for removing dirt from crevices and joints, and it doesn’t even have to be a brand new one.” He said using warm, soapy water is usually enough to get the job done.
Cleaning outdoor fabrics
For more stubborn dirt, you may want to try using cleaning liquid made up of equal parts water and white vinegar. Mr Lock explained: “This vinegar solution can also be useful for some outdoor fabrics, tackling the affected areas and leaving for 20 minutes before rinsing well with water and leaving to dry.”
He had some more words of advice about sprucing up specific items of furniture. Mr Lock said: “With wooden items, any rough spots may need to be sanded down, while rust that has appeared on metal items can often be tackled with rust remover and a wire brush.
“You can apply protective coats of varnish, stain or oil once every year or 18 months, although this can be more frequent if its frequently exposed to harsh weather. The type of oil, varnish or stain to use will depend on the wood, for example teak oil can be used for teak while wood preservative can be used for softwood.”
Saving hundreds of pounds
If you are thinking of buying some replacement outdoor furniture for your garden, now is definitely the time to do it. Mr Lock said: “It may also be the case that your garden furniture has seen better days and you are thinking of buying new items, in which case April is a great time.
“Many outlets have pre-summer sales on at the moment and you can save hundreds of pounds by being organised and ordering your items in spring, rather than summer. It also means you can be confident of having your items delivered in time to enjoy your outdoor space more as the weather improves in the coming months.”
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