Let’s hope the weather can prove as wonderful as last year and we may well get us some sun time and plenty of outdoors fun. 

To help make sure your garden is ready for the summer, make sure you follow the below and you'll be able to enjoy it for months to come. 

Start with the basics - Starting from scratch (after the winter) means there will be a need to do a lot of de-weeding and general tidying up. The grass will need to be cut and then the decking will need to be washed down or if you have a patio, it may need to be power washed. Equally, the ornaments and garden furniture will need to be taken out of the shed and dusted down ready for fun-filled months ahead! Get your flower baskets out and start to plan what it is you want from your garden this year and get the kids involved too. The kids will be delighted to see their summer toys out and replace sand for the sandpit while investing in some new toys for the garden. Think beach balls, badminton sets, footballs and anything that gets your kids playing out there!

Be creative – The joy of having a garden is one of life’s great pleasures and it is important to involve your family in your plans. So, get creative and think of a theme – if you want to and ask the kids for ideas. Visit the garden centre together and look at flowers or what is or isn’t good for the season. What colours would you like, or do you mind multiple colours? Do the fences need painting and think about being a little different? Use bright colours in your garden and it will look unique or keep to the more traditional colours. It is up to you! The possibilities are endless.

Remember to be realistic- The reality is a lot of flowers or plants need a lot of care so before you invest in anything ask yourself; do you have the time? If the kids are going to take on watering plants as chores, are they responsible enough to manage them? If you have a dog that eats plants and flowers you may be better off using hanging baskets and using decorative ornaments to brighten your garden area. It depends on your lifestyle so look at your options before you spend money on things that may or may not work. For example, a pond in your garden will look fantastic but will it be safe? Do you have young kids? Most importantly, have you considered the work and maintenance that goes into looking after a pond? Don’t get lost with dreamy expectations – as much as we love them! Be true to what can be done and you’ll be fine.

Enjoy the process – Overall gardening is a wonderful family-friendly activity and though it takes some effort, it is a worthwhile cause. Family occasions that are located outside are quite enjoyable and there is nothing better than evenings in the sun with a BBQ and loved ones around. It is vital to have teamwork too and rotate jobs so not one person gets loaded with gardening chores and see what family members do best to give them a role that suits them.

Now all we need is for the good weather to come back!