Summer is here, and you know what that means? Long balmy afternoons sitting outside while soaking up the warm weather. And if you’re planning on spending a lot of time in the backyard this summer, it makes sense to get it looking its best for the months to come.
Here are 5 things you can do right now to get your outdoor areas into tip-top shape.

1. Prune Those Plants
The best way to keep those overgrown plants in shape is by pruning it. Regardless of whether your yard is full of manicured pot plants, or wild garden shrubs, summer is as good a time as any other time to get your garden under control. Better yet, pruning doesn’t just make your plants look tidier, but it’ll also speed up their growth and enhance their overall health as well.

While most plants and trees could use a trim right now, you should hold off on others until they’ve fully finished flowering. Examples of the latter include lavender, jasmine, and rose bushes.

2. Plant Some Veggies
The price of food is skyrocketing in Australia. Why not cut that grocery bill down by planting a few veggies of your own? Even if you don’t manage to save a tremendous amount of money, maintaining a veggie patch is inherently satisfying, and there’s nothing quite like freshly picked produce from your own garden.

Aussie summers are scorching, so aim for veggies that can withstand the heat. A few excellent examples include cucumber, zucchini, capsicum, eggplant, and tomatoes. Once summer has gone and the heat has subsided, feel free to go ahead and plant a few more delicate varieties as well.

3. Start Mulching
As the days become hotter, your garden will begin to wilt under our blazing sun. Mulching your garden beds will protect them from the heat while simultaneously reducing moisture loss and help to condition the soil. As a result, your precious plants will survive longer with less water.
Anywhere between 5 and 10 cm will do, depending on the quality of the mulch. Be careful not to lay any more on, or you’ll risk drying out your plants.

4. Fix up Your Outdoor Furniture
Expecting guests over for a summer barbeque or two? Well, they’re going to notice straight away if your outdoor furniture is tattered and worn. And considering it’s constantly exposed to the elements, the chances are it probably is.

Cleaning, stripping down, and oiling wooden furniture is a sure-fire way to get it looking as good as new. As for your grimy fabrics, try giving them a good wash with a generous dose of detergent. If that fails, it’s probably time to replace them with something fresh and new.

5. Do the Weeding
Nobody likes weeding. However, it’s necessary to keep your garden in check. The best way to minimize the chore is by doing your mulching early and often. Regardless of how often you mulch, weeds will sprout quickly in summer. Weed often to ensure it does not overtake your garden overnight. Slow and steady wins the race – it’s true when it comes to weeding as well.

If you get stuck into these tasks as soon as possible while the weather is still relatively mild, your garden should be looking spick and span for the following months to come. Another excellent way to improve your outdoor aesthetics is by installing a beautiful new driveway. It is more affordable than you think. Get in touch with the experts at Simply Driveways for a free quote today.