Is your garden ready for summer? A complete checklist

If you’re also thinking about how to get the most use from your space, read our guide on how to get your garden summer ready with a summerhouse.

1. Clear, clean and tidy your garden

A clean foundation is essential to clearing your garden and being able to enjoy it properly. Clearing clutter and debris will also help you to get a better idea of the space you have and how you could repurpose it to get the most use from your outdoor space. 

Start by resetting your space with the following jobs: 

• Clear debris, fallen leaves and dead planting 

• Remove broken or unused furniture 

• Pressure wash patios, paths and decking 

• Clean fences and existing structures 

• Wash outdoor furniture 

Once you’ve completed a general tidy up, it’s much easier to visualise how you might want to use the space throughout the summer.

2. Get your lawn and planting summer ready

Nothing brings your garden to life more than colourful, blooming plants. Mow your lawn and tidy it up and then treat and feed the grass if needed. A full, healthy lawn can make your garden feel tidier and more inviting.

Go through all your flower beds and borders and remove weeds and any dead plants from last year or from over the winter. Add seasonal plants for a splash of colour and to create a beautiful backdrop for everything else in your garden.

3. Refresh and reposition your outdoor furniture

Over the winter and spring, you probably packed outdoor furniture away to protect it from the weather. Now is the perfect time to get it out, unpack it and clean it down. 

Think about how you’re most likely to use your garden and position your furniture to allow you to get the best use from your space. You’ll know where the sun and shade fall throughout the day in your garden so position it for use throughout the day and to maximise comfort during warmer weather. Well positioned furniture helps with the flow of your garden and turns into a flexible space that can be used for relaxing, dining or entertaining.

4. Prepare for outdoor dining and entertaining

Warmer and lighter nights are perfect for inviting friends and family round for an evening of dining or simply enjoying a few drinks as the heat of the day disappears. 

Set your dining or entertaining area up on your patio or decking and clean your BBQ down so it’s ready for use when you need it. You could even host a small family dinner outside on a warm evening to test the space. 

If you intend to be outside late into the evening, add lighting so you can enjoy the space for as long as possible.

5. Add structure and define zones

A garden that you can properly enjoy and maximise throughout the summer is carefully planned and has structure and defined zones that you can use for a range of purposes. 

If you want a space that feels like an extension of your living space, create defined areas for relaxing, dining and entertaining. Structures such as wooden summerhouses, log cabins, pergolas and gazebos help to create a focal point in your garden as well as enable you to create defined zones that make your outdoor space more usable.

• James Log Cabin Studio 4m x 3m

6. Plan for sun, shade and all weather conditions

We all know how unpredictable the summer weather is so make sure your garden is fully prepared and ready for you to enjoy whatever the weather. 

Add shaded areas for days that are warm and require somewhere you can sit comfortably while still relaxing or entertaining. Gazebos with sides or log cabins with a canopy are ideal for creating a space that allows you to move around throughout the day and maximise your outdoor space. 

On the other hand, a log cabin or summerhouse is the perfect addition if you want somewhere to shelter from the rain when dining or entertaining outdoors. You can still feel connected to your outdoor space but remain sheltered from a quick summer shower.

7. Add practical storage solutions

Storage in the form of a garden shed, bike shed or bin storage can help keep your garden looking neat, tidy and clutter free so you don’t have to move clutter out of the way every time you want to sit outside. 

Garden storage is ideal for keeping tools and equipment out of the way and keeping it protected throughout the year. It’s also a great space for storing cushions or summer furniture during the colder months so can continue to use them year after year. 

If you want to know more about adding a garden shed to your garden for storage, read our full guide.

Final checklist: Is your garden ready for summer?

Before the summer season gets underway, check the following: 

• Is your garden clean and clutter free? 

• Does the layout support the way you want to use your space? 

• Can you relax, dine and entertain at different times throughout the day comfortably?

• Can you use your garden in both the sun and rain? 

Once you’ve ticked all these off, your garden is ready to enjoy over the summer. Completing these tasks now means all you need to do when the warmer weather arrives is sit back and relax.

Want to take it one step further?

If you really want to transform your garden this summer and blur the lines between indoors and outdoors, why not add structure with a summerhouse, pergola or gazebo?

Browse our full range of garden buildings today and start creating your dream outdoor retreat.