We seem to have been catapulted straight from winter to summer. That’s the way it seems to me anyway. Just over a week ago I left a dreary UK for a week in the sun, and arrived back to sunshine, heat and green buds on all of the trees. What happened to Spring? And although it’s now cooled down, there is still the anticipation of warm days in the air and the promise of outdoor living just around the corner. And the most exciting thing? I have a landscaper hard at work finishing off the garden as I write this. And he is brilliant! He has worse OCD than the BF and that is saying something. Good for me, as I know it is going to look amazing. But once he’s finished and hosed down the garden one last time, there will be some jobs for me to do.
Rotin Rattan Plant Stand £152.80. Kain Bamboo range : Bench £75, Ladder, £95, and Table £191. All Broste Copenhagen.
Remedial Work
This is the boring bit. The accumulation of dirt and moss on our decking has to be dealt with before anything else. A good scrub with detergent and a stiff broom should bring it up again, and any loose planks will need to be screwed down. After that I’ll be on the look-out for a preservative to keep it looking nice a bit longer than before. If anyone has any recommendations, I’m all ears. The pergola also needs a bit of attention. The screening we used for privacy and shade is starting to look a bit moth-eaten and needs to be replaced. I always knew this would be a bi-annual thing as the weather takes its toll over winter, and the birds steal bits for their nests. And then the old patio and path will be jet-washed to get them looking like new again.
Repotting and Replanting
Up to now I’ve had to content myself mostly with plants in pots, but that’s about to change. The landscaper is leaving gaps in front of the pergola so that I can plant straight into the ground. I’m hoping this will result in healthier looking and faster growing climbers. I’m also going to plant into the ground along the garage wall and get rid of the assortment of potted plants there. Things will look a lot tidier. But I do like strategically placed potted plants too, and my existing ones will either get re-potted, or get a good dose of fertilizer to keep them going for another growing season.
Planting a New Flower Bed
I’m slightly out of my comfort zone with this one. I’d like flowers but know they can be very labour intensive and don’t look that great all year round. I’d like some structure, so I’m planning some box hedging and maybe some taller shaped box. I like structural looking plants, but the bed is not that big, and I don’t want it to look overgrown too soon. Shrubs might get too large. Dwarf shrubs might take too long to look good. I guess trial and error is the only way! I can always dig it up and start again.
Dusting Down the Barbecue and Outdoor Furniture
I’ve learnt from experience that the barbecue needs to be spotless before winter begins, but it still needs a soapy water wash. Ditto the garden furniture. I always take the cushions into the house over the winter in case the mice take a fancy to them so, I know they will be okay. Maybe a quick run through the washing machine will be in order. And the few pieces of wood furniture will need a light sanding and a coat of wood stain.
Accessorise and Style
The bit I like best and the bit that drives the BF nuts. “Could you just put that heavy pot over there honey?” “Oh wait, no, move it back where it was”. “Could you just put a hook up here?” “No not there!” “Maybe the table would look better an inch to the right?” And so it goes on. I do know I want to get some more solar lights. Lots of them. And a few more hurricane lamps. A couple of hanging baskets for the pergola, and some more metal pots. You can never have enough accessories.
All of the images used in this post are from the Spring/Summer range at Broste Copenhagen. They have expanded their outdoor furniture range this year with some beautiful authentic rattan and bamboo that is really on trend with lovers of both Scandinavian design and the ever-popular boho chic look.
Broste Copenhagen is available in the UK via Amara.
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