Top DIY jobs for the garden

Tuesday, 28 August 2012 10:39 AM

The summer is a great time to get stuck into a few home improvements, but you shouldn't forget about all the gardening jobs there are to do as well. You can give your outdoor space a total revamp or focus on a few essential maintenance chores.

Check out our guide to some of the best jobs to do in the garden.

Fix the fence

Your garden boundaries are so important - they are what keep out unwanted visitors and also protect your privacy when you are enjoying the sun outside. That's why it is vital you keep them in good condition. Unfortunately, over the years they can succumb to wear and tear, so it's wise to regularly check and see if any repairs need carrying out.

Wooden fences and gates can rot as a result of damp or might be ruined by pests. You can ensure they last longer by using a preservative on the wood, but even doing this you will probably still need to carry out a few repairs over the years.

If you have a fence post that has started to rot, don't leave it too long to replace as the damage will only get worse. Support the panels on either side and then dig around the base of the post and cut out the part that's gone rotten. You can coat it in preservative, brace with a piece of timber and fill the hole with concrete.

Clean the patio

If you have a patio, it's important to take the time to clean and weed it regularly. This ensures it stays looking its best when you want to entertain friends with an al fresco dinner. This means that as well as regularly sweeping up fallen leaves, you'll need to put in a little more elbow grease every now and again.

You can dig out weeds from the cracks in between the slabs using a small trowel or a knife, or you can use weed killer. However, don't be surprised if the green leaves return after a few months, so make sure you keep on top of it.

To ensure the patio stays free of the grimy black dirt that can build up on it, hire a high-pressure water sprayer, follow the manufacturer's instructions and blast the slime away. Alternatively, there are stone cleaner products that can be applied, left a while and then rinsed off.

Decking is another feature that can start to look far from its prime if not regularly cleaned, but luckily simply sweeping it should go some way towards sorting this. A stiff broom will not only remove fallen leaves and debris, but also scrape off any algae and dirt that is building up. Again, if things are really bad, a pressure washer should help you sort it out.

Clear out the shed

It's so easy to shove all your gardening equipment into the shed where it can stay out of sight and out of mind. However, this can make it a lot harder to find the utensils you need, so it is worth being organised and tidying your garden buildings.

Luckily, it doesn't take much to get the structure organised and once it is, it will require very little maintenance. Begin by removing everything from it and giving it a good spring clean. Cobwebs can quickly build up in the corners so take care to remove these.

Next, put up shelves and clearly label them so you can find everything you store on here. This is a great place for empty pots or trays of seedlings if you are starting them off indoors. Next, put up hooks and clasps on the walls where you can keep your larger equipment. Fixing your spades and forks like this will ensure they are tidy and they'll be less likely to rust if they are off the ground.

Finally, if your shed has any windows give these a good scrub. This will let plenty of sunlight. in which is important whether you are cultivating plants in here or simply want to be able to see what's in front of you. If you plan to store expensive equipment like a lawnmower in your shed it's also worth fitting a lock to it.

These are a few of the basic DIY jobs it's worth carrying out in the garden and once they are done, you can get your green fingers stuck into some more amusing pursuits, like planting a vegetable patch.