Getting Your Garden Ready for a Summer BBQ Party

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A waft of smoky charcoal drifts up my nose, the comforting sound of bird song caresses my ears, and golden rays dance across my skin. Words can’t describe how excited I am to turn my back on winter, say hello to spring, and eagerly anticipate the arrival of hazy summer days.

With the pandemic under control, we can now look forward to wiling away sunny days in our gardens this summer, surrounded by all our nearest and dearest, without worrying about having to cancel plans due to last-minute changes in socialising restrictions.

With this in mind, you might be starting to think about how you can spruce up your garden for summer during these spring months. Here are five simple ideas to get you started – now, all that’s left to do is start planning your summer BBQ menu, and stock up on all those essential BBQ supplies.

1) Mow the lawn

It might sound simple, but mowing your lawn with a reliable push mower is one of the easiest and quickest ways to get your garden looking ready for summer.

It’s surprising how quickly grass can grow, especially following periods of heavy rainfall and sunshine. Chances are, your lawn is looking a little unkempt right now.

On a dry day (wet grass is no fun to cut), dig the lawn mower out from your shed and treat your lawn to a well-needed trim. If your lawnmower itself is looking like it could fall apart at any moment, however, it might be time to replace it. DIY stores like B&Q and lowes offer a wide range of lawnmowers, so find one that can handle the size and slope of your lawn and it should last for years. If you decide on an electric mower, take care to hold the wire in your hand as you mow to prevent it from falling anywhere near the lawnmower blade.

If your lawn is looking a little dry after all the sunshine we’ve had recently, sprinkle some grass seed over it to encourage it to grow back or, if it seems beyond rescue and/or you’d like to reduce future maintenance requirements, see what you can find in the clearance artificial grass section of your local garden centre or DIY store. Online suppliers such as Grass Warehouse offer a wide variety of different styles depending on your garden’s requirements, and you can order free samples if you want to test the quality for yourself.

2) Clean – or update – your garden furniture

If you’re thinking of inviting family and friends over for a summer barbecue this year, one of the first things to consider is where your guests will be sitting to eat, drink and socialise.

Assuming you haven’t used your garden furniture since last year, no doubt you’ll need to clean it throughly beforehand.

Alternatively, if your furniture is looking a little old and lack-lustre, you may prefer to fork out for an updated set. My mum recently treated herself to a weatherproof 4 seater garden furniture set to replace her old tables and chairs, as they were starting to fall apart. Admittedly, she could’ve just repaired them and probably got another year or so’s use out of them, but sometimes, it’s easier and more pleasant to simply invest in a new and improved set!

3) Pull up those pesky weeds

No-one likes to see paving stones dotted with dandelions, or lawns laden with weeds at a summer BBQ party.

If your back yard is more like a wild jungle than a lush green garden, consider hiring a garden clearance specialist to clear any stubborn weeds and vines.

However, if the weeds are still fairly manageable, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try to tackle them yourself. Invest in some decent weed killer and spray it onto any weeds. Check the label to find out how long it’ll take to start working and once the weeds begin to die, it’s time to pull them up.

Simply loosen the soil around the base of the weed and either pull the weed up from the root with your hands (use gloves to avoid friction burn and stop your hands from getting dirty), or use a weed removal tool to pull up the weeds. It’s important to ensure you remove the entire root, or the weeds will grow back before you know it.

4) Tidy up your flower beds

Flower beds are a lovely way to brighten up and beautify your garden but if you don’t look after them, they’ll start to look overgrown and neglected.

Give your flower beds some well-deserved TLC to ensure your garden is in tip-top condition for a summer BBQ party. Remove any weeds by hand (don’t use weed killer as you might kill any adjacent plants), prune overgrown shrubs and divide any large perennials. Before you know it, your flower bed will be looking blooming lovely again!

5) Paint your garden fence

We often overlook our fences when it comes to garden maintenance, but a simple lick of paint could be all it takes to revamp a worn-out wooden fence.

Splash out on a decent brand of weatherproof wood paint like Cuprinol or Ronseal, in a shade to compliment the colours of your garden. Then, arm yourself with a paint brush and use it to coat your fence in paint, a panel at a time. Take care to ensure the paint reaches every crevice and corner of the fence, as any missed spots could really stand out.

Once the first coat is complete, allow the paint to dry (check the label for the exact recommended time) and then decide whether you need to add a second coat. Usually, it’s best to do at least two coats of paint.

6) Jet wash the patio before (& after) a summer BBQ party

Whether you have a stone patio or decking in your garden, cleaning it with a jet washer will help to remove any traces of dirt, as well as eliminating algae and moss.

Although pressure washers can be pricey, they’ll help you to keep your garden looking tidy for years to come. If you really can’t afford to buy a jet washer for yourself, however, you could always consider hiring someone to jet wash your patio or decking for you.

It’s a great idea to jet wash again after you’ve held your summer BBQ party, in order to remove any bacteria or grease left behind from any spillages.

What are your top tips for sprucing up your garden in time for a summer BBQ party? Share your thoughts below.

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