HOW LONG BEFORE a mini-heatwave becomes the real deal? Ireland has experienced some unseasonably warm weather and sunshine this month, and it’s got many of us thinking about summer.

While we’re all looking forward to the chance to sit outside and relax underneath the sun – whether for a barbecue, a birthday party or simply having a kickabout with the kids in the back garden – lots of us will have some yard work to get through first.

Winter and early spring aren’t the time for paying too much attention to our outdoor spaces, meaning that they can become cluttered and overgrown by the time summer comes around. By making an early start on some of these jobs, you can save yourself time later in the year and have your garden ready for visitors by the end of April. 

This week on Taskmaster we’re looking at the following tips for tidying up for your garden. 

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Clear out the dead wood

Springtime is the perfect season for tackling overgrowth, especially since pruning the dead branches, leaves and flowers will help fresh growth in your garden. Most importantly, however, you just want to get rid of the unnecessary stuff.

If you’ve left your garden alone since late last year, it’s probably covered in dead leaves that have been building up since autumn. An electric leaf blower can make light work of this task, but if you’re prepared to use a rake then you’ll get the job done. Take the garden in four quarters and tidy each quarter into a pile before disposing of the dead wood.

If you plan on mowing the lawn, make sure to do that before committing to the task of cleaning up leaves. Oftentimes, mowing can clear away a lot of the debris first.

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Pressure-wash those paved areas

If you have any paved areas in your garden, it’s likely that they probably don’t look their best coming out of the rainy months. Check your slabs for moss and give them a good sweep before bringing in the powerwasher or a power hose to get rid of any especially stubborn blemishes. Just remember to clear pots, hanging baskets or whatever else you have lying around away from the spray zone lest they get blasted.

Clean the gutters (unfortunately)

It’s nobody’s favourite job, but it’s one of the most important. Make sure get your protective gloves for clearing out the gutters, an essential task to make sure the rainwater being collected is draining properly. Making sure there isn’t too much weight impacting your gutters is also essential for your safety when making use of your outdoor spaces. 

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Bring your lawn back to life

After you’ve got all the cleaning done, the next task is to bring your yard back to life. One of the most effective ways to do this is to make sure your lawn looks rich and green, filling in any patches that may have cropped up over the years.

Targeting any patchy or discoloured areas in your garden with fresh garden seed should help matters, as will using fertiliser to improve the quality of the soil. Add a few planters, hanging baskets and some deckchairs and you’ll be ready for a day out in the sun.