Gardeners told to do these five easy things today for an easy 12 months

Experts have shared the easy to do, quick and budget friendly garden jobs to get stuck into this weekend.

With the upcoming week promising crisp weather, it's the perfect time to give your garden an Autumn makeover. For those of you looking to save money but still want to transform your space, this weekend offers the ideal temperature to roll up your sleeves and engage in some garden DIY.

To help you get started, garden and landscaping experts at Dino Decking have shared some easy, quick and budget-friendly garden tasks to tackle.

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Shed maintenance

Shed maintenance is one such task. Preparing your shed for Autumn and Winter involves a few maintenance jobs.

Not only will it make your shed look great, but painting your shed can also provide protection from weathering during the colder months. If you're feeling particularly handy, you could inspect your shed roof for any holes or tears and carry out a DIY repair job.

Additionally, applying a wood treatment can add an extra layer of protection.

To prevent your shed from rotting and decaying, ensure your gutters are clear of leaves so that water can run freely off your shed, preventing flooding. If you're not keen on getting your hands dirty, you could spend time decluttering and clearing out your shed, which will help you locate items more easily, avoid buying duplicate tools and also free up space.

The first step is to remove everything and start with a clean slate, before grouping items into 'keep' and 'discard' piles.

Vegetables

September is an excellent month to prep your soil if you're planning to sow seeds or lay turf, as well as planting your fruits and vegetables. Early to mid-September offers the perfect temperature for lettuce growth (16-18°C).

For optimal results, keep the soil moist and cool, but avoid waterlogging. Planting spring onions in September allows them to soak up the summer sun, which aids germination.

It's also the ideal time to move your well-rooted strawberry runners to new beds, and finish pruning fruit trees to promote fruiting for the next season.

Lawn care

Autumn is the prime time to kick-start lawn maintenance. Ensure your mowing height is set to 4 cm to prepare your grass for winter.

If you don't own a lawn mower, this can be done manually. While you're reviving your lawn, it's also a great chance to scarify, aerate, repair patches and overseed your lawn.

To mend patches, simply grab a rake and some lawn seed and start by removing any noticeable weeds and dead grass. Once cleared, rake it level and add some compost to maintain healthy-looking soil before evenly spreading seeds onto the soil.

Gently rake in and then lightly firm with your feet. Depending on the British weather, if rain doesn't seem imminent, gently spray with a hose, taking care not to displace the seeds.

Take advantage of the crisp but dry weather by setting time aside to inspect your decking for any signs of wear, damage, or potential issues. Look out for areas where boards may be loose or uneven, as well as any signs of rot, mould, or mildew.

Decking

It’s crucial that you promptly address these issues to prevent them from worsening and help maintain the integrity of your decking over time. Once you’ve inspected your decking, it’s time to give it a good clean.

Start by using a broom to push aside any leaves or debris to give you a clear surface to work on. Then, with lukewarm water, gently scrub the surface with a soft-bristled brush.

Rinse thoroughly, or for a quicker solution, mop away any excess water. For any stubborn stains caused by grease and oil spill from the BBQ, consider purchasing a specialised spray or cleaner, and with a bit of scrubbing, they’ll vanish like magic.

Weeding

To keep your garden in tip top condition, it’s time to remove the annoying weeds. You can simply remove weeds by cutting them down with scissors.

However if you prefer, you can also use your hands to dig out the weeds and roots too.