Monday 27th
April
Rid your garden tools of rust
It’s easy to remove rust build up from your garden tools using everyday household items. Soak the tool/s in a bowl of vinegar and leave overnight. Rinse well with water and dry with a towel.
Tuesday 28th
April
Prep your tools
Once your tools are free of rust, you should sharpen with a sharpening stone and give a final clean with a specialised formula to ensure they are prepped and ready for use throughout the challenge.
Wednesday 29th
April
Get rid of pesky weeds
Use a weed treatment or homemade weed mixture consisting of two cups of salt, 4.5 litres of vinegar and one teaspoon of dish soap. Ensure the DIY mixture is used on the plants sparingly as too much of it can harm the plants.
Thursday 30th
April
Hunt down garden pests
Slugs and other pests love hibernating in the smallest nooks and crannies and can be lethal to your freshly grown flowers and plants. Use a natural pest control spray to repel from your backyard. Although natural, these products should not be sprayed directly onto plants as they could harm them.
Friday 1st
May
Rake the lawn
Prep your lawn by using a rake to remove debris, animal waste, fallen branches and dead leaves from the winter build-up. You’ll immediately see the difference!
Saturday 2nd
May
Give the grass a trim
It’s time to dust off the lawn mower. If mowing for the first time this season, just give it a small trim as the shorter the glass, the more likely it is to let weeds and moss root in. Set your mower to its highest cutting setting to do this.
Sunday 3rd
May
Give the lawn edges some love
Trim overgrown grass around the edges with your freshly sharpened shears to give your lawn a clean finish.
Monday 4th
May
Prune your plants
Pruning helps keep plants healthy and encourages growth. Use secateurs to remove damaged stems by cutting individual stems near the surface or well below the damage. Some plants are best pruned in the winter and some in the spring, so be sure to look online for guidance before you start this job.
Tuesday 5th
May
Feed the soil
Spring is an ideal time to fertilise your plants because they are actively growing at this time. If the soil is already healthy and rich, just top up the dressing with manure or compost materials such as dead leaves.
Wednesday 6th
May
Sweep the patio
Using a stiff-bristled broom, remove leaves, debris and dirt from the patio. Get deep into the cracks of the patio to ensure there are no stray weeds. This will ensure it is prepared for its deep clean tomorrow.
Thursday 7th
May
Awaken the patio with a powerful blitz
Remove final remnants of dirt, algae, grime and stains from your patio quickly and easily with a specialist product and a hose, or a jet wash if you have one. You’ll be amazed by the results!
Friday 8th
May
Deep clean the garden table
Did you know the garden table has as many germs as a bin lid? After the cooler months, it is essential to give your outdoor furniture a deep clean with an all-purpose cleaner to get rid of the remnants of winter. Remember, tables should be wiped down before and after every use.
Saturday 9th
May
Scrub down the garden chairs
Now the table is done, it is time for the chairs. Using the same method as you did yesterday for the table, give your chairs a thorough clean down.
Sunday 10th
May
Prepare for shade
Get the parasol or umbrella out from the shed. Before it can protect you from the bright sunshine or (hopefully) occasional rain droplets, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Start by rinsing with a hose, then use a soft-bristled brush and soap over the canopy, before rinsing again.
Monday 11th
May
Transform your seating with fresh cushions
If your garden has fabric cushions or snuggly throws, give them a good wash and use a fabric dye in a colour/s of your choice to update them for the season. The easy to use dyes can be used on most cushion materials (cotton, viscose, linen, canvas and ramie), and are a great solution for the make do and mend era. We’re sure the kids will love to help with this job!
Tuesday 12th
May
Clean the fence
Start by inspecting the fence panels for mildew, dirt marks, chipped wood and peeling paint. Clean the surface with a specialised cleaner and repair anything which is damaged.
Wednesday 13th
May
Varnish or add a lick of paint to the fence
A shabby fence can make your whole garden look dull, so spruce it up with some varnish or a lick of paint. Once you’re done, remember to use wood preservative.
Thursday 14th
May
Refresh and clean the shed
It is likely that you wouldn’t have spent much time in your shed for the last few months, but with that soon to change, it’s important to give it a good clean. Start the process by brushing the cobwebs away, sweeping and vacuuming the floor and wiping down the windows with soapy water.
Friday 15th
May
Declutter the shed
Consider using Marie Kondo's 'Konmari' method to declutter and organise your garden shed. This method will keep the clutter at bay for the summer months and will help when you’re hunting for that small garden fork.
Saturday 16th
May
Decorate the shed
Decorate the shed’s exterior to add some character and give it a new lease of life. Try giving it a lick of paint and finish off with some hanging baskets or wall mounted flowers.
Sunday 17th
May
Use your Sunday lunch leftovers
Opt for veggies such as radishes, potatoes and onions. If you have limited space for planting, consider installing a hanging basket to give you some more room. Be creative! These baskets can be made of many things around the house including plastic or wine bottles, rain boots and plastic jugs.
Monday 18th
May
Clean the garden pots
The white, powdery substance that can be seen on your pots is the buildup of minerals and salts left over from fertilisers and hard water. While this is not harmful, it can definitely retract from the look of a healthy outdoor space. First, use a stiff brush to remove all dried residue from the outside of your pots. Wash the pots with a mixture of warm water and dish soap. Once clean, rise the pots well and leave to dry.
Tuesday 19th
May
Jazz up the plant pots
Get the kids involved and get creative by painting your plant pots to brighten and transform the overall look of your outdoor space.
Wednesday 20th
May
Ready to repot
Take a look at your plants. If any of them look too heavy on the top or look drier than usual, it might be time to repot it. Plants typically need to be repotted every 12 to 18 months.Gently hold the plant by its stem and slide it out of its container. Loosen the roots and remove the decayed material. Remove one-third of the old potting mix and add fresh potting mix until the plant feels stable.
Thursday 21st
May
Grow your own herbs
Use any leftover pots or recycled tin cans to make a herb garden. This will allow you to replace store bought staples with the real thing without the extra packaging or cost.
Friday 22nd
May
Tidy your pet’s home
As the weather becomes warmer, your pet is likely to shed their winter coat and change their grooming habits. During this time, it’s key to clean bacteria, hair and mud from their home using a vacuum and special disinfectant. Don’t forget to repair or toss out their toys depending on their condition. Try to maintain a cleaning regime for their bowls, beddings and blankets regularly to keep your family and pets safe and healthy.
Saturday 23rd
May
Make a garden sculpture with the kids
From old wellington boots, toys, dinnerware sets and garden tools, it’s amazing what you can find lying around the house and garden. Go on a scavenger hunt with the kids and get creative by transforming something old into a work of garden art.
Sunday 24th
May
DIY a bird bath
Making a bird bath can be a fun weekend project to do with the kids which can be both decorative and functional. Repurpose and upcycle things from around the house such as cups, saucers, serving dishes, glass lids and unused terracotta pots. Make sure it’s a few feet above the ground so that the birds don’t get scared off by the family pet!
Monday 25th
May
Get down and dirty with the BBQ
What better way to celebrate the Spring Bank Holiday and kick off National BBQ Week than by having the first feast of the season? Before you do, be sure to give your beloved BBQ a good clean. Start with the BBQ’s interior by turning the grill on to its highest temperature setting and closing the hood. Scrape the grates with a metal grill brush. Then, move to the grill’s interior to remove the food particles. If they’re hardened, use an old metal knife or old spatula to scrape the sides. Finally, use a specialised cleaner to finish off. This should then be used before and after each session, but only once the appliance has cooled down.
Tuesday 26th
May
Aim for squeaky clean windows
Tackling the windows might seem daunting, so break it down. Brush around the frames and hinges removing any debris and dirt. Scrub your windows using a microfiber cloth and a vinegar and water solution. Once this is done, use a window cleaner and fresh cloth to wipe down for a streak-free finish.
Wednesday 27th
May
Downstairs windows and frames
Now the upstairs windows are sparkling, use the same method to clean the downstairs ones.These steps can also be used on the windows of your conservatory or greenhouse.
Thursday 28th
May
Don’t neglect the back door
The back door can often be neglected when it comes to the big spring clean. However, along with the door handle, it’s likely to be one of the most frequently touched surfaces between the indoors and outdoors. It’s key that this is cleaned thoroughly and frequently using a disinfectant spray and bucket of water.
Friday 29th
May
Brighten up the space with lights
Set the relaxing mood and cosy atmosphere to your summer nights with your choice of lights. Whether you go for fairy lights, festoon lighting or lanterns, this little detail will allow you to enjoy your outdoor space late into the night.
Saturday 30th
May
Give your garden a final prep
Give your garden a once over to ensure everything is prepped and ready.
Sunday 31st
May
Host your very own Great British Garden Party!
Enjoy the fruits of your labour with an afternoon in the garden. We suggest hosting a special garden party for the people in your household from 2pm, being sure to adhere to the social distancing measures if they are still in place.
Rake the lawn 
Sweep the patio 
Clean the fence 
Declutter the shed 
Ready to repot 
Tidy your pet’s home 
Get down and dirty with the BBQ 
Brighten up the space with lights 
