The warmer weather no doubt wants to make us whip out our gardening gloves and start digging, mowing and revamping our outdoor space ahead of all those summer shindigs – you can pick up some summer entertaining ideas here.
Millennials however, known as generation Y, may not consider themselves to be as green fingered as some of the older population – a recent report revealed 41 is the age that Brits officially become green-fingered in the garden because of difficulties in getting on the property ladder and a lack of gardening knowledge.
If you're a first-time buyer, it's always possible to get your hands dirty and create an outdoor space to be proud of, whatever style or size garden you have. With expertise from the team at Flymo, increase your garden knowledge with this guide which covers everything from the upkeep of your lawn to ensuring you have all the right tools and materials.
A is for... Adding a pop of colour
This is one of the simplest ways to revamp your garden and show off a freshly cut lawn. Introduce bright, vibrant colours through your choice of flowering plants, garden furniture and features, and it will create the perfect summer vibe.
B is for... Boosting your mood
Getting out in the garden at the end of a busy day can have lots of benefits for your health and wellbeing including reducing stress levels and helping to improve mental fatigue.
C is for... Cutting Height
The height at which you set the mower to allow a close cut, whilst also allowing the grass enough length to grow. The mowing height ranges depending on grass type.
D is for... Design
Adding a stripe to your lawn is relatively simple. All you need is a lawnmower with a rear roller. The colour of the stripes depends on how far you bend the blades of grass – the more you flatten the grass, the darker and more intense the colour is.
E is for... Excess Foliage
When trimming your hedges, ensure you remove any excess foliage that may collect at the bottom as the damp, airless conditions can cause fungal diseases.
F is for... Fertiliser
Fertilisers contain vital minerals that plants need in order to grow and stay healthy. Grass clippings that collect on the lawn after mowing can act as a natural fertiliser, replenishing missing nutrients.
G is for... Gardening Tools
It's important to remember that no two lawns or gardens are the same. Take into consideration the condition and size of your lawn and your gardening needs when choosing the best tools for the job.
H is for... Hover Mowers
Floating on a cushion of air, hover mowers are lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, making them the ideal lawnmower for use on irregularly shaped gardens and a firm favourite for both novice and expert gardeners.
F is for... First Impressions
If your front garden is the only outdoor space you have, then welcome visitors in style by adding fun flourishes and quirky accessories. A statement planter at the front door is a perfect way to ensure maximum impact with minimal effort. Keep your front lawn neatly trimmed and ensure your borders are symmetrical.
J is for... Joint Effort
Keeping on top of the garden can be a tough task, but it's something that can be made more fun by sharing various jobs. Whether it's your other half, flatmate or group of friends, you will all be able to reap the benefits once you've got your outdoor space in tip top condition – and get some digital detoxing fresh air while you're at it.
K is for... Keeping it Tidy
Trying to keep your garden clear of leaves and debris can be a constant battle. Objects that obstruct your lawn can prevent sunlight from reaching the grass, which is essential for healthy growth. The simple solution to this problem is to opt for a leaf blower or garden vacuum that can help to speed up the task!
L is for... Lawn Maintenance
Regular mowing and trimming of the lawn edges is the very minimum amount of work that should be done, alongside an occasional feed with a lawn fertiliser. During the summer months, you should look to cut your lawn roughly once a week depending on the weather.
M is for... Mulch
This is basically any type of material that can be spread or laid over the top of soil. It is used to retain moisture and prevent weeds from sprouting in the soil.
N is for... Never Forgetting to Clean Your Tools
The easiest time to clean your lawnmower is straight after mowing the lawn when the grass is still moist. Remove any dirt or debris from the underside of the mower to reduce possible damage to the blade in the future and wipe down the wheels and body with a damp cloth.
O is for... Overgrown lawns
Before cutting the lawn, it's best to check for branches and stones as they can make their way into overgrown lawns. If the lawnmower catches these, it can damage the blade resulting in jagged, uneven and torn grass.
P is for... Pests
Lawn pests come in all shapes and sizes, and can cause a range of problems for you and your garden. To limit the number of worms and ants, collect grass clippings every time you mow, clear away leaves and avoid excessive watering as all will attract the little critters.
Q is for... Questions
Instagram and other social media platforms are perfect for finding inspiration or answers to any gardening quibbles and queries you may have.
R is for... Robotic Mowers
The robotic mower has changed the way we mow our lawns. Come day or night, rain or shine, these mowers will make its way around the garden cutting grass without human intervention – all you have to do is simply set up the guide wires and off it goes.
S is for... Scalping
This is a term used when the lawn has been cut too short. If you're trying your hand at mowing you should always follow the one third rule: never cut more than a third of the blade of grass in one go, as cutting more than this can stress the grass.
T is for... Terrariums
This interior trend is a fantastic way to turn your hand to gardening whether you have access to an outdoor space or not. Plant and grow your own indoor jungle within a contemporary glass container, which will add a decorative touch to any room in your home.
U is for... Urban Retreat
Many of us live in rented properties or have smaller gardens due to living in or near the city, meaning there's a need for lightweight and compact tools. Luckily, there are now so many gardening tools and equipment now available, which can be folded and stored away neatly, taking up a minimal amount of space.
V is for... Vertical Gardening
Free up your outdoor living space and take a vertical approach to gardening. A living wall will act as not only a focal point but also a welcome distraction from any missing planters and greenery on the ground.
W is for... Watering the Lawn
There is no specific time to give your lawn a hose down, but moisture is more likely to soak into the grass rather than evaporate early in the morning or late in the evening. It's also best to avoid getting into the habit of watering your lawn immediately after mowing.
X is for... X-Rated
You may have missed out on this year's World Naked Gardening Day however you have plenty of time to get both you and your garden ready for 2018. This annual celebration, organised by the Body Freedom Collaborative, takes place on the first Saturday of May.
Y is for... Yellow Grass
There's nothing worse than patches of yellow lurking in your vibrant green lawn. If it's just the tips, then don't panic, this is easily solved by replacing the blade on your lawnmower. If the entire grass blade is yellow then it can could be due to a variety of different reasons including excess heat drying it out, lack of required nutrients (eased by using fertilisers), leaking petrol from your lawnmower or simply scalping the lawn.
Z is for... Zero Extension Cables Needed
Go cordless where possible, it'll make you life easier. From hedge trimmers to grass trimmers and lawnmowers, battling with extension cables is now well and truly a thing of the past.
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