Getting Ready for Summer
Whether you’re hosting a celebration or simply enjoying the warm weather with a drink and a barbecue, there are some simple things you can do to get your home and garden ready for entertaining and relaxing alike.
Scrub Up
An often-overlooked part of the garden is the exterior of your house. While it might be the last thing you think about when sprucing up your yard, cleaning those outside surfaces can make a world of difference to the overall look and feel of your outdoor areas. Grab a pressure hose and spray down the dust, dirt and cobwebs that have accumulated over the year; if you notice and chipped, worn or peeling paint, this is a great time to give it a touch up, too.
For those bigger building and repair jobs, trust the experts at COLORBOND®. For decades, COLORBOND® has been a popular choice for roofs and walls to fences, sheds, garages, community facilities, commercial projects and even art, creating award-winning buildings and homes suited to Australia’s tough conditions. For all COLORBOND® steel products and service enquiries please call the COLORBOND® support team on 1800 022 999.
Colour Your World
Summer is the time to have some fun and add a splash of colour to your garden with some flowering plants and lush foliage. Your local nursery is the best place to get tailored advice, whether you’re landscaping a large area or adorning the patio with potted plants. The best part is that you don’t need oodles of space to create a lush, green area to relax in. A vibrant vertical garden can be used to create an oasis on your balcony, while raised garden beds or standing pots can transform a courtyard. If you’re looking for something low maintenance yet effective, native shrubs and plants will more or less take of themselves, while putting on a show with their bright flowers.
Leah and the team at Emerald Gardens Nursery are experts when it comes to tailoring plant choices to your local area and garden goals. For professional advice and friendly service, call the nursery on (03) 5968 5745 or drop in at 77a Emerald-Monbulk Rd, Emerald to browse their wide selection of native and exotic plants.
Fire It Up
It’s time to dust off the barbecue ready for your next party or outdoor dinner. With the gas safely disconnected, use a bucket of hot, soapy water and a steel scrubbing brush to get into all the nooks and crannies, making sure to pull out any removeable grills or hot plates. When it’s all fresh and gleaming, give it a quick safety check to ensure the gas connection and hoses are in good working order.
Another hot option that Aussies love to get around is a fire pit. There are plenty of stunning design options on the market to complement your style and décor. A fire is the perfect focal point for casual get-togethers and parties, offering a toasty spot to hang out when the sun goes down. Add to the vibe with some soft string lights or tiki lamps around your entertaining area.
Furniture Facelift
While you’ve got the pressure hose out, give any outdoor furniture a going-over. An easy and affordable way to give your entertaining area a makeover is to replace cushions and soft furnishings with new season styles. Starting from scratch? Durable, timeless designs make a great investment; for a stylish and on-trend look, go for crafted pieces made from sustainable or reclaimed materials.
Swab The Decks
A deck or pergola out the back door is a fantastic way to combine indoor and outdoor living and provide shelter from sun and rain so you can keep the party going, whatever the weather. However, our harsh Australian sun can give outdoor timber a beating, wearing down the finish; at the same time, dirt build-up can leave your wood looking faded and grey. Follow these steps to nurse your deck back to health:
- Sweep away leaves and loose dirt
- Pressure spray the whole surface
- Use a deck scrubbing brush to work in a dilute solution of deck cleaner and water
- Leave the deck to soak for 15-20 minutes before spraying it down again with your pressure hose
- Once your deck is dry, you may like to apply a coat of stain or oil to keep it shiny and safe from the elements
Does your deck need a little bit of extra TLC? RevivaDeck are your local deck specialists, using the latest technology to breathe new life into old decks. Servicing all of Melbourne and the Peninsula area, RevivaDeck can be contacted via their enquiry page at www.revivadeck.com.au, or call Stuart on 0420 454 774.