As Storm Eowyn approaches, many homes and gardens across the UK are bracing for relentless winds, ice and continuous rain that can have a devastating impact on the appearance of your garden.
Especially when preparing for spring, that one trick of using something from the kitchen cupboard might get stuck. Even as warmer days and longer evenings arrive, much of the north can still experience cold snaps or winter frosts that can ruin your patio furniture.
Jimmy Englezos of Ronseal suggested making a hot soapy mixture of tap water and dish soap to scrub wooden furniture before storage. This prevents the formation of fungal spores. Then let it dry and then oil it with a garden furniture protector to waterproof the wood and reduce cracks.
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Make sure the furniture is dry before storage to avoid mold. If space is limited, secure pieces of furniture together with a bungee cord and anchor them in the garden to prevent them from blowing away.
Englezos also urged Brits to think about protecting the rest of their gardens, including their fences and decks, from the elements.
He suggested securing any items that could potentially become airborne during a storm, such as trash cans and clotheslines, and tacking down larger items like shed roofs and trampolines or moving them to a more sheltered area of the yard.
Pack away patio furniture – Remove items from the patio to prevent damage to the wood and focus on storing lighter items like lounge chairs and seating, which can be blown up by the wind and potentially cause damage during storms.
Repair Damaged Fences – Fences are exposed to extreme weather and if they are not properly secured, they are at risk of becoming damaged or blown away.
To prevent this, perform regular fence maintenance checks, look for wobbly or unsecured posts and ensure they are removed or replaced. Consider making decorative holes in the fence to reduce wind resistance and placing hedges or trees on the windward side to create a windbreak.
Apply a weather-resistant sealer or stain to the deck and protect your deck from harsh weather by sealing it with a liquid sealer or stain that prevents moisture from penetrating the wood.
Before applying the stain, sweep the decking with a stiff broom to remove dirt, leaves and debris so the stain can work effectively into the grooves.
Despite these harsh conditions wreaking havoc on garden furniture, a recent survey by Ronseal found that almost half (46%) of Brits are not storing their outdoor items properly, leading to similar levels of damage following a storm or strong Report rainfall. More than four in ten respondents (42%) also admitted that their fences were most affected by extreme weather conditions.