Summer feels like a distant memory, autumn is in full swing…and winter? Well, that will be here before we know it.
Question is, are you ready?
Having an outside space to escape into is great – and no one wants to have to declare the area a ‘no-go’ zone just because winter is approaching. But with rain, ice and even snow on the horizon, how do you ensure your garden remains safe and usable during winter?
Here we take a look at how to prepare your outside space for the cold months ahead.
What needs doing?
Take time to prepare your garden now and you’ll have a safe space to enjoy all winter long.
You need to:
-
Clean and clear
Autumn leaves left unattended are a massive slip hazard – and that’s before we start on the damage they can cause, particularly to wooden decking.
The trick here is to stay on top of things. By regularly clearing leaves away before they have chance to rot, they’ll be easier to remove – preventing the task from becoming a huge chore.
Your garden will no doubt have thrived over the summer months but as growth slows for winter, now is the ideal time to prune back and regain order. Keep an eye out for bushes and trees overhanging decking, patio or lawned areas, as not only will these drop foliage, but they could also block daylight, encouraging damp areas to form.
Lastly, don’t forget to give the grass a final trim. Growing slows to a virtual stop in winter, so a cut now will ensure it stays tidy and manageable through to spring.
-
Pack away summer
Hands up if your BBQ is still out?
We’re all guilty of letting autumn take us by surprise. One minute you’re cooking sausage in the sunshine, the next it’s nearly bonfire night. But to stop your garden from looking neglected and unloved it’s time to pack away the traces of summer – including the barbie and any stray summer furniture.
-
Check for potential problems
Once things are looking more orderly, it’s time to do a quick survey of the area. Check decking, fence panels, guttering etc, for signs of wear and tear and nip any potential issues in the bud. What’s only a small problem now is only likely to get worse if left unattended and exposed to the winter elements.
-
Prepare surfaces
It’s not only leaves that can cause slippery surfaces – harsh winter elements pose difficulties too. And if you’re going to enjoy your outside space without injury, you need to make sure you don’t get caught out by wet, hazardous surfaces – particularly if you have wooden decking.
Notoriously slippy, you try to counter the problem by using:
-
- Rubber mats – a quick, easy and effective solution, rubber matting can be put down anywhere to create a slip-free surface – and simply lifted when it’s no longer needed. The downside is it doesn’t look great.
- Anti-slip strips – these are a great way to prevent accidents on wooden decking, but they do require screwing into the surfaces, which means you have to commit to them all year round. The alternative is to opt for non-slip tape, but the surface needs to be completely dry for this to stick properly, so you may struggle for an opportunity to apply this now.
Want to make life easy?
Instead of worrying about slippery surfaces, rotting wooden panels and a growing jobs list, why not make life simple and switch to composite decking?
With a built-in anti-slip finish, it offers the enviable qualities of being highly durable, low maintenance and rot-resistant. And did we mention it looks great too? Providing all the timeless appeal of wooden decking – just without the hard work!
To find out more about the benefits of composite decking, and get your garden ready for winter, why not visit HR Composites? As trusted suppliers of quality composite decking, you’ll find a great range to choose from. Visit their site to find out more and place an order today.
