Scrub, sow, grow; spring maintenance of your garden or balcony
Spring is almost here! It's time to prepare your garden or balcony for the new season. We've gathered some useful tips and tricks to help you get started. From sowing vegetables to helping birds and bees, and maintaining your wooden furniture, we've got you covered.
Spring cleaning
First things first, spring cleaning! Some of your plants may not have survived the winter, and if you need the space, you can throw them away now. However, keep in mind that birds use the twigs of dead plants and trees for their nests. If you have enough space, you can do the local wildlife a favor and leave the plant until summer.
Next, sweep your balcony and clear up any leaves and dust. Don't forget to give the drain a good cleaning so that water drains properly. If you're dealing with algae and moss on your tiles or plant pots, scrub them away with a hard broom and a mixture of green soap and warm water. You can also use a high-pressure washer, but be careful not to damage any old tiles or furniture. Never use a pressure washer on porous materials such as wood and concrete.
Now is also the perfect time to repair any damage. For example, if the winter frost has put a crack into your big flower pot, make sure to repair it before it bursts open further with new frost.
Treating wood
Treating wood is also important during this time. Take a critical look at all the wooden furniture in your garden or on your balcony. Are there any cracks? Is the protective layer starting to fade? Then it's time to treat the wood again with oil, stain, or paint.
If you prefer a natural look, use oil. If you want to change the color and protect against moisture and UV radiation, go for stain. If you want to fully protect the wood in the color you choose, paint is your best bet.
Just remember to only treat wood when the temperature is above 12 degrees, as it will be difficult for the paint to dry when it's colder.
Time to sow
It's also time to start sowing! If you want to eat your own home-grown tomatoes, cucumbers, and spring onions this summer, sow them indoors at the end of March or the beginning of April. When it's warm enough and the cuttings have grown sufficiently, they can be planted outside.
To give your vegetables a nice spot, consider using plant pots on your garden or balcony. You can even make optimal use of your vertical space with a hanging basket or hanging bowl. Keep it simple by hanging them directly on your balcony railing, or go a step further and hang them on your wall with a wall hook.
