10 tips to get ready for spring

The weather is getting nicer, the first flowers are coming up and people are spending more time outdoors. We love spring. It's the perfect time to get your garden and home ready for the good weather. And with the spring holidays coming up, you might have some extra time for it. So here are 10 tips to get you ready for spring.

In spring there are a few things you can do to get your home and garden ready for the growing season and the good weather.

1. Have a big clean-up: yes, the famous spring clean… But there's a reason everyone mentions it. A tidier home makes spring that much more enjoyable. It's also the perfect moment to decluttering. Tidy the house and give it a thorough clean. Wipe down the doors and get the cobwebs out of the corners. Clean your windows and let the sunshine in. If you have a wooden floor, now is a good time to give it a fresh coat of wax.
2. Swap your winter decorations: still got winter decorations up? Swap them for fresh, colourful spring ones, such as flowers, plants and light curtains.
3. Check and service the air conditioning: it's a good idea to have the air conditioning checked before it gets really warm. Check the filters and replace them if needed. Make sure all the parts are clean and working properly.
4. Painting or wallpapering: give the walls a fresh lick of paint or wallpaper a feature wall to create a new feel in your home.
5. Inspect your home: check the gutters, roof, doors and windows for any damage or wear and tear, and repair them if necessary.
6. Check your smoke alarms: make sure the smoke alarms in your home are working and replace the batteries if needed.
7. Get the small jobs done: now is the perfect time to tackle those small jobs that have been on your to-do list for a while. Fixing that lock, securing the fence or repairing the creaky stair. Get them done now, so you don't have to bother with them when you'd rather be sitting in the sun.
8. Plants: bring some greenery into your home with beautiful houseplants. Not only do they give your home a fresh look, they also help keep the air clean.
9. Prepare your garden: get your garden ready for spring. Remove any dead plants or leaves that have built up and loosen the soil with a rake or cultivator. If you're planning to put in new plants, add some compost or organic fertiliser beforehand to enrich the soil. Don't have a seating area in your garden? Why not think about creating one? You'll get so much enjoyment out of it when the sun is shining.
10. Clean your bins: you'll start producing more garden waste again, and food left in the bin goes off more quickly. So make sure you give your bins a thorough clean.

Going into spring well prepared not only feels good, it also means you won't have to do DIY jobs when the weather is lovely. Do you have bigger projects you still want to tackle, such as building a shed or renovating your bathroom? Spring is a great time for DIY because it's not too warm, but not too cold either. Pretty much perfect DIY weather. Need a skip for your project? Make sure you order it in good time. Ideally, have it delivered the day before you want to start, so it's already there no matter how early you begin.