Outdoor refresh

11 tasks 4–5 hours Spring

With the cold and wet months done and dusted for the year, it's time to clean up those outdoor spaces so you can enjoy them when it warms up again. Summer may be a few months away but outdoor living season is starting now.

Your October checklist

Clean outdoor furniture

Give the outdoor furniture a nice clean to get it looking its best for the warmer months. Make sure you use an appropriate cleaner for the materials, so you don't damage anything.

Hardwood furniture can also be brightened up with the right product.

Clean your BBQs and equipment

A nice once over on the BBQ and your cooking tools will give you way more incentive to cook outdoors. There's nothing like firing up a freshly cleaned grill. Don't forget to tackle the grease tray for gas or the ash-catcher for charcoal.

Sweep and wash decks and entrances

Decks, patios, balconies and other entranceways can get pretty grimy over winter. Sweep them down so they're free of debris and give them a good wash. If your deck is no longer looking its best, there are plenty of stains available to give it a fresh look.

Remove cobwebs around outdoor spaces

Time to take back your outdoor entertainment areas from the spiders who moved in over winter. We're sure most of your guests this summer will be human, so it's doubtful those webs will be missed.

Test outdoor lighting

Long evenings call for well-lit outdoor spaces. Replace blown bulbs, recharge or reposition solar lights and check decorative or festoon lighting is working so your outdoor areas stay safe and inviting after dark.

Clean gardening tools

Give your garden tools a tidy up to get them their best for the season to come. Scrape off mud and clean them with some dish soap. Make sure you dry them thoroughly to prevent any rust forming.

Remove weeds

Get rid of those pesky winter weeds that sprouted up around your pathways. Remove what you can by hand, but try and pull the whole root system out to stop them returning. For anything more difficult, take to them with a suitable weed killer spray.

Clean outdoor rubbish bins

It's a dirty job but someone has to do it. After your next rubbish day, give your bins a good clean out. It won't be pleasant (it never is) but will keep the bin from getting too smelly when the weather heats up.

Refresh your herb garden

If your herbs are still doing well then you're away, but if they've been dwindling through the colder months then now's the time to plant them fresh. Enjoy the sight, the scents, and of course, the flavour of summer.

Get tidy and organised

Get your deck, patio or balcony all tidied up. If there's anything that needs to be stored, put it in its place. Decluttering for the season ahead is a great way to make those outdoor spaces enjoyable to be in.

Top up your mulch

Add some mulch back into your garden beds to help them retain moisture during the dryer months. It'll also stop weeds from coming through and generally keep your plants healthier.

Good to know