There are numerous books on garden design but not much information on garden maintenance. Some maintenance jobs are ‘as and when’ but others need to be done at least annually. Below are my gardeners maintenance tips.

Maintain Structure Maintenance

• Keep on top of all repair jobs before they develop into rebuild jobs!
• Paths need to be safe and that means obstruction free. I am guilty of using paths for seed trays and odd plants that I am waiting to plant out and I have been known to trip or kick them over.
• Clean up after winter as concrete or flagged paths are often covered in slippy green algae. This needs to be removed or chemically treated.
• Walls need re-pointing if stones become too loose. The   stones sometimes get loosened by frost or plant roots.
• Fences may need treating with preservative or supporting if in danger of blowing down.

Maintenance of Services

• Ensure your power cables and extensions are safe and haven’t been gnawed by rodents.
• Lag outside taps and water pipes to prevent winter freeze ups. It may be necessary to drain some water features before hard winters.
• If you have solar powered lights check they are still functioning. I think it looks a bit naff to see faint glimmers where bold lights should be.
• Keep drainage ditches, weed and sludge free and consider extra drainage where there is regular unwanted puddling.
• Check ladders and hedge cutting  tools, repairing any faults.

Maintenance of Tools and Equipment

• Get lawnmowers and any power tools serviced annually.
• Clean and oil tools regularly.
• Sharpen secateurs and cutting tools on a oil-stone or whet stone regularly.
• Store tools in a way that you can quickly find them to use when needed.

General Garden Maintenance

• Clear away debris and rubbish regularly – it can harbour disease.
• Look after your pond and clean out leaves and brash at least annually.
• Keep bird feeder clean and move around the garden once  a year.
• Use barrows, castors and levers to move heavy items.
• Check out  the maintenance of trees and   green areas. Pruning, staking, relocating, feeding, and training are just some of the maintenance tasks needed to keep plants healthy and safe. Read more in the featured book