Why NOW is the best time to kit out your garden for summer
EVERY household with a garden has started kitting it out for summer.
From tending to plants weathered over the winter to replacing rusting furniture, there is always work that can be done to your back yard.
But when is the best time to start getting your garden in order?
According to experts, it may be right now.
Those in the know say the optimal time for bagging your next outdoor purchase is early-to-mid spring, just before the summer rush.
And don’t let bad weather put you off – it’s better to get in before the sun comes out, as that’s when demand tends to be highest, so stock runs out faster.
David Fry, of Chelsea Home and Leisure, said many shoppers “mistakenly buy garden furniture right before summer starts, a time when prices reach their highest.”
But he says the upcoming bank holiday could be a good time to bag a deal instead.
“Bank holiday weekends are perfect times to shop,” he said.
“Retailers have started offering special bank holiday promotions more frequently. Some stores give you an extra 20% off items already on sale.
“Shopping in spring lets you choose from full collections. You won’t have to settle for leftover stock like in end-of-season sales.
“Delivery times are shorter, too, so you can enjoy your new furniture all summer long.”
Argos currently has a clearance sale on garden furniture offering discounts of up to more than half price.
For example, you can currently grab a wooden bird feeding table to attract wildlife to your garden this summer for just £18, down from £40 – a 55% saving.
The retailer also has a bright folding sun lounger on clearance for just £20.
The lounger has five star reviews from customers, who say it is excellent value for money.
Robert Dyas is also selling a half price bird table with a built-in feeder, down from £30 to £14.99 at the moment.
Hardware store B&Q also has a clearance sale on select garden items, from half price discounts on a range of plant pots to spruce up your back yard, to huge savings on gazebos and patio covers.
For example, its range of hardy plastic plant pots are currently half price, selling for £5 instead of £10.
How to save money on garden furniture
Opting to buy your new garden furniture or items on sale could save you a lot of money.
Most retailers start discounting garden items after summer and will run promotions over the winter, but be aware stock can be far more limited during this time.
Retailers will start reintroducing more to their garden ranges during spring and may run limited promotions over bank holidays, for example.
You are unlikely to get a great deal just before or in the height of summer, but some retailers offer mid-summer clearance sales to get rid of old stock, so keep an eye out.
Remember to always shop around when making a big purchase, as even if one store has a sale on, you may be able to get a better deal elsewhere.
You can use websites like Price Spy to compare the prices of items across multiple retailers and see how the prices have changed over time.
Remember, you may not need to buy you furniture – you could save a fortune by up-cycling old items instead.
Giving dirty pieces a good wash and a lick of fresh paint can make them look brand new.
You can also pick up perfectly good items second-hand.
Try platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay to see if anyone near you is getting rid of old items – you may even be able to pick them up for free.
How to upcycle garden furniture in 3 steps
There’s really no need to spend a fortune on new garden furniture.
Rebecca Miller, Fabulous’ Associate Editor and gardening enthusiast has shared her tips to transforming grotty second-hand furniture into pieces that look brand new.
“Recycling centres, dump shops, charity shops and Facebook Marketplace are brilliant places to pick up second hand items for cheap.
And all you need to do is have a spare afternoon to spruce them up – and it’s something you can get your kids involved in!
Clean
Everything looks better after a good scrub.
If in doubt, opt for a simple washing-up liquid and warm water solution, and get to work removing all the grime and dirt.
If the piece of furniture can withstand some pressure, why not pressure wash it?
Leave it to dry, then you can see what you’re dealing with.
Fix-up
If the item of furniture is a little wonky, or you’re unsure how sturdy it is, take a moment to check all the fixtures and either replace them or tighten them up.
Colour
The quickest way to transform a piece of furniture is with a lick of paint.
When choosing a new colour, base it on shades that will fit with your existing garden design and plants – but most importantly, pick a colour that will bring a smile to your face.”