Spring into Action Before Summer Season

As the weather starts to warm up at Ellendale, now is the ideal time to get on top of your garden and outdoor maintenance in preparation for summer days – and stormy South East Queensland nights.

As part of our spring series, we’ve put together our top tips on gardening, outdoor maintenance and preparing for storm season, so you’re well prepared for long days spent entertaining outside in our beautiful summer climate.

If you haven’t already, take a look at our advice on spring cleaning and you’ll have your home sparkling inside and out in no time.

Spend time in the garden

Spring in Brisbane is a lovely time of year to get out in the garden, sow seeds and add new plants that will flourish as the weather heats up. The key jobs to do in the garden in spring are:

• Tidy

Make sure to trim back plants, including removing any dead or withered leaves and branches that haven’t survived the winter chill. Pruning also helps to encourage fresh growth to ensure your plants thrive.

Remove any pesky weeds before summer supercharges their growth. Weeding also freshens up your garden and gives your plants more room to grow.

• Mulch

Not only does mulch hold moisture and protect soil from the summer heat, it makes your garden look fresh and is great for stopping new weeds popping up.

• Plant

Many plants grow best during spring, so now is the ideal time for new additions to the garden to ensure they have the best opportunity to grow and bloom.

At Ellendale, we recommend planting a water-wise garden featuring native and drought-tolerant plants to suit the local conditions, promote native bees and wildlife and connectivity to our beautiful bushland corridors. A full list and images of recommended trees, shrubs and ground covers can be found in our Ellendale landscaping guidelines document, and we’ve included a small selection below:

      Trees: Water Gum, Weeping Lillipilly, Illawara Flame Tree, Lemon Scented Myrtle

      Shrubs: Gymea Lilly, Melaleuca Pink, Little Penda, Heath-leafed Banksia

      Ground covers: Stripey White, Spider Lily, Star Jasmine, River Lily

• Fertilise

Once you’ve tidied and planted, make sure to fertilise to give your plants an extra boost. You should also treat your lawn to a slow-release fertiliser that will help green your grass after the cooler winter months.

• Reminder

While it may be tempting to plant a beautiful garden alongside your home, it is best to keep these well away to avoid any moisture issues. Also, take care to ensure you do not obstruct or compromise weep holes or existing Termite Management Systems.

Check and test

Set a spring reminder for an annual check and test of items throughout your home, including:

• Inside: test all smoke alarms
• Inside and out: a termite and pest inspection
• Outside: check fence panels and repair any that have come loose
• Outside: if you have a wooden deck, assess if it needs a clean and oil
• Outside: consider if your home requires a fresh coat of paint to better protect against the elements and boost your curb appeal

Clean and prepare

Once your gardens are looking fresh and you’ve checked and tested all the important items, you can turn your attention to your outdoor space.

Start by hosing down or cleaning any outdoor furniture you might not have been regularly using over winter, so it is ready to go as you head outside to enjoy the warmer weather.

Give your windows a good clean so you have a clear view of your garden and consider if you should pressure hose your driveway and outdoor areas.

With the South East Queensland storm season just around the corner, spring is also an important time to get prepared. Start by clearing your gutters and downpipes, so any rainwater can drain as quickly as possible and check the condition of your roof, including repairing any loose tiles or eaves if you have them. You should also trim any large branches overhanging your home.

If you have loose items outside, such as furniture, it is also a good idea to consider where you can safely store them during a storm if needed or how you may tie them down. If you have a swimming pool, don’t forget to factor in plastic inflatables that could fly around in heavy winds.

Enjoy!

Both spring and summer are beautiful seasons to spend time outdoors in Ellendale, located in Upper Kedron just 12 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD and surrounded by beautiful bushland corridors and national parks, so make sure to stop and smell the roses as you spend time in the garden and outdoors during your spring clean!

Look out for our next spring guide on adventures to enjoy in the nearby area this season.