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If you have a lawned area of the garden that has to be walked on regularly perhaps by the family pet dog or as you make your way to the log store it can get very muddy at this time of the year usually resulting in the mud being trodden into the house. You may wonder whether to dig up the lawn altogether and either put down artificial grass or pave the area instead. Before you take these drastic measures it is worth taking a good hard look at the lawn to see whether it can be improved at all simply by putting in some drainage and making sure that the lawn is adequately aerated so that the water can drain away or evaporate more easily.

Aerating a lawn can be done with a specialist aerator tool that is rolled along the lawn, but it is equally as effective to use a garden fork. Just go over the lawn poking holes on the surface which will allow air to get to the soil.

If the lawn suffers from poor drainage then it may need to have some channels dug into the lawn that are filled with fine gravel which will allow the rainwater on the lawn to drain away quickly.

Although you may want to make sure your garden look exactly how you want it you should also think carefully about the environmental impact it is having and whether you could do anything to help the local wildlife.

Lots of people like to keep their grass lawns cut fairly short so that it looks neat and tidy, or even replacing their turf with artificial grass, however egg-laying insects, such as butterflies, actually require longer grass to be able to lay their eggs. 

Replacing your fencing or walls with hedgerows can not only look more appealing but can be a lot more wildlife friendly as hedges provide birds a place to nest, hedgehogs a place to hide and small mammals shelter from bigger predators.

If you are considering have a bird table, then make sure that it is secure and that you do not have too many cats come into your garden as this could be a recipe for disaster.

With a little bit of research and consideration you can easily make your garden a relaxing enjoyable place for you, your family and friends to spend time in and also a perfect home for local wildlife and nature to enjoy too.

As summer is now upon us our lawns will need regular mowing and trimming possibly once a week or certainly once a fortnight but is your mower up to the job or does it struggle to cut longer grass or get stuck on ground that is damp and uneven?

It is important to get the right mower for your lawn so that mowing does not become a chore to be avoided. There are lots of different mowers on the market, so it is a good idea to do a spot of research and look at buyer reviews before you buy. Consider things such as is there an electrical socket suitable for an electric lawnmower near enough to the lawned area or is it better to get a petrol mower instead? Do you need a self-propelled petrol mower to make mowing easier if the lawn is large or on an incline?

Cordless lawnmowers that run on battery power are a good option if you have a smaller lawn and do not want a large petrol mower. These can be charged up in the garage or house and are light-weight and compact. Some people are purchasing the robotic lawnmowers that once started will mow the lawn without any human intervention.

The issue that puts many people off petrol mowers is having to pull start it but there are now models that have electronic starters making starting the mower less strenuous.

We all love to see flowering plants in our gardens throughout the year and especially so in the summer months but without a bit of attention they can quickly become unkempt or even fail to thrive. Although regular watering is essential there are other action we can take to ensure our plants bloom throughout the season and beyond.

Before the plants are even planted it is important to make sure the compost is of good quality and even enriched to give the plants a good start. Some plants grow better in certain types of compost so do a bit of research to check that you are giving the plant the right compost providing the nutrients it needs.

Once your flower bed or planters are ready for the plants you will need to decide which plants to put where taking into consideration how big they will grow. A plant that is cramped for space will not grow as well as one that has plenty of space.

As the plants grow and flower it is a good idea to feed them once a week with a plant feed taking care to water the soil not the leaves. Dead-heading flowers that have wilted will encourage new blooms to grow and should keep the plant flowering for longer.

If your lawn is looking patchy in places after the winter months there are some easy ways to make it lush and green again.

Removing any debris such as leaves, twigs and dead plants is the first step to a rejuvenated lawn. A clean up will allow you to assess the state of the grass and decide what to do next. Using a lawn rake to do this will help the process of bringing your lawn back to its former glory.

As you are examining the lawn, get rid of any weeds by pulling them out so that they will not benefit from the fertiliser that you will be putting on the lawn later. Dandelions and plantain weeds are the main culprits in our lawns and if left they can soon take over.

It is important to aerate the topsoil of the lawn as it can get waterlogged and compacted over the winter. A purpose made spike aerator can be used but a garden fork can be equally as effective. Once this has been done, grass seed can be sprinkled on bare patches and covered with a fine layer of compost to prevent birds pinching the seed.

Lastly, it is a good idea to fertilise the lawn with a good quality fertiliser to make your lawn look greener and healthier.