THE rain has been pouring down showing that summer is well and truly over for the year.
And while most of us are ready to put our garden equipment away until spring, there’s a few jobs you need to take care of before hanging them up.
Here’s how to stop your shed from rotting this winter[/caption]
The Met Office has issued warnings across the UK as heavy rain and floods are set to hit.
As the chaotic weather sweeps across the country outdoor building experts at GardenBuildingsDirect are warning homeowners to prepare sheds, summer houses and garden offices for the colder months to ensure they don’t get damaged.
Without precautions being taken, they say wooden structures can fall victim to dampness and rot which can lead to structural issues.
A spokesperson for the shed company told the Express: “Protecting wooden sheds, summerhouses and other outdoor buildings will improve their longevity and save you from forking out for replacements.”
Ceilings and Floors
one way you can prepare your shed for the winter months is to ensure the top and bottom of it is protected from the natural elements.
The base of the shed should be lifted up to sit on a wooden panel or a concrete base.
This will prevent the base of your shed from touching the ground which can cause it to become damp and even rot.
To ensure your shed’s roof is safe make sure to check the roofing felt or felt shingles haven’t deteriorated or replace them.
These should be replaced semi-regularly as they keep the roof protected and offer insulation.
Windows and Doors
Maintaining windows and doors will ensure your shed stays waterproof through the winter months.
Wood can often shrink over time and cause cracks around the frames – meaning water can easily get in.
To fix the problem fill in any gaps with wood filler and do the same for any wood that has already rotted.
Ventilation is also important but you don’t want to leave windows open in a shed if there’s heavy rain or snow.
Instead, opt for static vents inside the shed and use a bug net to keep creepy crawlies out.
September gardening jobs
With September starting, so does autumn, and The Sun’s Gardening Editor Veronica Lorraine has a few tasks to keep you busy as the summer sun winds down.
1. Starting thinking about Spring bulbs
Its early bulb time! As well as the more traditional daffodils, crocuses, alliums and bluebells, try snake-head fratillaries for something slightly different.
2. Remember the bees
Make sure you’re still looking after the bees with autumn flowering pollinators – like sedums, honeysuckle and asters.
3. Dig and enjoy your potatoes
Maincrop potatoes are ready to dig up – make sure you get them all so they don’t get slug damage.
4. Change your lawn mowing schedule
Raise the height of your lawn mower and start to reduce the amount of mowing you do. GIve it an autumn feed, especially if you didn’t get round to it in Summer and start to rake to remove thatch.
5. Plant out new perennials while the soil is still warm.
6. Take salvia cuttings
It’s as easy as cutting a shoot tip above a node and chucking it in a glass of water to see if it sprouts roots. Especially with tender Salvias which wont survive the winter.
7. Keep camelias well watered to make sure that buds form next year.
8. Keep on deadheading and watering your hanging baskets
They should keep going until the first frosts.
9. Get pumpkins Halloween ready
Remove any leaves shading pumpkins to make sure they’ll be ready for halloween – and make sure you keep watering them, they’re very thirsty.
10. Check on your pond
Net your pond to stop it filling with fallen leaves when the trees start to drop.
Wood Preservation
Keeping your wood preserved every year will make sure it lasts longer and can face the wet weather.
This will prevent wood rot, mould and algae in your shed – it’s best to pick a wood preservative that works for the wood on your shed so do your research before buying.
