9 Quick Garden Improvements That Make a Big Difference

1. Lawn Care: Mowing, Aerating, and Overseeding 

A neat lawn will instantly change your garden’s look. You can start by mowing the grass to the same height (around 3cm) and edging along the path and borders. Get clean lines and a tidy finish with our grass strimmer. If your lawn has thin or bare patches, you can overseed the lawn to help thicken the grass and create a more vibrant colour.  

Before overseeding, aerate the compacted soil so air, water, and nutrients can reach the roots. Remove moss and dead grass if needed with a lawn scarifier, and lightly water the soil before spreading the seed evenly in the area. 

The best time of the year to do any lawn care is spring and early autumn, when the soil is warm, moisture levels are higher, and grass can grow and recover quickly. 

Tools & Equipment needed: 

• Lawnmower 
• Grass Strimmer 
• Lawn aerator 
• Lawn scarifier 
• Lawn Seed 

2. Clean Patios and Decking 

This task is often overlooked by homeowners. Patios and decking collect dust and moss over time if not cleaned regularly. You can give your patio a thorough cleaning with a pressure washer to brighten up the look. This will also remove moss, which makes the path slippery.  

Start by sweeping the removable debris and garden waste on the surface. You can then apply pre-treatment for 10-15 minutes to soften dirt and make it easier to clean. The next step is to choose a suitable setting for your pressure washer, including pressure and spraying type and start washing. Once all the hard dirt has been loosened and removed, use cold water and a brush to wash the remaining water and debris away. 

For safety, cover all skin, especially eyes, feet and legs with PPE, as any splashback from the pressure washer and debris may lead to injury. You can also remove all furniture, seating, pots, and decoration to leave you a plain deck/patio to work with. 

Tools & Equipment needed:  

• Pressure washer 
• Pre-treatment 
• Brush 
• Safety goggles, gloves, boots, and covering clothes 

3. Add More Lighting 

Your garden should be looking good during the evening and especially in winter, when the dark hours come early. Plan where you want your lighting to be and install it where electricity is available. Festoon lighting can be a great solution because it won’t take up a lot of space.  

If you are working on some garden renovations for the short term, consider hiring portable lighting towers to help light up your garden during DIY tasks. 

4. Tidy Hedges and Shrubs 

If you have hedges in your garden, always remember to trim them back to the desired shape. Overgrown hedges will make your garden feel messy and smaller than it is. You can also use any sharp tool to remove dead, damaged, and crossing branches to recreate the original shape and improve health.  

If your hedge is tall and of a large size, try using a long-reach hedge trimmer so you don’t have to hire a ladder or working-at-height platforms. Start from the bottom of the hedge and sweep upwards to let the foliage fall to the ground. When using a hedge trimmer, it is a must to wear PPE and avoid nesting season. 

Tools & Equipment needed: 

• Hedge Strimmer 
• Hand-held shears 
• PPE

5. Add Colour with Plants and Containers 

Another way to make your garden livelier and more vibrant is to add plants, flowers and pots in different colours. You can also change the traditional pots to hanging baskets and raised containers to create a unique look for your garden. 

Plant pots are available in different designs and materials like terracotta, ceramic, plastic, and metal, so you can mix & match them.  

6. Fix or Upgrade a Garden Gate & Fence 

The garden gate is the first thing you notice from outside. If you have an old gate with loose hinges, warped boards, or minor structural damage, simple repairs and upgrades can make a difference. Start by tightening hinges and replacing any panels that can’t be repaired using a nail gun for a quick fix.  

Painting your gate and fences can be a more interesting task to get involved in. A freshly painted fence can change the entire look of your garden. It’s now your time to use your creativity to put on any new colour you like. Painting timber fences will also protect them from weather damage over time.

Use a paint sprayer to speed up your work with precision. It’s important to choose a dry day and use a suitable type of paint for your fences.  

Tools & Equipment: 

• Paint sprayer  
• PPE  

7. Clear Garden Waste and Clutter 

Garden waste can sometimes cause big problems in your garden, including blocking drainage, creating moss, pests, and plant disease. Make sure to remove and dispose of your garden waste in the correct place.  

A skip can be a great help in containing and disposing of garden waste. You can put any green waste into a skip, including twigs, branches, leaves, grass cuttings, weeds, and other waste except artificial grass and soil. Read more about what you can and can’t put inside a skip. 

8. Create a Raised Bed or Small Growing Area 

A raised garden bed is a great garden improvement idea. They are easy to build and suitable if you want to separate the garden into planting areas for herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Your garden will immediately look more organised and cleaner. They will also improve the drainage system of your garden.  

To build a raised bed, all you need is timber, a drill and screws to attach them. Choose the size of timber you need and lay them out evenly in the desired position. Once aligned, you can then drill and fix the timbers together with screws using a heavy-duty drill. Make sure they are levelled with a spirit level.  

Finally, prepare the base for drainage, fill the bed with a mix of garden waste, organic matter, topsoil, and compost as needed before planting. 

Tools & Equipment needed:  

• Timber 
• Drill 
• Screws 
• Spirit Level 
• Measuring tape 

9. Level Uneven Areas 

Uneven lawns and dips can be the reason why your garden looks untidy and unorganised. This can also cause drainage problems in your garden. You would want to hire a rotavator to churn the soil and loosen the ground. 

• For high spots: Move the soil to a lower area. 
• For low spots: Fill up with topsoil.  

After that, rake the surface to create a level ground. Once the ground is levelled, you can hire a plate compactor to help firm the soil. This step is essential to make sure that the ground won’t sink later. Finally, double-check everything again with a laser level. 

Tools & Equipment needed: 

• Rotavator 
• Turf cutter if you have existing grass and turf 
• Wacker plate (plate compactor) 
• Laser Level 
• Garden rake 
• PPE 

Start Your Gardening Projects with Speedy! 

These quick garden improvements can be done in a weekend and require minimal experience. More than that, they don't require complicated tools and equipment, suitable for DIY beginners and homeowners.  

Small changes, such as mowing the lawn and cleaning patios, can give your garden a brand-new look. Plan your garden renovations today and hire gardening tools & equipment from Speedy to get the job done with confidence!