Summer isn’t just a great time for sun, sand and surf. Long sunny days are also perfect for getting stuck into a few jobs around the home. And the onset of a hot, dry summer means that there are a few jobs that you’ll want to tick off beforehand, so you can relax with a cool drink when the heat settles in.

Here’s our top 5 jobs to tick off your list, now.

Oiling your deck will protect it against the harsh summer sun

Oil your deck

Every couple of years it pays to give your deck a little TLC. Not only will it look great, but it’ll help to preserve the timber. It’s a great job to tick off on a long weekend.

First step: sand.  If your deck has been previously painted or varnished, or it’s weathered and grey, you’ll need to sand it back to bare timber.  You can hire a belt sander from your local hire shop or hardware store.

If your deck has been stained and/or oiled in the past year and it’s still in pretty good nick, you can skip the sanding and go straight to the next step.  

Second step: clean.  After sanding, you’ll need to give the deck a good clean using a pressure hose. Use a recommended deck cleaning detergent – your paint shop or hardware store should have a selection.    

Third step: Fill. Are there holes and imperfections? You should fill these with timber putty to avoid them collecting water and dirt. There are different colours for different timbers.  When dry, resand.

Fourth step: Oil. You can pick up a deck mop for applying the decking oil from your local hardware store. Brush the length of the timber, a couple of boards at a time. Allow to dry, then repeat.

Mulch your garden to help keep the soil moist and cool

Mulch your garden

A regular application of mulch is the triple threat of gardening. Firstly, it stops the weeds. Secondly it conserves moisture in the soil, and helps to keep the roots of plants cool over the long summer months. Finally, as the mulch breaks down over time, it dramatically improves the quality of the soil, adding nutrients, humus and bacterial microbes.  

There are many different types of mulch on the market, from pea straw to pine bark.  Fine grade mulch might look terrific on your garden beds, but will absorb water, and create a barrier that stops water permeating down to the soil.  It’s best to use medium- to coarse-grade mulch, because it doesn’t absorb  water, and will allow rainfall to penetrate the soil. Course mulch also takes a long time to break down, so you don’t have to reapply it as often – bonus!

However, the natural decomposition of woody materials such as pine bark and woodchips can take nitrogen out of the soil. So, before you mulch, add some organic fertilizer, and water it in well.

A watering system is the smart way to water your garden in summer

Install a watering system

Installing a watering system is a great way to keep your garden alive during a long hot summer, and if your region is in the grip of strict watering systems, a timer system allows you to give your garden a good drink even at at the crack of dawn.

Planning a watering system takes quite a bit of thought, well before you get to the nursery or garden centre. The first step is to draw a plan of our garden to scale, in order to get a sense of how much hose pipe and extension pipes you’ll need. In your plan, make note of the important plants and garden beds that need to be watered regularly. Then, draw a line indicating the soaker hose. Make sure it takes in all the important plants. You may need separate hoses for different garden beds, if you don’t want the hoses to run over paths or lawns. Check out some online guides for inspiration and advice. 

You’ll also need to decide what style of watering system you’ll install. From soaker hoses to drip filters and spray nozzles, there are a lot of options. In addition, you’ll need to decide if you’ll be burying the connecting hoses, or laying them on top of your garden. We found this handy guide on the internet to help you get started.

A watering system takes a lot of time, and can cost several hundred dollars to set it up properly. So, do your research and talk to the experts to find out what system will suit you, and the best way to install it. Call a garden irrigation specialist near you, or have a chat with an expert at your local garden centre.

Keep the bugs out and the breeze in with flyscreens

Install fly screens

Nobody likes to be woken up with the buzz of a mozzie in your ear. But come summer time, we all want to fling our doors and windows open to catch the breeze. So it’s time to make sure all your flyscreens are ready for summer.  If you’re starting from scratch, find a flyscreen installer here.   But if you’ve got a few holes in your old flyscreens, you’ll need to get them repaired. Luckily, it’s easy to  repair your flyscreens yourself. This handy guide from Bunnings will have you repairing your flyscreens in no time.

If an open window isn’t letting in enough breeze, consider a flyscreen security door. A steel mesh security door is a great way to  let the cool breezes in, and keep your home secure at the same time. You can find a security door expert here.

Check your eaves and roof cavities for wasp nests

Wasps

The worst thing about summer? The wasps. There’s no faster way to ruin a garden barbeque than a swarm of wasps suddenly gatecrashing the party.

If you are noticing a lot of wasps near your house, chances are there is a wasp nest nearby. Take a look around your property – wasps usually build their nests in sheltered spots with easy access to the outside. According to Rentokil, you can often find wasp nests in wall cavities, roof spaces, under eaves, in bird boxes, sheds or garages. A good way to track down the nest is to follow the flight path of returning wasps – this is easier in the summer as more wasps appear.

The best – and safest – way to get rid of a wasp nest is to call in the professionals. Find a pest controller near you, here.