With National Barbecue Week starting on Monday, there’sno better time to give your garden a quick refresh in readiness for a summer of outdoor cookingand entertaining.

Whether it’s a relaxed gathering with family or a spontaneous grill with friends, a well-prepared space makes the experience even more enjoyable. A little time spent now will go a long way, setting the scene for evenings filled with good food, great company and a touch of natural magic.

Start with a tidy up. Begin by clearing away clutter, such as old pots, broken tools or garden debris. Wipe down your outdoor furniture, shake out cushions, and sweep the patio to remove leaves, moss and dirt.
This clears the way for a clean, inviting setting where guests can relax. For a deeper clean, use a power washer (Makita's make great cordless gadgets).

Fill the tank or connect to a bucket of water, then select your preferred spray setting. Work in steady strokes across the patio surface, moving from one end to the other. Focus on stained or stubborn areas for a fresh finish. It’s ideal for patios, paths and garden furniture, giving your outdoor dining area a summer-ready look.

For a garden that’s as practical as it is decorative, think flavour as well as form.

Chives are perfect for this time of year, with their upright stems and cheerful pompom flowers that attract bees. Snip them into potato salads or sprinkle over grilled meats and veg for a delicate onion flavour.

If you fancy something to elevate your drinks tray, plant borage. Its bright blue, star-shaped flowers are edible and look stunning frozen in ice cubes or floating in cocktails. Both herbsare easy to grow in pots or borders and will happily thrive with minimal fuss.
For summer barbecues, thyme is brilliant with chicken, rosemary pairs beautifully with lamb, and fresh basil is a must for pizzas and salads.
Add mint for cooling yogurt dips and fresh mojitos. These useful herbs not only add taste, they bring texture, fragrance and seasonal colour.

Before lighting the barbie, do a quick safety check. Make sure the barbecue is set up on a flat, fireproof surface, away from fences, trees and sheds.
Keep a bucket of water or sand close at hand. Do spare a thought for wildlife.Hedgehogs, frogs and toads often explore gardens at dusk.
Always check under the grill and around fire pits before lighting. Clear away scraps at the end of the evening to avoid attracting pests, and once the coals have cooled, dispose of the ash responsibly.
With your space refreshed and yourherbs thriving, you’re all set to enjoy a delicious, safe, and stylish summer in the great outdoors.

1. Give your wooden garden furniture a little TLC this month whilst the weather is dry and mild. Clean and dry the wood first, then apply an exterior wood oil or stain to protect against inclement weather. Find out more about this at my YouTube channel@daviddomoney.

2. Check your rose bushes for any sneaky suckers – these are vigorous shoots that grow from the rootstock below the graft. They don’t produce the same flowers and can sap strength from the main plant. Rather than snipping, tear them cleanly from the base to stop them from reappearing.

3, It’s a great time to tuck some alpines into gaps in walls and rockery. Use gritty compost and firm them into crevices where they’ll root nicely and trail over time.

4. Asparagus spears are ready to harvest at about 15cm tall and when still tightly closed at the tip. Use a sharp knife to cut just below the surface.

5. Keep an eye out for weeds around your onions. Gently remove them by hand to avoid disturbing shallow roots and help your crop thrive without competition.

Few trees bring such personality to the garden as acer palmatum, the Japanese maple. With its delicate, finely cut leaves and dazzling colour palette, it’s a true head-turner, adding structure and style in equal measure. As the leaves unfurl in spring, they put on a marvellous show. From deep ruby reds to greens, oranges and more, these trees stand out.
Their colour and form carry right through summer, making them a smart choice for long-lasting impact in beds, borders or containers.
Choose a sheltered spot with dappled light and moist, well-drained soil. Keep them out of harsh midday sun and chilly winds. They’re easy to look after, needing little more than a tidy-up in winter to remove any dead or crossing branches. If you love rich colour, go for ‘Bloodgood’, with its bold burgundy leaves. For something truly eye-catching, ‘Taylor’ offers foliage edged in pink and cream.

Fun fact: The name palmatum comes from the leaf shape, which resembles an open hand with outstretched fingers.

To find out more about these wonderful trees, see my latest video ‘Step by Step Gardening’ on YouTube@daviddomoney.

In the 1600s, tulips were the talk of the town. During the height of tulip mania in the Netherlands, single bulbs sold for eye-watering sums, sometimes more than the price of a house. While the bubble eventually burst, tulips still bring a touch of luxury to gardens.

Tomatoes weren’t always welcome in meals. In wealthy households, their acidity caused lead to leach from pewter plates, leading to illness. This gave the fruit an unfair reputation for being poisonous. Learn about growing tomatoes successfully at my YouTube channel, @daviddomoney.

The UK is home to some enormous trees. The Marton Oak, Canford Chestnut, and Bowthorpe Oak each have a girth more than 13 metres, as long as a giant squid. These ancient giants are living links to Britain’s natural history.

Ferns are some of the oldest plants on Earth. Their fossil record stretches back over 350 million years, long before flowering plants. Even today, their feathery fronds bring a touch of prehistoric charm to shady borders and woodland gardens.
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