With all the sunshine and blue skies at the moment I am looking at my little London garden and can already see the signs of Spring appearing!

Every year I think about how I would like to use our garden over these precious sunny months. It always amazes me how such little touches can create magic even in a small space. Taking off the fountain covers and dusting off the garden furniture makes you think about how many lovely meals you can have outside in the sunshine.

Try and imagine what would make your garden feel special and a relaxing sanctuary. I really want to have an area with a hammock this year. Give yourself some inspiration by considering the outside as another room.

These are the things I’m going to get on within the next month and I advise you to start here!

 1. Tidy up time!

Clear away dead plants and moldy pots. Do you need to buy grass seed? Take a look at where any fences have faded and could do with a repaint.

I make a note of which ‘housekeeping’ type jobs need doing before I can get excited about buying plants!

There are a few things which make a big difference if you have the time and energy to get on with them.

Some years I do this all myself. Others I find someone who offers garden clearance. This tidy up is probably the least satisfying part of the process so if you would rather get help and then do the fun planting, hire someone.

I find that this means I’m still passionate about the others parts of the garden and the whole process moves quicker.

Lastly while tidying up take a look at your lawn. Often they get a bit battered over the winter months and may need replenishing in time for summer. Use some decent products to help it grow new shoots such as MOOWY Grass seed. It will make such a difference and now is the time to address it.

2. Seek advice

Sometimes it’s difficult to see how you can make the most of your space. Even if it’s small like ours there are some clever ways to make the most of your garden and really love it. If you're considering beekeeping as a new hobby, investing in tools like a bee smoker is a good start as it's used to calm bees, making the process easier and safer.

If you don’t have green fingers there’s no need to think planting and prettiness isn’t for you. Consider having some expert advice from a gardening services firm. They can advise what would suit you; whether it’s raised beds, built in seating, purely grasses or paving the whole garden.

Let them know how you would like to use your garden and they will give you ideas of what is possible. It’s quite enlightening to see how someone else views your outdoor space.

3. Room with a view

Stop thinking about your garden as just that and think of it as another room in your home.

Consider plants, but in the context of how they should add structure, how easy they are to look after. Do they add warmth in Winter when everything is dead. Or create shade in summer?

Can you have a pergola or covered seating area so you can use it all year round. What about fire heaters?

Lockable storage means that blankets in colder months or sun loungers in Summer ones are easy to access.

Gardens don’t have to be somewhere that we just use a couple of weeks a year.

If you work from home could you do this in the garden? If so what would you need to make it comfortable?

If the little ones are home from school where can you have activities for them that also can be stored away. No one wants to look at neon plastic sandpits when you’re having a romantic evening?

Change your perception of your garden and consider outdoor living as a positive and accessible prospect! You will soon have a super Spring garden ready to be used and admired!

How do you wish you could use your garden?

**This is a collaborative post**