Sellers
11/03/2026
After the recent hot weather over the bank holiday weekend, we’re sure that plenty of you will be thinking about how to make the most of your outdoor space and ways that you can get your garden summer-ready in time for the next time the weather is fine.
A well-presented outdoor space can not only increase your enjoyment of your home, but also its appeal to buyers when the time comes to put your property on the market. Here are some of our top tips on how to get your garden summer-ready, from what to plant to the garden furniture we’re loving at the moment.
What to plant to bring your garden to life
The right plants can help you transform your garden from simple turf to a colourful space fit for the Chelsea Flower Show.
Lavender
Few plants are as synonymous with an English summer as lavender; it’s the perfect low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and fragrant plant to add to any garden. You can pick up established lavender plants from B&Q and plant them along your pathways or borders for a classic cottage-garden feel.
Geraniums and pelargoniums
Reliable and colourful, geraniums and pelargoniums are a staple for bright and colourful gardens. These plants are ideal for planting in pots or hanging baskets to create an instant splash of colour, and are a great option if you only have a small patio or balcony to work with.
Sunflowers
Easy to grow directly in the ground from seeds, sunflowers bring cheerful energy to any garden. Late spring and early summer are the best times to plant sunflower seeds, and you can easily pick them up in Homebase or most independent garden centres.
Herb gardens
Practical and pretty, herbs like basil, rosemary, mint and thyme are some of the most useful plants you can grow. These plants all do well outdoors in the summer and can be planted in a cluster of terracotta pots to create a tidy herb garden near the kitchen door. John Lewis also stocks stylish herb planters, which look great on the patio.
Create a space to relax with garden furniture
A garden is only as good as the space it gives you to sit back and enjoy it. Investing in quality outdoor furniture makes all the difference, whether you are hosting a barbecue or simply reading with a cup of tea.
Sun loungers
For lazy summer afternoons, a sun lounger will be the perfect addition to your garden. We love the platform sun lounger from John Lewis, which has a removable shower-resistant seat and backrest cushioning, plus a pull-out shelf, ideal for drinks on hot days. B&Q also stocks a more budget-friendly range of sun loungers that don’t sacrifice on style.
Dining sets
Alfresco dining is one of the joys of the British summer – who doesn’t love picky bits and barbecuing during the long afternoons. So to make the most of your time outdoors, why not complete your garden with an outdoor dining set?
Whether you have a large garden suited to a bigger dining set like the GoodHome Elos Beige Rattan nine-seater set , or have a small patio that’s perfect for bistro tables and chairs like the Florent Patio Bistro Set (all from B&Q), adding space to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner outdoors will immediately improve the feel of your garden space.
Parasols
Never underestimate the sunshine in July and August; a good parasol can be an essential, especially if you have young children and no natural areas of shade in your garden. Both B&Q and Homebase offer a wide range of cantilever and pole parasols, with the cantilever style particularly popular as it allows you to position shade exactly where you need it without a central pole getting in the way.
Keep your garden looking great with essential tools and maintenance
Gardens don’t keep themselves neat and tidy, but with the right tools, looking after your garden can be simpler and an enjoyable job rather than a chore.
Lawn care
One of the easiest tricks to make your garden look tidier and more polished straight away is by mowing the lawn. If you want to go the extra mile and give your garden a striped finish, make sure to choose a lawn mower with a rear roller.
Argos stocks a comprehensive range of lawnmowers from leading brands including Bosch and Black + Decker, covering electric, cordless, and petrol options to suit gardens of all sizes. If you’re looking for one of the most effortless ways to cut the lawn, we love the Flymo range of hover mowers, which gives you the least resistance when travelling up and down the garden.
Potting and compost
Healthy plants need good soil. Homebase stocks a wide selection of compost and plant feed from trusted brands, including Miracle-Gro and Westland. A bag of multi-purpose compost goes a long way when refreshing pots and containers at the start of the season, and you can pick up large quantities for relatively cheaply, which means you can probably do all of your planters and borders for under £20.
Watering
During the hot summer days, consistent watering is everything. A quality hose reel and a gentle spray attachment will save you a lot of time and effort. If you have a larger or more established garden, it may be worth looking at drip irrigation systems, which are available from B&Q.
The finishing touches
Once all of the essentials are in place, you can start adding more personality to your space with decorative touches like outdoor rugs in your seating areas, sculptures and water features, or more unique planters and pots.
Whether you are looking to make the most of your home this summer or preparing your property for sale, a well-presented garden can have a significant impact. Research consistently shows that kerb appeal and outdoor spaces are among the top factors which influence buyer decisions and even a modest investment in planting and furniture can pay dividends.
If you are thinking about selling your home this summer and would like advice on presenting your property to its best advantage, we would love to hear from you. Our team is always happy to offer a free, no-obligation valuation and practical guidance tailored to your home.
Get in touch with your local Robert Watts branch today.
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