Spring Garden Maintenance Checklist for Orpington

Spring Garden Maintenance Checklist for Orpington Homeowners (2026)

Spring is the season when gardens in Orpington come back to life—and it’s also the best time to reset your outdoor space after winter. A few smart maintenance tasks done early can save you weeks of hassle later, improve how your garden looks all year, and help you spot problems (like drainage issues, loose paving, or damaged fencing) before they become expensive repairs.

This guide is written for real, busy households. It isn’t a “perfect gardener” fantasy. It’s a practical spring checklist covering the areas that make the biggest difference: lawns, patios and paths, decking, fences, planting beds, and general garden clean-up.

You’ll also find:

• A week-by-week plan if you want to spread tasks out

• A simple toolkit list

• Common spring mistakes to avoid

• When it’s better value to bring in a professional

If you’d like GRD Landscaping to handle the heavy work (patio cleaning, fencing repairs, new turf or artificial grass, decking upgrades, or a full garden refresh), this guide will help you understand what’s involved and what to prioritise.

Before you start: quick spring garden “health check”

Before diving into jobs, do a 10-minute walk around your garden and note the following:

• Standing water or boggy patches (drainage problems)

• Slippery areas on paving (algae build-up)

• Loose slabs, rocking blocks, or sunken sections

• Broken fence panels, leaning posts, loose fixings

• Decking boards that feel spongy, lifted, or splintered

• Overgrown borders that block paths or trap moisture

• Gaps in planting beds where weeds will take over

This mini-audit helps you prioritise. In spring, it’s easy to waste time on cosmetic tasks while missing structural issues that will cause bigger problems later.

Step 1: Clear winter debris (the fast win)

This is the quickest task with the biggest visual impact. Clearing debris also reduces pests, mould, and slippery surfaces.

What to do:

• Remove leaves from patios, paths, and lawn edges

• Sweep out corners where leaves collect (especially against fences)

• Clear drains, gullies, and channel drains near patios/driveways

• Cut back dead stems from perennials (leave some if you support wildlife)

• Remove fallen branches and check for storm damage

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Pro tip: if you’ve got a lot of leaf build-up on paving, don’t blast it straight away with a pressure washer. Sweep first. Wet leaves turned to mulch can stain or clog joints if you hit them with water immediately.

Step 2: Lawn care (or decide if you even want a lawn)

If you keep natural grass

Spring lawn maintenance is mainly about repairing winter damage and setting the lawn up for steady growth.

Checklist:

• Rake out thatch and moss (light scarify)

• Aerate compacted areas (a garden fork is fine for small lawns)

• Patch repair bare spots (seed + topsoil)

• Edge the lawn (instantly makes it look tidy)

• Apply spring feed (follow product instructions)

• Start mowing only when growth begins (don’t scalp it)

If your lawn becomes a yearly battle—mud, moss, shade problems, patchiness—spring is also the time to decide whether you want to keep fighting it.

If you want a low-maintenance alternative

Many homeowners choose to:

• Replace part or all of the lawn with artificial grass

• Add a larger patio for a proper seating/dining space

• Create gravel borders or stepping-stone paths

• Reduce lawn size and increase planting beds (with mulch)

A smaller, healthier lawn is usually less work and looks better than a large patchy lawn that’s constantly being repaired.

Step 3: Patios, paths and paving (safety + kerb appeal)

Winter encourages algae, especially in shaded gardens. Spring is the right time to clean paving because you’ll use the space more, and it reduces slip hazards.

Basic clean (DIY)

• Sweep thoroughly

• Apply a patio cleaner (or mild detergent for light grime)

• Scrub problem areas (especially edges and shaded corners)

• Rinse gently

Deeper clean (pressure washing)

Pressure washing can transform a patio, but it needs care:

• Use the right nozzle and pressure level

• Avoid blasting jointing sand out of block paving

• Keep the lance moving (don’t “dig” into one spot)

• Be cautious around pointing on natural stone

After cleaning block paving, it often needs re-sanding once dry. If you leave joints empty, weeds and movement return quickly.

Check for structural issues

While it’s clean, look for:

• Rocking slabs

• Sunken areas (often a sub-base issue)

• Drainage problems (puddles that don’t clear)

• Damaged pointing or crumbling joints

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Small repairs now can prevent full re-laying later.

Step 4: Decking (spring reset and safety check)

Decking can look amazing, but it needs a quick spring inspection to avoid rot and slipperiness.

Checklist:

• Sweep away debris between boards

• Check for algae (especially shaded sections)

• Inspect fixings and edges (loose boards are a trip hazard)

• Look for soft/spongy areas (possible rot)

• Light wash and scrub (use products suitable for your decking type)

Timber decking

If it’s timber, spring is the time to:

• Clean it properly

• Let it dry

• Consider oiling or staining (once conditions are dry and mild)

Composite decking

Composite is generally lower maintenance:

• Clean with mild soap and water

• Avoid harsh chemicals and wire brushes

• Rinse and keep the gaps clear

If your decking is becoming a maintenance headache year after year, spring is also a great time to consider upgrading to composite or redesigning the area as paving.

Step 5: Fencing and boundaries (repair before growth hides the problems)

Fence repairs are easier in spring before borders become overgrown.

Checklist:

• Check posts for movement

• Inspect panels for rot, cracking, or warping

• Look for gaps under the fence line (pets escaping, soil wash-out)

• Tighten loose fixings and hinges on gates

• Clean off algae and grime near ground level

If you plan to treat or paint fencing:

• Choose a dry week

• Clean first (a clean fence holds finish better)

• Treat cut ends and repairs properly (that’s where rot starts)

A tidy, straight fence makes the whole garden feel more “finished”, even if the rest is still waking up.

Step 6: Planting beds (weed prevention is the goal)

Spring is when weeds start winning—unless you get ahead early.

The simplest approach

• Weed early while the ground is moist (roots come out easier)

• Add mulch (bark, composted mulch, or well-rotted compost)

• Edge beds cleanly so the garden looks organised

• Consider ground cover planting in sparse areas

Mulch is one of the best “low-maintenance” moves:

• It reduces weeds

• It improves soil

• It retains moisture

• It makes beds look tidy

If your beds are full of old, struggling plants, spring is also a good time to refresh planting with fewer, stronger choices planted in groups (it looks more designed and is easier to maintain).

Step 7: Drainage and problem areas (the hidden cost-saver)

Orpington gardens often have a mix of lawn, patio, and border areas where water can pool—especially after wet winters.

Signs you should address drainage:

• Puddles that linger for hours

• Muddy lawn that never fully dries

• Moss dominating the grass

• Slippery paving near the house

• Water collecting at the bottom of the garden

Simple fixes can include:

• Improving falls on patios and paths

• Adding drainage channels where needed

• Changing surfaces in problem zones (gravel, paving, artificial grass)

• Creating planting beds that absorb water better

Drainage is one of the most important “do it right once” parts of landscaping. Sorting it in spring prevents summer frustration and winter damage.

A simple 4-week spring plan (so it doesn’t feel overwhelming)

If you prefer to spread the work out, here’s a realistic plan:

Week 1: Clean and clear

• Debris removal, sweeping, basic tidy

• Drain and gully clearing

• Quick fence inspection

Week 2: Surfaces

• Patio clean (and re-sand if block paving)

• Path edging

• Fix any loose slabs/blocks

Week 3: Lawn and beds

• Lawn repair, first cut if needed

• Weed beds and mulch

• Border edging and light pruning

Week 4: Finishing touches

• Decking clean / treatment (weather depending)

• Add a few seasonal plants or refresh key borders

• Make a plan for any bigger upgrades you want this year

Common spring mistakes to avoid

• Cutting lawns too short too early (weakens grass and encourages moss)

• Pressure washing too aggressively (damages joints and surfaces)

• Ignoring drainage (cosmetic work won’t last if water sits)

• Planting loads of high-maintenance varieties (creates constant work)

• Skipping mulch (guarantees more weeding later)

• Leaving fence repairs until summer (growth hides issues and rot spreads)

Spring success is about prevention. A few good decisions now reduce the amount of effort you’ll need all summer.

When it’s worth hiring professionals

DIY is great for light maintenance, but some jobs are better handled professionally because the long-term result is more durable and often cheaper than fixing mistakes.

Consider professional help for:

• Sunken patios or driveways (sub-base and falls matter)

• Drainage solutions (to prevent recurring water issues)

• New patios, steps, or pathways (precision and longevity)

• Fence replacement (straight lines, solid posts, tidy finish)

• Decking rebuilds or upgrades (especially raised decks)

• Full garden redesign (zoning, layout, and material choices)

If you’re unsure, the best starting point is a site visit and a clear plan—then you can decide what to DIY and what to outsource.

Ready to refresh your Orpington garden?

If your spring checklist revealed bigger issues—muddy areas, tired paving, old fencing, or a garden that doesn’t feel usable—spring is the perfect time to fix it. A few upgrades can dramatically improve how your garden looks and how you use it.