Garden Benches are often left at the bottom of a gardener’s and homeowners to-do list. This is sad considering with a little more effort, your garden bench will look fantastic, and last much longer. Winter, however, can see some extreme weather conditions. At this time of the year, a little extra work will keep your bench looking great, and will increase its life.
Wash Away Dirt and Grime
Before the weather gets bitterly cold, it’s a good idea to take some time wiping off any dirt from your bench. You may notice your bench growing moss; wiping it away will instantly make the bench look better and will prevent moss and mould growing any further. For heavy mould, further treatment is required.
Prevent Wood Rot
Even with good care, benches can suffer from wood rot. With good care, though, the process is slowed down greatly. If you’ve noticed your garden bench feeling constantly wet and you’re worried about it rotting, buy some good quality wet rot wood hardener. It’s simple to use and does the trick at reinforcing the wood of your bench.
Cover
If you live in an area that is expecting lots of cold and snowy weather, your best bet is to cover your bench up for the winter. Use waterproof materials to ensure no moisture can get in. Make sure to leave no gaps between the material and your bench to prevent any insects getting in there.
Metal Benches
If you’re the owner of a metal garden bench, check with metal it is made of. If you’re unsure, bring it inside just in case. You don’t want your bench rusting over the winter. Cast aluminium, on the other hand, can be left outside all year round as it doesn’t rust.
Plant Some Trees
For a picture-perfect bench throughout winter, plant a few trees nearby. Once the dark and cold nights roll in, you could even add a few twinkling lights to your trees for a lovely wintry feel.
Your favourite hardy plants are also a great way to add a delightful touch to your garden bench.
Lamps
Garden lamps are also another fantastic way to add a lovely wintry glow to your garden. Place one near your bench for a real Narnia feel. Your garden accessories are a great way to create a magical world right on your doorstep.
Paint
If you love projects, spend some time in autumn painting your bench a winter colour. People change their clothing as the year progresses, so why not let your garden bench mirror your style?
Get Rid of Snow
Snow looks beautiful in the winter, but if you leave a lot of snow on your bench, it will melt and get your bench wet throughout the entire season. If you’ve weatherproofed your bench well enough, this may not be a huge issue, but if you didn’t have time to weatherproof your bench, it could end up speeding up mould growth and rot.
Ornaments
Get in the Christmas spirit in December by decorating around your bench with Christmas ornaments. You could create a little bench home for the elves, a place for Father Christmas to take a rest, and more. You’ll probably not use your bench throughout winter, so put it to good use this way instead. Your kids and grandkids will love it.
Resin
If you don’t want to hide your bench under a cover all winter, you should at least apply a resin to weatherproof your bench. These resins are often budget-friendly, easy to apply and reasonably quick to dry. In the long run, you’ll save yourself a lot more time and more if you apply a resin to your bench.
Enjoy the Winter
Sometimes you can spend months preparing your bench for the winter, but the fact of the matter is that the weather is uncontrollable, meaning sometimes, your bench is going to suffer regardless of how much work you’ve put in. This is why you should take time looking after your bench, and then continue to enjoy your winter as normal. Winter is a lovely time of the year, so don’t miss the fun you should be having with your family because you’re too busy worrying about your garden furniture.
Looking after your bench throughout the winter may seem like a laborious task, to begin with, but it’s actually very simple. Amateurs are more than capable of putting the necessary actions into place to keep their garden benches looking great over the winter and the following seasons.
XOXO
Debbie
This is a collaborative post
