Summer is coming to an end, much to our dismay.
The nights are getting darker, the weather is feeling cooler and we’ll soon have to start shutting down our gardens for another year. But there’s one thing you need to do in September to ensure you keep your equipment in good condition.
Videos are emerging online of the best ways to store your garden furniture away, and it’s vital you do this at the right moment. New data from innovative interiors brand, Ruggable, has revealed the exact date you should be putting your garden furniture away where you live.
After reviewing weather and rain patterns across the UK’s capital cities over the last five years, Ruggable pin-pointed the perfect time to store away your outdoor furniture to avoid any damage.
In Edinburgh, it’s advisable to start packing up your garden furniture by mid-September (September 15), while Cardiff residents should aim for September 23. Meanwhile, those in Belfast have until September 27, and Londoners can enjoy their outdoor spaces a bit longer, with the recommended date being the end of the month (September 30).
Cassandra Leisz, Creative Director at Ruggable, said: “As autumn arrives and temperatures begin to drop, it’s important to protect your garden furniture and furnishings from harsh weather, especially high winds and heavy rain downpours. To ensure your outdoor furniture lasts year after year, it’s best to bring it inside and store it safely away from these conditions, using the above dates as a guideline.
“It’s essential to bring your furniture indoors before they are exposed to prolonged rain, especially metal items such as tables and chairs that are prone to rust and corrosion.
“Outdoor rugs, cushions and upholstery should be brought indoors, too, before any rain or cold spells, as waterlogged fabrics can lead to stains, discolouration and mould growth. Rain can also accelerate colour fading and damage the finish or protective coatings on your furniture.
“By following these guidelines, you can keep your outdoor furniture protected all year round.”
Over on TikTok, there are lots of tutorials which explain what you can do to safely store your furniture away. Many people recommend investing in large storage boxes to ensure your best garden accessories are tucked away throughout the winter.
You can also get covers to put over and chairs or benches you may want to protect during the colder months. You can also get waterproof bags to further protect any items you’re particularly worried about.
When ferguson_at_no5 shared the storage boxes on TikTok, people were left really impressed with them, with one writing: “Love this, we use one of these for our bins – then the other for tools and other bits so we don’t have to have a shed.”
Another added: “This would be perfect for our garden.” A third also replied: “I have the exact same unit. We wrapped ours in a tarpaulin for extra protection.”
