IF you’re getting your garden ready for the warmer weather, it’s likely your fence might need some TLC.
Damp weather conditions over the winter can cause green algae to form on the wooden slats.
But don’t worry, there’s a simple solution to this problem, and it’s probably already in your kitchen cupboard.
Don’t worry about getting out the bleach or borrowing a power washer, this budget-friendly hack works just as well.
An expert from East Coast Fencing spoke to the Daily Express about the simple step you can take to transform your garden fence.
While your fence can go years with little to no maintenance, the areas that are often in the shade may have developed unsightly green slime.
To rid your fence of this fungi, the experts recommend using white vinegar.
And if you don’t own any, you can pick it up an entire litre for just £1.09 from Asda.
You won’t even need the whole bottle, less than a third will do just fine.
For your first step, the professionals recommend brushing off the “slimy, green film” where you can.
They advise anyone carrying out this cleaning task to wear rubber gloves.
“Avoid using a hard-bristled brush as this could damage the wood’s surface,” the expert explained.
For the next step, you will make use of your distilled white vinegar to create a DIY cleaning solution.
“Mix one part white vinegar to two parts water. This natural solution is effective against algae without harming your garden plants,” the pro said.
Distilled white vinegar is the recommended choice as it does not leave any colouring agents on the surface.
For more stubborn and severe algae, consider using a “horticultural-grade” vinegar, which has a higher acetic acid concentration for tougher removal.
Use a spray bottle to apply the solution to the moss-covered areas and leave it to sit for 15 minutes.
Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs
Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives.
1. Clean your garden
Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech’s Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks.
2. Weeding
Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round.
3. Hedge maintenance
Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat.
4. Composting
Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage.
5. Look after your lawn
Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely.
Once it has set in, rinse it off with a garden hose, removing any tough bits with your brush.
Vinegar is good for tackling algae because its acidic nature kills and removes the growth.
The acetic acid in vinegar disrupts the cell structure of algae, which causes it to die off.
You can also use boiling water to remove the algae growth, though this can potentially harm your plants.
“Green algae can make the fence look unattractive and even adversely affect the wood by retaining moisture, causing rot, and weakening the fence’s structure,” the experts explained.
