These dry, cold days are the perfect time to get this done
Protect wood, metal and stonework now, says Ruth
IF the ground is too sodden or frozen to work, use these dry, still winter days to check over, preserve and protect garden structures and stored furniture, as well as slippery paths and patios.
Prevention is better (and usually cheaper) than cure and replacement, so it is worth getting on with these practical tasks now, rather than wait until spring when the speed of life picks up pace.
Sheds and garages create readymade workshops for stored furniture. Strip off old, flaking paint or varnish and use filler to mend any cracked or damaged woodwork.
Look out for the telltale signs of woodworm, too – small holes in wood, often surrounded by fine powder.
Woodworm infestations can travel to floorboards, ceiling joists and wooden window frames if not caught early enough, so the best course of action is to call in pest experts.
Remove and dispose of any badly affected furniture and help reduce the risk of re-infestation by keeping humidity levels low and increasing ventilation around stored items.
Other jobs you can be getting on with include stripping ivy off walls before it can damage the bricks and mortar, and renovating weather-worn sheds, fences and wrought iron.
Choose a dry, still day and strip away old, flaking paint and varnish. Use a stiff brush to remove algae and moss off fences and wooden sheds, and make sure paths and patios are swept clean of slippery leaves and debris.