Useful tips

1. Although a light scarifying of your lawn is advisable as a part of regular maintenance, if like most people you rarely or never scarify, now until May is a great time. Please note if you have moss in your lawn remove it before you scarify otherwise it will spread. It is also important to cut your lawn before you scarify.

2. When removing the dead leaves from your yukkas always use sharp secateurs never just pull hem away. Its equivalent to pulling your fingernails out!

3. Put all the clover you pulled out of your lawn this winter into a large bucket of water and let it stew. You can use this water to feed your indoor plants as it is rich in Nitrogen.

4. Keep your compost moist! Remember it doesn't rain as much in Portugal....

5. Always check that your valve arm control near your sand filter for your swimming pool is not creaking or rusty otherwise it could stick and although indicating it is sending the water through the sand filter it could actually still be on backwash. You could loose a lot of water during the night...

6. If you have fusty clothes in your wardrobe, leave a low wattage bulb turned on during the winter, you will be amazed at the difference it makes!

7. Good quality paint is very expensive but it pays in the long term, it lasts much longer than cheaper paint and it will save you repainting your villa regularly.

If you have any interesting tips please send them in to valleyardens@clix.pt