David Domoney shares his summer gardening tips

1. Preparation

Sheenagh Green, colour consultant for Colourtrend, said: “Making sure your outdoor surfaces are properly prepared for painting is key.

“Following the rule of the three P’s, preparation, primer, paint, is so important if you want to achieve a professional looking finish.

“I always recommend giving your shed a proper clean and sand down before applying your first coat of primer to make the surface as smooth as possible.

“If you’re painting a brand new shed with new wood, allow it to weather for at least six weeks and no more than eight weeks before your first primer application.

“For unpainted hardwoods such as teak, mahogany, or cedar, I’d recommend using two coats of primer to prevent any oils bleeding through the top coat of paint.”

READ MORE: ‘Easy to grow’ late summer flowering plants to keep gardens ‘vibrant’

2. Choosing the right colour

According to the expert, the “general rule” to keep in mind when it comes to picking a colour is that they generally appear two shades lighter outdoors than they would indoors.

However, there are no rules when it comes to choosing a colour. The garden is a great place to get bold and creative, so try experimenting with colours you wouldn’t usually use.

3. Painting

The expert explained: “After you thoroughly prepare your surface, it’s time to get painting. I’d recommend using a roller to get a really good coat on, then switching to a brush for getting right into all those little corners and folds your roller might miss.”

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Apply two coats of the paint before leaving the shed to dry for around four to six hours, making sure it is fully dry before going in with the next coat.

Britons should be “patient” for the next week or so to let the colour fully develop which can take a substantial amount of time.

4. Finishing the job

Sheenagh continued: “It’s just as important to add a top coat to your outdoor painting project. We have our wood coat and three different finishes, eggshell, glass and satin.

“Depending on if you want a flat finish, a mid-sheen or shiny finish will depend on which you choose.

“Remember, it all goes back to preparation so to ensure your top coat looks as smooth as possible, make sure you’ve followed your three P’s right from the beginning so your garden looks glorious, no matter the finish.

“Colourtrend’s Paint Your Shed Kit is a great resource for anyone from beginners to experienced painters looking to give their shed a face lift.

“With a wide range of colours to choose from, as well as a wood coat finish, it’s a must-have piece of kit this summer.”

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