How to Tackle Cleanups & Garden Waste Removal Like A Pro
Maintaining a garden takes effort. From mowing the lawn, watering the plants, and adding new greenery a lot goes into keeping your outdoor space looking its best. But when it comes to a full garden clean-up, it can quickly become overwhelming. Overgrown branches, piles of leaves, and stubborn weeds seem to multiply overnight, and before you know it, you’re drowning in green waste!
In Brisbane, almost 20% of the average general waste bin is filled with garden clippings. That means a significant amount of green waste is ending up in landfill instead of being properly recycled. And if you’ve ever found yourself stuffing branches, weeds, and lawn clippings into an already overflowing bin, you know how frustrating it can be.
So, what’s the solution? A skip bin!
Skip bins make garden clean-ups simple, stress-free, and efficient. Instead of waiting weeks for your council bin to slowly clear the mess, you can get rid of everything in one go.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the best way to tackle a garden clean-up, how to manage large amounts of waste efficiently, and why hiring a skip bin could be the game-changer your garden needs.
Why A Proper Cleanup Matters
There are several reasons you should clean your garden. First and foremost, a clean garden simply looks better. It’s more enjoyable to spend time outside without having to worry about overgrown lawns and debris.
Regular clean-ups also promote plant health. Dead plants and debris like fallen leaves and dead branches can harbour fungi, mould and pests, which can lead to plant diseases. By removing this, you give your living plants space to breathe and get the sunlight they need to thrive.
Additionally, a tidy garden helps prevent the accumulation of unwanted pests and weeds. Overgrown areas and cluttered spaces often attract insects and rodents, which can lead to infestations. Without the excess waste, there is less need for harsh chemicals or pesticides, which is safer for you, your garden and the environment.
1. Getting Started: What Needs Your Attention?
Jumping straight into garden cleanup without a plan can quickly become overwhelming. However, a quick walk through your garden helps make your garden cleanup more manageable. Some things to look for include:
- Identify overgrown plants and messy flower beds
- Get into plants for signs of pests or diseases
- Note trees and shrubs needing pruning
- Mark areas with dead or damaged vegetation
- Spot potential wildlife habitats to preserve
Breaking down your cleanup into smaller tasks also makes the whole job more manageable. It is also important to consider what tools and resources you’ll need and how you will be removing the waste.
2. Essential Tools & Equipment
Every good garden cleanup starts with the right tools! Having proper equipment makes all the difference. The must-have basics include pruners, trowels, and garden rakes forks. For larger jobs, like removing dead branches or tackling overgrown trees, you’ll need heavier-duty tools such as hand saws, chainsaws, and hedge trimmers.
Other essential tools include leaf blowers for quickly clearing debris, lawn mowers to tame the grass, and wheelbarrows for hauling heavy loads of clippings, soil, and other waste around your garden.
Don’t forget safety! Always wear protective gear like gloves, goggles, and sturdy footwear to protect yourself from potential injury while using sharp or heavy equipment. It’s better to take a few extra precautions now than risk an injury later!
3. Time to Get Your Hands Dirty!
Once you’ve planned and prepped, it’s time to get your hands dirty. Here are some tips to get started:
- Removing Weeds and Overgrowth: Weeds are one of the most stubborn garden problems. Be sure to pull them out from their roots – even a small part behind them will allow the weed to regenerate. For larger areas or particularly invasive weeds, you might want to use a weed killer. There are many organic options available that are safe for your plants and the environment. Apply it carefully, ensuring that it only targets the weeds and not your desired plants.
- Pruning, Mowing and Trimming: Overgrown plants, shrubs, and trees can quickly make your garden look untidy. Start by pruning back any dead or overgrown branches to encourage healthier growth. For your lawn, grab the mower and trim the grass to a manageable level—just make sure not to cut it too short, as this can damage the lawn.
- Clearing Out Dead Leaves, Twigs, and Debris: Clear away dead leaves, twigs, and any debris that has accumulated in your garden. This not only tidies up your space but also prevents the build-up of pests and diseases. Use a rake or leaf blower to quickly gather debris from lawns and garden beds, and toss it into your waste disposal area.
- Tidying Up Garden Beds and Lawns: Take time to tidy up your garden beds by removing any weeds, dead plants, or unwanted growth. If needed, replant or add new mulch to refresh the area. Similarly, give your lawn a good trim, edge the borders, and ensure there are no uneven patches that need attention. This will not only improve the look of your garden but also promote the health of the plants.
- Cleaning & Organising Furniture and Outdoor spaces: Don’t forget about your outdoor furniture and spaces! Clean any garden chairs, tables, and decorations with a mild detergent to remove dirt and grime. You can also organise your garden tools, pots, and accessories into designated areas or sheds to keep everything neat and accessible. Assess what needs to be donated and thrown away too.
4. Identify, Sort & Organise Garden Waste
When it comes to garden cleanup, knowing what counts as green waste is key to staying organised and ensuring proper disposal. Put simply, green waste is any biodegradable material that comes from your garden or kitchen.
By sorting your garden waste and disposing of it properly helps reduce the overall waste that ends up in landfills. Instead, it goes to a dedicated processing facility where it is sorted and turned into compost.
- Grass clippings and leaves
- Plants and flower cuttings
- Pruned branches and twigs
- Kitchen scraps and eggshells
- Used Tea bags and coffee grounds
Managing Large Volumes of Garden Waste
After tackling your garden cleanup, you’re left with heaps of grass clippings, dead branches, pruned limbs, and fallen leaves. Now what? Fortunately, there are several ways to deal with large volumes of garden waste efficiently and sustainably:
Composting
One of the best ways to handle garden waste is by composting. Composting turns organic materials into nutrient-rich soil, which can be reused in your garden. You can compost vegetable and fruit scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, plant trimmings, turf and soil from lawn mowing, and wood materials like bark, branches, and twigs.
Reuse and Repurpose
Instead of throwing out everything, consider reusing or repurposing your green waste. There are many clever ways to make the most of your garden scraps.
For example, you can chip larger branches and pruned limbs into mulch, which can be used for landscaping or garden paths. Mulch is great for moisture retention and weed control. Larger branches can also be repurposed as firewood for outdoor fires or to keep warm during the winter months.
Fallen leaves are another great resource. They can be used as a natural mulch in garden beds, creating a protective layer that helps conserve moisture, prevents weed growth, and adds organic matter to the soil. Just be sure not to pile them too thickly.
Skip Bins
If you are dealing with a large amount of garden waste, green waste skip bins are a great way to quickly and efficiently manage disposal. These bins come in various sizes, making them perfect for everything from small garden tidy-ups to major cleanups with large branches, shrubs, and other debris.
The Benefits Of Skip Bins For Managing Garden Waste
Having a skip bin on hand during your garden cleanup offers a range of benefits that can make your life easier and your cleanup more efficient. Here’s why you should book a skip bin for your next garden cleanup:
- Time-Saving: Skip bins provide a convenient and organised way to dispose of all your garden waste in one go, saving you valuable time and trips to the dump.
- Flexibility: You can fill up your skip bin at your own pace, working on your garden clean-up as you go.
- Efficient Disposal: Once your bin is full, it will be collected, and the waste will be taken away for proper disposal or recycling.
- Ideal for Large Cleanups: With a range of sizes, skip bins are perfect for managing large or difficult-to-handle garden waste, such as branches, shrubs, and overgrown plants.
Simplify Your Garden Cleanup With Cheapa Skips
Garden cleanup doesn’t have to be a headache! With proper planning and the right tools, you can turn your garden into a neat and inviting space in no time.
And, when you’re done, skip bins make disposing of your green waste quick and easy. Say goodbye to overflowing council bins and multiple trips to the dump! At Cheapa Skips, we are here to make managing your green waste a breeze. We service clients across Brisbane and Gold Coast providing reliable and affordable skip bin hire for all your garden cleanup needs. With a range of sizes and an easy booking process, it’s one less step you have to worry about!
Ready to get started? Book your skip bin today!