Storm Benjamin gardeners urged to do three key things before bad weather hits

With the nation bracing for high winds and heavy rain this week from Storm Benjamin, people's gardens are likely to be at risk. Heavy rain and winds of up to 75mph have been forecast, so making sure your outdoor space is prepared for the onslaught is vital.

The storm is likely to hit on Wednesday evening (October 22) and it is thought it will persist until late on Thursday, according to the Met Office. With UK households looking to ensure the outside spaces they have invested in stay well-protected during the storm, Harbour Lifestyle expert Andrew White reveals his top tips and tricks to ensure your garden remains intact, ready for its next outing in the spring. Andrew said: "As we have all invested in our garden spaces over the past few years, ensuring your furniture remains protected from the elements during storms is important."

Ensuring outdoor structures are safe

"If you have outdoor structures like sheds or pergolas, it's important to ensure they are properly installed and regularly maintained to keep them safe during periods of high winds and rain.

"A good-quality pergola that's properly attached to its foundation shouldn't blow away. However, if it's not attached correctly, it's possible that it can move or be damaged by strong winds during storms and bouts of bad weather.

"A well-maintained pergola is a safe pergola. When pergolas are damaged or collapse, it is usually because of rot, mould or structural damage caused by rain and wind. Carrying out regular inspections to the tethering floor bolts, and repairs where necessary, can prevent this from happening."

Protecting outdoor furniture

"If your outdoor furniture is high-quality, you don't actually need to protect it in mild weather such as light rain. However, during periods of more severe downpours, it is a good idea to ensure it is sheltered.

"So, to store your outdoor sofa safely during the storm, you're going to want to source a pair of breathable, water-resistant covers. One to store your seat cushions, and one to protect the seat frame.

"Take all of your seat cushions and neatly place them in the storage bag or box for safe keeping until they are next needed. Then, simply place the frame cover onto your sofa, and attach it to one of the legs to ensure it isn't blown away in strong winds.

"When the wintery weather has passed, furniture covers can actually do more harm than good. If the temperature outdoors is particularly high, heat can get trapped under your furniture covers, damaging the cushion fabric and filling. So, when the balmy weather returns, always be sure to remove your cover and store it away for the next rainy day!

Protecting outdoor wooden furniture and accessories

"If you are looking to protect your hardwood outdoor furniture, I recommend treating it with a protector and shield product kit as soon as possible. Simply use the cleaning solution supplied within the kit to prep your wood, and then apply the protector and shield products as instructed by the manufacturer. This will ensure your wood retains its colour and becomes water resistant.

"Over the winter months when your wooden furniture is not in use, I recommend covering it with a breathable cover for optimum protection from the elements. Here's a little-known hack - if your wooden furniture is brand-new, you should leave it outdoors for around two weeks to ensure all of the natural oils have been removed before applying any protective products. This will ensure the best, longest lasting results possible."