For many gardeners now will be the time to get their patio summer-ready as the weather heats up. 

Winter's wrath of blustery winds, heavy rainfall, and even snowstorms have left many Brits largely neglecting their gardens.

If these chilly conditions have transformed your pristine slabs into an algae-coated mess, then it's high time to pull on those gardening gloves.

While this green algae isn't necessarily hazardous, it definitely doesn't make for a pretty sight and can render pathways dangerously slippery, reports the Mirror.

It could also signal inadequate drainage in your garden, potentially causing issues like rotten wooden fences and stagnant water.

However, the good news is there's a straightforward way to rid your garden of this unwelcome guest.

Guy Barter, chief horticulture adviser for the Royal Horticultural Society, pinpointed Britain's record-breaking rainfall and flood encounters as the main culprits for algae's ample growth.

According to The Sun, he said: "Algae particularly favours the prolonged drizzle we've been having."

He further warned: "As we expect winters to become milder due to climate change, it's likely we could see more of this type of algae growing."

The specialist noted that such algae flourishes especially in "shady places" in your garden, where there's poor drainage and minimal airflow.

"It's a tough old thing and if there is an opportunity to grow, it will find it," he remarked. But fear not, the unsightly algae can be blasted away with a pressure washer - though they're not exactly wallet-friendly.

For those watching their pennies, gardening buffs are praising a £6.99 miracle product that works wonders. A distressed member of the Hinch Army Cleaning Tips Facebook group sought advice for her algae-plagued garden.

"I've used Wet and Forget successfully on my white render but it's not worked on my greened decking and nor has pressure washing," she said

Numerous members recommended Spear and Jackson's Spray and Leave in the comments, with one enthusiast hailing it as "brilliant".

"Yes, I used this on my wood decking..." chimed in another. The much-lauded cleaning solution is a steal at Home Bargains, priced at just £6.99.