Does this window box qualify as a garden? Can I really have a barbecue on the pavement outside my gaff? Am I a fully fledged, green fingered gardener if I can keep alive a basil plant bought from Waitrose? If you’ve asked these questions recently, then perhaps this article isn’t for you. But should you be blessed with outdoor space you can swing a cat in, then please, make the most of it. Maybe you’ve let yours lose its verve and vibrancy recently? If so, read on; our 5 IDEAL ways to breathe fresh life into your garden.
KEEP THINGS LOOKING FRESH
There’s nothing which has your garden screaming ‘I’ve let myself go’ like lengthy, brown grass and weeds where once a pristine lawn stood. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to keep things looking fresh. Regularly cut your grass to maintain an even length in all areas, water flower beds regularly and weed as and when it’s needed. In general, it’s best to water your garden at cooler times of day, such as the morning or early evening, as this allows the water to penetrate soil and reach roots before a warm temperature (yep, even in England) causes evaporation. It’s important to note that you should avoid doing the watering at night, as this can be harmful to plants.
HAVE STRUCTURE TO YOUR BACKYARD’S PAVING
As a general rule of thumb, there needs to be a transition from where the main structure of your house ends and where your garden begins, aesthetically and conceptually. Consider spending some money on paving your garden to add a flow to the house and make for gradual entry into the outdoor setting rather than an abrupt change of environment. Remember to strike the right balance between your grass and paving, as too much paving will render the space looking industrial. And that’s the last thing you want from your garden, right?
COORDINATE YOUR SEATING SPACE
Too much furniture in a garden can leave it looking cluttered, or worse, a dumping ground, and the wrong type can eat up valuable space that you simply can’t afford to lose. The answer? Built in seating. This works by harnessing an organic back support already in place (such as that towering fence you earlier installed) and simply building the necessary seating element to match. Aside from the space saving aspect of this, it can also be a money saver; you don’t need much more than a perch fashioned DIY style from pallets or crates to realise the concept.
FAB FURNITURE
Having the right lawn furniture can make all the difference in the world. You shouldn’t just buy the first lawn chairs you see and plop them in the middle of your garden; fun ought to win out over functionality in a space so suited to rest and relaxation. You first need to choose a theme and design and stay consistent with it in whatever you choose to add. Also, to keep it organic, try to go with individual pieces rather than entire furniture sets from one manufacturer; a lightly cobbled together look can work wonders in the garden space.
GARDEN PODS
If you have enough space and your budget allows, you could also consider adding a garden pod. Basically a small room that is disconnected from the main house, these tiny structures offer a cozy, tucked away, and quiet living space. And though a wise woman once said it was better to be looked over than overlooked, we think the garden is a place where privacy is important. Depending on the design you get, of which there are many, you can use garden pods as a work area, or an additional closed seating area for the approaching cold winter months. If you’re looking to add a garden pod to your backyard, checkout UrbanPods Garden for some great designs.
If you’re looking for further outdoor inspiration, then check out these; our 5 IDEAL landscape gardening ideas that are easy to do.