As the weather starts to warm up we have more reason than ever to spend time outdoors. Yes, long walks are nice, but having a beautiful garden just a few steps away can be even nicer! The problem is lots of us neglect our garden during the colder months. This means that weeds may have started to grow and the grass could be overgrown. Not just that, but how do you make a garden work for the whole family? Here’s a guide to getting your garden ready for spring and some helpful suggestion for the whole family…
Blank Canvas Please!
Unfortunately, the best way to tackle a garden overhaul is to start with a blank canvas. This means getting all the had and boring jobs out of the way early on. Consider this first step as a big garden tidy-up. Start by storing any kids toys or tools that may be lying around. Move these inside for now if you don’t have a storage shed (more on this later!). Then you’ll need to turn your attention to your grass, flowers, and weeds. The grass will need to be mown. If your grass is looking patchy you may need to invest in some helpful sprays from a garden store. These will encourage growth again. Trim any stray grass at the edges of fences too as this can look untidy. Next, turn your attention to any flowers there might be in your garden. You’ll need to do a process called deadheading. It’s incredibly simple and just involves pinching or cutting dead flowers off a plant. This will spur on new healthy flowers in their place. Finally, pull up any weeds which are growing in between slabs of stone on patio areas. You may need some weed killer to stop re-growth too.
Beginners Landscaping
Now you can move on to making your garden work for the whole family. Consider what each individual needs out of the garden. For kids, it’s likely to be a play area, for grown-ups you might like an entertaining space, or somewhere to store tools, or have an al fresco dining area. Wants you know how your garden has to function you can start to plan it.
Begin by investing in some garden furniture. Oakita has a great range which is perfect for socializing and family dinners. If you have a patio area, put the furniture on this. Better still, an elevated deck or porch provides the perfect spot for your outdoor furniture. The idea is to compartmentalize this area to make it seem separate from the are your kids will be playing in. Around the same area consider planting some flower beds. This will make for the perfect entertaining atmosphere and dining space. On the other side of the garden, parallel to your new relaxation space, assign an area for your kids to play. There’s no getting around that this area will be full of turfed up grass and mud. Just remember, that’s the point of a garden, to enjoy it.
Finally, you’ll need to invest in a small storage solution for outside. This is somewhere your kids can put their toys and you can keep garden tools. This is a practical solution to keeping your outdoor area tidy.
XOXO
Debbie