If there is one thing that the last twelve months has taught us, it is that having access to our own outdoor space is a very valuable commodity and not one to be taken for granted. With more and more people taking advantage of the garden space that they have, there has been a significant increase in the number of people visiting garden centres and purchasing plants, tools and even garden furniture in an effort to make their garden a really welcoming place where they can relax and escape from the stresses of the day.
The main consideration you will have is to think about is what do you want from your garden. Will it be somewhere for your children to play, a vegetable patch, an array of floral beds or a bit of everything?
Whether you are looking to change the look of your garden or have a blank canvas that you would like to stamp your own mark on, it can be hard to know where to start with landscaping your own garden. With that in mind, we have put together a little guide to help you with the basics.
Location
Before you can get started on designing your garden, you need to study it. It is important to know which bits of your garden get the most sun, which bits might get waterlogged when it rains and if it is windy, which bits get hit worst. Whilst a patio in the sunshine will be perfect in the early spring, it may simply be too hot in the heat of summer for sitting out on. Likewise, if you want a barbeque or pizza oven in your garden, the last place you want it is where every tiny gust will blow it out. Don’t just check what these things are like in the morning; consider how they move during the day.
Take a good look
The next thing to do is take a really good look at what is already there, are there areas that you particularly like, areas that you hate? Is there a corner that gives you a fantastic view that would be perfect for a patio and a seating area? If you have a lawn, does it look good, perhaps it needs treating, or will you need to replace it. A good lawn can really set off stunning landscaping in a garden.
One of the best things you can do is to try and make the trees and plants look beautiful. Experts recommend that installing tree grates can be a good way to really highlight all the beautiful natural vegetation that you have in the garden. Tree grates come in a variety of designs and some also have lighting elements in them. During evenings, you can switch them and on really showcase your large trees beautifully. This is not a lot of work and can be done in an affordable fashion. What’s more, this can really help make your garden stand apart from others in your neighbourhood.
Start small
Landscaping your garden is not a small project. It certainly won’t be finished in a couple of days. In fact, even when you think you are finished, plants will grow, and you will find yourself wanting to make changes. A rough plan of what you would like to do, with different areas of your garden dedicated to different things, is great. But use this as a starting point. It doesn’t have to be something you follow rigidly. Go with the flow; you may find plants you prefer, colors you just have to have, and your planting may make more sense a different way once you actually have plants in front of you. Remember, plants grow and spread, so whilst you may be looking for full beds with a riot of color and foliage; you will need to be patient and let this happen naturally.
Seating
If you really want to enjoy your garden, then create a seating area. This could just be a nice bench where you can relax and enjoy a coffee or a table and chairs where the family will eat outside on warmer days. Check out Lazy Susan’s outdoor garden furniture here; this is a great place to start looking at all of the different options you may want to consider for your garden.
When buying garden furniture, it is important to take care of it in the correct way in order to keep it in good condition and prevent it from becoming unsightly. Garden seating is most commonly made out of wood or metal; both of which require different methods of care.
Wood – Wood is naturally occurring and produces oils that help to keep your furniture looking fresh. It is still just as important to make sure that you keep on top of regular cleaning, either using hot soapy water, cleaning fluid, lightly sanding the surface, or using a pressure washer depending on what type of wood you have. Following the cleaning process, you have a number of options including using stained oil to keep the wood looking as good as new, wood paint to add a touch of color in your garden, or use clear oil to allow your wood to age naturally.
Metal – Metal garden furniture care revolves around keeping it clean, covered, and protected. Improved protective coatings on metal outdoor furniture mean that the material is no longer prone to rust but it is important to ensure that the coating is touched up were required to keep your tables, chairs, and benches in the best condition possible. Regular cleaning is a must with this type of furniture too.
Focal point
Every good garden has at least one, if not two focal points. This might be a statue with sympathetic planting around it, a particularly striking plant that commands attention or just a cleverly designed flower bed. Consider what might work for the space you have, and then get to work to create a beautiful display that will attract the attention of anyone who visits your garden.
The most important thing to remember when landscaping your garden is that you have plenty of time to do it, and if you aren’t happy with something, you can always change it.
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