24 February 2014

Overhaul Your Garden in 2014

Family life is inherently busy and sometimes gardening can take a backseat when parents are tied up with day-to-day commitments of work and childcare. The garden is an important space as it provides a safe place for children to play and for you to relax with friends on warm afternoons and evenings. There are plenty of simple ways to overhaul your garden and really start making the most of it without spending a great deal of money.



Get Organized

It’s definitely worth investing in a garden shed if you’re keen to organize your garden. A shed is the perfect place to store garden furniture, equipment, seedlings and bags of potting compost. If your children have toys they like to play with in the garden, these can also be stored safely in a shed. Sheds allow you to keep your garden tidy and protect garden furniture from the elements, and there are plenty of different designs to choose from. Whether you’re after a traditional wooden shed, or something more inexpensive made from metal or plastic, contact a specialist retailer like Sheds and Things.

Small Gardens

If you have a small garden, maximize its potential with a simple design. Think about using smaller paving tiles for the patio, as larger slabs can dwarf the garden. It’s also helpful to keep garden furniture in proportion so that the space doesn't appear cluttered. Make use of your vertical space by planting climbers like roses, clematis and honeysuckle. Highly scented plants are perfect for small gardens because the enclosed space means that you will get the full benefit of the perfumes in flowering months. The smart use of mirrors means that you can create the illusion of space, even in a very small back yard. Don’t be tempted to overcrowd the garden with large plants and shrubs, and stick with a simple theme. Small gardens can be very beautiful, as long as they are planned effectively.

Make it Eco-Friendly

For those who are interested in a sustainable lifestyle, an environmentally friendly garden is a must. You can start by putting down the pesticides. Using chemicals when gardening is harmful for the wildlife in your back yard and won’t encourage helpful insects like ladybirds, bubble bees and spiders. Some insects prey upon bugs that eat your flowers and vegetables, so it’s important that your garden is a welcoming environment for these natural pest controllers. Make sure your garden furniture is sourced sustainably and made from recycled or reclaimed materials.

5 comments:

  1. These are great ideas, and I appreciate them. I live in Florida, so it is a bit harder, but I think the natural pets (or the plants that attract the ones that get rid of the harmful ones) are definitely the way to go, thanks!

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  2. Organic is the way to garden. Get info from your local Extension Agency or botanic garden.

    slehan at juno dot com

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  3. i am thinking about doing a small garden this year..thank you so much for the tips.

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  4. I did mix plants last year to help control insects. Flowers grow with vegetables just fine. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

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  5. this spring my basement is finally going to be finished cleaning out and freshly painted and some new lights , which is where my new garden will be.. so i am definitely looking into some boxes of sort , not sure what kind yet, but am excited about planting .. i do have to say i did try this one year and pretty much everything died on me, i think its because of my age now i can love it more :) thanks for share @tisonlyme143

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