You may have never worked on your own garden. You may have, like myself, moved into a property and finally have that piece of land out the back you can call your own. But it’s looking more like a bomb site than a place for having pimms in the summer. When I took a walk through the mud patches and got rid of about £5.00 worth of sticky carrier bags, I wondered “what could I do to get this presentable?” I hadn’t had this luxury before so I didn’t know where to begin! After a lot of effort, and trial and (mainly) error, I whipped it into shape. Here are some of the basics broken down into areas.
The Grass
The foundation of your garden will be your grass. Look at your garden and see where the sun hits. If you have complete sun coverage, it will make for a very even growth of grass. Six hours continuous sun coverage is ideal for grass. But it will depend on the time of year on the amount of sunshine. It may be worth waiting for the nicer weather before embarking on the grass.
The Walls
Whether to hide the neighbours or to section parts of the garden, the wall can be a tricky customer. The cost is one factor, so if you are looking for a cheaper option, stone is the best bet, but prices increase based on the cut of stone. However if you are planning to lay the wall yourself, brick is easier once you get the hang of it.
The Plants
Depending on where you want to house the plants, whether in the garden, or if you would prefer to get a greenhouse, you want to think about what type of plants you like. What colours would you like your garden to exude? Colour from beautiful yellow sunflowers or clean white lilies?
If your garden has a lot of shade, plants that thrive in those conditions, like begonias or an autumn crocus would be recommended. Just remember to plant the seeds evenly, follow the instructions, and water them!
The Shed
If you are looking as your shed as a safe haven from the noise of home, then you need to think about what type to get. Wooden, plastic or metal? Wooden are the most common, but water leakage is more likely than in a metal or plastic shed, so be sure to get one with an overhanging roof. There is also the task of putting it together! If you were as lazy as me, you can pay for it to be put together. But there are enough detailed instructions to help you if you are up to the challenge!
The Kids
Finding an area for kids to play in the garden without compromising the fruits of your labours, and depending on the age of your children, you may want to put in a sandpit. It looks nice without cluttering the garden like an array of toys and slides.