*This is a collaborative post.
With the prospect of staying at home for weeks sinking in, it has never been more important to make the most of your outdoor space. If your garden has seen better days, or you have grand plans to create a stunning, serene outdoor oasis, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some tips and tricks to take on board.
Tidying and clearing
After months of rain, wind and chilly temperatures, many of us are looking at tired old lawns and flower beds filled with weeds when we look out of the window. Before you start thinking about sprucing up your garden and adding accessories and decorative touches, it’s important to lay the groundwork. Clear and tidy up your outdoor space. Remove weeds, get rid of any rubbish, clean up pathways and cut back plants and flowers that have withered.
Securing the space
If you have children or pets, it’s essential to make sure that your garden is safe and secure before you can look forward to hazy evenings in the sunshine and outdoor home school lessons. If you have fencing or gates in place, check them for signs of wear and tear or damage. If you spot gaps, or there are cracks, take a look at timber fence and replacement gate options. It’s also crucial to ensure that ponds and water features are safe for small children. Carry out a risk assessment, note down any problems you spot, and work through a to-do list.
Making your garden more versatile
For many of us, our gardens will provide a haven in the coming weeks. As temperatures rise, and the days get longer, it’s great to be able to make the most of any outdoor space you have available and to enjoy a change of scenery if you’ve been indoors a lot. If you have children, making your garden more versatile will enable you to cater for all members of the family. Consider sectioning off areas for adults and kids, creating spaces that are designed for playing and letting off steam, relaxing and unwinding and socialising. You can use different materials, for example, granite, wooden decking, bark chippings and turf, to distinguish separate zones and add aesthetic appeal. For your kids’ section, you could add goals and nets to a lawn to encourage sports and physical activity, make a messy area with a water tray and a sandpit or turn an old garden shed into an ice cream shop or a beach hut to enable younger children to enjoy role play. If you’re struggling for inspiration, or you’re looking for ideas for upcycling, there are some fabulous guides and video tutorials online.
Spring is in full swing, and before we know it, summer will be here. If you’re hoping to spend more time in the garden, hopefully, this guide will enable you to create a heavenly haven for the entire family. With most of us coming to terms with the prospect of being at home for a while, nothing beats being able to get some fresh air and spend quality time together outside.
