Moving into a new home can be equally exciting and daunting. There’s lots to learn about, from the buying process to bills and DIY once you move in. But another area that might be new to you is gardening – and it can make a huge difference in many ways!
Firstly, creating and maintaining attractive outdoor space adds curb appeal should you come to sell in the future. But it can also vastly improve your quality of life right now, with UK charity Mind stating that nature often helps with mental health. It’s also a great source of physical exercise – something the NHS considers essential for healthy living.
So, where’s best to get started? Here are four key areas to focus on and give your garden a new lease of life.
Level up your lawn care.
A healthy, well-manicured lawn can be a source of great pride – but it doesn’t come without much work.
Depending on your soil and grass condition, you may need to lay new seeds, mow your lawn regularly, and do neat things with a cordless trimmer. You may also need to fertilise and water it while keeping on top of any pesky weeds popping through.
Take pride in your patio and decking.
Patios and decking are two common landscape elements that help create distinct outdoor areas and visual variety. Patio and decking are a great way to transform your garden into a usable outdoor social space. Use the patio or decking to designate spaces for seating, dining or other activities.
The installation and maintenance of patio and decking varies between materials, but you’ll need to consider factors such as your home’s architectural style, layout and weather conditions.
Maintaining your decking and patio is essential to keep it in good condition. Clear off any leaves that can cause the wooden patio to rot, and use a pressure washer occasionally to bring back the original look of the deck or decking.
Pursue the plant life.
Plants are a great way to add colour, texture and life to your outdoor space. Selecting the right ones can take some time and research – but they’re worth the effort if you can find a good balance that suits your home!
You may want to choose a mix of native and seasonal plants, for example, giving them suitable homes, from pots to planters and beds, depending on your garden layout.
Few two plants are equal, though, so you’ll want to know their ideal watering routines and suitable light and wind conditions.
When looking for locations to include your plants in your garden, installing wooden sleepers around your garden will create raised plant beds for plant life. Filling the planters with soil will allow you to create a decorative border of plant beds, giving a great look to your garden.
Alternatively, you could create ground-level coves for plant life, bordered by bricks and filled with either stone or slate, allowing you to create sections within the garden to display your range of plant life.
Elevate with outdoor furniture and equipment.
Outdoor furniture helps transform your garden into an extension of your home and improve its functionality. Options include chairs, sofas, tables and sunbeds to suit your preferences, ideally made from hardy materials which are made for the outdoors and are weather resistant while being easy to store in the winter months when you will not be using them and can prolong their longevity by keeping them in storage.
Depending on your ideal lifestyle, consider other features, such as a BBQ or firepit for outdoor social events, trampolines or climbing frames for children if you need a family-friendly outdoor space.
The right tools for the job
When maintaining a pristine garden, having the right tools for the job is very important. Investing in a good quality lawnmower will help keep your lawn cut even where cheaper lawnmowers could give your grass an uneven finish. Similarly, getting a grass trimmer will help you get a close cut around the edges and harder-to-reach areas of your lawn.
When planting in your garden, you will need a trowel and fork to clear and prepare the compost for planting. Once the flowers have flourished, you will need a watering can or garden hose to keep the plants healthy while using some secateurs to prune any leaves and branches.
Could improvements in any of these areas give you a better outdoor space? Like any room in your home, you can try things out and change them again over time.
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