How to Create a Garden That You And Your Family Will Love

  **Disclosure: This is a collaborative post. Links may be affiliate** 

The garden is often, oddly, an overlooked part of a property. Done correctly, a garden can add value to your home, provide some much-needed joy, and be a space where you and your family can unwind and make the most of the warm Spring and Summer months. Indeed, it’s not a complete exaggeration to say that, with a bit of work, your garden could become your favourite place on the planet.

If your garden is currently a little uninspiring, then this page is for you. We’ve put together a bunch of handy tips which, when put all together, will transform your outdoor space. 

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Think Big

Your garden will have a lot of potential; it’s up to you to unveil that potential. If you haven’t touched your garden in a while, then you’ve probably gotten used to a less-than-impressive outdoor space. Now’s the time to change your mindset and see what your garden could become with a little bit of work. If you’re not sure where to start, then take a look at some garden ideas for inspiration.

Hire Professionals

It’s very much possible to create a beautiful garden yourself. With that said, if you don’t have any experience, then it’ll probably be best to hire professionals to do the job for you. They won’t only ensure that your garden looks great, but they’ll do so quickly. You’ll get an enviable outdoor area much quicker if you hand the task over to an expert. An experienced arborist can ensure that the trees in your garden are in tip-top condition, while a landscaper can help with overall garden design and planting. This approach does more than just get your garden into shape — it’ll make it one of the best in the neighbourhood. 

Develop Your Gardening Skills

Even if you plan on hiring professionals to get your garden into shape, there’s still value in working on developing your gardening skills. That’ll ensure that you’re able to maintain and care for your garden moving forward. While some people seem to naturally have a “green thumb,” don’t worry if you don’t know the first thing about gardening — in this day and age, it couldn’t be easier to get started with learning the skills you need to keep your garden in tip-top condition. There are plenty of YouTube channels you can use to get started. Beyond that, it’ll be all about practice, practice, practice. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you become something of an expert!

Invest in Quality Outdoor Furniture

If you’ve taken the above steps, then your garden will be beautiful. But remember, your outdoor area isn’t a work of art that’s to be admired from afar; it’s something that should be enjoyed up, close, and personal. 

And by that, we mean that you’ll be spending long spring and summer days out there. You can ensure that you and your family are inclined to spend time out there by investing in quality outdoor furniture that’s durable, aesthetically pleasing, and, most importantly of all, comfortable. There are budget-friendly garden furniture options available, but it’s best to extend the budget if you’re in a position to do so. The higher the quality, the more likely it is that you’ll sit out there. 

Make it Private

The world is more chaotic than ever, and we all need a nice, private space to retreat to when it all becomes too stressful. Your garden, a calm environment where you’re less likely to spend your time doom-scrolling, offers the perfect space to do just that. 

With that said, you’ll only really feel like it’s a private space if, well, it’s genuinely private. If you have neighbours, then it’s best to take some measures to ensure that they can’t sit in your garden. It’s unlikely that they actually would, but it’s best not to take any chances! You can make your garden private by adding a fence, some tall trees, and a covered area. That’ll give you peace of mind that you can unwind freely in your garden without worrying that you’re on display. 

Add a Water Feature

Water features are, to us, vastly underrated. They offer so much, and can help take your garden to the next level. Not only do they add aesthetic appeal, but they’re also highly calming and can even attract wildlife to your yard. There’s nothing better than spending a calm, sunny morning outside with a cup of tea in your hand, listening to the sound of running water and watching passing birds stop by for a drink. While adding a water feature might sound like a big task, the truth is that it’s much easier than most people think — in fact, with a little bit of time and elbow grease, it’s possible to install your own water feature in a day or two. 

Make It Social-Ready

Your new garden will mostly be for the benefit of you and your immediate family, but it can also be for your extended family and friends. There are few things nicer than opening up your outdoor space to your loved ones, especially on warm summer days when people want to simply unwind together. Look at buying some extra seating that you can get out when people pop by. You can also add a BBQ and an outdoor sound system — they’ll ensure that you and your loved ones are kept well-fed and having fun all day long. 

Summer-Proofing

It’s nice to sit out in the sunshine, yes, but if the sun is too hot, then you’ll be wary — rightly — of spending time in the sunshine. It’s recommended to look at adding some shade to your yard, which won’t only keep you and your family safe from the sun’s harmful rays but can also help to maintain the quality of your garden. Plants and lawns can wither when they’re exposed to too much heat. Pergolas offer shade and style, though you can also look at a shade sail. Have a large tree? Speak to your arborist about how it can be used to create shade. 

Seasonal Garden Care Checklist

  **Disclosure: This is a collaborative post. Links may be affiliate** 

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Taking care of your garden year round is going to ensure that you have some healthy plants. You are going to get some vibrant blooms and have a thriving outdoor space. 

Every season you are going to have unique challenges and tasks that you have to do. This is why it is important for you to stay tuned with the natural rhythms of the year. 

This will help you to get your garden looking it's best. Take a look at this seasonal tips that will help you keep your garden looking great all throughout the year.

Spring: Wake Your Garden Up

Spring is all about getting prepared for new growth. As the weather begins to warm up you can start clearing away dead leaves. Power up your leaf blower with a Worx battery to make the task easier.

You can also cut back any plants that need a fresh start. It's a perfect time for you to test out your soil and add compost or any organic matter you want to in order to boost nutrients. 

This is also the best season to start planting herbs, annuals and cool season vegetables. Remember to watch out for those weeds they grow very fast in the spring. 

They can take over before you know it. Doing some regular weeding early in the season will save you from a lot of problems later on.

Summer: Keep It Growing

When summer arrives your garden is likely to be very much in full bloom and in production mode. The main focus that you should have during this time is making sure that you are maintaining and watering it. 

Be sure to water early in the morning and late in the evenings as it will stop evaporation and reduce the risk that you will scorch your plants. Keep an eye out for signs that there are pest and diseases around. 

This is because the warmer months will often bring out those intruders in droves. Deadend flowers so that you encourage more blooms. You can use mulching to retain moisture and suppress those weeds.

Fall: Wind Things Down

Fall is a great time to look back at what worked in your garden and what didn't. It's also a time for you to prepare for the colder months. 

You can start by removing spent annuals and harvesting the last of your summer crops. Be sure to rake up leaves and add them to your compost pile if you have created one. Autumn is also the best time to plant bulbs that will bloom in the spring.

You can also divide perennials that have become crowded. If you're growing vegetables you should think about planting cold hardy varieties like carrots, spinach and kale.

Winter: Plan and Protect

Winter may seem as if it is a quiet time but there is still a lot of work for you to do. You should protect your plants by covering sensitive ones with burlap or mulch. 

Be sure to insulate them from harsh temperatures. Keep your pathways free of snow and ice especially if you have garden structures that are going to need regular checking. 

You can start planning for the upcoming year during the winter. Review your seed catalog, sketch out your garden layout and order supplies. It's also one of the best times for you to clean up and sharpen your tools so that when spring arrives you are ready.