Gardens often provide solace and immeasurable enjoyment for those who are fortunate enough to have one. In the summer, a garden is the perfect stage to host a barbecue with friends and in winter it’s the ideal setting to snuggle beside an open fire pit. The possibilities are endless if you have the space to make them plausible. Unfortunately not all of us are blessed with an expansive garden, and many homeowners only have a small area to make the most of.
Whether your outside area consists of a small patch of lawn or just a balcony, there is always a way to inject some life into it. Your space may be limited, but don’t think this means your options are too—here are Property & Home’s tips to create the perfect spring garden; a rewarding and functional space.
Edged seating—rather than taking up room with large seating, fit seats to the shape of your space. Line fences with benches or opt for a subtle wall seat. If you have a balcony we suggest using foldable seats; they can be cleared away or pushed to one side with ease.ardens often provide solace and immeasurable enjoyment for those who are fortunate enough to have one. In the summer, a garden is the perfect stage to host a barbecue with friends and in winter it’s the ideal setting to snuggle beside an open fire pit. The possibilities are endless if you have the space to make them plausible. Unfortunately not all of us are blessed with an expansive garden, and many homeowners only have a small area to make the most of. Whether your outside area consists of a small patch of lawn or just a balcony, there is always a way to inject some life into it. Your space may be limited, but don’t think this means your options are too—here are Property & Home’s tips to create the perfect spring garden; one that is both rewarding and functional.
Build upwards—‘vertical gardens’ and hanging plants have become increasingly popular in city environments where space is minimal. Instead of planting flowerbeds, people are opting to use a trellis or a homemade structure for their plants. Hanging plants are also a perfect solution for balconies and small terraces.
Disguise the boundaries—if your garden has very prominent boundaries—like a high fence or a large wall—try to soften their impact with plants of varying sizes and shapes.
Accentuate original features—take full advantage of your garden’s features: if you have a set of steps leading to your garden or a rock formation, use it! You can decorate the steps with plant pots or position ferns and foliage between the rocks. If your balcony needs a spruce, try hanging delicate containers with pretty flowers from the railing.
Garden Prep Calendar
April
Spring clean: April is the time to spring clean your garden—after months of neglecting your hedges and lawn it is due some TLC. Use this month to clear away the debris, rake all the dead twigs and pinpoint any weeds that have sprouted. Fix broken fences that may have been damaged throughout the winter months—even a lick of paint would be welcome.
Make compost: after collecting all the excess foliage you now have the basis for great compost—use a mixture of vegetable peelings, grass cuttings, branches and wood prunings. This will save you taking multiple trips to the tip and will be beneficial to the growth of your plants in the season to come.
Sow and grow: the weather may still be wet and cold but there are a few things you can start to grow even at this time. Wildflower seed mixtures would be well suited to a direct sow outdoors at this time of year. Try calendula seeds—these can pair well with a vegetable garden and will attract bees and insects with their edible flowers.
See also: Kitchen Must-haves
May
Fight the pests: slugs, snails and other critters will be out in full force at this time of year. Steer clear of harsh pesticides and instead opt for a natural deterrent: copper tape around the flowerbed and crushed eggshells are both very effective tools for banishing slugs and snails.
Sow and grow: as May arrives you will find that your options for planting suddenly increase as temperatures rise. Add some colour to your spring garden with flowers and seasonal vegetables. Directly sow sunflowers along with poppies and cornflowers to attract butterflies and bees. If you have a vegetable patch, you can sow beetroot seeds directly into the ground.
June
Hoe borders: look out for sneaky weeds that have sprouted—the warming of the soil will encourage them to germinate. Try not to use chemicals: run a hoe over the bed between rows to kill the majority of weed seedlings instead.
Sow and grow: from June onwards you will find your flowers are flourishing. Try scattering some nigella seeds on the border of your outside space; their unusual shape will inject some much-needed vibrancy. For flowers that bridge the gap between spring and summer try including some forget-me-nots and foxgloves. Use pansies and petunias in hanging baskets to create the perfect spring garden feel.
July
Keep it hydrated: this warm month means your plants will need some extra care and water so they don’t dry out. The best times to water your plants are early morning or late evening—this will reduce evaporation during the hottest times of the day.
Prune and deadhead: this month is also ideal for the pruning and deadheading of certain plants. Deadheading flowers that have a long period of display will ensure their flowering time is stretched later into the season.
Sow and grow: by now your garden should be in full bloom and bursting with flowers and vegetables. July is a great month for growing herbs; put some basil in plant pots to display on your patio—these can be brought indoors when winter comes back around. Don’t forget to sit back and enjoy your perfect spring garden.
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