Transform Your Garden

Today, 21st March 2010, in the UK, is officially the first day of Spring. After what turned out to be a particularly long and hard Winter, most people's gardens are in need of some TLC, tender loving care. At this time of year many householders are just beginning to venture out into their gardens and start to think about their hopes and plans for the summer and their garden.

Some will have already planted seeds ready for planting out later in the season. For householders who have lawns the first cut off the year will not be far off and there will be a fair bit of work to be done.

Perhaps now would be a good time to think about transforming your garden.

If you are considering re-designing your garden you need to have a good look at its current state. Whether it is a small or large garden re-designing will offer a great opportunity to maximise this outdoor space and ensure that your garden works for you.

In these dire economic times many people are starting to grow some produce at home. Even if space is at a premium you may be able to incorporate:-

• A vegetable patch
• A few fruit trees
• A herb garden
• Potatoes

• A strawberry patch

Planning is essential to make the effort of re-designing worth while.

Measure the space that you have and see if you can get everything you need or want from your garden. Draft a basic design adding as much or as little information as necessary. These days there are plenty of software packages available that will help you design the perfect garden for you. Free software is available will a little research.

Decide on a budget and aim to stick to it.

Shop around for items needed. See if you can find any special offers. If you want to buy a greenhouse for example the autumn is often the best time. In early autumn or late summer you can often buy a greenhouse quite competitively.

Many people in the UK are moving away from traditional gardens. Some are simply block paving the outdoor space in order to provide off road parking. However, this can be done sympathetically, if it is deemed necessary. Chippings, for example, will be more Eco-friendly than concrete or block paving. A willow screen can hide unsightly views and the like. A wealth of plants can be displayed in pots or hanging baskets. All of this will help soften a harsh looking exterior and will offer kerb appeal to potential buyers.

It may be that you want to lose your lawn and make a garden that is easy to maintain due to time constraints, health issues, pets or age. Whatever the reason there are plenty of alternatives these days.

Most DIY stores and garden centres have a ready supply of:-

• Paving Stones
• Gravel
• Stones
• Wooden sleepers
• Rocks
• Fences
• Screens
• Decking
• Greenhouses
• Water features and so much more.

Make a list of what you love about your garden and what you hate. From this list, work out what could replace the features that you hate. Would you like a Hot Tub, a wildlife garden pond, a seating area, a privet hedge to add some privacy, a bird haven or a rose garden? The choice is yours and there are so many alternatives.

I hope this hub will spur you on to make the changes you want to your garden.

If the budget is small consider transforming a section of your garden this year with further work to be carried out for the next few years. If you love your home and plan to stay there, plans which will take a few years to complete, should not be a problem.

Finally.

So have I whet your garden design appetite?

If I have now is the perfect time to start the preparations for your re-design and to begin work. Remember to:-

• Be realistic about what you can achieve with the space provided.
• Make sure that you can afford the changes.
• Decide if you will be able to carry out all the works yourselves or will need to hire in at least some help. This will need budgeting for.
• Set aims and goals.
• Check out if you will need any planning or building permission.
• If the work will ultimately have a negative impact on your neighbours find out their opinion. This will be the sensible option and perhaps a compromise will be possible.
• Research which plants will thrive in your garden, for example, some need acidic soils and some need full sun. Amend your design to take such needs into account.
• Use reclaimed items when possible. This can be cheaper and is less harmful to the environment.
• Do not rush the work or do too much heavy lifting suddenly. If you put your back out you could be laid up all summer.
• Decide if you want to incorporate any structures, such as a summer house, a garage, a conservatory, a water feature, a large pond or a pagoda.

With the help of garden design software try to envisage what all of these changes will look like when completed. This means thinking about the size of shrubs and trees in a few years time. Incorporate plants and flowers that will offer maximum show for each of the seasons, this can mean that your garden looks great all year round. Either go for a completely random colour scheme or plant so that blocks of colour will compliment each other.

Get busy now and, come summer, you should be able to enjoy the sun whilst you recline in your new garden.