Taking Up Gardening During The Lockdown How To Create A Stunning Outdoor Space Without Professional Help
AD | Collaborative Post
Has lockdown got you going a bit stir crazy? Are you looking for something to occupy your mind and time so you aren’t sitting there feeling stressed, or bored? If you’ve answered yes to these questions, you are in the same boat of thousands of others out there, but the good news is there are some fabulous and productive hobbies you can take up. Gardening is a hobby that has been enjoyed by many, but it seems it’s going through a real “moment” right now, with newbies deciding to give it a go and see if they’ve got a green thumb.
So, if you’re ready to tackle your garden and create a stunning outdoor space without any help from the professionals, here are some tips and advice that will help you with your newfound hobby.
Start with a Garden Plan and Design
Rather than just starting to dig randomly, any professional will tell you that the first step in creating a stunning outdoor space is to draw up a garden design plan. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it can just be a general drawing that is to scale so you can get an idea of how much space you have available, how much you want to fill, the shape of the various gardens, and what the end result will be.
Of course, this is easier said than done, because if you’re a newbie who has never designed a garden, you are likely asking where you should begin. This garden design tips blog entitled “Ask An Expert: Top Tips For Garden Design” is an excellent resource to guide you on your way. The blog takes an in-depth look at how to actually design a garden layout and figure out what kind of garden “look” you’re going for. At the very least, it can provide you with inspiration, which is the start of any fabulous idea.
Check Out Other Garden Examples
If you’re still having a hard time coming up with a plan, it can be helpful to find inspiration through other garden examples. With lockdown still in place in many areas, it may not be possible to walk or drive around and explore, so if that’s the case you can move your research online and look at various pictures. The idea isn’t to copy someone else’s garden. Rather, you look for ideas and inspiration that you can customise in your own space.
Be Aware of Light Conditions
There are bound to be certain plants, shrubs, and trees that you just “love” but it’s important to recognise that just because they look great, it doesn’t mean they will thrive where you plant them. You need to be very wary of your light conditions in your garden.
Will the plants be in full sun, part sun, part shade, or full shade? This answer alone will determine what options you can choose from. In fact, this is a great way to narrow down your selection and then choose from a more streamlined list.
Spacing Is Everything When Planting Perennials
Another tip from the professionals is to be mindful of placing. When you first plant new perennials they will be small, and nowhere near their mature size. You may be tempted to plant them close to each other so there aren’t open and bare spaces, but this will prove disastrous in a rather short time.
Plants need their space in order to truly thrive, so you need to give them space based on their mature size, not what they are right now. Imagine them fully grown and then give them extra space on top of that. Yes, that means your new garden may look a little bare the first couple of years, but perennials can grow and expand pretty quickly and suddenly that garden will look fabulous.
Use Annuals as Pops of Colour and Filler
If those empty gaps between your newly planted perennials are really something you can’t live with, you can always use annuals as filler. Annuals will only bloom for one season, so next year you won’t have to worry about them.
Annuals are also a great way to add pops of colour. You can be creative and pick annuals that bloom at different points of the year so that you get a continuous pop of colour.
Give Your Garden What It Needs
Now that you’ve planned the perfect garden design, chosen the plants wisely, and planted them in the ground, it’s time to care for them. Remember the basics – plants need sunlight and water to grow. Make sure you are watering them according to their needs, and you can always give a little plant fertiliser to help boost their blooms, size, and health.
A Beautiful Garden to Feel Proud Of
These tips will help you to create a stunning outdoor garden without the need of any professionals, providing that perfect relaxing retreat that you can enjoy.