13 Things to Consider When Planning Your Home Garden

 

 

Having recently moved into a beautiful, somewhat trendy section of Boston, I now have a lot more available to me (and it seems the ideas never stop coming.)

With an entire roof-deck space available to me, I am excited to create an outdoor urban oasis complete with beautiful flowers, a functional but fashionable hammock, modest herb garden and perhaps some delicate white lights.

A beautiful garden can be a haven in the summer months. It becomes the outdoor space where you can relax, socialize, entertain, and eat. To cultivate your garden into a miniature Eden, think about the below simple tips.

 

1. The winter months can leave your garden looking untidy and without attention. Start by removing any bits that aren’t meant to be there and rake up twigs and leaves. Coat fences and woodwork to ensure longevity.

2. Carefully check for any damage. Don’t let building or sewer repair work spoil your yard. Opt for less invasive procedures.

3. Keep your lawn (if you’re lucky enough to have one) in good condition by mowing regularly and trimming the borders. Opt for a good lawn food to cultivate a lush and green space. 

4. Get rid of any weeds and clear your garden beds. A lot of people find this process satisfying and almost therapeutic. To prevent weeds from growing back, I have heard adding bark chips between your plants is a good trick.

5. Remember to remove weeds from cracks in concrete (though poetic looking, things will look a great deal cleaner.) Sweep the entire area with a sturdy yard brush. Use a power washer for a deep clean.

 

 

6. Look for plants that will flower year after year (perennials) for minimum maintenance. Remember to bring a few flowers indoors to enjoy throughout your home. Nothing beats freshly cut flowers.

7. Also think about introducing flowers and shrubs that flower during different months. You will have something different to enjoy throughout the year.

8. Check your garden furniture for signs of wear and tear. If it can be repaired, then apply. If not, pick out replacements. Don’t forget cushions and tablecloths to bring your al fresco dining to life. Oilcloth tablecloths are ideal, as they are waterproof and can be wiped clean.

9. Trigger all of the senses with a sensory corner. Cultivate plants for their colors, textures and scents. Think about sound by adding wind chimes or a water fountain. For taste plant some edibles.

10. The weather is notoriously unpredictable. Make blankets available to toss around your shoulders during cool evenings. Or invest in an outside heater. If you have enough space, look at building a gazebo to provide a little shelter from showers. A small garden marquee provides a cheaper alternative.

11. Pick out pretty crockery and cutlery that can be used for picnics and barbecues. 

12. Bring your garden to life at night by adding a variety of lighting. Solar lighting is practical and will illuminate automatically after dark. String fairy lights along fencing and in trees. Hang lanterns and hurricane lamp from branches. Dot candles around on tables and on the ground. Some candles can be used to deter bugs.
13. Lastly (though this should truly come first), plan out your garden using an online mapping software. A lot of these are free and allow you to input the dimensions of your space and plot out what goes where and just how much. Think about your budget and do your best to stick to it.

 

Start as early in the year as possible and whip your garden into shape. Establish a routine for mowing the lawn and weeding beds. Make sure you keep on top of this.

There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting in your garden in the early morning enjoying your first cup of coffee.

Wrap a blanket around your shoulders and do the same in the evening. Sit in the candlelight and watch the sun disappear behind the trees. Invite friends and family to laugh, dine and enjoy the luscious space you have created.

 

How do you plan on preparing your outdoor space this year?

 

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