The front garden is a home's first thing that people see before they get into it. For this reason, it should be a sight to behold. It should be inviting, showcase your unique touch, and, most importantly, leave people in awe. You’re probably thinking, “that sounds expensive and hard.” It’s not.
Giving your front garden a new lease of life is effortless. And the good news is that you won’t have to break the bank to renovate your garden. We’ve provided some useful tips to make your front garden from drab to fab.
1. Choose the Right Plants
The type of plants you have in your garden will also go a long way in improving its aesthetic appeal. While choosing front garden plants, the goal is to pick low maintenance and steady plants. It’s also an ideal method to select plants that flower every season. This way, you have something welcoming throughout the year.
You can combine colors in the window boxes to achieve a unique and attractive look. Some of the must-have plants in a front garden include:
Evergreens: Plants that maintain their green color throughout the year ensure a stunning look all-year-round. Hebes and sarcococcas are an excellent option. Choose the perfect size to help you achieve the look you’re going for and fit your budget.
Trees: They add life to your garden. However, you need to plant them a bit far from your house. If they’re too close to the house and grow too big, any attempt to take them down can cause severe damage.
Climbers: Avoid self-clinging climbers. These grow into all areas uncontrollably and may ruin your house. Go for climbers that need support. This way, you can control how they grow.
Edibles: You should also add some edible plants to improve your garden’s aesthetic appeal and functionality. Some of the best vegetables for the front garden include kale, USSOY, basil, and any type of pepper.
2. Less is More
If you’re an avid gardener, you probably leap at the sight of a new attractive plant. You want to add it to your collection, and there’s nothing that can stop you. However, if one is going for a show-stopper kind of look, they need to resist the temptation. Moreover, to achieve a stunning look, your front garden shouldn’t have too much going on.
As a rule of thumb, you should limit perennial plants to no more than 10, shrubs shouldn’t be more than 5, and you shouldn’t have more than two trees. This way, your garden looks neat and orderly. It’s best to plant similar species together and repeat the pattern throughout your garden to add a unique touch.
3. Keep Your Pots in Tip-Top Condition
Sometimes, the smallest act can breathe life into your front garden. If you’ve been gardening for a while, after some time, you may notice your pots looking dull and covered with mineral deposits. This is bound to happen because the pots are exposed to a lot of external factors.
But there’s a simple trick to deal with this. Create a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water and use it to clean the pots. This DIY mix is more effective than using soap or trying to hose down the mineral deposits. After a few trials, your pots should look as good as new.
4. Touch Up Your Lawn
Mowing the lawn will instantly give your front garden a new look. You should strive to keep the grass short and neat at all times. If you’re going for a new look, consider reshaping the lawn. You can choose any shape that complements the patterns in your garden. For instance, if the idea is to frame your house entrance, a square-shaped lawn would be the way to go.
5. Deal With the Rain Effectively
The last thing you might require is to renovate your garden only for the rain to ruin the appearance. It happens a lot if your garden has areas where water can’t flow. After a heavy downpour, these spots will appear soggy for days before they dry up — not a beautiful look.
Some innovative ways to prevent this include installing downspout diversions into sub-irrigated planters. Rain chains and cool rain barrels would also do the trick. It may also be a good idea to reconsider the arrangement of your garden. Layering techniques improve the flow of water, thereby preventing stagnation that ruins the aesthetic appeal.
Final Thoughts
You can transform your garden by doing a few things here and there. As we mentioned, a quick way of achieving a new look is by giving your lawn a new shape. Also, consider reducing the number of plants you have and planting with the entire year in mind. Most importantly, make your garden work for you. Planting edibles is the gift that keeps on giving. It adds to your menu and gives your garden a unique look throughout the year.
