We all need a little more nature in our lives, but it can be hard to get enough of it without hiking or mountaineering every other day. It's why we've started to cherish the little slice of nature we have in our backyards. There's nothing quite as charming as sipping coffee in the morning while checking out the garden that you've built with your own two hands.
Why not add a bit more charm to your garden? You'd be surprised at what a little handiwork and clever design can do for your gardening efforts. If you're short on ideas, we've come up with a few tips to help you get started with your garden overhaul.
Grow some natural walls
When spending time in your garden, you'll obviously want some privacy. If your backyard is oriented towards neighbors’ homes and yards, it can be a bit difficult to feel comfortable with people being able to see you. Getting a high enough fence is an option, but it can make you feel like you've boxed yourself in or created a little green prison. Plus, it's an expensive endeavor.
A much better alternative would be to plant or grow your own walls—in the form of hedges! There's no better way to give yourself a gorgeous view while also obstructing neighbors’ views of your backyard than with a hedge. Plus, they're much better at keeping away pests and unwanted intruders than a simple fence. You can grow them from scratch or get a medium-sized hedge and maintain it until it grows large enough to suit your needs. Afterwards, all you need to do is maintain it and you'll have the perfect all-purpose fence.
Plant some produce
While you can enjoy your garden from an aesthetic point of view, why not also enjoy it from a practical one? There's no rule that says you have to strictly plant decorative vegetation. You can and should go for a few edible plants that will help you appreciate home-grown food.
It may seem like a challenging and time-consuming task, but there are plenty of produce options that don't require too much effort. Take an old pot, get a bit of compost, and you can start planting things like herbs, tomatoes, squash, and many other delicious plants with relative ease. They thrive in the summer without drying out, meaning that you can simply water them regularly and they'll be okay for most of the season.
The best part is that you can use leftover food for compost. It's an eco-friendly solution that also helps you save a bit of money here and there. If you're aiming for a more ambitious garden full of various fruits and vegetables, you should get familiar with their seasons. Some of them will only grow during specific times of the year, while others tend to be okay as long as it's not too cold outside.
There's nothing quite as charming as picking up fresh fruit from a plant that you grew yourself and eating it while lounging on your deck. Keep in mind, plants can give you quite a bit of produce during the season. It'll often be tastier than its store-bought counterparts, and you'll get to cut back on your grocery spending a tiny bit. With all the benefits involved, it's no wonder people like to plant produce whenever they can.
Introduce extra pots
Speaking of plants, you should remember that you aren't limited to the garden surface when it comes to adding new ones. Potted plants aren't just an indoor thing, you know. You can add plants of various shapes and sizes all over your backyard, and even put some on your porch or deck if you have enough pots. They're a pretty cheap investment that can enhance the beauty of your home garden quite a bit.
You'll want to pick and choose your pots wisely if you want them to match the overall look of your garden. Stone, terracotta, and pots with earthy colors are recommended for most gardens, but you don't have to stick to the mold. You can get colorful pots or even bleach-white ones if you believe that they'll go well with the garden's design.
Don't just think in terms of horizontal surfaces either. If you have any walls that seem a bit empty compared to the rest of your backyard, why not hang a few pots on them? It's a pretty straightforward change that doesn't take much of your time or effort, but it can have an enormous effect on your yard's look. If you're short on pots, there's no reason to fret. You can use old aluminum cans instead! They're not as conspicuous as they seem when there's a plant inside. Setting them up is easy, and you can put most plants in a can without issue, as long as you don't intend to grow them to an unreasonable size.
Add a water feature
Other than plants, you might be wondering what else can add a cozy and natural feel to your garden? Well, water features fit the bill pretty well. Not only do they add extra charm and flair to your personal oasis, but they can also have a calming effect. Imagine listening to the sounds of flowing water while relaxing on a summer day. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?
You might think that water features are essentially just fancy fountains, but you have several different options to choose from. Ponds and birdbaths have become especially popular in recent years. They add quite a bit of nature aside from the feel of flowing water. Birds are attracted to birdbaths, which means you'll probably have fewer pests in your garden after you install one. If you don't like having birds all around your garden, you could create a small pond with some stone details. They benefit the local environment and create a quaint visual detail. Plus, a pond is much easier to maintain than a fountain.
If, on the other hand, you want to get a fountain—you're in luck! There are countless different types of fountains, each with its own unique design. You can go for a fancy and magnificent marble design that will be the envy of all your neighbors, or you can go for something quaint and simple that won't demand so much attention. Fountains are surprisingly easy to set up, so you shouldn't have trouble DIYing the job.
Introduce seating options
What good is a gorgeous outdoor area if you can't sit back and relax while enjoying the view? While standing might be a good option, you’d be much better off with some comfortable seating. Most people opt for the typical sturdy, metallic chairs for their deck and outdoor area, but these kinds of options don't provide much comfort. The good news is that you don't have to limit yourself to ordinary outdoor furniture. You can bring indoor comfort right to your deck or patio with ease.
Adding a sofa or comfy chair outside is now more doable than ever. Plenty of them are made from materials that can handle outdoor weather just fine, as long as you protect them from direct contact with rain and snow. Adding a pergola to your deck would go a long way towards creating a comfortable outdoor area. Afterwards, you can add most types of furniture that's great for lounging around and spending time outside.
One of the most-practical choices for outdoor furniture is a bean bag. It's cozy, lightweight, and easy to transport. You can place one just about anywhere and move it out of sight when the weather forecast shows there'll be rain or snow. Plus, comfortable bean bags come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors. You can get one that matches the rest of your furniture, or choose a colorful one that stands out and makes a statement.
Keep out the clutter
Decluttering is just as important for your garden as it is for your home's interior. It can be difficult to enjoy the gorgeous greenery and water details if there are tools and boxes everywhere. Taking care of this problem will help you make the outdoor area much more peaceful and relaxing.
Start by organizing your tools properly. Taking care of the garden requires a lot of work and accessories, but you shouldn't leave them all around your yard. If possible, create a small tool shed where you can keep things like shovels and the lawnmower, as they can be a sight for sore eyes. You can also hammer a few nails in a wall or fence and hang tools there. It might not get them out of sight, but it will make the space look more organized.
If either of these options doesn't work for your outdoor area, try to store tools in the basement. It might be a hassle to move them in and out every time you maintain your garden, but you'll be able to enjoy the gorgeous view a lot more without the excess clutter.
Conclusion
There are many ways to transform your garden from just a quaint detail into a gorgeous haven. With a good plan and some handiwork, you can create a perfect natural oasis that you can enjoy every single day. Consider some of the aforementioned tips and you'll be well on your way to overhauling your garden and backyard.
Author bio:
My name is Grace Wilson. I’m a 27-year-old biotechnologist and kind of a bookish girl. Surfing the Internet is my favorite, that’s why I’ve turned into blogging. Following a healthy mindset and lifestyle is what I consider my life principle. If interested, follow my Twitter.
