Few things in life can help and improve your mood, like a backyard slice of green haven. The modern tempo that drives our everyday lives comes at a high price. After a long day at work, it’s nice knowing that you have a safe, lush and natural space to come back to. Filling up your batteries to the brim is a piece of cake. One that you can enjoy while relaxing in your garden. Of course, all things come at a price, and your backyard may be a bit stale because it was long ago when it had its last makeover. Spring is in the air, and so are the winds of change. Making any noticeable difference starts now!
1. Planned planting
By now you probably have about half a dozen ideas buzzing inside your head like honey bees. Completely normal, and all you have to do now is to channel that creative force into being. There are dozens of free garden planning apps on the internet, readily available for download. With them, you can slouch back, sip your coffee and start planning. Planning is, after all, half the battle. While you are jotting down your fresh new garden, maybe some new ideas will pop into your mind? Before you start any work, it’s important to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish. Doing so will prevent your new garden from ending up like your stale, old one.
2. Spruce up the place
Our planet needs all the help it can get in battling climate change. Every tree helps in that fight, and you can benefit from it. Once you plant a tree you can treat it as a centerpiece of your garden and build around it. Most trees require only water and sunshine to thrive so you can consider them ideal low maintenance plants. The best time for planting any tree was yesterday, as the saying goes.
We agree with you that it takes some time for the tree to grow, but when it does you will be in an entirely new world. With plenty of shade to go around, some fruits, birds that are chirping and a bit lower temperature, you will be able to enjoy the fruit of your labour underneath it. And who knows, maybe you too will get a brilliant idea underneath it like ser Isak Newton?
3. Patio
Putting some chairs around a table doesn’t cut it anymore. Exposed to the elements, out in the open is no one’s idea of a fun time. With a simple patio, you have so much more to work with. Patios come in all shapes, sizes and colours, so you can google away. Pinterest is also a good starting point to get some ideas. Once you have a patio, then you enter a world of garden furniture and plants. Patios are usually built from wood, but in any case, you can decorate them with hanging or climbing plants. That way you will easily blend it with your green oasis of peace.
4. Light up your garden
Why use your garden only fifty per cent of the time? Nighttime does not mean that you have to go out of your garden. Putting some discrete solar fairy lights that charge up during the day can make all the difference. You can always adjust the gardening lights to your fancy. Some can be set to shine bright like its daytime, for parts that you want to illuminate or even for security reasons. Others can help create that personal, intimate area. It is all up to you and your design choices, and you can consider gardening lights as one more tool in your belt. We mentioned previously that you can install a patio, well with lights you can make out an outdoor dining and entertainment area at all times.
5. Paint all the things
A dash of colour here and there can liven up any area. That old fence that’s hugging and choking the joy out of your garden can sure use a fresh coat of paint. You can make this a fun activity for your family as well. Invite your kids to join in on the fun and let them have at it. They will be thrilled, and you will soon have wonderful walls in all colours, trust us. And why stop there? Sheds, plant beds and pots can all be made to your fancy. Never underestimate the power of colours as they affect our health and emotions, that much is scientifically proven. When you add the positive aspects of being outside, surrounded by greenery with some adequate colours, you have a recipe for success and health.
6. Elevation
You are already elevating your garden to the next level with all these changes, but why not take things literally? Elevated parts of your garden can be a cheap and easy way to showcase what’s important and distinct. That smaller area where you drink coffee can be on a pod. Stairs that are put somewhere alongside your pathway can make those ups and downs easier to traverse. Don’t leave such areas to their own, put some stairs down and let them be shown.
7. Vegetable den
We all have heard these phrases: organic, free range, one-hundred per cent natural, etc. When you are already making all those changes to your garden why not make it a self-sufficient one along the way? Growing your vegetables sounds like a drastic change with too much hustle. Understandable all until you learn about low maintenance vegetables. Potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, cabbages, leaks, green salat and presto! You have a backyard vegetable garden with all the essentials you can need for everyday cooking. And you know that it was you who made them grow from seed to the final product. It doesn’t get more natural than that.
8. Outdoor cinema
Patios are great, that much we covered so far. This is one more item that we want to add to that list, and we will stop. Imagine sitting down in your lush garden, a fresh summer breeze sweeps over you as you enjoy the weather. Your favourite drink is beside you and, like magic, you can watch that comfort movie you love. To some, backyard cinemas sound exuberant and expensive, but they are little more than a projector with a canvas. With minimal effort, taking no space at all, you can install them on your patios and turn them into entertainment areas of the highest quality. Whether you are alone or are having friends over, it’s always nice to have additional options by your side.
9. Fire pit
Speaking of friends and entertainment, going back to our roots and natural elements is also an option. Fire, one of the primordial elements, is a core part of every culture. Sitting down by the fireplace, relaxing, grilling and exchanging stories while the bonfire cracks and embers burn is in our genes. Countless tales have been told around a fire, and gathering around one comes naturally. A fire pit can be your option if you are looking for a simple and effective way to make a focal gathering point for your garden. When those warmer nights come, you will forget you have a house, as your mind drifts alongside the flames, deep into the night.
10. Water elements
On the other side of the elemental pallet is water. Fountain brings with them a dash of culture, class and tranquility. The sound of running water is easily one of the easiest tranquility effects. If you are feeling adventurous, having a smaller pond is also an option. It all depends on how much you want to change your backyard. Fountains can be placed in any corner, and their design goes from subtle to lavish, as do their colours. You have a vision inside your mind that can come to life, and these elemental parts are there to help you along the way.
11. The birds and the bees
We all had the talk, but here we need a different kind. When you are out and enjoying your green sanctum, you can feel connected to the world. We are all part of a single orgasm, and all have our roles to play. While some of us are still searching for the answer, animals already know theirs. Bees are vital for the ecosystem and plant pollination. Having a diverse cast of plants and flowers helps them and Mother Nature. You can put small containers filled with sugary water that can serve as a pit stop for them. Moving along to bigger fish, or better yet birds, they are ideal for achieving the fairy tale backyard of your dreams. One birdhouse, hanged about anywhere can summon these heralds of spring to sing their soothing songs while you unwind. If you want to have them at all times, you can also get a birdcage.
12. A place for everything
For our last piece of advice we suggest applying minimalism to garden design. Throwing around, stacking or negligently leaving items in your backyard can create an image of a run-down one. Starting with allocating each set of items to their areas can make all the difference. When you clean up the place, it gets a chance to shine. And you get more room to plan other activities. There is nothing wrong with a tidy lawn. All of your tools and items should be neatly stacked in a shed, quietly chilling in the back. Many people can’t see the forest from the trees and that may be the case here. Trying to cram as many items as possible only suffocates the potential of your garden. A clean and tidy yard is a sign of a clear mind.
Starting any new journey always seems daunting at first. With, apparently, so many things that need doing, it’s easy for anyone to get discouraged. That being said, the most important thing to do is making that first step. Any change is better than none. Bit by bit, step by step and in no time at all, you will be able to see the fruits of your labour manifesting before your very eyes. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
