If you’ve ever watched a show on television that is set in a small countryside town, the one thing that is often immediately apparent is that the gardens in the fictitious counties are almost always perfect and pristine. In reality though, many homeowners find themselves with unruly green spaces that, untended may resemble small urban jungles. So, let’s look at some things that you can do with your overgrown garden space to make it more manageable, while still maintaining some of its natural wildness.
Trim the Excess
Whether it’s the lawn, climbing plants, such as ivy or jasmine, or even a large, old tree, it is important to keep them in shape. Long grass can become a breeding ground for pests, like mosquitoes and untrimmed tendrils on runner plants can lead to stunted growth in the plants. Large trees and hedges also need to be cut back regularly to get rid of old, dead parts. It’s often easier to deal with the more labour-intensive tasks such as pruning, weeding, and trimming branches in the cooler seasons when plants grow slower.
Zone It
Now that you’ve brought some order to your garden, you can further it by demarcating it into a few different zones, such as a play area for the children, a destress or meditation zone in which to recollect yourself after a long day, a subsistence allotment, or even an entertainment space for adults.
Having a zoning plan allows you to bring about a gradual conversion to your garden without spending too much money at the beginning of your garden makeover. You can tackle each space as both your time and available budget allow. It will give you a great sense of pride once the entire project is completed.
Indoor-Outdoor Flow
The aspect of ‘flow’ between the interior and exterior of the home has become a popular trend all over the world. This is often achieved by making use of glass panels, lattice structures, or even log cabins in the space. It is important to consider the placement of these items to create a sense of seamless openness between the home, a specific zone, or garden as a whole.
Natural Privacy
If you’re planning a spa zone, or even an entertainment space, take into account which of the natural vegetation or flowering plants can be incorporated to increase the privacy of the space, without disrupting the social aspect. For example, a climbing rose attached to a lattice will add colour and privacy, but it may attract many bees and other crucial pollinating insects which may be seen as nuisances while the space is in use. It’s best to have a pollination zone away from the areas where people will be gathering. Using what is already in your garden to enhance the privacy of the space will save on the need to purchase privacy screens, allowing you to spend the money on other items, such as high-quality garden furniture, a gas barbeque, or even a membership to private yoga classes in your zen zone.
The most important factor to remember when dealing with your garden is that it is a living space that needs to be cared for regularly. If you maintain it and keep it clean, you will be rewarded with a space that will continually evolve into a garden of enjoyment, rather than an overwhelming mini-jungle
