I’m a gardening expert and here’s five tricks to make your garden ‘look’ bigger & more expensive – your old broom is key
SUMMER is just around the corner and it’s a race against the clock to get your garden looking its best for having people round.
And if you are feeling self-conscious about the size of your outdoor space, panic not.
Experts have revealed their top tricks to making gardens and patios appear “bigger” and look more expensive.
Garden gazebo experts at Gazeboshop have pulled together a spring gardening guide of some low-effort jobs to tick off in the coming weeks.
Here are five tasks that are guaranteed to transform the look of your outdoor space…
1. Plant colourful flowers – but avoid red-coloured plants
To keep your mood boosted during the unpredictable British weather, plants play an important role in lifting your garden.
Early bloomers – such as crocuses – come in a variety of pinks, oranges, yellows, blues and purples, which are ideal for adding brightness and warmth to your garden.
These plants not only look beautiful in bloom, but are also perfect for attracting pollinators.
Darker colours on the other hand – such as reds – will do the opposite and actually detract pollinators from your garden so avoid this shade if you want your space buzzing with wildlife.
Helleborus are another great addition to plant in your garden this time of year.
With their green, pink and white blooms, these flowers will help brighten up any day – especially if you’re planning for a BBQ and get met with rainfall instead!
2. Gravel your garden to add texture
If you’re trying to achieve an expensive-looking, stylish garden but are worried about spending a fortune, gravel is an ideal for being low maintenance, easy to lay and affordable.
Coming in a wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes, gravel helps to add texture and personality to an outdoor space.
From marble and slate to pea and granite; whether you’re looking for something striking or a more subtle look, there’s something for every style.
While you may be required to dust the gravel and pebbles every now and then, and get stuck in with some weeding, that’s the extent of all maintenance with gravel.
3. Use paint to refresh and open up your space
If you’re wanting to upgrade the look of your garden without breaking the bank, Samantha Richards, garden gazebo expert at Gazeboshop, explains how you can use certain paint colours for a great visual impact.
“Whether you’re adding a fresh lick of paint to upgrade a weathered look or you fancy a new colour to reflect the summer months ahead, paint is one of the most effective ways to completely transform a space.
“Before you decide on a colour, think about what mood you are aiming to achieve first.
For instance, if you want to create a calming zone for reading and gardening, or instead a social hub fit for hosting friends and family, you can tailor your colour scheme to suit.
6 Spring Gardening Jobs You Can Do in 60 mins
A gardening pro, or just starting your planting journey? Nigel Lawton, a gardening expert at Dobbies Garden Centres has shared the six jobs you can do to transform your garden in under an hour.
1. Tidy up
Remove dead leaves, neaten beds and borders, remove any seeds and apply a good layer of mulch over the surface with organic peat-free compost. TIME: 60 mins
2. Design beds and borders
Trim back winter flowering plants where blooms have started to fade. Start by removing any dead, diseased or damaged branches, and get rid of any branches that cross over, Nigel says.
Then prune summer flowering shrubs like Buddleia, Lavatera and hardy Fuschias to allow room for new growth. As well as encouraging new growth in the plant by removing dead material, pruning will also allow you to control the height and shape of your plants. TIME: 50 mins
3. Create a cosy patio
If you have a patio, transform it into a cosy socialising spot.
Start by giving that a good clean with a jet wash to quickly complete the job in under an hour. You can further liven up the area by adding some garden furniture paired with some cushions, some throws, and an outdoor rug. TIME: 30 mins
4. Refresh pots
To enjoy instant colour in your garden this spring, Nigel recommends refreshing your pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes with early season flowers for a country garden effect.
Plant in threes or fives to create a impactful display with small, medium, and large plants of different heights beside your door. TIME: 15 mins
5. Lawncare
Another beginner-friendly task you can do to spruce up your garden is taking care of the lawn by cultivating the soil and making sure the area is level and firm.
Rake out any moss or dead grass, and apply lawn treatement in late spring. TIME: 15-30 mins
6. Welcome wildlife
Spring is the perfect time to welcome wildlife into your garden as small animals come out of hibernation and new birds hatch into life.
To ensure your garden is a safe space for wildlife, Nigel suggests dedicating a small section of your garden to creating a wildlife-friendly habitat with pollinating plants and places for small animals and insects to shelter.
You can create a safe space for them by stacking branches in a shaded spot to help protect them from the elements. All of this can be done in under an hour. TIME: 40 mins
“As a general rule for this time of year, you can’t go wrong with colours like royal blue, pale green and sunshine yellow as these are ideal for reflecting the spring/summer months.
“Also, these pops of colour can look particularly striking when the natural light hits against it.
“If you’re wanting your garden to feel bigger, opt for off-white or neutral tones to give the illusion of the space opening out more.
“Where possible, avoid using ‘brilliant’ white as this can often appear quite stark and create harsh lines for the eye.”
4. Shift to artificial grass
As we all know, the weather in the UK can change at the drop of a hat which makes it very difficult to know when to mow, sacrifice and repair your lawn if it’s in a bad condition.
If regular lawn-care is something you struggle with and your grass is constantly looking, it might be time to consider artificial grass instead.
Not only is artificial grass low maintenance, aesthetically pleasing and pet-friendly, it doesn’t have to be costly either.
Make sure you are, however, taking into consideration garden size, the cost of fitting the grass and the type of grass you opt for, as all of these factors will influence the price point.
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5. Create a patio space fit for hosting with select decor
Before you start adding some decor, clean your patio thoroughly first by using a broom and strong detergent.
You can also apply weed preventatives between the joints of your paving slabs and use a power wash to remove any more stubborn dirt and grime.
Once the cleaning is out the way, if you haven’t already, consider purchasing an outdoor table with chairs, some fairy lights, a rug, pillows and even bean bags to make your garden look welcoming and ready for hosting guests when the sun comes out.
If your garden is on the small side, as well as leaning on colour for a similar effect, using a mirror is another effective way to make the space appear bigger by capturing and reflecting the natural light.