Gardening is an enormously popular pastime in the United Kingdom. According to data from the Horticultural Trades Association, more than two-thirds of adults here visit a garden centre at least once a year. The combined landmass of domestic gardens is about as large as Somerset.
It’s easy to see the appeal of gardening. You’re getting outdoors, being creative, and shaping an environment to suit your leisure needs. You might also be able to source fantastic ingredients for your adventures in the kitchen.
But creating a great garden requires constant work, financial investment, and careful planning. Let’s take a look at a few essential elements to consider.
Planning Your Garden Layout
If you have the wrong layout, then your garden will never fulfil its true potential. Try to map out the space according to your intended uses, and the natural qualities of your part of the country. Think about how you’ll be moving around the space, the quality of the soil, and where the sun is going to reach. Then you can think about where your pathways and flowerbeds will lie.
Choosing the Right Plants for Your Space
Certain plants will thrive only under certain conditions. It’s worth matching your choice of plants with the environment in your garden. If you don’t, then you might face a struggle keeping them in good condition. For the most part, this means selecting plants that are indigenous to the UK.
Adding Structure with Fencing and Pathways
Hardscaping elements can help to add a sense of structure and definition to an otherwise wild and free garden space. In some cases, they can make an aesthetic contribution, too: the right stone wall can add much-needed visual interest, and a sense that the space is being cared for and maintained.
The good news is that you only have to install these elements once. Fence posts for example can be simply inserted into the ground and then forgotten about. This will leave you with more mental energy to worry about the living parts of the garden!
Creating an Outdoor Living Space
Ideally, your garden should serve as an extension of your indoor living space. This means making it as comfortable as possible, especially if you’re going to be spending long evening hours out here.
Installing the right furniture and lighting around patio areas is essential. Festoon bulbs, and solar-powered lights, can help to accent pathways. The right hanging egg chair can be a great place to lose yourself in a novel, while a series of benches might be great for when friends come around. Choose your furniture based on the way that you intend to use your garden!
