Hello World! Welcome Friends! Please welcome Sarah Hewitt, who will be sharing some wonderful tips to beautify your yard!
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, don’t let it go to waste. Fill it full of vibrant color and create a space that you can enjoy spending time in. It’s not as difficult as you may think.
Add An Alpine Garden
An easy way to add color to your garden, even if the quality of your soil is poor, is by adding a rockery or Alpine garden. Alpines are slow growing plants that are easy to maintain. Pick your plot and till the soil. Add compost and topsoil to raise the bed and give your Alpine garden some contour. Pick some small rocks and place them strategically in the garden area. Choose plants such as:
- Thyme
- Pasque flower
- Dianthus
- Sedum
- Spanish Camomile
- Spring Gentian
- Saxifraga
Plant your perennials about a foot apart so they have room to grow. Remember to plant trailing plants close to the edges for the best effect. When you’re done, cover the soil with a dark colored mulch.
An Aromatic Herb Garden
Herbs add both colorful foliage and wonderful fragrance to your garden, not to mention that they are delicious in the kitchen. Even if you have a small yard, you can still create a simple potted herb garden of your own. All you need is a large, deep planter. You can choose from plastic, terracotta, wood or stone, whichever suits your taste. Fill the base with medium sized stones to facilitate drainage. Top up the planter with a light compost that is loam based. Plant any herbs you choose, but avoid mint as it will tend to take over. Here are some good ideas:
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
- Oregano
- Lemon Balm
- Lavender
- Basil
Gently press down the compost around each plant and add mulch to prevent moss from growing on the surface. Water generously. Remember to water frequently throughout the summertime too.
Create A Place to Chill Out
You really can’t beat chilling in your own back yard, enjoying the scent of your blooming perennials, listening to the splash of the fountain and admiring the fruits of your labors. If you want to make the most of enjoying your garden in style and comfort, consider what kind of garden furniture you need to create spaces where you can socialize as well as areas where you can relax and unwind.
Backyard Barbeque
Cooking outdoors is always fun in the summer time, whether you’re planning an intimate family meal or a social event. If you’re an avid vegetable gardener, it’s also a great way to enjoy preparing and cooking your own produce. If you have a small space, a small charcoal BBQ grill is very convenient and can easily be stored in your garage throughout the winter months. If you have a large space and like to entertain, you may prefer one of the larger gas, or gas and charcoal combo grills.
Patio Furniture
If you have a patio, this will be one of the key features of your garden and one where you and your family and friends spend a lot of time during the spring and summer months. This space needs to have the right combination of qualities. It needs to be welcoming, comfortable and practical. The design and layout is where practicality comes in. Don’t locate the grill too far from the seating area, but then don’t have it so close that your guests will be smothered by the smoke. Make room for reclining chairs so that when the meal is over you can relax in a more intimate space. Ideas can be sourced from Bridgman.co.uk/rattan-garden-furniture.
Garden Benches
Durable and comfortable, benches are made from a wide range of materials including wood, wrought iron, stone and even plastic. A bench is a great way to enhance a feature such as a pond, fountain or wildlife garden, and gives you a place to go and relax with a book on a sunny day.
Swings
Swings are not just for the young children. A canopied swing is a great place to relax with a cool drink during the summertime. Whether it’s on your front porch or overlooking your rose garden, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying the birdsong and smell of freshly cut grass.
Now you’ve got things growing and your relaxation area set up, why not add a few ornamental features? Wind chimes add a nice touch to a patio garden, whether you prefer the quiet rustling of bamboo or the delicate jingle of bells. A gazing ball will also add to the charm of your patio. Several of them strategically placed can also make a small area look larger.
Sarah Hewitt is a Mom who likes to get her thoughts down on paper, well digital paper at least! She shares her thoughts and tips around the web.
Thank you, Sarah for such a great post! Have a lovely day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
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