How do we make our tired looking garden into something more welcoming? We have two young kids so needs to be child friendly, we also like to have big groups of friends round for BBQs in the summer
How do we make our tired looking garden into something more welcoming? We have two young kids so needs to be child friendly, we also like to have big groups of friends round for BBQs in the summer
Pressure wash the paving, get some wood treatment for the shed, sleepers and fencing. I’d probably put a border running down the left side of the garden and finally put a bit of care.into the lawn; scarify and reseed.
FlavourOfTheMonth
All the structural stuff people have mentioned, and…
Some pots on the patio. I have large pots of lavender along mine, it is beautiful in the summer. Blueberries can also be quite decorative and given you the bonus of fruit. Erigeron kavinskianus plants in the edges of the patio – it’s self seeding and will come back year after year, beautiful bushy daisy.
I’d also make a border and get some perennial herb plants in. Rosemary, a border of chives, sage, thyme, for use and for scent. I have nectaroscordum siculum mixed into my herb patch too, for height and the attract the polinators.
palebluedot365
Sweep up the leaves.
Weed the pebble border between the lawn and patio.
Paint the shed. It’s the biggest feature of your garden, it’s drawing the eye.
Then you can add borders/plants etc.
DesmondCartes
Plants! ❤️
Torgan
I think you’ve maybe cut the grass a little low for this early in the year, which is why it’s looking more white than green. Going over it with the mower again to pick up the cut grass and last years dead leaves would help it look a bit smarter. Or rake it up. But it’ll grow back, grass is good for that.
Could get some cheap annuals at the supermarket for some instant colour and pop them in pots or the gravel border.
I think the biggest difference would be freshening up the greenish woodwork as others have suggested. You’ll be best to remove the green algae stuff first before painting or the paint will probably peel off.
Malachite1984
It’s a lovely space with so much potential! Definitely pressure wash the patio, and paint the fence, shed & bench or even the swing supports – pick colours that complement the house & patio to create a theme.
In the entertaining area, I’d add some mood lighting – maybe a string of festoon lights?
As for plants, you could add a mixture of ornamental and edible plants (blueberries, thornless blackberries, miniature cherry trees, herbs, sunflowers). Get your little people involved too – they’ll love it!
vubbadoo
All of the above as a start. Some planters/pots behind the seating will give a more intimate feeling. Covering your fences would really help-star jasmine is a winner. Finally if the budget is tight, little splashes of colour dotted around will breathe life back in. I personally like the woody salvia for the long summer flowering season. Erysimum bowles mauve for the same reason
Secret_Tea_Addict
Paint that shed to add a splash of colour. Personally, I would split the garden so the left two thirds is for the kids to play and the area by the shed is for planting, maybe veg if the kids are old enough to get involved or just clematis to climb up the side of the shed. It would create nice visual interest from the patio, a bit of screening.
I’d put a cluster of planters on the patio to create a focal point and partially screen the garden behind – but go HUGE with the planters! Big enough to have an olive tree or acer – or something with height to make a feature. Always group odd numbers as it looks more organic
[container inspiration](https://www.theimpatientgardener.com/container-lessons-from-chanticleer-and-longwood/)
RavenSaysHi
Paint the shed and fence, regularly water the lawn.
dannyhodge95
I agree with plants. A bit of colour, and that fence goes from “worn down” to “rustic”!
It’s hard to advise on specifics without knowing what you like though, especially how long you want to spend in the garden, preferences, etc.
Retro_infusion
paint the fence and paint the shed, that’s all it needs
Mom_is_watching
There’s a book “the Family Garden” by Bunny Guiness which may have the answers. It describes how to make a garden that appeals to both children and adults.
13 Comments
Pressure wash the paving, get some wood treatment for the shed, sleepers and fencing. I’d probably put a border running down the left side of the garden and finally put a bit of care.into the lawn; scarify and reseed.
All the structural stuff people have mentioned, and…
Some pots on the patio. I have large pots of lavender along mine, it is beautiful in the summer. Blueberries can also be quite decorative and given you the bonus of fruit. Erigeron kavinskianus plants in the edges of the patio – it’s self seeding and will come back year after year, beautiful bushy daisy.
I’d also make a border and get some perennial herb plants in. Rosemary, a border of chives, sage, thyme, for use and for scent. I have nectaroscordum siculum mixed into my herb patch too, for height and the attract the polinators.
Sweep up the leaves.
Weed the pebble border between the lawn and patio.
Paint the shed. It’s the biggest feature of your garden, it’s drawing the eye.
Then you can add borders/plants etc.
Plants! ❤️
I think you’ve maybe cut the grass a little low for this early in the year, which is why it’s looking more white than green. Going over it with the mower again to pick up the cut grass and last years dead leaves would help it look a bit smarter. Or rake it up. But it’ll grow back, grass is good for that.
Could get some cheap annuals at the supermarket for some instant colour and pop them in pots or the gravel border.
I think the biggest difference would be freshening up the greenish woodwork as others have suggested. You’ll be best to remove the green algae stuff first before painting or the paint will probably peel off.
It’s a lovely space with so much potential! Definitely pressure wash the patio, and paint the fence, shed & bench or even the swing supports – pick colours that complement the house & patio to create a theme.
In the entertaining area, I’d add some mood lighting – maybe a string of festoon lights?
As for plants, you could add a mixture of ornamental and edible plants (blueberries, thornless blackberries, miniature cherry trees, herbs, sunflowers). Get your little people involved too – they’ll love it!
All of the above as a start. Some planters/pots behind the seating will give a more intimate feeling. Covering your fences would really help-star jasmine is a winner. Finally if the budget is tight, little splashes of colour dotted around will breathe life back in. I personally like the woody salvia for the long summer flowering season. Erysimum bowles mauve for the same reason
Paint that shed to add a splash of colour. Personally, I would split the garden so the left two thirds is for the kids to play and the area by the shed is for planting, maybe veg if the kids are old enough to get involved or just clematis to climb up the side of the shed. It would create nice visual interest from the patio, a bit of screening.
I’d put a cluster of planters on the patio to create a focal point and partially screen the garden behind – but go HUGE with the planters! Big enough to have an olive tree or acer – or something with height to make a feature. Always group odd numbers as it looks more organic
[container inspiration](https://www.theimpatientgardener.com/container-lessons-from-chanticleer-and-longwood/)
Paint the shed and fence, regularly water the lawn.
I agree with plants. A bit of colour, and that fence goes from “worn down” to “rustic”!
It’s hard to advise on specifics without knowing what you like though, especially how long you want to spend in the garden, preferences, etc.
paint the fence and paint the shed, that’s all it needs
There’s a book “the Family Garden” by Bunny Guiness which may have the answers. It describes how to make a garden that appeals to both children and adults.
Where’s the sunny bits?