News
It’s welcome news to us all that garden centres across England are now able to open their doors to the public after several weeks in lockdown. The Government have announced measures this week to ease the restrictions, provided that strict social distancing practices are adhered to. So we can all enjoy filling up our baskets with new plants and shrubs to help make our outdoor space the perfect zone to relax in the coming summer months!
It’s no secret that gardening can help to reduce stress and improve general mood and wellbeing, so we have put together some hints and tips on how to get the most out of your garden or balcony and we hope you find this useful…
PREPARATION IS KEY
If you’re planning on overhauling your garden, or even if you’re just looking to add a few plants to brighten things up it’s important to be prepared. Rather than just planting some seeds and hoping for the best, make sure you fully prepare and know what you are doing. Carry out essential jobs beforehand such as weeding (although avoid chemicals where possible), cutting the grass, and clipping back any trees or bushes that might be in the way. Also, plan what you’re doing and where, as this will make it easier once you get going.
KEEPING NATURE HAPPY
While getting back to nature, we want to make sure we look after the local wildlife that inhabit our gardens. The Woodland Trust suggests providing shelters for animals, such as bug hotels or hedgehog homes and there are also certain plants and shrubbery that you can add to your garden that have benefits to bugs. Plants such as English lavender, coneflower, cuckooflowers and buddleia will not only brighten your garden, but will produce nectar for butterflies and bees. We have made eco-friendly additions to a number of our developments, such as incorporating a wildlife corridor around the entire perimeter of our Coombelands Gardens development in Addlestone.
MAKE IT EDIBLE
According to experts, now is the time to start planting fruit and vegetables in your garden, but there is a technique to follow to ensure you get the best results. Use good quality soil and try to plant in raised beds as these are more space efficient. It’s also important to pay attention to how you arrange your plants. Research suggests that by planting in triangles, you can fit an additional 10 to 14% plants in! From potatoes and tomatoes, to raspberries and strawberries, there are dozens of fruit and vegetables that you can grow quite easily at home, saving you money and keeping you busy over the summer months.
CREATE AN INDOOR GARDEN
We know that not everyone has an outdoor space, but there is plenty you can do inside too. Inspired by our apartments at Kingsfield Court in Aylesbury, we recommend buying indoor plants or succulents to brighten rooms up, even a small succulent in the kitchen can make a huge difference. You can also set up a herb garden in your kitchen – basil, chives, oregano, parsley and thyme are amongst the easiest to grow. Depending on the indoor space available, it’s also possible to grow fruit and vegetables providing you keep them hydrated and in the sunlight.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
Adding plants to your garden is relatively straightforward, but it’s best to know your limits and be realistic about what you can do yourself. While it is possible to lay a patio or decking in your garden yourself, it’s probably best not to attempt these jobs unless you’re confident you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, costly mistakes can be made, both through wasted materials, and the possible cost of hiring a professional to fix any mistakes.
BUYING A HOME WITH US
Should you buy a new home with us, our site team will be on hand to offer any assistance and make recommendations on how to achieve your dream garden. A new home offers you a blank canvas to work with, meaning you can put your own personal touch to your new garden or balcony space. We offer a landscaped front garden, and a patio area with turf as standard to the rear on a selection of developments, helping to remove some of the stress and ensuring that you have a useable garden from the moment you move in. We also work with local landscapers who are able to offer personalised advice on how you can make the most of your outdoor space.
