Are you sick of looking at stunning gardens and wondering why yours can’t look that amazing? A garden is more than a functional space; it’s a tranquil place to relax and a social hub to entertain your friends and family. It makes sense that you’d want to make the most of it, but few people know where to start.
At Floral & Hardy, we get a lot of garden renovation requests from our clients and thought it would be helpful to put a guide together of everything you need to consider. Upgrading your garden requires a lot of planning, and if you’re on a budget, you’ll need to decide which areas you’d like to prioritise.
Whether it’s introducing more plants to your garden or you want to turn it into a functional space to cook and socialise in, you can make the most of your garden, whatever your budget is.
What’s Your Budget?
The budget wouldn’t be an issue in an ideal world, but it is for most people. There’s no fixed price for landscaping, and how much you spend will depend on the work. If it’s a case of adding some new plants to your outdoor space and other softscaping features, it will be a lot cheaper than hardscaping.
Adding decking, paving stones and building a pond will inevitably cost more money, but if you can afford to invest in the features you want, you should go for them. If you’re limited on funds, upgrading your garden slowly will yield the best results.
How Much Spare Time Do You Have?
Depending on your budget, you might have to do some of the heavy lifting yourself. Gardening is a hobby for some, but a complete renovation requires a lot of work, and it’s good to consider which job will be the hardest.
For example, digging a fire pit is relatively easy, but laying decking will require more work. It’s best to save the hardscaping to professionals and focus your time and attention on the areas you feel comfortable handling yourself.
Consider What Plants You Want
Plants are living things. They need sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow. If you don’t want to use natural soil, you can buy a more sterile substitute. This will help keep the plant from getting diseases.
Plants are an essential part of the food chain for animals, so it will be easier to attract them to your area if you garden with plants. Not only does this mean you’ll get to enjoy the sounds of chirping birds and buzzing bees, but you’ll also give wildlife a chance to thrive.
Consider How Much Sunlight/Shade Your Garden Gets
The Great British weather can be unpredictable, and while some areas of the UK, such as southern England, receive more sunlight, Scotland is known for its cold and rainy weather.
If you’re in an area with a lot of shade, you’ll need to plant more shade-loving plants. On the other hand, if your garden gets a lot of sun, you’ll want to make sure that your plants are sun-tolerant.
You can also plant a combination of sun and shade plants to ensure that there is something for everyone – but only if your garden gets enough warmth and light during the summer.
Would You Like to Incorporate a Vegetable Garden?
Vegetable gardens are a great way to get fresh, organic produce right in your backyard. Not only is it cheaper and more environmentally friendly to grow your own food, but you’ll also get the satisfaction of picking vegetables minutes before you eat them.
As supermarket vegetables often travel a long distance to make it to their destination, it’s common for them to be full of chemicals. When you grow your own produce, you don’t have to worry about pesticides and GMOs.
If you’re not sure where to start, many garden stores offer classes on starting a vegetable garden.
Are You a Skilled Landscaper or Gardening Novice?
If you’re skilled in landscaping and gardening, you can do a lot of the work yourself. However, if you’re not too confident in your abilities, it might be best to leave the job to the professionals. You don’t want to spend all your hard-earned money on a garden renovation and have it look terrible because you didn’t know what you were doing!
Luckily, there are cost-effective garden renovation services that can transform your outdoor area into the stylish haven you dream of. You’ll be able to talk about your preferred design, and a landscaper can offer advice regarding planning permission and the scope of the job.
Think About the Future
When landscaping or renovating your garden, it’s essential to think about the future. What do you want your garden to look like in 5 or 10 years? If you’re planning on having children, you’ll want to make sure that there are no hazards in your garden.
If you have young children, it’s best to avoid using toxic chemicals or pesticides on your plants. On the other hand, if you have pets, it might be best to leave spaces where they can take care of business. Also, consider how many people regularly use your garden and make safety your priority.
For example, if you’re thinking about adding a pond to your garden, ensure it is securely attached and doesn’t leak. If not, you may end up with landscape damage or even spending more money.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’ve covered some of the basics when it comes to landscaping, it’s time to get started on your garden renovation. Remember to take your time, plan everything out and consult with professionals when necessary.
Even if you have a small budget, tiny elements you can add to your garden will make a huge difference. With a bit of planning – and perhaps some elbow grease, you’ll have the garden of your dreams in no time.
