Renovating your garden before summer comes around: 6 tips for last-minute projects

Did you know that the two most popular months to start a garden project in the UK are March and April? Although the weather may still be cold and rainy, getting started with a major project after April doesn’t leave a lot of time before summer comes around! However, if you think that you’ve left it late for renovating your garden, but still want to turn your outside area into a space to be enjoyed during the sunny days ahead, you still have the chance to do so.

In this guide, we’ll look at a few quick but affecting projects to take on now and transform your garden into a private oasis before summer arrives.

Hire professional landscaping services

When time is tight, you may consider the benefits of hiring professional landscaping services. Companies like Open Space Concepts make available a wealth of knowledge and expertise and practical help to help you turn your garden around in no time.

They handle everything from design to execution, ensuring your outdoor space becomes a summer-ready oasis in the most efficient of ways. Plus, thanks to their expertise, you’ll be able to plant the best plants and trees for your needs and create nooks and features that reflect your preferences.

Incorporate raised garden beds

Raised garden beds provide a quick, effective way to enhance your garden’s look and functionality – and get your greenery started efficiently! These beds allow you to better control the soil and enjoy improved drainage. Plus, you’ll also have easier access to your greenery for planting and maintenance.

If you’re still working on your green fingers, opt for pre-made kits, which can be assembled in a few hours, fill them with high-quality soil and compost and choose easy-to-grow plants.

Add low-maintenance plants

Adding low-maintenance plants and trees is a great way to add lush greenery to your outdoor space while also maximising visual impact. Opt for hardy varieties that require minimal attention, such as ferns, hostas and sedum.

For trees, consider Japanese maple, crape myrtle or dogwood, which thrive with little upkeep. These species are resilient to varying conditions and add longer-lasting beauty to your garden.

Use quick-grow grass seed

If you’re pressed for time but still looking to grow a lush, green lawn, quick-grow grass seeds are your ally! Choose high-quality mixes that are designed for quick germination and lush growth. These seeds typically sprout within 7 to 14 days, giving your lawn a fresh, green appearance in no time.

For greater chances of success, prepare the soil by removing debris and tilling, which will ensure contact between the seeds and the soil. After planting the seeds, make sure to control variables such as water, humidity, frost and sunshine as closely as possible.

Install outdoor lighting

Adding outdoor lighting is one of the best ways to transform your garden’s ambiance in no time! Start with solar-powered or LED lights to minimise installation time and energy costs. You may also consider adding path lights along walkways, which improve your garden’s aesthetic appearance while enhancing your home security. Finally, lanterns and candles can add a magic touch to your outside space!

Create paths and corners

Creating defined paths and cosy corners are great ways to add liveable and enjoyable features to your garden without having to undergo a complete landscaping project. Just let your creativity run free and create a reading nook, garden bar or even fire pit. And, of course, make sure to use high-quality materials for a longer-lasting, easier-to-maintain garden!

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Enhance the privacy of your garden using these 6 top tips

Your home is an area where you can feel safe. It’s your space to seek some privacy and escape the complexities of everyday life. Although it can be easy to seek privacy behind closed doors, it can be a lot more difficult in your garden as it’s an open space. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to enhance the privacy of your garden, regardless of its size. Take a look at the six top tips below.

Build a summer house

Building a summer house is a more costly way to increase the privacy of your outdoor space. The average cost of a summer house is around £8,000. However, if you build one using your own materials, you can save yourself a lot of money. A summer house is a shelter that allows you to enjoy your garden all year round. It can give you privacy from your neighbours, and it can also increase the value of your home. So, although it’s a significant upfront cost, it can be worth it in the long run. If you want to save some money and build your own summer house, it’s advised that you do your research. One small error could end up costing you a lot of money.

Add a trellis

A trellis is a framework that’s often used to support climbing plants. You can add a trellis to the top of your fence panels for some added privacy. The great thing about a trellis is that it can be visually appealing, unlike a fence panel which is usually quite dull. You can plant flowering climbers like a sweet pea or rambling rose that will add a touch of beauty and fragrance to your outdoor space. They’re sure to be a conversation starter among your guests and you get to enjoy the added privacy that they bring. This is an ideal solution if you’re looking for a privacy tip on a tight budget. You can purchase a trellis from your local garden centre or make one yourself.

Consider installing an awning or veranda

Awnings and verandas are ideal if you want some privacy. Awnings are an overhang that you attach to the outside of your home. They give you shade during the warmer months and the colder months – so that you can sit outside regardless of the weather. Awnings are ideal for added privacy as it means your neighbours won’t be able to overlook you. If you’re interested in finding an awning for your home, enlist the help of Nationwide Home Innovations. For years, they’ve installed high-quality awnings, verandas and patio roofs. They can find you a style that will sit comfortably within your budget and compliment your home’s overall look and feel.

Plant large shrubs

Fence panels can be expensive – especially if you have a large property border. They’re not an option for some, so you may need another idea that will help you gain the privacy you crave. A great cost-effective tip is to plant large shrubs around the perimeter of your garden to form a hedge. Shrubs will grow steadily and can eventually reach a huge size. This is ideal – if you want to create a barrier between you and your neighbours’ gardens. Conduct an online search to find some of the fastest growing shrubs currently available. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice at your local garden centre. Plants can be a cost-effective way to form natural barriers so you can create hidden spaces in your garden. They also act as somewhere for wildlife to live and seek shelter.

Make a sail shade

A sail shade can offer your garden several fantastic benefits. Not only do they add a unique feature to the outdoor space, but they also give you a cover to seek some privacy from the outside world. A sail shade uses a flexible material and stretches across several anchor points around your garden. For example, you may wish to hang your sail shade between your garage roof and the top of your fence panel. They can be a significant upfront cost. So, to save some money, you can try making your own sail shade. You can learn how to do this by watching an online tutorial.

Experiment with trees

Not only do trees make an incredible feature in your garden, but they also offer several other positive benefits. Trees make fresh soil, which contributes to a fresher/healthier lawn. Trees also enhance the privacy of your garden. Much like a sail shade, trees make it a lot more difficult for your neighbours to overlook your space. You can experiment by planting different types of trees. Why not plant fruit trees so you can harvest and enjoy the ‘fruits’ of your labour? You can also plant trees that burst into colourful blossom during the spring/summer season and produce colourful foliage in the autumn months. It’s an excellent way to add a pop of colour to the space and really bring it to life.

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Why more consumers are investing in garden rooms Brighton companies are offering

Like many people, you may have less usable space in your home than you actually need. However, if you have a large outdoor area, you can take advantage of the garden rooms Brighton companies are offering. These comfortable, functional structures are easy to put up. Best of all, they can be rich with features and elements that perfectly support your hobbies, daily activities and lifestyle. Following are just a few of the many reasons why these buildings are becoming increasingly popular among Brighton residents.

You don’t need special planning permissions to put up a reasonably-sized garden room. This is a project that you can undertake with minimal effort and spend. You simply need a flat, level surface for the foundation. Many companies will use pour-in-place concrete pads to create this foundation. If you have construction skills of your own, you can make this a do-it-yourself project to save cash.

Some of the top room designs come already made and ready to assemble. There’s no need to measure and cut wood, build your own framing, or engage in other basic building activities. There are a number of ready-made styles to choose from including options that are ideal for outdoor offices, outdoor gyms and entertaining. Your structure can be as ornate or basic as you want it to be. Best of all, you can regularly revise and update it as your needs and preferences change.

Although many people in the area are used to seeing very basic structures being put up in gardens, there are actually affordable options that look like modern, mini-homes. Some products are wired for electricity, and others have built-in heating and cooling systems. With these, people can enjoy their garden rooms year-round. Whether the outside weather becomes excessively hot or excessively cool, they’ll always have comfortable ambient temperatures in their garden rooms.

You can even choose options that have built-in gas fireplaces or fireplace inserts. This is a great way to create a quiet, peaceful sanctuary for your personal relaxation or hobbies. If you have a busy, bustling household and want to go somewhere quiet to watch television, read a book or work on your computer, you’ll always have a private space in your garden. With large windows and sliding screen doors, these structures will additionally allow you to enjoy the aesthetics of your foliage, flowers and other landscaping elements.

Structures like these add significant value and appeal to properties. Once they’re put in, they’ll remain as permanent and aesthetically beautiful fixtures in gardens. Should you ever choose to sell your home, you’ll easily be able to recoup your investment. With secondary buildings, properties put on the market don’t take long to capture the attention of suitable buyers.

If you don’t have sufficient space for entertaining indoors, you can choose a larger room design. Some of the top options are big enough to fit sofas, tables, gaming equipment, flat screen televisions and more. They’re perfect for watching sports with friends, hosting impromptu meetings with business associates and even hosting unexpected overnight guests. Although they lack bathroom and cooking facilities, the addition of electricity and heating make them ideal for short-term stays.

With more people working from home, these products make it infinitely easier for consumers to create their own functional office spaces. People can set up desks and computers, and they can even choose options that are large enough for hosting clients or stakeholders. Whether you’re telecommuting or starting a business of your own, this is a great way to get a sophisticated space that makes staying on-task easy.

There’s currently no easier or more affordable way to add on to a home. These free-standing structures are covered, heated, wired, and rich with features that can support a very vast range of lifestyle preferences and needs. If aesthetics are a major concern, you can also choose from a delightful array of eye-catching lighting fixtures, appliances and other indoor elements. You don’t have to spend a veritable fortune to get a cosy, inviting space that you enjoy using and that you’re always proud to show off. With multiple room sizes to choose from and countless ways to leverage these products, more locals are choosing to make them permanent fixtures on their Brighton properties and with truly outstanding returns on investment.

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Price Points: Angular greenhouses

Last week on this Price Points series, we talked about wanting to get one of these sentry sheds to store our garden tools. We also mentioned another type of garden structure that we’d like to put in another part of our garden; an angular greenhouse.

When we talk about angular greenhouses, what we’re referring to are hexagonal and octagonal greenhouses. We know squares and rectangles are also angled shapes… but you know what we mean!

The footprint of the space we have in mind for it is pretty compact – no more than 6½^ft in diameter – so a six or eight-sided greenhouse would work better than a more conventional shape. Here are the 3 that we found online; there’s something a little strange about two of them though.

To our (untrained) eyes, #1 and #2 look to be identical in everything but dimensions. Unusually, the larger of the pair is the cheaper one. Even though they’re being sold by what looks to be two different companies and two different websites… Robinsons appears to be a subsidiary of Greenhouse People!

Hercules octagonal old cottage green greenhouse (6^ft3 wide [1910mm] x 6^ft3 long [1910mm]): £1,827.00 (inc. VAT), Greenhouse People
• Toughened glass
• PVC bar capping to hold in the glass (no clips)
• Good quality Hercules sliding doors with low threshold and lock
• 2 x louvre windows in the sides
• Toughened glass kick panels around the bottom (so that only a small pane would break if a stone is flicked up from a lawnmower for example)
• Tanalised timber staging each side
• strong box section corner bars
Renaissance old cottage green greenhouse (5’7″ x 5’7″): £3,109.00, Robinsons Greenhouses
• Extremely strong frame
• Toughened glass (4mm)
• Sliding door
• Free 10 year guarantee
• 2 x louvre vents
• Gutter and a single down pipe
• High eaves
• Door lock
• Ground level door threshold
• Stainless steel fixings
• Staging and shelving included
• Kick panels
• Screw-in bar capping
Loxley octagonal greenhouse (6ft 6″ x 6ft 6″): £3,545 (inc. VAT): Woodpecker Joinery
• Entirely Western Red Cedar construction (Grade 2 Clear & Better)
• 6ft 4″ height to eaves
• Single door
• One roof vent and two side vents
• Bayliss Mk7 fitted to roof vent
• Staging and high level shelving
• 4mm English toughened safety glass
• Black rainwater gutter and downpipe
• Delivered and installed by our own fitters
• Ten year guarantee

shop angular greenhouses

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Loxley octagonal greenhouse (6ft 6″ x 6ft 6″)
£3,545

Renaissance old cottage green greenhouse (5’7″ x 5’7”)
£3,109.00