Now that Christmas and New Year are out of the way and we’ve all settled back into our mundane daily routines, what is there to look forward to? Let’s not be so glum! Once we get the cold winter weather out of the way it will be spring flowers will start to bloom, the trees will grow back their leaves, and we can look forward to getting outside in the warmer weather! The garden is where you will be putting your attention before very long!
If, like many people, you like to spend time outdoors in the summer months, you will want to be getting your garden in shape very soon. Perhaps you fancy changing things around a little or maybe building some new features? Or you might just want to add a little something to your garden, to make it more usable and fun in the summer?
Just for you, here are five great ways to give your garden something extra in time for summer!
Install Some Lights
now this may not be one you think of instantly, but outdoor lighting is becoming very popular these days. Whether you have a small yard or a larger space there is plenty to choose from. You can find lights on tall spikes that are great for lining a path, and many types that you mount on a wall, which look excellent when lighting your patio or deck. Some are mains-powered, some are solar, and you can find them in white, a variety of colours, and at sensible prices. It’s a great way of extending the use of your garden – think of those evenings when you can stay outside after dark!
Buy a Hot Tub
surely we’re talking mega-bucks here? Not if you look at the very clever idea of inflatable hot tubs! These are a great alternative to the traditional – and very expensive – outdoor tub, and if you check out these inflatable hot tub reviews, you’ll find they are surprisingly inexpensive. They are also easy to use, great fun, and can be either a permanent or temporary fixture, and there’s sure to be one of a suitable size for your garden.
Water Features – have you always wanted a pond? They’re so easy to make! You can buy the actual pond form ready to drop into a hole, and all you need to do is find a suitable space, dig the hole and put the liner in! They’re not at all expensive, look great when lit – indeed you can buy lights that actually go under the water – and add some fancy fish and you have a talking point! Remember to add a cover of some sort, or your prized fish will soon become dinner for the local heron!
Buy New Plants
this may sound obvious, but have you thought that a little change of scenery in your garden might be the refresher you are looking for? If you have plain and unadorned borders right now, why not a little substance to them with a few shrubs? Go to your garden centre and talk to them about shrubs that spread, and you can cover a great deal of ground with some very cheap plants. Or, buy some bulbs that you can plant out now, and that flower in the summer months. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to grow many of the most beautiful flowers around!
Install a Deck
here’s one you probably have thought of, but might not have got around to. Decking is a great way of utilising space, and one that is not as expensive as you may think. If you have doors that open out into your garden space, you might want to put your deck there – you can find great videos and advice online about installing decking – or there may be an unused part of the garden that, with the addition of decking, some lights, and a couple of patio heaters would become the summer social evening location!
What all of the above tips are about is utilising your garden space. You’ve probably settled into a routine of just mowing the lawn and that’s it, as most people have! But, with a little inventive thinking, some creative use of unused spaces, and not that much expense, you can transform your garden for the upcoming summer, and make it the place to be on warm days and evenings. Then, you can think about inviting your friends around, get the barbecue out, and have fun!