In The Garden

In The Garden

By Wendy Armstrong

2nd Feb 2021

It’s safe to say that after a long winter, the garden isn’t looking its best. Peeling paintwork, bare borders and drab decking are giving your garden a neglected vibe. But with the lighter evenings of spring, there’s enough time to spend an extra hour or two in the garden each week bringing it back to life. Even smaller gardens can be given a new lease of life with these tips from award winning garden designer Nikki Hollier and landscape gardener Reuben Abtar.

1) A tidy up. Giving the garden a good tidy and removing the winter debris is a good place to start. Nikki Hollier from Border in a Box which was voted garden product of the year in 2017 said: “My number one job is to clear away fallen leaves and twigs. It’s where slugs and snails hide, ready to eat your luscious new plants. I also recommend power washing the patio and paths to give it sparkle but also remove any algae which can be dangerous and a slipping hazard.” You could also give the shed a makeover, getting your gardening tools arranged on the brilliant 6ft Freestanding Grid Mesh and likewise with many other of the Grid Mesh Wall Display collection which make hooking, hanging and general tidiness child’s play!

2) Plan the space. After a few months of not using your garden much, you can see the space with fresh eyes and look at how the area can be improved. When it comes to planning your garden, Reuben Abtar, founder of Distinctly Different Landscapes advises: “Check out Pinterest and collate ideas you like, even small spaces can be inspiring. Avoid the ‘rectangle box’ look by dividing the space and having different areas of interest in your garden like planting sections, patio and pathways. Think about practical elements too like space for recycling bins or kids’ toys and how you can make this look attractive.”

3) Freshly painted. Your garden can be transformed simply by using a different colour of paint on your furniture and fence. Nikki Hollier advises: “Dust off and clean your garden furniture and if necessary give it a lick of paint to freshen it all up – and choose some new cushions to breathe fresh life into it. Coordinate your cushions with your flowers to tone everything together.” Reuben Abtar agrees: “Bright colour can make a massive difference to a garden, pick one or two colours so it’s not too overwhelming. Be wary of anything too dark in a small garden as it will only serve to make it appear smaller.”

4) Bedded in. Give those neglected borders the heave-ho with some new plants. If you’re unsure which type to choose, Nikki has some suggestions: “Add some seasonal bedding plants and bulbs to give a pop of colour to any spot that is looking a bit lacklustre.  I love bulbs because you plant them once and they come back year after year.” Nikki’s free Garden Lovers Club has more tips. A place to keep your bulbs and seed packets? The Grid Mesh with Baskets and Hooks are just the ticket.

5) The landscaped look. Professional landscapers use their tricks of the trade to make even small spaces look appealing. Reuben said: “Just like how you’d co-ordinate your interior, you’ve got to think about how different landscaping elements work together, like your fence colour with your paving slabs and so on. In a smaller garden, it often looks better to use the same materials like sandstone throughout, or at least complementary shades. Adding different levels to the garden with raised beds, decking and steps is another way to give a garden the landscaped look.”