The garden is one of those jobs which gets put off time and time again.
I am most definitely a fair weather gardener; all it takes is a little rain or important things to do around the house and suddenly it isn’t a priority. After all, I don’t have to look at it all day so it’s easy enough to forget about.
However, having space for the kids to play outside while the UK is in lockdown and the children are off school is going to be really important.
We have decided that it is time to sort the garden out it once and for all.
When trying to work from home like so many people are, having a practical, well maintained garden gives you some space and gets the kids out of your hair for a while.
It gives them some fresh air, more space to play and a sense of adventure, and turfing the kids outside means less crumbs and mess to tidy indoors at the end of the day.
Here are some of the things you need to think about when sorting out your garden:
Caring for your lawn
This is the first place to start. Kids need space to play, so if you are planning a garden with them in mind, make as much of it lawn as possible.
After the long winter we’ve had, take time to carefully remove debris and mow your garden – it will probably need several goes before it is ready to play on.
Be aware that children playing on your lawn can do damage. Oversowing extra seeds on top of your garden, using a rake regularly to remove dead roots and moss and aerating the soil using a pitchfork every once in a while will give you a better chance of repairing the lawn, or it becoming less damaged by all the running around.
Alternatively, if you have persistent trouble with your garden, then it might be time to consider imitation grass. It will dry quickly so no need to worry about the kids playing on it when there’s been a heavy downfall, and it will always look luscious and green – and you’ll never need to mow!
It might seem like a significant cost all in one go but if you think of how much you will save over time in tending to your garden, not just in money either but time too then it will probably work out very inexpensive.
Get the kids involved
Not only will this be fun for the kids but it can also get your garden sorted in no time killing two birds with one stone.
Children learn a lot from gardening, such as responsibility from caring for plants, patience from waiting for them to grow and there is always an opportunity to investigate with them the science behind how plants grow and photosynthesise.
Perhaps think of some outdoor projects that you can do together, like building a small bug house or fairy garden, or maybe if you’re very ambitious and have the space, a little nature pond.
Growing your own will be huge this year, and making a vegetable patch will not only be exciting but it will also encourage your kids to eat their veg. Hopefully.
Make it fun!
You can enjoy the likes of sculptures and water fountains once the kids have moved out, but if you happen to have a large sturdy tree then how about building a treehouse?
If you fancy something a little easier (and safer?!), a den or play house ground can provide hours of fun and pretend play.
For younger kids, mud kitchens are just the best (although I don’t think my nerves could take it, personally).
Nice long garden with an end out of earshot? With old pots and pans, you could create a music wall.
How about a patio?
It’s nice to break the garden up a bit and have somewhere to sit, to set up a table to eat or let the kids do arts and crafts without making a mess inside.
It might be an expense at first but think of the benefits in the summer; barbecues and late nights sat outside? It will make you feel like you’ve had a whole new garden.
Personally I hated our decking because it was so slippery in the winter and constantly needed upkeep to stop it looking shabby; I would stick with a patio every time although it’s less easy (but not impossible) to DIY.
If you think that making your own patio or decking area might be a little out of your comfort zone, good patio furniture is still a must – and now is an excellent time to buy.
For information about getting your garden ready for spring, read this post .
Ahh! I have said the same thing. We’ve lived here about 9 months and have done nothing with the garden. Now seems the perfect time to do it.
Great advice x