Do you dream of a gorgeous garden but dread the thought of all the digging, weeding, watering and waiting that’s involved in getting one? You’re certainly not alone. Many of us yearn for a stunning outdoor sanctuary, yet don’t have the time or the resources to make it happen. Or do we? We’ve found eight ways to up your garden game effortlessly, so you can literally sit back and smell the roses.
1 Don’t only rely on flowers for colour
The obvious way to add colour to a garden is with flowers. But if you’re not blessed with green fingers and/or a budget to splash out on a host of plants, there are other routes to a vibrant outdoor space.
Sheds, fences and walls are prime candidates for a bright paint job – terracotta, coral and even a little “unexpected red” are on-trend colours that will bring instant zing. That said, a dark charcoal grey or denim blue backdrop will really make green foliage pop. And, of course, you can upcycle wooden furniture with an exciting colour change. Tables and chairs are obvious candidates, but you could also think outside the box and transform an old side table into a punchy potting bench.
Pots are another great canvas – you can make plastic pots look very expensive with chalk paint, even mimicking the look of terracotta or stone. And it’s super-simple to apply. There’s no pre-treatment of the surface, just make sure it’s clean and stipple the paint on.
Not so great with a brush? Then look to textiles for that colour boost. Dress furniture with weather-resistant cushions and throws, or make a bigger impact with a colourful outdoor rug that will also hide grubby decking or a patio past its prime.
2 Embrace the ‘no dig’ approach
Digging and turning your old soil to make way for new plants can not only be back-breaking work, but most horticulturists are now of the view that it can also be bad for your soil, disturbing the ecosystem of worms and fungi, disrupting water drainage channels and releasing carbon, to boot.
