How to create a more manageable garden

For many people the stress from work, home life and time spent socialising leaves little time to focus on their gardens. And although we all want our green getaways to look visually pleasing, many of us just don’t have the time to make sure that it is properly tended to and looked after. Well never fear! Here are a few ideas to make sure your garden is kept looking great all year round, without having to dedicate huge amounts of your free time.

Take out some of your lawn
Having a large grassy area could be just what you want, but the trade-off is that it can also be extremely high maintenance and time consuming to keep up with, so you need to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of reducing the amount of grass or eradicating it completely. You can still have a beautifully designed garden with paving or stonework installed in your outside space. This can provide a sturdy and stable base for you to create a comfortable and practical outside seating and dining area, can be adorned with potted plants and bedded areas, but without the need to maintain a lawn throughout the year.

Add some shrubbery
Just because you have gotten rid of your lawn doesn’t mean that you can have any greenery in your garden. Planting some hardwearing shrubbery and plants around the garden can bring colour and life to it without you having to tend to it every week or so. Your garden will still be blooming but you don’t have to do any of the hard work – shrubs, conifers and plants like Lady’s Mantle are renowned for their low maintenance properties.

Incorporate a gravel garden
A gravel garden is a great option for those who want a low maintenance area without having to sacrifice on visual appeal. It is an innovative way to add some character to the area without having to manage large amounts of upkeep; the gravel provides strong support for the plants you wish to lay there, and you don’t even have to worry about weeding. You should however take into consideration the aesthetics of your home and the rest of your garden so you can choose a gravel type that ensures that everything is properly coordinated.

image via Pinterest

Include a garden path
Including a path can transform your garden and make it look like the perfect outdoor space, as well as providing you with a practical walkway for you to travel around the garden. Without this you may end up leaving a muddy or worn trail that has little appeal. You need to find a material that looks aesthetically pleasing, but can withstand a great deal of foot traffic. Using high quality materials that are characteristic yet durable is essential such as reclaimed brick and stone, which can be found at specialist reclamation yards like Cawarden Reclaim.

Install decking
By including different materials within your garden you can make it look highly appealing to you and your guests, especially as decking can provide a fantastic seating area. The contrast between the wooden decking, the gravel garden and the reclaimed brick path can be visually stimulating without you having to look after it all year round. You should ensure that you section off an area of you decking to create a beautiful dining or relaxation space.

So now that you know how you can convert your garden into an outdoor area that you can enjoy without all of the hard work, you can start reaping the benefits – and don’t forget to grab one of those horticultural experts at the garden centre if you’re concerned about maintaining plants and flowers that you really want!

This post was written by Ekta Mair for Cawarden Reclaim who specialise in reclaimed bricks and stone.