Are you looking for ideas for setting up your garden? Discover how to successfully set up your outdoor garden.
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More than a fashion statement, reconnecting with nature has become an essential need, both in town and in the country, ranging from the landscape architect-designed stylish garden to the bucolic meadow beloved by our grandparents. Outdoor spaces have become a symbol of cocooning and well-being. To begin with, it is essential to define the project well, as if you are dreaming of a zen garden with a feng shui ambiance or a little ornamental patio to provide a green oasis, the work to set up the garden will be totally different.
Pay good attention to the terrain before landscaping your garden
The garden organisation should be designed according to the space, the direction and your tastes. It is crucial to take into consideration the garden dimensions, length, and whether it is sloping or flat...
Before arranging the outdoor spaces, begin by making a plan of your garden, taking into account its exposure and shade zones. All plants are not suited to the same climate. Also think long-term, in a few years’ time when the flower beds and trees will have grown. To extend the horizon line, trees and shrubs give depth to a small garden and will afford an intimate feeling.
The ideal is to have the tall trees near the fence, at the end of the garden, so as to leave an open space which will let light filter in near to the house. Next, you should design spaces with areas dedicated to flower beds, pots, paths and walkways. These pathways could be bordered with fern or box edges or flowerbeds. Keep a grassed area to create dynamic perspectives and volume. Choose your grass type according to the amount of sunshine and foot traffic. And finally, define a patio with room for a future arbout or pergola.
Define the spaces for setting up the garden
To have a successful garden makeover, it is strongly advised to define the spaces. This is particularly the case in a large garden. In the summer, everyone dreams of getting a little corner to relax and sit out in the sun. To relax without being overlooked, a shade sail is ideal, and a trellis or screen will protect you from the wind. Very on-trend, a plant wall or evergreen climbing plants are a more natural alternative.
Once this space has been defined, you just need to organise the outdoor furniture. An outdoor living room with sofas and armchairs around a low table is perfect for an evening with friends. A butterfly chair, both comfortable and good-looking, can be used outdoors as well as inside. Summertime also means eating lunch outside. Even in small spaces, it is possible to set up a small duo table with folding chairs. To take a siesta in the shade of a parasol, or to enjoy a moment reading, the deckchair and the sunlounger are the ones to choose. In your relaxing moments, the reclining chair with its zero gravity position will provide total relaxation for the muscles.
The outdoor kitchen is a part-time area of pleasure. For outdoor dinners with friends, there is nothing better than creating dishes with vegetables from the garden. So, if space permits, a vegetable plot edged with fruit trees is a real plus. Even in a small garden, it is possible to grow tomatoes and herbs in pots or raised containers.
A water feature in the middle of the garden can be very peaceful. The swimming pool becomes the heart of the relaxation area. To accentuate it, it is possible to install rot-resistant wooden decking, elegant paving or a more natural look with grass edges. Around it, leave space for patio and poolside furniture, such as the essential sun lounger.
Take care choosing planting when setting up the garden
The choice of plants and shrubs is not something to be taken lightly. Beyond their decorative look, they each have their own attributes. For example, quick-growing bamboo will protect from the wind and also serve as a screen. If space does not allow this, you can line up pots of colourful flowers, something which is as practical as it is aesthetic.
On the other hand, pay attention to plant species which lose a lot of leaves. Plants with melliferous flowers, which attract insects such as wasps, should be kept away from a dining area or pool. Instead, opt for lavender in a garden pathway and keep perennials such as hydrangea or grasses for living spaces.
To create a successful garden, consider keeping balance and coherence, so avoid mixing Mediterranean plants in a tropical garden. What’s more, all plants do not require the same amount of care. If you think you will have little time to take care of your large garden, choose rustic, frost-resistant plants which require little water.