Gardening is a hobby that helps enrich both you and your outdoor space. There are many types of gardens, plant species, and landscaping themes that cater to homeowners of all types and yard sizes. Landscaping and gardening add personal flair to the home’s exterior as well as intriguing curb appeal. If you don’t know where to start with your landscaping or gardening plans, you may want to think outside the box. It’s even better when you can plant the garden yourself.
Themed Landscaping
A garden can be far more than just a place to plant flowers; it can take you to other cultures and worlds if you allow it to. Try to create an enticing or personal theme for your garden to immerse yourself in your outdoor space more fully. A popular option is an English rose garden. With some shaped hedges, English roses, and a bistro table for tea, you can pretend you’re on a sprawling European estate. On the other side of the world, you can also opt for a Japanese zen garden with some raked sand, stone features, and Japanese maples trimmed in bonsai style. There are many other popular themes to choose from, including secret gardens, southwestern deserts, cottages, rock gardens, pollinator gardens, or fairy gardens. You can even come up with your own theme or organize your garden into multiple themed zones. Garden themes add unity, cohesion, and style to your outdoor space.
Miniature Farm
There’s nothing more satisfying than a delicious meal cooked with ingredients you grew yourself. You can add a small selection of crops to help enhance the flavor and nutritional value of your homemade meals. Try growing vegetables, herbs, and fruits to expand your culinary repertoire and make your recipes even more delicious. Choose a section of your garden to dedicate to fruit trees, vegetable crops, and herb gardens. Raised or container planters can help protect them from pests more effectively. You’ll want some good topsoil to help with a good harvest. I found bulk topsoil near me that worked perfectly for my herb garden. Add some plant labels to the soil so you can keep track of each crop, especially if you want to grow from seed. Pay attention to when to plant them; certain foods thrive during certain times of year. Miniature or urban farms are gaining popularity among modern homeowners due to the rising cost of healthy foods and concerns about ultraprocessed food additives.
Upcycled and Eco-Friendly
If you want your garden to be an eco-friendly sanctuary that lives in harmony with nature, you can start by being more mindful about the resources you use in your garden. You can reduce waste, decorate your garden, and upcycle your belongings in one step when you turn everyday household goods into garden tools. Old tires can make excellent multi-flower planters. Commission an old, broken wheelbarrow into a decorative planter. Glass jars can help you start seeds. Old containers can be easily repurposed as watering cans. Try to use natural and eco-friendly fertilizers and pest control methods whenever possible. Plant species native to your area to reduce the chances of causing harm with invasive species.
Personalize Your Pathways
A garden isn’t complete without a dedicated walkway through it all. There are many path materials to choose from, but consider adding a unique twist to traditional methods by decorating them. If you use traditional concrete, draw some designs or put your dogs’ paw prints on it before it dries. Decorate some colorful stones to use as gravel pathways. Paint tiles to create a mosaic pathway. You can vary the styles and materials you use to make it more unique. Try to incorporate the themes and style of your garden to achieve a cohesive look.
DIY Decorating
Buying garden decor can be enjoyable, but it’s often overpriced, mass-produced, and made with inferior materials. Try creating your own decor instead. Carve a charming garden bench from a fallen tree. Make some beautiful wind chimes that jingle in the breeze. Try painting your planters, pots, and watering can for more color and personal charm. Write your own plant markers or build a unique scarecrow. You can even craft new decorations according to the seasons, such as pumpkin carving in the fall or snowman sculptures in the winter.
Incorporate the Senses
A garden can be incredibly immersive and stress relieving, especially when you cater to multiple senses. Choose plants that are pleasing to look at throughout all seasons; vary their colors, leaf shapes, and sizes. Herbs, vegetables, and flowers with powerful scents can cater well to your sense of smell; roses, gardenias, and magnolias are a good start. Build a calming water feature or multiple types of wind chimes for auditory charm; trees and shrubs that sound interesting when the breeze blows (like bamboo) are also a good choice. If you want to incorporate touch sense, different leaf textures can feel soft and soothing against your skin. Edible gardens can even give you fun samples to taste!
Conclusion
A new garden or empty yard is a blank canvas for your personality to shine. Paint the space with flowers, shrubs, and trees that help ground you and bring you pleasure. Try to incorporate a variety of colors, leaf shapes, sizes, and textures to cater to different senses and seasons. Choose a theme for your garden, such as a Zen garden or a fairy garden. Live in harmony with the environment using native plants, harmless fertilizers, and upcycled decor. Add your personal touches on pots and paths to make the space truly your own. There’s no wrong way to garden as long as you’re having fun and enjoying the space.