Yard Hacks to Get the Most out of Your Green Space
We found some great advice to share from our Guest Blogger Carol Trehearn to make your outdoor spaces guest-ready — like the beautiful entry to Artisan Home #11 above from Carl M. Hansen Companies.
Your garden is the public feature of your home. Whether at the rear of the property, visible only by your direct neighbors or at the front facing the street, your garden gives away a great deal about who you are. It provides the perfect space for your family to play together, eat together and grow together. If you are lucky enough to have a bit of space outside of your house, read these top tips and make sure you are getting the most out of it.
A few potted plants and a perennial border creates the perfect welcome for guests.
Borders, borders and more borders
For both the large, rolling garden and the small, concrete yard, a garden border adds color and depth to any outside space. Some homemakers opt for raised beds, which are low maintenance and can be placed upon any surface, whereas others prefer traditional borders. Whatever you opt for, do your research and ensure that you have something flowering all year round if possible. Although such a gardening effort might seem like a lot of work, it will raise the profile of your yard considerably.
Rudbeckia is a great perennial that blooms for months and multiplies quickly
Shed goals
We know that it isn’t always possible to accommodate one, but if you do have space, a shed provides the perfect adornment to any garden. Invest in a shed, and no longer shall the lawnmower clutter the inside of the garage, nor smelly shoes ruin the ambience of the hallway. The shed is not a merely practical object, but it also has an aesthetic function; natural wood is never a bad sight, but you can improve things even further with an external trellis. The perfect place to grow up some creepers.
Cooking spaces
Barbecues are great, and every garden should have one, but if you want to go the extra mile, have a look at an outside pizza ovens? After a long summer day playing in the garden, save yourself from the hassle of tidying up the kitchen by cooking outside and popping on some pizzas. Highly popular with the kids, great for entertaining and the envy of any nosey neighbor.
Hosepipe tidy
When watering those new borders, a hosepipe is an essential item. Remember though; nothing ruins the appearance of a lawn like a gnarled-up hosepipe goading any small child (or adult) to trip upon it. When you next visit your local garden centre, be sure to buy a hosepipe tidy; preferably with a wheel mechanism for ease of use. Watch as your yard goes from outer Queens to upper Manhattan.
Solar Lanterns
Nothing exudes class like a trail of lanterns to guide the wayward home-dweller up the garden path. By opting for solar lights, you save money on electricity, and ensure that there are no unsightly cables or leads ruining the upscale impression. While lanterns do look nice, they also serve the practical purpose of enabling you to navigate the path during the night-time.
Hosta is another great border plant, even better, it thrives in shady spots.
There is nothing quite like spending time outside to counter balance the time that we must spend indoors working. By paying a little more attention to your yard, you will be able to get the benefit of the great outdoors more comfortably.