A guide to garden makeovers for lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen many of us literally locked into our homes and unable to move freely beyond our home turf, which has been a shock to the system even if the weather has been kind enough to let us out into the garden. Even before the pandemic hit, the trend for making the most of our home and outdoor space has been steadily climbing but recent times have seen many of us take another look at our outdoor spaces. Particularly since we’ve had to become inventive in fulfilling social, exercise and emotional needs that were previously met through activities taking place away from home. The gardens of the post-lockdown world have become places not just for social interaction but work, rest and play too.

Green fingers

It has long been recognised that spending time in nature is good for our health and wellbeing and although we may not be as free to explore the great outdoors; increased numbers of people are turning their interest to the outside space they DO have at home. With more time on our hands it is only natural to start thinking of garden makeovers; whether you fancy creating a feature area, a rockery or a vegetable garden, there’s a plethora of ways to make your outdoor space shine. Not sure where to start? Why not begin with a few little tasks that are sure to spruce up your space on a relatively small budget.

Tidy

Clearing your garden of debris and overgrown plants could help you get a blank canvas for new ideas and designs. Cutting back (including pruning any plants) could show you which plants you can actually work with and help you make plans as to what to do next.

Plants past their best?

Dead and dying plants not only make you feel down but let the look of your garden down too. Refreshing pots or hanging baskets or even having a go at growing herbs or exotic flowers will provide a pick me up and there really is no excuse when plants can be ordered online or delivered following social distancing measures from a local garden centre.

Attract nature

Bird houses, baths and feeders are an easy, low cost way to quickly add features and will help to attract wildlife to your garden. Add a few garden benches from Lazy Susan and you have a place to sit and enjoy readymade company even if it’s just the local robin!

No space is too small

You may be lucky enough to own a large garden and have big makeover plans that may include working from home permanently (a new garden room perhaps?) or growing your own vegetable patch. If so, this can be an ideal time to consider a complete garden redesign. Think about what you will want to use your garden for going forwards, and consider splitting your garden up into zones to accommodate them all.

An example garden room courtesy of GardenRooms.scot.

Even if you only have the smallest of outdoor spaces – right down to just a balcony – these can benefit from a mini makeover. Consider small pots and hanging baskets for smaller spaces or troughs for vegetable growing and you can have your own oasis of nature no matter how little space you have. Hang some pretty fairly lights up, grab some blankets and you can even spend evenings outdoors. Even one or two garden benches can create an instant seating area that can make all the difference to feeling part of the outside world even if everything around you is changing.

Every problem has a silver lining and if COVID-19 can make you realise how much you now value the great outdoors, then why not take steps to make yours a place you’re happy to be locked in.