Maximum impact, minimum time: Quick wins for your garden

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Maximum impact, minimum time: Quick wins for your garden

Do you crave a vibrant garden but feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day? We've all been there - between work, errands, and the ever-present to-do list, the dream of a beautiful outdoor space can easily wilt under the pressure of a busy schedule. With clever strategies and low-maintenance choices, you can cultivate a beautiful, rewarding garden that fits seamlessly into your packed life. We have some practical tips to transform your garden quickly for instant impact.

Containers

Ditch the backbreaking digging and create a vibrant display in your garden, patio or balcony in a flash with container gardening. Group pots in complementary colours and textures for a visually striking composition. Play with heights and shapes! Tall terracotta pots add a touch of the Mediterranean, while sleek glazed containers lend a contemporary feel to modern gardens. Your local garden centre will have a great selection of bedding plants, shrubs and evergreens that can instantly add vibrancy to your outdoors.

Containers

Planting up

Vertical gardening is your secret weapon for maximising space and adding interest when your footprint may be small. Introduce a trellis, arch, or obelisk to create a framework for climbing plants. Not only will this soften unsightly walls and fences, but it also adds a fragrant and colourful dimension to your garden. Let clematis with its vibrant blooms cascade down a trellis, or train fragrant climbing roses to frame an archway. For a burst of summer colour, consider sweet peas, their vibrant blossoms and their intoxicating fragrance adding a touch of whimsy to any space.

Climbing plant

Use textures

Transform your garden's visual depth with a playful mix of textures. Combine the lushness of grassy areas with the contrasting beauty of decorative aggregates like gravel, slate chippings, or bark. This not only creates a visually pleasing space but also offers practical benefits. Decorative aggregates act as natural weed suppressors, reducing your workload, and improving drainage, minimising the risk of flooding.

Texture - Lambs Ear

Step one

Let stepping stones guide visitors through your garden, adding a touch of decoration and functionality. They protect your lawn from wear and tear, especially during the wet months, and create an illusion of greater depth in smaller spaces. Choose anti-slip stones for safety and position them strategically to create a path to your favourite garden features. Use stepping stones to lead the eye to a hidden seating area or a charming sundial nestled amongst the flowers. Compared to installing a full pathway, stepping stones can be placed quickly and easily, allowing you to see the results instantly.

Stepping stone pathway

Zoning

Even the most compact garden can be transformed into a haven for both relaxation and entertainment. Section your space into distinct areas to create a feeling of separate "rooms." Create a cosy seating nook tucked under a mature tree, perfect for catching up with friends or enjoying a quiet morning coffee surrounded by nature's symphony. Add a bistro set on a paved patio for intimate dinners under the stars. Invest in solar lights – a sustainable and cost-effective way to create a warm, inviting atmosphere as the day fades, enhancing the ambience of your outdoor haven. Our furniture brand, Fern Living, exclusive to British Garden Centres will have the perfect set for you.

Resting zone with an Arbour

Water features

The calming sound of trickling water adds a touch of serenity to any garden. Installing a water feature introduces a dynamic element to your garden, creating a beautiful focal point. Water features come in a variety of styles and sizes, from small, self-contained tabletop fountains to cascading wall features, to plug-in-and-go water delights. Choose one from your local centre that complements your garden's style and size and let the sound of water transport you to a place of tranquillity.

Water features

Thanks for reading.

Outdoor Living Summer Garden Your Garden Advice Outdoor Living Plant Guides

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