Collaborative post
Do you have neglected space in your garden? If the answer is yes, chances are this is because you need some inspiration on what to do with it.
Unused areas can arise unexpectedly – for example, due to landscaping work – rather than by design. You could therefore find that many of the ‘obvious’ ways to enhance your garden, like a conservatory or new paving, wouldn’t be right for this surplus space.
Here are some less orthodox suggestions that could nonetheless turn out to be the perfect fit for your garden’s underutilised space.
Turn a side yard into a hidden patio
One “industrious homeowner” mentioned by Better Homes & Gardens did exactly this, taking a side yard blighted by overgrown greenery and creating a shaded patio.
Furthermore, it was made from mainly repurposed and salvaged items. These included old bowling balls used as eye-catching garden ornaments, and weight plates turned into stepping stones.
Recycling and upcycling otherwise unwanted objects is a great way to be more eco-friendly in the garden, and it also allows you to create a unique look for your outdoor space.
Fill a corner with plants
If there are any sharp angles to your garden lawn’s outline, mowing these particular areas can be tricky. It could be a good idea to use them as settings for new, luscious plants. This approach is also ideal for brightening up a bare patch of soil.
Flowering plants are fantastic for creating impact, and an easy way to enhance your garden, but consider also shrubs and plants that provide impressive foliage. A mix of annual and perennial plants is a good approach to keep costs down.
You can also place containers in your beds and borders to perk things up. This makes it easy to quickly change your planting scheme when you feel like a change.
Leave grass to grow
If mowing the lawn isn’t one of your favourite pastimes, you could be heartened to know that long grass in your garden can actually provide habitats for butterflies, bees, and many other species.
The National Trust explains: “Mowing the lawn only once every four weeks gives ‘short-grass’ plants like daisies and white clover a chance to flower in profusion, boosting nectar production tenfold.”
Create a pond
A pond will also encourage more wildlife into your garden – and it doesn’t have to be particularly large, either. Even just a buried bucket or trough can suffice.
Any pond should include stones and branches to help wildlife enter and leave the water. While on the subject of the water, this should ideally be chlorine-free rainwater sourced from a water butt.
Buy a greenhouse and grow vegetables
Even if you are already accustomed to growing your own veggies, you could be at the mercy of the seasons when it comes to timings.
Getting a greenhouse enables you to extend the amount of time that you can grow your own food. It can also allow you to grow crops that need warmer temperatures.
Various greenhouses – including plastic and glass models – are available to purchase online, and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) insists that “Even the smallest, unheated structure will allow gardeners to … produce good crops of a wide range of vegetables.”
Could any of these ideas for using neglected space help to enhance your garden?
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