Useful Do`s and Dont`s of Gardening

Description: Expert tips for planning a variety of types of gardens, both indoors and outdoors.

It can sometimes be difficult to know where to start in a garden. The first place to begin is probably establishing what type of garden you have and what you really want from it. There are a number of different garden types which can be used for a number of different functions. Whether you have a small or large garden, a roof garden, a courtyard or simply a window garden, each can be used for different purposes.

Indoor gardens are limited for obvious reasons. However window boxes, balconies and roof gardens can be an aesthetic delight. The easiest way in which to build an attractive garden indoors is through the use of containers and potted plants. A container garden can easily be built up with a number of suitable flowers with the use of potted plant mix. You can even grow some smaller vegetables and a number of herbs. Thyme is a particularly popular herb to grow. There is a good deal of advice and choice online regarding indoor gardens and container gardens in particular. May people fail to recognise that it is also beneficial to you to have plants to brighten up your home and keep you healthy by producing oxygen and consuming carbon oxide.

Planning is everything. Delicate shrubs and active children are a poor mix and entertaining a large family on a patio consisting of three slabs is nigh on impossible. To begin with the basics you could give your current garden the once over to get it into a workable shape. You will need basic tools such as gardening gloves, shears, spade, fork, rake and a lawnmower if you have and plan to keep a lawn. You can they lay out or adjust the garden into lawned areas (if appropriate), patio and seating areas and borders. Borders will require maintenance although you can minimise this by covering them with weed barrier and planting through this, finishing with a dressing of bark or wood chips (the latter being more durable and usually available for free from your local tree surgeon).

Once you have weeded the beds and worked the topsoil over with a fork you can plant flowers or vegetables depending on your preference. There are many choices online and you can find out the level of attention needed by each type as this should drive your selection. If you have limited time, you will need to opt for low maintenance shrubs and flowers. Your time commitment can be further reduced by creating a patio garden and using containers to house the greenery. If you are serious about growing plants it might also be useful to build a compost heap if you don`t have one already. These can be bought or built from bricks or wood. You can create compost for your plants from household waste such as vegetable peelings, teabags and of course any grass cuttings.

You can also make your garden functional and attractive by adding some simple to install garden items. There are few things better than al fresco dining on a summer`s evening: a garden table and chairs will allow you to enjoy eating and entertaining. You could also consider features such as pergolas, statues, water features or even a sundial to give your garden a more stylised aesthetic look. A natural water feature such as a pond can be developed if you have the space and time. Families may want to consider adding items for children such as a slide, swing and perhaps a couple of 2 person tents for outdoor camping adventures in the summer.

Ultimately, your garden should reflect your lifestyle and personality. With the less than predictable British weather, one final tip would be to consider an awning or one of the modern sail style canvass covers and perhaps a gas fired fire pit to keep you warm and to allow you to enjoy your hard work regardless of the elements.

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