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There are many reasons for suddenly finding yourself with an overgrown and wild back garden. You might have recently moved into a new house, that’s been empty for a few months, in which case the garden has had no attention and been left to its own devices through months of intermittent sun and rain, perfect conditions for both the things that we want, and don’t want, in our gardens to grow quickly. Worse, the yard might not have been cared for by previous occupants, leading to a complete mess for you to take over.
Alternatively, you might have let things go yourself. Your once beautiful garden might have been left alone for too long. We’re all busy after all, and no one wants to be outside in the rain trimming hedges and digging out weeds when they have a million other things that need doing. Unfortunately, you only need to leave your garden alone for a few weeks before you find that things have grown, weeds have taken over, the grass is too long to simply mow it, your fences are filthy, your decking is slippery and mossy, and your furniture is rusty or damaged. Then, once it stops being easy to look after, we ignore it more, and things only get worse.
But, if you’ve got a young family, you are missing out. Parenting is so much less stressful when you can just open your backdoor and let the kids out to play. They can amuse themselves for hours rolling around on the grass, planting new flowers, playing in water on the patio and digging for worms. It’s also a great chance to teach them more about nature, wildlife, and where food comes from. Your garden can offer you a cheap and easy way to keep your family entertained over the summer. But, if it’s currently a bit of an overgrown wasteland, it won’t be safe for them to play in, nor will it be appealing. Here’s a look at some of the things that you can do to turn your overgrown garden into a safe space for your whole family to enjoy.
Clear It Out
If your garden has become overgrown, the very first thing that you need to do is clear it out. You won’t know what needs doing until you can get a good look at things. So, get out there and get stuck in. Any furniture that you no longer want, or can’t be repaired, either donate or take to the tip. Cut back any overgrown bushes and trees and give your lawn a good mow. Then, take a look at things. If you have deal flowers and plants that can’t be saved, dig them out. Treat your lawn with a weed and feed solution, and give that time to work before you assess the damage. If the weeds are too deeply rooted, you might need to either dig it all up and replace or just add some lawn seed to the worst areas. If you’ve got fences, a shed, and decking, hose them down, or blast them with a jet wash, to get rid of loose dirt and debris before deciding what to do next. They might be fine after a good clean, or they might need a fresh coat of paint or varnish.
Keep it Simple
The best way to have a garden that young children can enjoy is to keep things simple. Be too fussy with delicate flowers and decorations, and you’ll always be worried about them getting damaged, and your kids will never truly be free to enjoy the space. Keep things simple with a lawn, patio, and some hardy plants that can withstand a little rough play. If you want to add some outdoor toys, great, but remember, most kids are happy with a ball, a skipping rope and a bowl of water and some cups from the kitchen. You don’t have to spend a fortune to give your kids a fun and exciting garden.
Keep it Safe
As a parent, your priority is always your children’s safety, and this is an area that you can’t afford to neglect in your garden. Make sure any decking is treated so that it doesn’t get slippery, even when wet. Then, if you’ve got a shed, make sure you can easily put away any tools, paints, and chemicals, and keep the door locked. If you haven’t, think about where you are going to keep things, making sure that they are locked away and out of reach. When you buy plants, it’s also worth doing a little research to make sure that nothing is poisonous or likely to make little people ill if they were to put some in their mouths, especially when they are very young and libel to touch everything.
Make the Right Choices
When you are making decisions about your garden, it’s worth keeping the future in mind. What’s going to be easy to look after? How can you ensure that it doesn’t become overgrown or easily damaged? Replacing your lawn with artificial grass from www.newlawn.co.uk can be ideal if you don’t have much time to mow, but want a beautiful lawn for the kids to play on. It’s also a great option if you struggle to keep weeds and moss at bay. When it comes to other areas, make sure you use weatherproof paints and varnishes, and try to select perennial plants, instead of those that only last for a year.
Set up a Rota or Schedule
Even with an easy to maintain garden, some chores need doing week to week, just like cleaning up inside your own. Add these jobs to your schedule, or create a rota so that everyone chips in, to help you to keep on top of things.
Don’t Forget Your Own Needs
When we create a garden for our kids to enjoy, we’re often guilty of neglecting our own needs and wants. If you’ve got space, try to create your own area, with pretty flowers and aromas and some comfortable seating. If not, at least add a chair for yourself, so that you can relax with a good book or sit and watch the kids play if we ever get any sunshine.