I’ve always been quite a green fingered person, ever since I can remember I would be out in the garden with my Dad or my Gran. Trying to find things to do, or lounging on the garden furniture! Or learn how to do different jobs around the garden. Ok, so most of the time I didn’t really know what I was doing. And had no idea which plants were which or how they should be treated (like the sun, dry ground…etc). However, I loved being out in the garden and the fresh air. Plus, that’s how you learn isn’t it?! Incase you’re looking to grow your green thumb, here is a little garden inspiration for you.
I find it so relaxing working outside on the plants and flowers, or just relaxing and taking it all in. We don’t have a huge garden at all but I love what we do have. Its part decking, part gravel with lots of plants as far as they eye can see (many in pots)! I love going into my local garden centre and heading to the sale section to rescue the almost dead plants. They are so much cheaper and all you need to do is give them some extra TLC (plant food…etc) and they are good as new within a few months.
Garden Furniture
As I said, we don’t have a huge garden so we don’t have a lot of room for garden furniture and we certainly don’t have the space for something like a summer house, however we do have a gorgeous solid wooden garden bench so we can enjoy the sunshine when it does come out and an amazing parasol set for when the sun gets a bit too much (if that ever happens).
We got the bench from Dobbies in their Easter sale which was such a good bargain and we were oh so kindly gifted the parasol set from Von Haus. This week looks as though it’s going to be the perfect weather to test out the parasol to give us so much needed shade, yet still get to enjoy being outside, listening to the tress rustling and watching the birds go crazy!
Garden Makeover
Ever since we re-did our garden, we decided we didn’t want loads of stuff in it making it look small and cluttered, we wanted to stick to the essentials and just enjoy being out there. So, there is very little in terms of furniture in our back garden. The rest is mainly made up of flower beds, plant pots, hanging baskets and a bird table.
We do love to watch the birds when they come to feed. Mainly sparrows, thrushes, a robin we’ve named Rambo, a black bird we’ve called Brian (Bri), some collard doves and the occasional not so common visitors like blue tits, long tailed tits and a heron that likes to sit on the roof of the house opposite and take in the view!
We live in The Cotswolds which is full of trees and wildlife wherever you go so we get a huge number of birds in our garden (just not a large variety), hence the bird table, oh and a bird bath which is always full of birds having a wash, or the pigeon who likes to sit in it soaking up the rays.
The starlings seems to love getting in the bath the most and the smaller birds like Robins and Blue Tits like to sit around the edge, watching the others or having a bit to drink. At 5am however, the birds tweeting their heads off isn’t quite so fun right outside our bedroom window!
A Relaxing Space
We do love our garden as it’s so relaxing, quiet and not over looked. Perfect for doing a few private workouts in the garden on a beautiful day! Other than the table and chairs, that’s about it for garden furniture. I’d love to have the space for a beautiful patio set, you know the really luxurious looking ones you find in mansions!
However, I’ve always wondered how practical this type of furniture is for us Brits where the sun only usually comes out for what seems like a few days a year. Although I have been told it’s pretty much all waterproof so it can be left outside all year round. Oh to have a bigger garden!
Wild Gardens
I love the gardens that are so well kept, yet look as though they haven’t been touched in years. The ones that look really overgrown and that might be keeping a secret within. Gardens that have wild flowers growing all around in a haphazard way, although not at all intentional. The yellows and blues mixed with the pinks and reds…oh and the daisies!
Daisies are my favourite flowers, they just look so happy and friendly! Yes OK, I might as well just be describing the book/film the secret garden. I loved watching that as a kid, hoping one day i’d have my own secret garden to relax in and enjoy listening to the birds singing and the leaves rustling in the breeze. One day this dream of mine will come true and it will be the best day ever!
Vegetable Patch
We also tried to turn one of our larger planters into a vegetable patch which was great fun! We were growing – carrots, parsnips, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, garlic and beetroots…all of which actually turned out really well! It was the first time either of us had tried our hands at growing vegetables. I loved being able to go into the garden and pick fresh peas and tomatoes, straight off the vine. I swear there is nothing better than the smell of a fresh, warm tomato!
To get us started I did get a few books to help know what to do when it came to planting vegetables. Like what time of year to plant which food and how much to water each of them…etc. Plus, I also wanted to make sure when the veggies had grown, they were eaten in the best way possible. So we didn’t waste anything we’d grown.
Garden Chicks
Revitalise your summer garden with the addition of charming chicks. Whether creating a poultry-friendly garden space or introducing mobile coop setups, incorporating chicks adds aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. Enjoy natural pest control, nutrient-rich fertiliser, and the delightful presence of these feathered friends, elevating your summer garden experience to new heights.
Helpful Reading
Books such as How to Grow and Eat Your Own Super Foods and The Super Organic Gardener were a great help! It gave me all the information I needed to get the best out of my crops. Especially when trying to be as organic as possible!
Collaborative Post
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