By
Craig Constance-smith
16:31 EST, 11 October 2013
|
16:31 EST, 11 October 2013
We British are supposed to be a nation of gardeners, but a recent survey that asked people how they felt about their garden produced some dismaying statistics.
Some 40 per cent of respondents said they were embarrassed by their garden, while 12 per cent said they never set foot in it.
None of this surprises me because when I tell people I write about gardens, they often look embarrassed and mutter that theirs is ‘a bit of a disaster’.
If you fall into this category, take heart, because autumn is just the time to tackle a neglected one.
Tackle these eight easy tasks now and your garden will look glorious next spring
Put in a bit of work now, and by next spring your garden will give you a glow of pride instead of making you wince with shame. Here are some simple steps to get your garden back on track.
● Be ruthless about cutting back overlarge plants or shrubs. It won’t damage them and it will bring light and space into your garden.
● Remove any plants that you don’t like. Give them away, and plant something you really like instead.
● Declutter the garden. Store ugly things out of sight or throw away.
● Make sure you have easy access to a tap and invest in a good hose. If you have to lug watering cans around, chances are your garden won’t get watered enough.
● Sheds are invaluable but often unsightly. Transform yours with a coat of paint, or put wires along the sides and grow climbers such as sweet peas or sunflowers up it.
● Improve your patio with some attractive containers and colourful plants. Container gardening is a quick way to give your garden a lift.
● Love your lawn. An immaculate lawn looks beautiful but it’s a huge amount of work. Don’t worry about having weeds such as dandelions – call it a wildflower lawn. And if you don’t have time to mow often, just keep the edges neat to give the illusion of a well-kept lawn.
● Think long-term. Annuals are often the most eye-catching plants in the garden centre but perennials and shrubs are the best value and reduce the work you have to do. n
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