For those fortunate enough to have a large outdoor space at their property, the problem with keeping up with the maintenance of such a huge area can be troubling. It takes a vast amount of time and effort to keep on top of mowing lawned areas, weeding plant beds and keeping the whole space tidy. How can outdoor areas be made low maintenance yet still retain their attraction?

Firstly, think about whether you want to keep as much lawned area in the garden. If the answer to this question is yes then could it be made smaller to making mowing easier or even contemplate replacing it with low-maintenance artificial grass. A paved area with a small lawn in the centre can look lovely especially if the edges are kept neat.

Plant bedding areas are often time consuming to keep looking neat and tidy but by using weed free matting and covering this with wood chippings or decorative gravel the bedding sections of your garden become much more manageable. Installing raised flower beds makes it much easier to plant and weed without having to bend down and can be installed around the garden as features. Similarly, by using large pots to hold shrubs rather than planting them directly in the garden this will prevent them getting too large and also make it easier to prune them.

With winter now well on its way, it may not be the best time to lay new turf but it is certainly the right time to start planning ahead for the spring. Over times are lawns can take a really hammering, It may be that you have children that play football on the grass ot that have had paddling pools and trampolines out all summer. Over time this will damage the grass and often leave it looking bare and patchy. You may be able to help by putting lawn feed and grass seed down but often the only way to really fix it is to have new turf laid.

Turf is usually a reasonably priced option and can be bought from many outlets such as garden centres and DIY stores and so is a popular choice. Artificial grass is another option you have but this will be more expensive. This said, you do have the guarantee that artificial grass provides that it will last for sometime and it is often a good choice for people who want something really low maintenance. Some people feel that artificial grass is a poor substitute for the real thing, but it has many advantages.

Although we appear to be still having some warm and sunny weather, it is likely that towards the end of the month this will start to change and we will head in to the colder period. This colder weather is often likely to kill off any plants that still remain and we could see a lot of wet weather making it harder to keep the grass cut short.

You need to make the most of any nice weather we do have and get out in the garden to do some maintenance. Make sure that you don’t cut your grass too short if people are going to be walking ok it as this can expose too much of the soil and make it become very muddy.

Remove any dead heads and leaves off your plants and dig up any bulbs that you want to replant next year. Be sure to dry them out and wrap them in newspaper to store away. If you are thinking of planting bulbs for daffodils, then bows the time to do it. They will sit dormant over the winter and start to come through early next spring time. Pack away any garden furniture that is likely to get damaged throughout the winter months to try and prolong it.

Over lockdown, when the pubs and bars were closed, lots of people decided to use the opportunity to do improvements to their house or garden. Some people even built their own bar in their garden to allow them to enjoy their outdoor space. When the rules were eased to allow more people in to private gardens, this meant that they could once again meet with friends and family in a beer garden setting.

You can choose to by a prebuilt bar that can be easily installed in your garden or you can try and make one yourself. Wooden pallets can prove really useful in DIY construction projects. They can be easily dismantled and put together to make bars, tables or planters. Some worksites or factories may let you have a few pallets for free, so it is always worth asking around before you buy any.

If you want to be able to have electrics in your garden then it is vital that you use an experienced electrician as they will need to install weather proof sockets etc. Don’t be tempted to try and run extension leads from inside on a permanent basis as this is not the best way to supply power to the new outbuilding.

When it comes to mowing the lawn, your lawn mower can make a big difference. Having the correct one will make mowing much less of a task. You first need to decide whether to opt for a petrol or electric mower. If you have a large garden, or areas that are hard to get power to then you may decide a petrol one is best. If you only have a small area just outside your house then you may opt for an electric one. Electric ones tend to be a little bit cheaper but often there is not a huge amount in the price difference.

You do need to look after your lawn motor to try and prolong its life. If you have a petrol mower then you will not only need to fill it with petrol but you will also need to ensure that it has oil in it too. The oil won’t need to be topped up very often but it is vital that it has an adequate amount in it to protect the engine.

If you want to be able to cut the grass when it is slightly damp then you should opt for a petrol mower, they won’t cut through completely wet grass but copy better than electric ones when it is damp.

With gym membership prices rocketing to a different level, many people have opted to invest wisely and build their own gym, one that’s cheaper to use. There are a few considerations that must be made before creating yours though, and we’re here to help you out.

Electricals – This is an important consideration, and it’s important to know how you want to a pathway for the electric to run to the garden where the gym is going to be built. A professional should be able to map it out and help you out if it’s a significantly long way up or down in your garden.

Next up the amount of equipment – you want in your gym is obviously vital. You don’t want to find that you’ve built it too small, or too big, and planning your gym on paper can make a difference.

Building type – Obviously another important consideration, and your gym could be in the form of a summer house, a brick building, a converted garage, a conservatory, pretty much anything, and considering your budget to the building type you want can is fundamental. It also gives you a targeted starting oints so you know what types of building you want to look at.

Every once in a while our gardens need a little bit of care and attention. Spring and summer are probably the two best seasons so start work in a garden, and there are various things that can make a big difference.

For many gardens, the lawn is an important feature, and if your lawn is looking tired and worn out, digging it up and laying a fresh turf could make a significant difference. Lawns will always require some maintenance, but a new one could make you garden seem more lively and vibrant.

Adding new ornaments or a theme of ornaments can improve your garden, especially if they are bought to replace the broken existing ornaments. Another area which could improve the look of your garden is tiding the flower beds. Flower beds can be sectioned by pebbles, stone, a small picket fence, and by tidying up the borders, you’re garden will definitely look a lot more pleasing on the eye.