Nanny to Mommy

It’s so great when the weather is finally good enough to spend more time outdoors isn’t it? From long walks in the open countryside to days playing with the kids in the garden. Of course, that joy can be a bit overshadowed if your garden is a something of a desert. So, if you’re looking to get your garden ready for summer, then here’s some ideas for a refresh.

If your garden just doesn’t look appealing, you could try to add a bit of landscaping. You don’t need to redo the whole garden but simply add more structure to your outside space. Or perhaps just one or two new features. This could be planning and installing a seating area outside your man cave so you can relax and take stock of your garden, or putting in a garden path or new flower beds. If you just want some new features to perk it up, you could add an arbor, new planters, or a water feature. And if the kids need their own space, add a play area.

There’s nothing more rewarding than a project you can do as a family. And having a veggie patch is a great activity to get the kids involved with. Learning to nurture plants is therapeutic for adults and a great way for kids to learn where their food comes from. You’ll also get to eat the results! You could start small with herb planters and work your way up to a full veggie patch with raised beds.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could use the balcony garden for those family cinema nights? Well, you could. A canvas tent, gazebo or sail shade makes a great cover, under which you can add some seating or cushions. You’ll need a projector and screen for the show, so installing an outdoor plug socket will be useful. Put up a few string lights so you can see in the dark, and that’s pretty much all you need for some evening entertainment outdoors.

If your garden or yard doesn’t seem very green or bright, then you may just want to add more color. Adding more flowers is the most obvious way to increase the color. But there are other ways too. Painting fences and sheds or adding bright new pots and planters will help. You could make your seating area more vibrant with outdoor cushions and rugs. And little touches such as wind chimes and solar lights can help too.