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Wild No More: Reclaim Your Garden

It’s that time of year when things start to look rather bleak. Resolutions that were made in the highest of spirits are starting to waver, you’ve been stuck indoors for weeks and despite drinking so much Mango and Lychee green tea that it’s coming out of your ears, you still don’t have abs yet.

Out in the garden, things aren’t faring much better. Dark, uninviting and distinctly more wild than you remember it being, something needs to be done. To get you started, we’ve put together 3 easy steps to help you take back your garden and start enjoying the outdoors once more.

Step 1: The Tidy

It’s not an inviting prospect, but throw on some wellies and get out there! Sweep up those dead leaves, they’re messy and a serious slip hazard. Pick up anything that’s out of place, as small as they may seem, a stray football or piece of rubbish can make a huge difference to the overall look of the garden. Think of them like those dead pixels you get on screens sometimes, small, but the longer you look at them, the more annoying they get.

Festoon Lighting

Step 2: Keep It Safe

Once you’ve got the garden looking reasonably tidy, now would be the best time to add some functional lighting to keep things safe. Plinth and bollard lights are a great way to subtly illuminate anywhere that you regularly walk, but for something really effective try a motion sensor security light.

Garden Lighting
Step 3: Accentuate

The final step is to add a splash of colour. For the ground level, plant a few frost-defying cyclamen or some delicate snowdrops. They look fantastic and will come back bigger and stronger each year. Look a little higher and bathe your garden or balcony in some much-needed warmth with the help of some decorative outdoor lights. Go for something bright and cheery, such as these gorgeous dragonfly lights or keep it classy with festoon lights. String them along fences, branches, and walls at eye-level. In the midst of all that grey, they’ll provide a positive lift and make the place look inviting again.

 

Once you’ve tidied and illuminated, it’s time to get back out and enjoy your garden. Dark winter nights are perfect for stargazing, so wrap up warm and get the kids involved. Alternatively, embrace a great American tradition by roasting marshmallows or making s’mores around a fire.

How ever you choose to enjoy your newly reclaimed garden, that steamy cup of green tea is sure to taste much better after an hour out in the fresh air.