A Garden For All The Family
The garden: a sanctuary of calm, backyard allotment, basketball court, outdoor dining area, pet play zone or flower garden! A family garden is likely to have to be at least a few of these – but how do you ensure that your garden works for everyone in your family? Whether you have acres of land or a small space, it is possible to make a garden that everyone can enjoy – you just might have to get a bit creative in the process.
Start With The End In Mind
The first stage to any big home project is planning! What do you want to use the space for? Is it important that you have a lawn area or flower beds? Do you want to include a tree house or mud kitchen for the kids? How about a patio or a water feature? Once you’ve got a list of everything you’d love to have, narrow it down and get it in priority order – chances are that unless you live on a ranch you might not have room for everything on your wish list.
Get Creative
Next comes the fun part: getting creative and deciding how to put it together! Be sensible and think about your adjacents – if you have kids who love to kick a ball about then the best place to put flower beds would not be next to a soccer goal. You could however, have a beautiful flower display using hanging baskets or window boxes that will be a safe distance away from any flying balls! Think too about what could do double duty – according to the National Association of Homebuilders, a patio area is one of the top ten things homebuyers look for: it provides a great space for entertaining, but if you choose your furniture wisely (maybe something that is foldable, or on wheels so it can be easily moved) you may be able to double it up as basketball court, or as a space for younger kids to ride their bikes.
Something For Everyone
A garden needs to be practical if you have kids, but don’t forget to include a few features for the grown-ups too – whether that’s a swing in a shady corner or a water feature to provide soothing background noises which helps you relax. A vegetable patch can be great for the whole family – aside from the potential money saving, there’s a lot of satisfaction to be gained from eating food straight from your garden. It also provides a valuable learning experience of where food actually comes from, and it may even encourage picky eaters – it’s amazing what vegetables kids will try when they’ve grown and picked them themselves.
Keep It Simple
Remember that when designing your ideal garden, planning is key! Focus on your priorities, keep it simple and combine ideas to ensure that you create a garden that the whole family will enjoy for years to come.
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