If your outdoor living space is looking a little jaded and you are looking for cost-effective ways to add appeal, you are in luck, as we present a few ideas to give you some inspiration.
- Vertical gardens – These can be used to cover a large expanse of wall, or you can create a bamboo frame and use green netting. You can make good use of old plastic pots, make sure there is a hole in the bottom for water to drain away. Plant creeping vines and train them along the net and in no time, you have a stunning natural screen. Another way to do this is to use timber trellis affixed to a wall, which gives you a frame on which to hang pots. Gather up old items that you no longer use and they can be utilised to create stunning garden features.
- Rockery and pond – There is affordable rubbish removal in Adelaide and they can take away your green waste and recycle it, then you can dig out the pond and use that soil to build the rockery; your local garden centre has suitable rocks and stones, along with topsoil and a few bags of peat. A fibreglass pond is cheap enough and you can create an environment for small fish, with a stream powered by a small electric motor. Import native plants and shrubs to create a unique ecosystem.
- Plantation boxes – You can transform your garden with shrubs and small trees in plantation boxes; search online or make your own; use timber and oil-based paint for rain protection. Half fill the box with peat, put the plant in and fill the remainder with topsoil. Don’t forget to water and keep out of sunlight for a few days. The great thing with plantation boxes is you can find the ideal spot for the plant to thrive and with some trial and error, placements are attractive on the eye. A line of these boxes can be placed in front of fencing to create a natural screen, with some pruning and shaping, you can make a natural feature.
- Ground level LED lighting – LED light spikes are next level when it comes to garden illumination; simply stick it in the ground and the tiny solar panel harvests energy and the light comes on automatically when light levels are low. You can find these online and ordering half a dozen is a good start. They can be stuck on the lawn or in flower beds and at only a few dollars apiece, it’s cheap and sturdy lighting.
- Shade umbrellas – Have you seen the latest versions of cantilever umbrellas? They can be placed in any location, giving you essential shade when you need it. The base is small but very stable and they come in a range of designs and colours. If you have the budget, consider a fully retractable roof over your terrace, which is the ultimate in shading.
The great Aussie summer is already upon us and that is the perfect time to get into garden improvements, any of the above projects can be completed within a day. Arrange for waste collection and avoid a pile up of rubbish and your next project can start to be planned. The Internet hosts a wealth of free resources on garden ideas, which should give you some much-needed inspiration.
