Garden design ON A BUDGET

Ten ideas to stretch your cash outdoors and maximise your plot's potential

- JILL MORGAN

Every successful garden transformation starts with planning, so assess your outside space and work out the key areas that are crying out for some TLC. Is your fence bland and boring and in need of a fresh new look, or is your central focal point a featureless blank wall? Perhaps you’ve inherited a tired patio or deck that needs an overhaul or a mass of overgrown shrubs that need taming?

From simple tips on how to make the most of your garden’s features to wise buys and style-savvy additions, follow our dos and don’ts to create the outdoor space you’ve always wanted – without breaking the bank.

1 DO SPRUCE UP THE GARDEN 

‘Spring cleaning your outdoor space is a crucial first step when it comes to preparing for the new season, giving you a fresh canvas,’ says Marcus Eyles, horticultural director, Dobbies. ‘From sprucing up paths and patios to washing down garden furniture, a good clean-up can make all the difference. Neaten beds and borders by removing weeds with a hoe and apply a layer of mulch to give plants a boost for spring.’

2 DO GO FOR SOLAR LIGHTING 

A few staked spotlights shining up through a tree or a sculpted shrub will create a stunning focal point and add drama too. Alternatively use them along the edge of a border or path to light the way.

3 DON’T USE TURF FOR A LAWN