How to Transform an Unloved Backyard
Have you bought a new home and discovered that the backyard resembles an overgrown jungle? Not everyone has a green thumb, and gardening is not an activity that people always enjoy. This means that lots of people have gardens that look far from their best and are in need of lots of care and attention. While the garden may look messy and intimidating at the moment, with a little effort, you can transform it beyond recognition into a beautiful space.
Although the backyard of your home may look far from its best at the moment, it is still a valuable asset. Having outside space can add significant value to your property and vastly increase its appeal. So, despite it needing some care and attention, your backyard could become one of your home’s most valuable features.
When faced with a garden that is completely overgrown that has been neglected for many years, it can be difficult to know where to even begin making improvements. Here you will find lots of helpful hints and tips to take your backyard from looking wild to wonderful.
Read on to learn how to transform an unloved backyard!
Assess the Space
Before you launch into your garden renovation, it is helpful to stop for a moment and to assess the space. Knowing precisely what you are working with is essential before you do anything else. Understanding how the space is made up, such as the surfaces and the type of conditions you need to work with, is a helpful way to prepare for the transformation.
If your backyard is on a slope or terraced, you will need to consider how you will work with the space. While assessing the space, you also need to be look for any potential hazards that could be lurking in your backyard. For example, any hidden ponds or pools could be a health and safety risk if you are not aware they are there when you start working on your garden. So carefully carrying out a survey of the space is essential.
Find Inspiration
When it comes to creating your ideal backyard, everyone has their own opinions and preferences. As the ideal backyard means different things to different people, it is important to carry out research to ensure that you create a yard that suits your tastes.
Taking a look at different garden websites to get some inspiration is a great way to begin gathering ideas and taking a step closer to creating your perfect backyard. Taking a look at other people’s yards will make it simpler to visualize how you want your outdoor space to look and will provide plenty of ideas you may not have even considered.
Make a Plan
Now you have an idea of the type of garden you would like to create, it is time to start making a plan. Planning your garden before you get started on actually working on it will ensure that you make the best use of your time and resources.
Your plans will need to include the layout of the finished backyard along with details of the types of plants, trees, and features you would like to include.
When making your plan, you may want to set a budget for the work so that you can ensure you do not overspend. Running out of cash while the garden is half-finished is definitely something you want to avoid.
It is also helpful to consider timescales as part of your planning process. Thinking about how long it will realistically take you to complete the work will help you to plan your time wisely and keep the project’s momentum on track.
Don’t forget to also consider the tools and equipment you will need to work in your backyard. Knowing what tools and equipment you require and where to source them will make it so much simpler for you to get to work on your garden transformation without delays.
Decide What You Want to Keep
Once you know what you want your new backyard to look like, it should make it far easier for you to decide which plants, trees, and garden structures you want to keep and which you would like to get rid of. If other people are helping you with the garden transformation, you may find it helpful to draw a diagram that labels the things you want to keep to avoid them being accidentally removed. Labeling these areas of your backyard and sharing this information will help to avoid any confusion and enable everyone to work more efficiently together to complete the project.
Start Clearing the Space
Once you have made firm plans on what the garden will look like and what you will keep and get rid of, it is time for the proper work to begin. The start of your garden transformation is likely to be the most labor-intensive, especially if it is so overgrown it looks like a rainforest.
You may want to focus on clearing out specific areas of the yard one by one. Working through the yard and clearing the larger overgrown plants first should prevent the job from becoming too overwhelming. Working like this is also a useful way to stay motivated, as you will be able to see the progress you are making more quickly.
With the larger plants cleared in each section, you can begin tackling the lawn. If the grass is extremely long, you may need to trim it before you can even attempt to run the lawnmower over it. Take care when cutting the grass, as there may be items or even wildlife hidden in the long lawn that you didn’t know were there. Once you have cleared out the bulk of the overgrown vegetation, you should be left with more of a blank canvas. This will enable you to get a better idea of how your backyard will look when it is complete.
Introduce Structure to the Yard
With your backyard cleared of most of the unwanted vegetation, it is time to begin creating a structure for your new space. This process will include adding garden walls, pathways and adding in paved patio areas or decking if you want them.
At this point, your new backyard will be really starting to take shape, and you should have a far better idea of how the finished garden will look. Once this stage of your garden remodel is complete, you will have finished the bulk of the hard work and can start to focus more on the finer details and finishing touches.
Begin Pruning and Trimming
Once you have decided which plants you plan to keep and have cleared the space, it is time to begin working with the plants and trees that are left. Pruning bushes, shrubs, and plants into the correct shape will get your backyard looking really tidy in no time. But while it may be easy for you to take care of pruning and trimming shrubs to shape them, extra care needs to be taken when it comes to the trees in your backyard.
Trying your hand at tree trimming yourself is not advisable, as this is a job that is best left to the experts. Calling in a team of experienced arborists to handle the trimming of your trees is a far better option. Trimming trees can be a dangerous activity, and unless you have expert knowledge, it can be challenging to know how to trim the tree correctly and whether it is healthy enough to survive or needs to be removed. So, calling in experts that have the knowledge and equipment needed to safely trim the trees and make them look attractive is vital.
Remove Garden Debris and Rubbish
One of the most significant considerations to bear in mind when transforming an overgrown garden is the waste and debris. The amount of waste that is generated in a garden transformation can be surprisingly large. If your backyard has been untouched for many years, the scale of the amount of stuff you need to clear out may be far greater than you imagined. So, thinking about the logistics of removing the garden debris, including where you will keep it while the work takes place and how you will dispose of it, are crucial factors to keep in mind.
You may choose to hire a skip and load it up with all the waste yourself. Alternatively, you may choose to get rid of the waste at the end of every day so you don’t need to store it anywhere.
Looking Ahead
Once your backyard transformation is complete, it is time to sit back and appreciate your effort and hard work. After investing so much of your energy and time into creating the garden, it deserves to be celebrated and enjoyed. Why not invite friends and family over to see the spectacular transformation? With all the hard work finished, all that is left for you to do is maintain it and spend time in your beautiful backyard.
