4 things to do before transforming your garden

Have you heard the age-old saying, ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’? Well, this is certainly no different for garden transformations. Effective planning and preparation will ensure that you really make the most of your space, creating areas in which you can relax, entertain and play. If you’re planning on giving your garden a makeover for the upcoming summer months, here are some of the key things to consider. 
Create a budget
There is no point in spending hours browsing new patio flags, lavish fencing and extravagant flower bed designs if you cannot afford them. Instead, set yourself a realistic budget before you start planning, so you can explore the best options in line with what you have to spend. There are plenty of things you can do to transform your space, no matter how big or little your budget is, so don’t be tempted to overstretch yourself and make sure you carefully consider your finances. 
 
Design a practical and useable layout
The next thing to do is design a practical and useable layout that will work for you and the members of your household. Think about who will be using the space, how many of you there are and the main things you will be using the garden for. For instance, if you enjoy barbecues in the summer with your nearest and dearest, you might prioritise creating a space big enough for entertaining the whole family. Or, if you have dogs, you may wish to maximise the grassy areas, so they have plenty of space to run around and play. 
 
Consider the amount of maintenance
It’s really important to consider how much upkeep your new garden will require and if you can realistically stay on top of it. Do you want to tend to it weekly, monthly or maybe even less? The answer to this question should dictate your overall garden design. If you’re too busy to keep on top of a busy garden filled with different plants, shrubs and trees, then avoid introducing lots of new greenery in your new design – instead, focusing on lower-maintenance garden designs. On the other hand, if you’re keen to get your hands dirty regularly then a higher-maintenance garden will be achievable. The key is to be realistic! 
 
Choose a variety of evergreen and seasonal plants
If you want to enjoy looking out and getting into the garden all year round, then it’s worth planting a mix of seasonal and evergreen plants. When you’re planning your design, consider areas that you’d like to remain green all year round, whether that’s for aesthetics or for seclusion. For instance, do you want to increase privacy at the front or back of your home with an evergreen hedge? Then you’ll want to ensure you have enough space for this, before creating areas for flower beds. Once you’ve established the spots you’d like to dedicate to evergreen shrubs, you can plan where to plant complementary seasonal flowers, such as daffodils.