10 Tips For Recovering An Overgrown Garden

Looking out on a garden that’s overgrown with plants and weeds can feel a little daunting. Whether your garden hasn’t been top priority recently or you’ve just moved into a new place where the garden is looking a bit of a mess, there’s definitely no need to panic. With a clear direction and plan it’s perfectly possible to transform your garden from a messy jungle into an outdoor paradise. Here’s a few of our best tips to help you get started!

• Determine a strategy

Before you reach for the garden tools, take a moment to assess the situation and determine a plan of action. The size of the garden and the extent of the overgrowth both need to be taken into account. These factors will determine how long the project is likely to take and the budget that will be required. Think about what your timeline is and the maximum budget you can afford to set aside. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was the perfect garden. Patience is key when it comes to large garden projects like this and setting unrealistic timelines will only make the job feel a whole lot harder when things haven’t come together as quickly as you’d hoped.

• Choose what you want to keep

Before ripping everything out of the ground, make a list of what you like and dislike about the garden in its current state. Identify any trees or plants that you would like to keep. Some plants can be moved and replanted so if you like a certain plant or tree you may be able to move it to a different area of the garden. Working with what you already have as much as possible will save you money and so it’s definitely worth taking the time to pick out any gems that may be hidden amongst the weeds!

• Pick up any rubbish

If the garden hasn’t been used in a while, you may find rubbish lying around such as rusty garden tools, broken furniture and general litter. Before you start on the greenery, you want to remove all this rubbish in order to provide a clear space for working. You may be able to restore some of the broken furniture or tools, however anything that cannot be saved should be removed from the garden.

• Remove unwanted greenery and weeds

When clearing an overgrown garden it’s best to take a systematic approach. Tackle the overgrown greenery in sections and that way it won’t feel as overwhelming. Removing dead plants and weeds is challenging and time consuming however it’s such an important step towards making your garden liveable again. You can use a weed killer to assist with the process, however if you’re using a chemical one just be careful not to get it on the plants that you would like to keep.

• Leave the trees until last

Clear away the rest of the greenery before starting on any trees. Trees can be very difficult to remove and have had so many years of growth that it can be difficult to replace them. You don’t want to attempt removal of a tree and be left with a stump in the ground. In some cases, you may need to employ professional help to ensure you use the correct process to remove the trees.

• Prune

Pruning back the existing plants that you’ve chosen to keep is important for encouraging fresh growth as well as creating more space. In order to keep on top of your garden maintenance going forward, pruning is something that you’ll need to keep on top of.

• Prepare flower beds and vegetable patches

Healthy soil = healthy plants and so before you get started with planting some lovely new flowers and veg seeds, you want to make sure that the ground is in top notch condition. Digging and tilling the soil will enhance its texture and you can also treat the soil with fertiliser as you see fit.

• Rejuvenate the lawn

If you haven’t given the lawn any attention in a few months it’s likely to be looking a little sad. Mow the grass and the edges to get it looking tidy before working on any bare patches. Lay new grass seed where you can see the bare patches or lay down new turf if required. This will make a huge difference to the overall look of the garden!

• Add the final touches

Now you’ve done all the hard work, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Choose a theme and add furniture and decorations to match. Outdoor lighting is a great way to create a fantastic atmosphere in your garden and you may want to include additional features such as a firepit or water feature. It’s up to you how you choose to style your garden. What’s important is making a space that you’ll love and want to maintain.

• Celebrate your hard work

Now’s the time to get out there and enjoy spending time in the beautiful space that you’ve worked so hard to create. Invite your friends and family round to show off all your hard work and enjoy your new garden space!