Making The Most of Your Garden During Lockdown

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few months, you’ll be well aware of the novel coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe; closing schools, offices, bars and restaurants for the last six weeks and forcing us to spend more time in our homes than ever before.

With millions of us now living, eating, sleeping, working and quite frankly, everything from home, making the most of our outside space has never seemed more pertinent. Long gone are the days of hiking through national parks and paddling at the beach; this year we Brits will be spending our summer holidays AT HOME.  

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, now is the ideal time to complete that long-postponed garden project and finally, start making the most out of your outside space! No matter how big or small your garden, simple additions and changes can make a huge difference to the look, feel and functionality of your space. 

Gardening 

There have been numerous scientific studies linking gardening to better health and well being, with experts across the globe claiming that gardening can relieve stress and anxiety, fight the symptoms of depression and even lower blood pressure - just what some of us need in these uncertain times! 

Fruit & Veg 

While the apocalypse-style panic buying we saw in March may have subsided, planning ahead for food shortages is never a bad idea. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, May and June are the ideal times to plant:

• Alpine strawberry seedlings and outdoor melon plants 
• Runner beans, squash and cucumbers
• Sweetcorn, cauliflower and purple sprouting broccoli
• Celery, beetroot, radishes and lettuce 
• Courgettes, marrows and pumpkins 

Those without a garden needn’t worry; strawberries, beans, radishes, beetroot and lettuce all make great container crops and can be grown in pots on balconies, windowsills or in yards. According to Happy Diy Home, you should also consider how to store the vegetables and preferably in a dry, cool place. 

Plants & Flowers

Not only are they an attractive addition to any home, but surrounding oneself with plants and flowers has also been proven to improve mood! 

Even those without a traditional garden can add some life and a splash of colour to their space with plants and flowers. According to Gardeners World, May and June are the perfect time to plant:

• Cornflowers
• Sunflowers
• Scabious - great for attracting butterflies! 
• Zinnias

In smaller gardens, hanging baskets provide an efficient way to add a splash of colour to your garden without using up valuable space. Vertical gardens are also a great way to add life to a smaller space on a budget!

Garden Furniture, Features & Accessories 

While a cocktail by the pool is out of the question, we still need to make time and space to  relax at home this summer. Before you begin, think about how you want your garden to look and function, regardless of how little space you have available, the right furniture and accessories can transform your garden.

Furniture & Accessories

With the days drawing out, and lockdown showing no signs of easing, now is the right time to start enjoying your garden. Tricks of the eye are a great way to create the illusion of space in smaller gardens; clever accessories like mirrors and strategically placed plants can make small gardens appear much larger, and add depth. 

Pick furniture that suits your garden; maximise space by creating tops for raised beds to use them as benches! Folding deck chairs are also the perfect space-saving solution for yards and balconies! 

Outdoor Heating & Cooking

After what seemed like a neverending winter, the days are, thankfully, getting longer, and BBQ season is well and truly here. An Indian Fire Bowl is a versatile alternative to a traditional BBQ, doubling as a firepit to keep you warm through those cold summer evenings! 

The perfect way to add a touch of rustic charm to your garden or yard, our collection of recycled fire bowls come in a selection of sizes and styles and are available to buy with a range of covers, tops and accessories.For cooking tips, see our Firebowl BBQ Guide.

Garden Toys 

Their little minds unable to comprehend the gravity of the pandemic, our children are feeling the impact of the pandemic, perhaps even more so more than us adults. Schools are closed, routines are disrupted and they’re missing their friends - finding the right garden toys can not only help keep your child stimulated throughout this extended period of lockdown, but provide them with an alternative to the PE lessons they would usually receive in school.

While a balcony isn’t the ideal place for your child to learn how to ride a bike, there are still plenty of stimulating toys suitable for use in smaller spaces. Small paddling pools and sandpits can be used on balconies and a yard is an ideal place for hopscotch or a game of football. If you’re fortunate enough to have a larger garden, a trampoline is not only a fun toy but a great form of exercise!

On sunnier days, taking homeschooling outdoors can be a great way of keeping your children engaged. 

Gardens with plants, flowers and foliage will be home to thousands of fascinating insects, many different species of birds and other wildlife; keep up with science lessons by identifying bugs, watching caterpillars grow and planting seeds!