| While you're enjoying playing games in the garden, | | | | separate items you can load away in the shed at |
| give a thought to decorating your outside space. | | | | night, or go for something completely different and |
| There are lots of fun and interesting things you can | | | | build a giant chess set. Or if you really feel creative, |
| do without spending tons of cash... | | | | what about a tree-house? They can always go to |
| 1. Wind-Chimes - There are some beautiful wind | | | | the park for the swings! |
| chimes on the market, and you should be able to find | | | | 7. Containers - Collect large pots and grow plants you |
| some that suit your style and budget. However, you | | | | can move around the garden, every day if you like! |
| could go one step further and make your own. Study | | | | Grow herbs and flowers and position sweet smelling |
| how they are made, and get the kids to join in! Wind | | | | plants on the patio or round your seating area. |
| chimes are soothing and very compatible with | | | | Strawberries grow very well in containers as do |
| gardening, so position your chimes well. | | | | other useful plants. Make sure the pots aren't too |
| They must be in at least a slight draught, which you | | | | heavy for you to move, or invest in a garden trolley |
| should be able to find outside with ease. Also, they | | | | if they are. If you grow colour co-ordinated flowers, |
| can scare the birds away from your fruit bushes. | | | | a wonderful display can be created by positioning |
| Hang them on the patio and in the vegetable garden. | | | | your pots well. |
| 2. Lights and Lanterns - For those smooth hot | | | | 8. Wild Corner - I know this may be hard if you like a |
| summer nights. Choose candles for calm nights and | | | | neat and tidy garden, but leaving a wild patch can be |
| opt for lanterns if there's a breeze about. Solar | | | | very entertaining and visually very pleasing. Nettles |
| powered lights are a good choice as there aren't any | | | | and other wildflowers attract butterflies and bees, |
| cables, batteries or plugs to worry about. They must | | | | and it's often suprising how delicate and colourful |
| be in sunlight during the day to re-charge though. | | | | wildflowers can be when allowed to grow in their |
| Large garden candles will burn for many hours and | | | | own space. If you're still unsure, how about building a |
| are available in all sorts of aroma-therapeutic scents. | | | | little fence around the area and making a wooden |
| 3. Garden Furniture - Invest in some comfy chairs for | | | | plaque declaring it a wildlife zone...well, it was just an |
| the garden. We don't spend half as much time as we | | | | idea! |
| should outside, simply because we don't feel | | | | 9. Water Features - are becoming more and more |
| comfortable. Look at unique ways of furnishing your | | | | popular and also more affordable. Create a water |
| garden. Do you have a couple of trees a hammock | | | | feature that will suit your garden. Try not to be |
| could be strung between? Or how about a park-type | | | | persuaded by an over-enthusiastic sales assistant |
| bench with comfy cushions set under the shade of | | | | trying to sell you a system that will be far too big or |
| the apple tree? Whatever the style or size of your | | | | even too small for your outside space. Do some |
| garden, look for relaxing furniture so you can fully | | | | research before you start. There could be a fair |
| enjoy your outside space. | | | | amount of physical work involved and you should |
| 4. Fake Flowers - Well, hey, we don't all have mature | | | | arrange some strong arm help. You could go for a full |
| gardens and fresh flowers blooming all year round! If | | | | waterfall and pond or perhaps a simple water feature |
| you have to resort to a little 'deception' who cares if | | | | on your patio. |
| it looks good? Hang some pretty silk flowers on a | | | | 10. Rock Gardens - Rock gardens can take on |
| wall, or low roof or even in a tree! If nothing else, | | | | different themes and colour schemes throughout the |
| you'll keep your visitors guessing :-) | | | | year with a little careful planning. There is again some |
| 5. Colour it up - If you still need a bit of colour around | | | | heavy physical work involved when you're putting |
| the place, get the kids involved. No, I don't mean let | | | | together your rock garden but well worth it in the |
| them loose with a tin of paint and brushes... what | | | | end. Make sure you can get to all areas for weeding, |
| they could do is draw some great pictures of trees, | | | | watering etc; Try out different rock plants and |
| flowers, animals etc, and you can pin them around | | | | flowers until you feel happy with the overall view, |
| the patio area or 'blu-tak' them to a tree or two. | | | | and even then you can change it. Nothing's set in |
| Remember to rescue them if it rains! | | | | stone! |
| 6. Cut down on Big Toys - Children's outdoor toys, | | | | These are just a few ideas. Let your imagination free |
| such as swings, slides etc; can take up loads of room | | | | and decorate your outside space with love. Read |
| in the garden, and they're not always very attractive. | | | | through the Garden Decor and Garden Ideas pages |
| Look for something a little less permanent. Maybe | | | | on the website for more ideas and resources. |