Garden Landscaping Ideas for Weekend Projects

Summer is a great time to get outside and work on some weekend garden landscaping projects. Transforming your outdoors into a beautiful and welcoming space does not have to be a daunting task. With a little bit of creativity and a few weekend projects, you can improve your outdoor area over just one weekend. Whether you are looking to add a splash of colour to your garden, or want to create something custom for your outdoor aesthetic, these easy garden landscaping ideas are perfect for getting started right away.

How To Create a Flower Bed

One of the best ways to bring your garden to life is with flowers. Creating a flower bed can be a fun way to add a pop of colour to your outdoor space. By working with your garden maintenance team, you can choose flowers that bloom all year round, ensuring you always have a beautiful garden. ‘Whether you opt for raised garden bed ideas or plant straight into the ground, flower beds can make exceptional dividers for a garden path’ and this is especially true when it comes to companion planting. 

Companion planting flowers is when you use different species of plants next to each other to enhance each other’s growth or protect each other from pests. When it comes to flowers, there are some that pair extremely well together. For example:

• Roses and Geraniums 
• Coneflowers and Black-Eyed Susan
• Astilbe and Hosta 
• Hydrangeas and Daylilies 
• Daffodils and Amsonia 
• Hibiscus and Bee Balm
• Irises and Phlox
• Tulips and Hyacinth

A professional team of gardeners can help with planting and knowledge in this area. Making not only aesthetically-pleasing, but functional flower beds in your garden can be a great weekend project. Flower beds can be more than an eye catching element in your garden, but they can also serve as the perfect way to carve out walking paths. If you have a large estate and are looking for a way to create walkways, flower beds can be of great use. 

How Installing Lighting Can Make Your Garden More Aesthetic 

Lighting in your garden can serve many purposes. By adding lighting to your garden, you can create an ambiance that welcomes in guests and makes the space more enjoyable. In addition to enhancing the beauty of your garden, some of the best garden lighting ideas can also provide extra security during the spring and summer months.

But, what is the best way to decorate your garden with lighting? Like your indoor space, ‘such as lighting your living room, you’ll want to balance practical lighting – which provides illumination to necessary areas – and decorative lighting’. For instance, if you are looking to light up your patio, you will want to create a more layered lighting scheme. As a patio is most likely used for hosting friends and family, you will want to ensure that this space is well lit and is welcoming to guests. 

You also want to place lights along your paths and walkways. As well as creating more visual intrigue in your garden space, this is also a vital safety precaution. With well lit pathways, you will be able to better navigate around your outdoor space, especially at night. 

Another way to add lighting to your garden space is through overhead string lights or sporadically placed outdoor bulbs. We would always recommend going with the most sustainable option here of smart garden lights. The difference is that ‘smart garden lights can be scheduled to turn on and off at set times or adjust throughout the evening’, meaning that they don’t waste power. Not only is this better in terms of costs but it’s also a much more environmentally-friendly option. 

Designing a Garden Landscape with Exciting Pathways

If you are looking to spend your weekend on a garden project which will benefit you massively throughout the year, then creating a new pathway could be ideal. Pathways provide a route for foot traffic through your garden and can be helpful when it comes to designing your outdoor space. Particularly with summer here, many of your plants and your grass can become more stressed with the change in heat. This stress can be exacerbated by too much foot traffic. By creating pathways in your garden, you are not only making an aesthetic choice, but you are also helping your garden to thrive in the summer. 

When creating a path, there are many different options you can choose from. Some of the most popular are gravel, stepping stones, bricks or pavers – all of which make putting a path in place all the more easier. 

Before putting a path in, we would always recommend preparing the earth first. Once you have determined where you would like your path to go and what direction it should be going in, you should mark the edges of your new walkway with a stake and string. Then, remove any grass, plants or debris using a shovel, to create a blank space. If you are using stepping stones, bricks or pavers, you will want to dig a depth of about 4-6 inches, depending on the pathway material. This will ensure that they are level with the ground when you place them.

Create a Custom Pergola or Pavilion

Creating a custom pergola or pavilion can be slightly longer than a weekend project, but for bigger gardens, having a custom pergola or pavilion designed to fit your garden’s aesthetic can be a great idea. A beautiful outdoor structure can allow you to ‘better enjoy the comforts of an indoor living room or dining area on your backyard patio’. 

To create your dream pergola, you can pick whatever materials you desire. High-end materials such as cedar, redwood or aluminium make for beautiful awnings and are perfect for longevity and beauty. To make your custom pergola or pavilion all the eye-catching, you can also add integrated seating, lightening or climbing plants. In terms of plants, we would recommend using wisteria or roses for a touch of elegance. 

BZ Gardens – Garden Landscaping Experts

Weekend projects are a great way to get out into your garden and add custom elements which you can enjoy through the summer season. If you are looking for advice or want to take your garden landscaping to the next level, our team of experts are here to help. Before taking on any large projects, it’s always a good idea to consult with experienced gardeners who can assist you with their knowledge or by lending a helping hand. If you want to know more about the services we offer here at BZ Gardens, you can contact our team today on 01483 299797.