Gardening expert shares 5 tips for using your outdoor space
Light can be especially tricky in confined outdoor spaces, and they can quickly feel cluttered.
To help, Michael Griffiths, a gardening expert working with Gumtree, has shared a few tips to make the most of your garden this summer.
If you're short on outdoor space or generally want to make the most of the area you have, don't just think ground level.
Michael says: "Walls, fences, sheds, even balcony railings are all fair game. Add a trellis for climbers, hang up some wall-mounted pots for herbs or strawberries, or stack up a few shelves for trailing plants.
"Got an awkward corner or a narrow ledge? Pop in a pot and let something spill over the edge. Even the tiniest spot can be packed with life if you get a bit creative.
"Growing upwards not only saves space, it makes the garden feel taller, fuller and way more interesting."
Plants are a key element of any garden, so to make the most of them, it's useful to plant ones that do more than one job.
Michael explains: "Herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano are perfect: they look good, smell amazing, and you can chuck them in your cooking too.
"Small trees like bay or olive add a bit of height and structure without taking over the whole space, plus they bring that lovely Mediterranean vibe."
In a busy garden, smart storage makes a massive difference, such as utilising benches with hidden compartments.
In lieu of a shed, make use of wall hooks, shelves or even an old cupboard fixed to the fence to keep tools off the floor and easy to grab.
Michael adds: "There is also absolutely no harm in clearing the clutter of any unused items you may have in your garden to help create space.
"But, before you look to the bin, consider listing any unwanted items on a second-hand marketplace such as Gumtree! It can be a great way to make some extra cash to reinvest in your garden."
When utilising pots, go for bigger ones as they'll have more impact than lots of small ones scattered about.
Michael explains: "Group them in odd numbers (like threes or fives) for that proper designer feel, and mix up the heights to add a bit of depth without it all feeling crammed. It's a simple way to make your space look more intentional."
Recommended reading:
10 stunning plants for your garden that can thrive in poor-quality soil
The top 10 (almost) unkillable plants that can help spruce up your patio
Warning as 'shocked' homeowner threatened with fine up to £20k for gardening mistake
A few tricks can make a smaller garden feel a bit bigger and brighter, as Michael explains.
He says: "Stick a mirror on a fence or wall and it'll bounce light around, giving the illusion of more space (plus it just looks cool).
"Painting your fences or containers in pale or warm tones helps reflect the light too, especially in shady corners that can feel a bit gloomy.
"And don't forget lighting. Fairy lights, solar lanterns or string lights along fences instantly make the garden feel cosy and inviting after dark, like you've gained a bonus room for evening chill-outs or drinks with mates."
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Gardening expert shares 5 tips for using your outdoor space
There are obviously quite a few factors to contend with, such as the plants you want to grow there. Light can be especially tricky in confined outdoor spaces, and they can quickly feel cluttered. To help, Michael Griffiths, a gardening expert working with Gumtree, has shared a few tips to make the most of your garden this summer. If you're short on outdoor space or generally want to make the most of the area you have, don't just think ground level. Michael says: "Walls, fences, sheds, even balcony railings are all fair game. Add a trellis for climbers, hang up some wall-mounted pots for herbs or strawberries, or stack up a few shelves for trailing plants. "Got an awkward corner or a narrow ledge? Pop in a pot and let something spill over the edge. Even the tiniest spot can be packed with life if you get a bit creative. "Growing upwards not only saves space, it makes the garden feel taller, fuller and way more interesting." Plants are a key element of any garden, so to make the most of them, it's useful to plant ones that do more than one job. Michael explains: "Herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano are perfect: they look good, smell amazing, and you can chuck them in your cooking too. "Small trees like bay or olive add a bit of height and structure without taking over the whole space, plus they bring that lovely Mediterranean vibe." In a busy garden, smart storage makes a massive difference, such as utilising benches with hidden compartments. In lieu of a shed, make use of wall hooks, shelves or even an old cupboard fixed to the fence to keep tools off the floor and easy to grab. Michael adds: "There is also absolutely no harm in clearing the clutter of any unused items you may have in your garden to help create space. "But, before you look to the bin, consider listing any unwanted items on a second-hand marketplace such as Gumtree! It can be a great way to make some extra cash to reinvest in your garden." When utilising pots, go for bigger ones as they'll have more impact than lots of small ones scattered about. Michael explains: "Group them in odd numbers (like threes or fives) for that proper designer feel, and mix up the heights to add a bit of depth without it all feeling crammed. It's a simple way to make your space look more intentional." Recommended reading: 10 stunning plants for your garden that can thrive in poor-quality soil The top 10 (almost) unkillable plants that can help spruce up your patio Warning as 'shocked' homeowner threatened with fine up to £20k for gardening mistake A few tricks can make a smaller garden feel a bit bigger and brighter, as Michael explains. He says: "Stick a mirror on a fence or wall and it'll bounce light around, giving the illusion of more space (plus it just looks cool). "Painting your fences or containers in pale or warm tones helps reflect the light too, especially in shady corners that can feel a bit gloomy. "And don't forget lighting. Fairy lights, solar lanterns or string lights along fences instantly make the garden feel cosy and inviting after dark, like you've gained a bonus room for evening chill-outs or drinks with mates."
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Light can be especially tricky in confined outdoor spaces, and they can quickly feel cluttered. To help, Michael Griffiths, a gardening expert working with Gumtree, has shared a few tips to make the most of your garden this summer. 5 tips to make the most of your outdoor space this summer 1. Think Vertical, Not Just Horizontal If you're short on outdoor space or generally want to make the most of the area you have, don't just think ground level. Michael says: "Walls, fences, sheds, even balcony railings are all fair game. Add a trellis for climbers, hang up some wall-mounted pots for herbs or strawberries, or stack up a few shelves for trailing plants. "Got an awkward corner or a narrow ledge? Pop in a pot and let something spill over the edge. Even the tiniest spot can be packed with life if you get a bit creative. "Growing upwards not only saves space, it makes the garden feel taller, fuller and way more interesting." 2. Use Multi-Tasking Plants Plants are a key element of any garden, so to make the most of them, it's useful to plant ones that do more than one job. Michael explains: "Herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano are perfect: they look good, smell amazing, and you can chuck them in your cooking too. "Small trees like bay or olive add a bit of height and structure without taking over the whole space, plus they bring that lovely Mediterranean vibe." 3. Clever Storage = More Space In a busy garden, smart storage makes a massive difference, such as utilising benches with hidden compartments. In lieu of a shed, make use of wall hooks, shelves or even an old cupboard fixed to the fence to keep tools off the floor and easy to grab. Michael adds: "There is also absolutely no harm in clearing the clutter of any unused items you may have in your garden to help create space. "But, before you look to the bin, consider listing any unwanted items on a second-hand marketplace such as Gumtree! It can be a great way to make some extra cash to reinvest in your garden." 4. Go Big with Pots When utilising pots, go for bigger ones as they'll have more impact than lots of small ones scattered about. Michael explains: "Group them in odd numbers (like threes or fives) for that proper designer feel, and mix up the heights to add a bit of depth without it all feeling crammed. It's a simple way to make your space look more intentional." Recommended reading: 5. Light and Colour Tricks A few tricks can make a smaller garden feel a bit bigger and brighter, as Michael explains. He says: "Stick a mirror on a fence or wall and it'll bounce light around, giving the illusion of more space (plus it just looks cool). "Painting your fences or containers in pale or warm tones helps reflect the light too, especially in shady corners that can feel a bit gloomy. "And don't forget lighting. Fairy lights, solar lanterns or string lights along fences instantly make the garden feel cosy and inviting after dark, like you've gained a bonus room for evening chill-outs or drinks with mates."
