Spending time in the garden and relaxing is what summer is all about. But it can be annoying when your garden is overlooked and you don’t have privacy, when all you want to do is prance about in your bikini and sunbathe. Luckily there are a few things you can do to stop your garden being so easy to peer into!

Add Higher Fencing

If you currently only have low fences and hedges in your garden, adding taller fencing will immediately make it more private. Go with a fence that’s at least six feet tall, you can then add trellis along the top to heighten it further. Alternatively you could go with custom screen fencing from reputable fencing contractors for a more decorative and aesthetically pleasing look. If you only have one area which you need to block for privacy, you could opt for some lattice panels. They’re inexpensive, and climbing plants like ivy will soon cover them over if you carefully place some nearby.

Screens covered in climbing plants can be useful for privacy

Grow Trees and Plants

Trees, plants and hedges can be a good way to make your garden more private while still maintaining a very natural look in the garden. If privacy is an issue that you want sorting as soon as possible you’ll want to choose fast growing plants- bamboo, cypress and thuja are good options. They can grow a matter of several feet in the space of a year so can quickly grow into a great privacy screen. You could opt to buy fast growing plants that are already established, so that way you have less time to wait for them to grow as tall as you need.

Utilize ‘Blind Spots’

If only part of your garden is overlooked, consider moving the main seating area or garden furniture to a more private spot. That way when you’re sitting out there you have peace of mind that people can’t see in. You could even create a second patio or seating area if you have a ‘blind spot’ in the garden, and choose to sit there when you want more privacy.

Make Use of Furniture

Having a big parasol put up over your seating area will block the view from anyone looking down from the first floor windows. Alternatively you could opt to put up a gazebo or pergola and encourage climbing plants to grow around it, which will obscure the view for people looking into your garden. You could even go a step further and use bamboo screens or cleverly place tall pots of flowers or potted trees to give you even more privacy.

Try a gazebo for privacy

Next time you’re having a family barbeque, sunbathing or just relaxing outside there will be no need to worry about nosy neighbours using these tricks! Having a garden that’s secluded and not overlooked can even add value to your property too, so have a think about what you’re able to do in the space you have.

Do you have any tips for making your back garden more private?

Whether you want to add value to your home or want to grow your own produce, gardening is a fantastic hobby to have. It helps to make your backyard look amazing, and it can be an excellent stress reliever. Gardening has also been found to help strengthen and tone our bodies because of the physical activity it involves. But if you suffer from a bad back that causes you pain, you may find it difficult to complete a number of gardening tasks. Thankfully there are things you can do to reduce your back pain while still helping your garden to flourish. Read through these tips to get started.

Buy specialist tools

There are a number of specialist tools you can buy to make gardening work easier on your back. Trowels with long handles allow you to remain standing while still tending to your plants and flowers. The tools you currently use may have extension pieces you can buy that prevent you from bending or stretching too. Gardening stools that are portable and provide cushioning are another item you should buy.

As well as stretching you also need to be careful of lifting heavy loads, which can cause further back complaints. Trade in your watering can for a hosepipe to water your plants and invest in a lightweight wheelbarrow. Just remember not to put too many items inside the wheelbarrow at once and make multiple lighter trips instead.

[Photo courtesy of Ofer El-Hashahar/flickr.com]

Install raised flower beds

To prevent you from bending awkwardly or overstretching, install raised flower beds into your garden. These can enhance the look of your garden by making your plants and flowers more prominent. But more importantly, they allow you easy access to plant and weed from a seated position. This can give your back a much-needed rest, as well as being more gentle on your joints. There are many ways in which you can raise your flower beds and ensure they still compliment your yard. Head to your local gardening center and ask them for advice on how to get started. They may be able to build and install your new raised beds for you too.

Ask for help

If you find that certain gardening tasks such as mowing the lawn or weeding cause you significant pain, you should always ask for help. Even though you will want your yard to look its best, it’s not worth making your condition worse. Ask friends and family to assist you with these jobs while you continue you something less strenuous. Your neighbors might also be willing to do some gardening for you. Another option is to hire gardening or lawn services to help you with these difficult tasks. You can tell them which jobs you enjoy doing and which ones you would like them to complete for you. That way you can still enjoy spending time outside practicing your hobby.

So don’t let your bad back stop you from creating the garden of your dreams. You just need to be safe and smart about the tasks you can and cannot do. For more guidance and advice, talk to your doctor about how to control your condition more effectively.

It can be difficult to establish a presentable garden that is both decorative and low maintenance. Some people hire professional gardeners or landscapers to create their garden and then pay to have it groomed or maintained periodically. Your garden doesn’t necessarily have to be an award winning masterpiece, more so a presentable feature your home has to offer. Here are some tips to creating a low maintenance garden.

Establish the garden to preferred size and shape

Depending on the size of your garden will also determine how much maintenance it will require. A larger garden will incorporate more plants, flowers and weeds, therefore require much more effort to maintain. Once you have determined the size and shape of your up and coming garden, you can then begin preparation.

Construct your garden with necessities to survive from establishment

To establish this low maintenance garden will involve creating it in a friendly environment. This includes exposure to sunlight and rain as plants require these natural resources to blossom and survive. Insert plants into small pots with soil as they will absorb more water from rain and bury the pots into the garden surroundings until hidden. Use mixed fertilizer and compost to generate nutritious soil for your plants and flowers. This will provide them a healthier lifestyle and longer life span and will naturally be exposed to sun and rain water, increasing their chances of survival with minimal maintenance.

Use stones or bark to surround plants

To avoid excess weeds and unwanted pests, use stones or bark opposed to excess soil to surround your plants. As your plants will be living and growing in the soil invested in the pots, this is all they require. By filling excess space with stones or bark, this will prevent growth of weeds and be less attractive to insects or other pests. It will also provide a unique presence as most gardens today are an abundance of dirt.

Choose larger plants or flowers to minimize maintenance

It may be worthwhile to choose larger plants of flowers to decorate your garden. Choose an arrangement of larger opposed to a variety of smaller plants as this will again minimize maintenance. Think about how much more effort it will take to water or weed 20 smaller plants, opposed to 6 or 7 larger ones.

Decorate your garden with fixtures and gnomes

To finalize your low maintenance garden and make it look presentable to the eye, you can now finish it off by decorating it with presentable fixtures such as garden gnomes or other novelty items. Not only do these items fill the remaining empty space in the garden but they are attractive and present some character to your garden. Finally, distribute rocks or decorative pebbles around the edges of the garden to secure it. There are numerous options for the perimeter of gardens so choose the best option that suits your new gardens charm.

By following these simple steps you will have created your garden from scratch to minimize the maintenance required to keep your plants alive and healthy. With your unique touch provides a garden that is appealing and incorporates charisma suited to your distinctive personality.

Author Bio
Shane is one of the leading Landscape Gardeners on the Gold Coast, Australia. He works with many of the leading home builders the Gold Coast has to offer to produce exquisite home designs with amazing low maintenance gardens.