Our gardens are fast becoming multifunctional spaces, they play a different role for every member of the family. Garden zoning can turn your garden from a one-dimensional space, into a series of beautiful outdoor rooms – from relaxing places to lounge, to children’s play areas and more.
Before embarking on the creation of garden zones, take a moment to assess your garden space. Consider the size, shape, and existing elements such as mature trees, hedges, and flower beds. Understanding these features will help you determine the potential zones that can be incorporated while preserving what you already have.
Now its time to think about the type of zones that will best suit your lifestyle and the garden space you have. Take into consideration what your household will benefit from the most.
a) Entertainment Zone: This is the heart of social gatherings and outdoor entertainment. Here, you can place seating arrangements, outdoor dining sets, a barbecue area, or even an outdoor kitchen. Incorporate hard landscaping elements such as patios, decks, or pergolas to define this zone and provide a space for relaxation and joyful moments with family and friends.
b) Meditation Zone: Perhaps you seek solace and tranquility in your garden, if so, a meditation zone is essential. This area should be secluded and surrounded by lush greenery. Consider adding a small fountain or water feature, soothing wind chimes, or a statue to enhance the space.
c) Play Zone: Ideal for families with children, a dedicated play zone encourages outdoor activities and imaginative play. This could be as simple as a lawn for games, or could feature the added addition of swings, slides, or climbing frames. A sandbox or mud kitchen can create a fun-filled space that nurtures a love for for being outdoors.
d) Edible Zone: Growing your own food is not only rewarding but also an eco-friendly way to incorporate sustainability into your garden. If you have the space, and inclination, designate an edible zone for planting herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees. This zone can be as simple as raised beds or as elaborate as a greenhouse, or even a orchard, depending on your space and gardening aspirations.
e) Wildlife Zone: Attracting and supporting local wildlife is an essential aspect of ecological balance, this style of planting can also look beautiful as well as being beneficial. Create a wildlife zone by planting native flowers, shrubs, and trees that provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and bees. Consider adding a birdbath or a bird feeder to invite your feathered friends to visit.
f) Garden Shed or Storage Zone: Allocate a space for a garden shed or storage unit to keep tools, equipment, and supplies organized and out of sight. It can still look stylish by optimizing the shed’s design, by adding shelves, hooks, or pegboards to maximize storage capacity. This frees up valuable garden space while ensuring everything is easily accessible.
a) Define Boundaries: Use hedges, fences, or trellises to clearly demarcate the different garden zones. This creates a sense of structure and delineates each area’s purpose.
b) Pathways: Integrate pathways or stepping stones to connect the various zones and guide visitors through the garden. Choose materials that complement the overall aesthetic, such as gravel, stone, or wood.
c) Plant Selection: Choose plants that suit the specific needs of each zone. Opt for low-maintenance plants for busy areas and wild flowers for bees and butterflies in the wildlife zone. Consider the desired style, colors, textures, and seasonal interest to create a visually pleasing landscape.
d) Lighting: Illuminate your garden zones to extend their usability into the evening hours. Install soft, ambient lighting for relaxation areas and brighter lights for activity zones. This will enhance the atmosphere and allow you to enjoy your garden at night.
Whether your garden is big or small, has the need for an outdoor office structure, or simply just needs to be a relaxing space to enjoy of an evening, garden zoning will be beneficial for every outdoor space. Its a stylish way to transform a garden, while catering to all the needs and desires or each family member harmoniously.
Here are some autumn gardening suggestions to help you make the most of the season.
On Thursday 9th February the RAF Benevolent Fund held an annual memorial for The Father of the Royal Airforce, Lord Trenchard. The memorial was held in the RAF chapel in Westminster Abbey, and Hortlands were immensely proud to provide the wreaths that were laid in memory.
