Many people are spending less time indoors, but there are many studies to show that spending time outdoors, particularly when you are doing something productive alongside nature, can really give your mental health a boost…
Hello Gardening!
Gardening can be a great hobby completed either alone or with family and friends for the social benefits too. It’s a great workout for your body and your mind and you have the added bonus of creating something at the end of it – be it blooming flowers or something edible!
Bedding Plants = Instant Joy
If you’ve decided to create a plant bed, and are new to gardening, start with something simple such as bedding plants, which are ideal for adding instant colour without the hassle of growing plants from seed in advance.
Some popular flower varieties of bedding plants include: Geraniums, Fuscias, Petunias, Marigolds and Busy Lizzies. These are all readily available in most Garden Centres and are great value.
We can almost guarantee you’ll enjoy looking at these bright-coloured flowers throughout the Spring and Summer, with very minimal maintenance too! Always check the labels to find out whether the plant enjoys shade or sun, as well as the desired Soil.
If you’re adding plants to an existing bed, you might only need to purchase some Weed Membrane and Topsoil! For an all-round, high-quality Soil, we’d recommend our Wessex B23383 Soil. Due to its organic Compost content, it makes for the perfect planting medium for shrubs and flowers.
If you want to create a raised Sleeper bed, you’ll want to choose some quality railway Sleepers, French Oak Sleepers would be great due to their long-lasting properties. You’ll also need additional tools such as a saw, drill and hex screws too.
Grow your Own = Feeling of Accomplishment
Growing your own fruits and vegetables can be incredibly rewarding and challenging which is great for your mind. There are some easy ways to start small and simple, or you could challenge yourself with some trickier varieties.
If you’re simply starting in your garden, pick a sunny spot that also has good drainage, raised beds can be better for fruits and vegetables to try and prevent pests such as slugs from eating your crops.
Opt for our best-selling Wessex Fruit & Veg Topsoil, with a careful blend of organic Green PAS 100 Compost and screened 10mm British Standard Soil, this makes for the perfect choice for growing your own.
Easy Fruit and Veg to grow
Tomatoes, courgettes, carrots and beans are great ones to start with. Grow bags are available for some of these, and Cherry Tomatoes are an easy one to grow in hanging baskets if you’re struggling with space.
Strawberries and rhubarbs are the easiest fruits to start with too. With strawberries being a really easy one to grow in hanging baskets. These are often available to buy as a plant from most Garden Centres.
Spring is generally the best time for growing your own, but always check the seed packets.
Plan your Dream Garden
If you’re looking to re-vamp your outdoor space to encourage you to spend time in your garden, why not explore our website for lots of garden ideas and inspiration?
Adding an outdoor garden patio can be a great way to spend time relaxing in the sun or dining al fresco. You might even want to invite some friends and family over and show them your new patio! We have a huge range of Porcelain Paving and Natural Stone Paving for modern or rustic garden patios.
A fresh lawn can be a great way of adding some natural colour to your garden too! Spring is the best time to lay Turf and is an easy task that can be completed by even a novice gardener. Feeling something lower maintenance? Take a look at our Artificial Grass range instead!
Lastly, for a touch of instant colour to make your garden unique, have a look at our Decorative Stones range! With over 60 options to choose from, you could go for Scottish Pebbles for natural brown hues, or Flamingo Chippings for something colourful and bright.
Add a Pond or Wild Area to your Garden
Any connection you can have with nature will definitely boost your overall mood, so why not give them an area in your front or back garden?
Adding a pond is a great garden project to get stuck into, and you’ll no doubt start seeing lots of wildlife once you’ve added this! Read our guide on creating a Garden Pond here.
Seeds Bombs are readily available in Garden Centres as well as Supermarkets, and are the easiest way to plant flowers that will attract bees, birds and butterflies.
Join a Gardening Club
Gardening clubs can be found online, especially on Facebook groups, so have a look for ones in your local area. Usually, these are led by experienced Gardeners who can offer the best top tips on whatever you’ve chosen to grow.
Enjoying a hobby with other people is also a great way to make friends and benefit from the social element too. Loneliness effects are large portion of the UK population, and joining clubs with like-minded people is a great way to combat that.
Purchase an Allotment
Allotment plots should be available in your county; all you need to do is search for your county and add yourself to the waiting list after completing a form! It’s great value for money, especially if you start reaping the benefits from your own fruit and veg!
This is another great way to meet new people and make new friends, as there are usually multiple plots side-by-side. You’ll also get the benefit of asking others for advice and swapping plant cuttings which can really cut costs down!
How Stone Zone & Landscaping Supplies can help
We offer one of the best Soil and Compost selections in the South, which can be delivered across the country! Click here to browse the range and get inspired for your next gardening project.