How To Tackle A Messy And Unkempt Garden

Not every household is able to keep up with the maintenance and care that comes with their garden space. Some homes might have a wild garden that needs attention, but those in the home lack the time and effort to deal with it. Or it might be that you do want to make changes to the garden, but you’re struggling creatively to think of ideas.

If you’re one of those people who has a messy and unkempt garden that needs attention, there are a few ways in which you can make your outdoor space more attractive and appealing, to spend more time outdoors.

In this guide, we’ll look at how a garden can be improved from the initial cleanup to rebuilding structure and creating a dynamic space that is enjoyed all year round.

Initial cleanup and assessment

First and foremost, you want to tackle the cleaning of the space. Removing all non-organic trash from old furniture, plastic items, and broken pots will make an instantaneous difference to your space.

Some homeowners might find their garden to be more of a mess if they don’t use it as much and it’s deteriorated over time, or they have young kids, all of which are contributing to the mess that’s accrued in the backyard.

Once you’ve cleared the trash and debris, you’ll then want to identify and mark the areas where you need to work on improving. Walk the garden to identify what to keep from valuable plants to beloved trees, and what you need to remove. Removing damaged items, invasive plants, and weeds might be necessary.

The initial mow is something to think about when it comes to tidying up the look of your lawn. If the grass is incredibly long, then a brush cutter or string trimmer will need to be used first. Once that’s done, the lawnmower can then be used to bring it down to a more manageable height.

Try to keep on top of clearing any deadwood, cutting back dead, broken, or diseased trees and shrubs.

Weeding and pruning

Weeds are something that can be a real nightmare to deal with. Clearing them should be done regularly and by pulling them out by the roots, it’s going to prevent immediate regrowth from occurring.

For large and overgrown areas, a brush cutter helps to cut everything down before ultimately digging up any roots. Overgrown shrubs should be shaped and trimmed where they’ve outgrown their spaces. This will help with air restoration, too.

To make your garden appear neat, it’s a good idea to edge your borders. A crisp edge between garden beds and the lawn will immediately make the garden look designed and tidy. For paths, look at sweeping and washing paths to remove weeds and debris. Pressure washers might be more appropriate if you’re struggling to tidy it up effectively.

Rebuilding structure and soil

Tackling a messy and unkempt garden often relies on the strength of the foundations and the quality of the soil that helps plants and shrubs grow successfully. 

Firstly, it’s a good idea to define zones with paths, edging, and planters to divide the garden into distinct areas. You’ll want to fork over the soil to break up compaction, mixing in compost or organic matter to give it a refresh.

Mulching is important too, especially during the cooler months of the year, when you need to keep weed growth down and retain moisture in the soil. Consider applying a thick layer of mulch from bark to compost to all cleared and bare soil. This will help make the garden look instantly tidy.

Low-maintenance strategies to adopt

There are a great deal of low-maintenance strategies that don’t require much in the way of effort to adopt and can really help transform the garden.

Go large with pots

Using larger containers rather than choosing small ones will require less frequent watering.

Chunk the tasks

Breaking the project down into small, shorter tasks helps to avoid burnout and exhaustion while working on the garden.

Group similar plants

Place your plants in similar areas depending on needs. For example, some may prefer shade, whilst others may thrive in the sun.

Add texture to reduce lawn space

You might find that removing some of the lawn and adding in some texture from a gravel shop, bark, or paving stones is a good way to fill the space and make it less maintenance for yourself.

Don’t rip everything out

It can feel tempting to rip plants out, but it’s also good to wait and see what plants are before you go removing them. Some may be more valuable or easily revived. Investing in or renting decent tools from loppers to brush cutters and spades are all essentials you’ll need, so it’s good to purchase them before working on the garden.

Try to let go of perfection where possible

Try to let go of perfection when it comes to your garden. You’re not always going to achieve that perfect lawn or shrubs, and sometimes, letting it go slightly wild can be a big help in improving its appearance. A slightly wild ‘natural’ look can still be just as beautiful and more manageable than a high-maintenance and manicured garden.

Call a professional for additional help

If you’ve not got the time and energy to spend on updating your garden or at least maintaining it, you should consider calling a professional for additional help. Having a professional gardener who comes out every so often can be useful. 

It might just be to mow the lawn and trim back hedges. Or you may want someone who can do lots of different tasks around the garden, perhaps even getting a landscaper in to reconfigure your outdoor space.

Professional gardeners and landscapers can be a great help and someone who can be reliable for your needs. It can help save you a lot of time and effort in doing it yourself. You might not be a green-thumbed person either.

Tackling a messy and unkempt garden is important to stay on top of, much like anything within the home. With that being said, use these tips to stay on top of the mess and enjoy your outdoor space more this year.