It’s easy to pull up a Coronado real estate listing and find all sorts of different landscaping, gardens, and outdoor entertainment areas. The trick is finding one that matches your perfect house too.
As with many of us, you may not be able to find a perfect outdoors that matches your perfect indoors when you buy. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dreams such as those grill-perfect luxury outdoor kitchens, or perhaps a Jacuzzi hot tub. Maybe your dream lies in the garden?
If your ideal home comes with raised beds and garden rows, the good news is you don’t need a ready-made garden when you finish escrow. Here are some great ideas to transform your outdoors into a relaxing and fruitful garden, no matter what size or shape came with the home of your dreams.
Vertical Gardening
Does your new townhome only have space for a patio garden? Perhaps your turn of the century Craftsman has an unattractive older garden wall or an unsightly cement barrier. A vertical garden is a great space saver, and also provides a lush wall covering that brings both serenity and character to any outdoor space. Vertical gardens can be purchased pre-made, or you can build one DIY. A common choice is to recycle and old pallet to create a vertical holder for assorted succulents or aromatic herbs.
Creative Containers
Traditional garden pots and planters are easy to find at your local nursery. These containers work well for small spaces, or on a patio or porch to add a splash of color. Experiment with hanging baskets or plant a tropical variety in a pot with casters so you can wheel it indoors in severe weather.
But containers don’t need to stop at traditional. There are many ways to get creative with container gardening. Used galvanized tubs to create a water garden with lilies if you’ve always wanted your own pond. Containers work well to incorporate a fountain too. Upcycle old yard items such as wagons or sinks to make an eco-friendly, folksy flowerbed by the front door. And don’t forget to experiment with shapes and tiers. Layer and stack different pots together to add a three-dimensional texture with your own custom mix.
Raised Beds
If you don’t want to dig up a large area of lawn, or perhaps you are concerned about soil quality than a raised bed is the way to go. Instead of planting directly in the dirt, these garden beds are created above ground and then filled with newer, high-quality dirt. The garden borders are typically created with wood or rocks, but you could use glass bottles, shells, or most weather-resistant materials.
Just remember that raised beds must be made with untreated lumber if you plan to grow kitchen produce like vegetables. Treated lumber can leach toxic chemicals into the soil and should be reserved for decking and other projects. Raised beds not only look beautiful but provide added garden benefits such as maintaining soil temperature against freezing.
Gardening Outside the Box
When envisioning a traditional veggie garden, most people think of a square or rectangular bed with even rows. While there isn’t anything wrong with this look, there also isn’t a hard and fast rule that your garden should look the same way. Consider adding multiple in-ground beds to mix with your raised beds or containers. Mix in an asymmetrical element such as triangular or diagonal beds. Try planting along a winding garden path.
And don’t get stuck on corners! Create a garden that is egg-shaped or join some circles together. The sky is the limit on shape and size, and the choice is yours.
So now that you’ve found that dream house, don’t settle for any old garden or less than perfect landscaping. Make your outdoor space your own with an herb patch by the outdoor kitchen or a water garden by your favorite reading hammock. Have fun and customize your space to make it your own.
