When you live in England, it’s easy to get tired of the weather, especially after a long rainy spell. The cold months can be especially depressing. However, when you’ve got the right clothing and the right shelter, then you need not despair.
For those with gardens beside their homes, it’s possible to make the most of wet days and weeks by adapting the outdoor space to the climate. That way, you don’t always have to wait for the sunny days before you start spending time in nature. If that’s something that you’re looking to do, then here are some top tips that you should keep in mind when designing your garden.
1) It’s all about furniture
A lot of people invest in wooden or metal garden furniture because of its aesthetic appeal. However, if you’re living in a rainy country like the UK, then that isn’t the most sustainable idea. When exposed to a lot of water, metal tends to rust, while wood can rot, and start to look ugly. With that being said, it is possible to put your furniture under a rain shelter when the weather’s bad, but who wants to go through the hassle of doing that every time you want to spend time outdoors? Well, the perfect alternative is rattan garden furniture, which is not only water-resistant but also blends in with the natural environment of a garden. On top of that, it’s also very light, making it easy to move around if need be.
2) Rain shelters
If you’re going to be spending time out outdoors regardless of whether the sun is shining, then it’ll probably be a good idea to invest in some sort of rain shelter. Parasols tend to be a popular choice. However, people tend to underestimate the space that is required for them, so be sure to keep that in mind. More natural shelters might include pergolas. You can grow vines on them, providing gorgeous natural protection from the rain. Such rain shelters are also great because they double up to be sun shelters during the hot spells of the summer.
3) Raised garden beds
One problem about living in a rainy climate is that your plant beds may become oversaturated, putting an end to your plant-growing dreams. However, if you’re smart about the way you plan your garden, then that doesn’t need to happen. Keeping your garden soil well-drained is key to ensuring healthy growth. One way to do this is to build raised garden beds, causing the rainwater to soak through the lower levels of the soil and thus keeping the key areas perfect for plant growth.
4) Choose your plants wisely
If building raised garden beds sound like too much effort for you, then you can always focus on choosing plants that require wet soil to grow to their full potential. Except for during hot spells, won’t have to do any watering, either, as nature will take care of that.