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Practical gardening advice for homes with kids

Explore these methods to craft a communal garden that offers enjoyment and tranquility across age groups, courtesy of the specialists at BBC Gardeners' World Magazine.

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3 min read
Explore these strategies to establish a delightful family garden, offering enjoyment to all ages;...
Explore these strategies to establish a delightful family garden, offering enjoyment to all ages; the esteemed gardening enthusiasts at BBC Gardeners' World Magazine will guide you through the process.

Practical gardening advice for homes with kids

Revamped Article:

Step into the ultimate outdoor playground - a family-friendly garden that caters to every member's needs! Here's a smorgasbord of creative ideas to inspire you:

1. Kids' Zones and Secret Hideaways

  • Enchanting Play Spaces: Transform your garden into a magical world using trees, shrubs, trellises, or even a hideout made from fabric or a playhouse.
  • Flexible and Adaptable: Add umbrellas, retractable canopies, or movable furniture for fuss-free temperature control and design modifications.

2. Sandy and Sensory Play Areas

  • DIY Sandbox: Craft or purchase a sandbox and stock it with marvelous sand toys like scoops, shovels, buckets, molds, and construction vehicles.
  • Multi-Purpose Play Zones: Combine sand and water play areas for an immersive sensory experience.

3. Versatile Spaces for All Ages

  • Combining Fun and Relaxation: Designate a lawn or bark-covered area for play, a patio or deck for adults to unwind, and raised beds for delightful plantings.
  • Adaptable Layout: Opt for movable furniture or features that can effortlessly switch places to accommodate various activities.

4. Water Delights and Streams

  • Splash Pads or Kiddie Pools: Install a splash pad or a mini pool for warm weather fun, ensuring safety with sturdy fencing.
  • Enticing Water Features: Integrate smaller water features like fountains or birdbaths for educational and calming fun.

5. Artistic and Natural Playground

  • Outdoor Art Studio: Set up areas for painting, drawing, or creating masterpieces using natural materials.
  • Eco-Trail Adventures: Create a mini nature trail with engaging elements like bug hotels, plant scavenger hunts, and interactive games.

6. Safety and Ease of Access

  • Soft Underfoot: Cover play areas with cushy materials like rubber mulch or bark chips for injury prevention.
  • Accessible Pathways: Design wide, smooth pathways that accommodate strollers, wheelchairs, and little feet.

7. Active Play Equipment

  • Jump Around: Incorporate trampolines or fun climbing structures for energetic workout sessions.
  • Thrilling Slides and Swings: Add the traditional swings and slides for thrilling playtime fun.

By integrating these fantastic features, you'll create a garden that not only delights children but also offers a relaxing and engaging space for the entire family!

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Football-Proof Flower Borders

  • Hardwearing raised beds made of brick, dense wood, or sleepers will protect your delicate plants from being trampled by football-loving family members.
  • Guard your lush plants with low hedges, decorative edging, or sturdy evergreens, grasses, achilleas, and stachys.

Playful Lawns

  • Opt for a hardwearing seed or turf mix that includes perennial rye grass and fescues for a durable, lush lawn perfect for ball games, running, and playtime.

Multi-Functional Furniture

  • Furniture that doubles as sandboxes or paddling pools, or smart box benching with lift-up seats for toy storage, can maximize your garden's functionality for both children and adults.

Comfortable Seating

  • Invest in sturdy outdoor seating ideal for hosting family meals - choose a sunny spot with shading options like a garden parasol or pergola clad in plants like deciduous climbers that offer shade during warmer months.

Safe Ponds for Frolicking

  • Ponds are a soothing oasis for the whole family, attracting wildlife and offering educational experiences. Keep ponds covered with metal grills or behind secure gates while the kids are young, then open up to older children for learning opportunities like pond dipping and observing dragonflies and birds.

Picking Your Own Delicious Bounty

  • Encourage kids to get hands-on with gardening by growing tasty plants like edible flowers (nasturtiums, violas), berries (redcurrants, blackberries), and strawberries in strawberry planters or fast crops like salad leaves and carrots.

Disguising Play Items with Plants

  • Soften the appearance of play equipment or garden toys like swings or climbing frames by incorporating climbers, large shrubs, or trellis clad in plants, while maintaining visibility for supervision.

DIY Fun Features

  • Get creative by crafting watering-can fountains, painting garden furniture or pots, building cardboard dens, or constructing a miniature treehouse for a special touch of whimsy.

Mud-Free Pathways

  • Create clean, defined, and kid-friendly pathways using hard, durable materials like stone, decking, or large stepping stones that withstand frequent footprints and are wheelchair-friendly.

Spoiling Family Pets

  • Your pets and poultry will adore the garden, so give them space to rummage and play while protecting your plants and soil. Use tough shrubs, gravel paths, or designate a sheltered area for hutches and screen with an evergreen sedum roof.

Incorporating raised beds, such as those made of brick, dense wood, or sleepers, can help protect delicate plants in your garden from being trampled by active family members, making it a practical addition for combined gardening and play spaces. To add a touch of aesthetics to your garden and cater to the needs of home-and-garden enthusiasts, follow gardening tips to create an artistic outdoor art studio, using it as a venue for painting, drawing, or creating masterpieces using natural materials.

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