As we start to leave winter behind, many of us will be thinking about getting out into our gardens. It is the perfect time to treat your garden with some extra care and attention. However, at LifeConnect24 we recognise that not everyone has a large garden to take pride in. That, though, shouldn’t deter you from beautifying what you do have. There are plenty of small garden ideas for over-65s you can turn into reality. In this article, we will look at some projects you can undertake to turn your small garden into something special.
Small Garden Ideas
Even if you only have a small amount of space in your garden, there are plenty of projects you can undertake to make it a garden to be proud of. Whether it’s turning a corner of your garden into a shady reading nook or simply maximising the number of vegetables you can grow, you can make your garden your own.
Making modifications to your garden is also an opportunity to improve accessibility. This is ideal if you or a loved one experience mobility issues. Most of all, though, sprucing up your garden will give you a welcoming space to visit without leaving the comfort of your own home.
The following small garden ideas are suited to a variety of budgets. Moreover, we have considered what may or may not be practicable for over-65s. However, some of these ideas may require the assistance of family or contractors.
Ladder Planters
If you want lots of plants in your garden but don’t have space to lay them end to end, why not plant upwards? Whilst flowerbeds might be confined to the ground, plant pots and wooden planters can be stacked or hung. Screw some boxes to your fence or use an old stepladder as a platform for your plants. Each rung of the ladder, for example, could be home to a different plant.
The more small plants you can fit in a space, the greener that space will appear. It may also make it easier to water them, as excess water rains down onto the plants below. This is one of the easiest and most affordable small garden ideas for over-65s, as it doesn’t require any landscaping.
A Bright Green Lawn
Never underestimate the appeal of a trimmed lawn. Your garden doesn’t need to be full of flowers to be appealing. Dedicate the majority of your garden space to grass; keep it well fed and maintained. A simple border of wildflowers will add an additional splash of colour to your surroundings.
Despite what some may think, a well-maintained lawn needs some work. You need to keep the grass at its ideal length and remove weeds whenever they crop up. You will also want to keep your flowerbeds tidy to complement the garden. A nice lawn is ideal for if you have visitors on sunny days. Depending on the space available, you could set out a table and chairs, and maybe even an outdoor grill.
Paving Slab Design
As lovely as more greenery looks, sometimes you can create some extra beauty in your small garden with the perfect arrangement of paving slabs. Whilst you may need to bring in some extra helping hands, you can accomplish some designs that are sure to please the eye. You could place some slabs to resemble the points of a compass; a simple checkerboard pattern could add some colour.
When you choose paving slabs as your small garden idea, you don’t have to neglect plant life. Like a small lawn, you can place flowerbeds around the edges of your paving. If you lay your garden out right, your slabs could serve as a sturdy path between your flowers or vegetables. Just make sure to get them laid correctly to reduce the risk of trip hazards.
Vegetable Beds
For the gardener who wants their garden to be both pretty and practical, consider establishing dedicated vegetable beds. Raised beds are ideal if you want to grow your own produce, as they will eliminate the need for crouching or kneeling. This will make it so much easier to water and harvest your green goods.
This small garden idea is perfect for any garden. Whether you have one raised bed or several, there are plenty of possibilities when deciding what to grow. And once you grow one thing, you can choose to grow something else next time. This makes vegetable beds a great small garden idea for keeping your pantry stocked.
Haven for Wildlife
A garden doesn’t have to be perfectly manicured all year round. Why not let it get a little wild? Whilst you may still need to cut back some weeds every now and then – and not let things get too out of hand – a garden full of long grass and a bug hotel or two can be a haven for local wildlife. With humans increasingly encroaching on nature’s territory, it can be nice to give a little something back.
If you want to invite more wildlife into your garden, set up a bird bath, some feeders, or even some nesting boxes. You could also create a small shelter out of old wood for smaller animals to hide out in. Whilst not ideal if you plan on spending time outside, a wild garden could be ideal for letting the grandkids see the beauty of nature without a tiring walk in the woods.
The National Trust has nine tips for building a wildlife friendly garden.
A Spot to Relax
Your garden should be something you are proud of. And if you are proud of it, then it makes sense that you will want to spend time outside. However, Irish weather can be unpredictable, and the last thing you want is to be woken up during a garden nap by a sudden shower. Consider building a small garden retreat or a sheltered corner.
A couple of metres of wooden decking with an awning overhead – or a parasol, if that is beyond your budget – could provide a pleasant outdoor spot without leaving you too exposed. Alternatively, you could build a modest outhouse to sit in whilst surrounded by your flowerbeds. The latter may be more expensive, but it could be a lovely garden feature.
Staying Safe in the Garden
Regardless of the small garden ideas you choose, it is important to stay safe in the garden. This is true whether you are digging out a new flowerbed or sitting on a chair in the sun. If you have a fall or feel unwell, you want to know you can call for help when it’s needed.
A personal alarm from LifeConnect24 offers peace of mind around the home and in the garden. When you buy a LifeConnect24 personal alarm, you receive a base unit and a pendant. Every pendant can be used up to 100m away from your base unit. Simply press the button and an alert will be sent to our 24/7 Response Team. The team will then assess the situation by talking to you through the base unit’s loudspeaker.
If you are away from your base unit, however, and cannot answer, the Response Team will assume that help is required and arrange an emergency response.
You can find out more about the LifeConnect24 personal alarm service by reading our helpful guide. To find out more, or to purchase your LifeConnect24 alarm today, call out friendly team on 1 800 937543.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 4th April 2024 to reflect current information.
