Garden Overwhelm and How to Avoid It
It can be overwhelming when you're faced with what seems like a mountain to climb to get control of your garden. Or you want to change the look and feel of your garden but don't know where to start. Here are some tips to help you avoid gardening overwhelm:
1. Start small:
Begin with a small garden area or a few pots. Trying to manage a large garden right from the start can be daunting. Gradually expand your garden as you become more comfortable and confident.
2. Plan and prioritise:
Create a garden plan and make the plan realistic. Prioritise the tasks you need to accomplish, those you can do yourself and the tasks where you need professional help. Break down larger projects into smaller, manageable steps, scaled-down, smaller goals can be achieved more quickly and ticked off the list, giving you a sense of achievement.
3. Set realistic goals and focus on one thing at a time!
Be realistic about what you can accomplish within your available time and resources. Don't overcommit yourself by taking on too many projects at the same time. It's better to have a single project that you can complete than a whole load of big projects that become overwhelming.
4. Take action!
Get outside and just get started. Even if you only have half an hour free, it’s amazing what you can achieve in that time. Weeding, deadheading, tidying up overgrown planting, cutting the grass, planting bulbs, or even just cutting the edges will make such a big difference to your garden and give you that sense of achievement. Time how long it takes to do certain things so that you know in the future what’s achievable in the time you’ve got available.
5. Celebrate your successes:
Keep a record of what you’ve done and take photos so you can see how far you’ve come. It’s so easy to keep focussed on what still needs to be done, rather than celebrating progress and what you’ve already achieved.
6. Take the time to enjoy your outdoor space.
We don’t do this enough! It’s all too easy to get caught up and distracted by what needs to be done, rather than enjoying your garden for what it is now.
7. Learn by doing:
Gardening is a continuous learning process. Accept that things don’t always go to plan and it’s all a bit trial and error at times. Don't be too hard on yourself if things don't go as planned.
8. Ask for help:
Don't be afraid to ask for assistance when needed. Enlist family members, friends, or neighbours who are interested in gardening to help you with some tasks or offer advice. If you need help with design and planning, a garden designer can work with you to design and create your dream garden and an outdoor space that is much more manageable. And you can start planning and designing anytime!
By following these tips, you can minimise overwhelm and create a more enjoyable gardening experience. Remember, it's all about finding a balance and taking pleasure in the process. Happy gardening!
Katie Townsend Garden Design is a small design studio in Edinburgh.
Working on a broad range of projects from courtyard gardens to small city gardens, and larger spaces, we cover Edinburgh, Glasgow and East and West Lothian. We also offer virtual design services throughout the UK.