Eliminate These 10 Items from Your Garden for a More Harmonious Outdoor Environment - as They Provide No Practical Benefit and Negatively Affect Your Yard's Aesthetic

Eliminate These 10 Items from Your Garden for a More Harmonious Outdoor Environment - as They Provide No Practical Benefit and Negatively Affect Your Yard's Aesthetic

A tidy, streamlined garden is essential for maximizing enjoyment and creating an inviting atmosphere. However, maintaining a tranquil and clutter-free outdoor space can be a challenge. Here are 10 items that landscape designers suggest removing from modern gardens for a cleaner, minimalist look.

1. Aged garden bed containers: Retaining old planters for too long contributes to a cluttered backyard. Refreshing flower beds helps declutter and brings focus to the plants, instead of the decaying materials of the old bed. Building raised beds directly into the ground or using an elevated container can be a suitable option, depending on the available space.

Joe Raboine, vice president of design at Oldcastle APG, a part of one of the world's largest architectural product networks, advises eliminating old garden bed containers to prevent a cluttered backyard.

1. Broken concrete and tiles: Over time, garden hardscaping materials suffer wear and tear. It's essential to perform annual checks for any broken concrete or tiles that could pose a safety hazard or be considered clutter. Fix any cracks on your garden path as required.
2. Excessive lighting and water features: When used strategically, garden features can add value to a property. However, too many extra elements can lead to a cluttered, chaotic appearance. Opt for simple lighting to highlight the best aspects of the garden without overpowering the space.
3. Winter-wilted plants: Remove any plants damaged during the winter season to maintain a lush, full-looking garden. Prune dead debris, trim overgrown plants, and top off mulch, gravel, or other bedding materials as necessary.

Larry Dominque, a landscape architect at Hooks & Lattice, recommends eliminating winter-wilted plants as one of the first tasks to prepare a garden for spring.

1. Worn planters: Choose durable and stylish planters to replace older, damaged, faded, or stained planters. Materials like fiberstone or GFRC offer both durability and elevated design.
2. Outdated outdoor furniture: Inspect outdoor furniture for damage and refresh its appearance with updated cushions, rugs, or woven accents. Regularly clean outdoor furniture, decks, walkways, and pavers to revitalize the garden space.

If cleaning doesn't do the trick, it's time for fresh, sleek furniture to complement the outdoor space's style.

1. Invasive crops: Quickly, invasive plants like English ivy, bamboo, or mint can take over a garden. Remove or dwarf these plants with well-behaved perennials or structured shrubs, such as boxwoods and lavenders, that align with the overall design.
2. Artificial turf: Maintaining an artificial lawn can detract from a garden's beauty and be a sign of poor maintenance. Invest in natural grass or pea gravel walkways for a sophisticated, classy appearance.
3. Aged garden accessories: Items like old tools, leftover mulch bags, and old hoses can detract from the polished, minimalist look of the garden. Remove or properly store these accessories to enhance the backyard's overall appearance.
4. Piled-Up Debris: Leaves, trimmed weeds, and cut stems can create a disheveled look. Clear away all debris for a tidy and clean lawn that's ready for spring hosting.

By removing these items and focusing on well-maintained, purposeful planting and tidy hardscape features, gardeners can achieve a cleaner, minimalist outdoor space suitable for modern gardens.

Twice a year, or every season, decluttering your garden helps maintain its tidy appearance. After winter, remove any leftover debris such as fallen branches, dead leaves, moldy mulch, and complete annuals. In the summer, tend to wilting flowers, control pests, and address weeds. In fall, cut back perennials, rake leaves, and remove completed annuals. Maintaining a clean garden allows for new additions and keeps it tidy and appealing.

For further inspiration, consider checking out Rowen & Wren's garden furniture line. Our global brand director, Sarah Spiteri, uses hard-wearing, good-looking designs to enhance her backyard.

1. Replace worn planters with durable and stylish ones to elevate the garden's texture and interior design, as suggested by Larry Dominque, a landscape architect at Hooks & Lattice.
2. Opt for simple lighting to highlight key garden features, rather than overpowering the space with excessive lighting and water features, which can lead to a cluttered, chaotic appearance.
3. Refresh the appearance of outdated outdoor furniture by updating cushions, rugs, or woven accents to match the rustic decor of the home-and-garden lifestyle.
4. Achieve a cleaner, minimalist outdoor space suitable for modern gardens by removing artificially maintained items like aged garden bed containers, broken concrete and tiles, and garden accessories that detract from the polished look.
5. In fall, declutter the garden by removing completed annuals, raking leaves, and cutting back perennials to prepare for a fresh new season.
6. While maintaining a tidy, streamlined garden, consider enhancing the outdoor-living space with sleek furniture and decor that aligns with the overall lifestyle and gardening aesthetic. For instance, Rowen & Wren's garden furniture line offers durable designs that can elevate your backyard.

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