How to Update Your Garden Before the Summer Season?

Spring is an excellent time for change. Just a couple of touches, and your garden will look completely new. The Derevo Park studio experts explain what to do.

Plan Your Actions

This includes planting and landscaping. Make sure that fence renovation or paving work doesn't overlap with the delivery of new plants. First, finish construction and determine what new spaces you have for plants.

Even better — consult with professionals to reduce costs and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Prune shrubs and deciduous trees. Just keep in mind that not all species can be trimmed in spring, only those that bloom on new growth this year. For example, it's not advisable to shape lilacs, spiraeas, chokeberries, or any kind of maple into cubes or spheres.

However, many species like burning bushes, ferns, late-blooming spiraeas, and numerous conifers respond well to shaping. After consulting with professionals, some plants can even be cut back severely, almost to the stump.

After such pruning, wilted ferns or some willow varieties may regrow shoots, and gooseberry can yield a good harvest.

Replace 'Grandma's' garden beds with a decorative garden

Multi-level raised beds with stone or wood edging look much more impressive. They're also easier to maintain — no need to bend over low.

Nowadays, modular 'gardens' are popular, where aromatic herbs (basil, rosemary, parsley, thyme, fennel) are placed in mobile structures: planters on wheels, themed carts, portable boxes and containers. You can grow plants with edible and decorative fruits: large-fruited strawberries, blackberries, cherry tomatoes, green peas.

Install a Fire Bowl

It’s still cool in the evenings, and you want to sit outside. So an outdoor fire bowl or portable fireplace will come in handy — it instantly makes your plot cozier.

The fire bowl is elevated off the ground and designed to protect you from smoke. The mobile version can be moved around the plot or even placed on a terrace — thanks to its protective layer, nothing catches fire.

Use Water Compositions

This could be one small feature, such as a stone basin near the house, or several. The stillness of water creates an interesting reflection effect, almost like a mirror. This visually expands the space.

Water usually needs to be connected (or regularly refilled). For winter, drain the basin so it becomes a sculpture. Agree, it’s better than an empty pool.

Add Details

Lately, gardens look more like apartment interiors: outdoor furniture resembles indoor furnishings, and lighting often uses hanging fixtures instead of lanterns.

Decorate the Terrace

If your garden lacks bulbs that should have been planted in autumn (crocuses, daffodils, snowdrops and other early bloomers), buy ready-made bulb arrangements from a garden center and place them on the open terrace.