Gardens at the front of the house don’t always get the same love and attention lavished on them as back gardens. Often viewed as simply a route from the street to your front door, the front garden can be restricted by practical considerations and is usually smaller than a back garden. In addition, as it’s overlooked by passers-by and neighbours, you may not feel like investing as much time on it as your activities are on public view.
But a front garden is the first thing people see when they visit your house. It’s also an area you walk past every day when you leave and return to the house. So think of it as a picture frame for your home and give it the time it deserves. If you’re planning on selling your house, the front garden also adds much-needed kerb appeal and value to your home.
When designing a front garden, many decisions are dictated by practical considerations. Do you need room to park a car? Is there a clear route from your gate to the door for visitors and deliveries? Do you need space for dustbins? Once you’ve addressed these essentials, you can work with the remaining space to create an attractive garden.
While front gardens are often overlooked by passers-by, you can create a little privacy by establishing a solid boundary around your property. A hedge, fencing or railings will provide a physical barrier between your garden and the street and can be an attractive feature but remember to check planning regulations before making changes. And if your gate is the first thing people encounter when arriving at your home, choose one that you love and keep it well maintained.
Front gardens are usually smaller than back gardens and often don’t have much scope for planting, particularly if they are paved or feature a driveway. However, you can still incorporate plants and colour with smart pots and planters that you can easily move around throughout the year. Positioning two large planters beside your front door creates a focal point, while window boxes, hanging baskets or trellising can add interest.
If you love growing your own produce to enjoy in the kitchen, there’s no reason why this must be limited to back gardens or allotments. You can grow tomatoes in a hanging basket, strawberries in planters and herbs in pots. The great thing about growing edible fruit and veg in your front garden is that it’s easy to tend every time you pass by on leaving and returning to the house. This makes it easy to remember to water or harvest the ingredients as needed.
If your living room looks out onto the front garden, add a bird table or include colourful plants to attract butterflies and you’ll have a ready-made wildlife show to enjoy right through your window.
Set time aside each week to maintain your front garden. A few minutes is all you need to pluck weeds from between paving slabs or to water plants. Keeping it in tip-top condition will ensure your front garden provides the perfect introduction to your home.