Garden ideas for Empty Nesters

Garden ideas for Empty Nesters

Whether your children have just gone back to school after a long, sunny Summer of playing in the garden, or your older children have flown the nest for uni – we have compiled some garden ideas for those who would like to reclaim their outdoor space in preparation for cooler, Autumn evenings and Spring colour next year.

Plant flowering bulbs for Spring colour

Autumn is the best time of year for planting bulbs in preparation for some Spring colour next year!

Think purple crocuses for delicate, welcoming colour, yellow daffodils to brighten your garden and hyacinths for some gorgeous scent!

The many benefits of planting bulbs are:   

  • Low maintenance and very easy to plant – simply plant double their depth in damp soil
  • Don’t require a lot of sun and will grow nicely in shaded areas
  • Have protection from harsh weather with their hard, outer shell
  • Bugs and birds find it much harder to eat them

If you’re in need of some new Soil, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the selection we have! View all Soils and Composts here.

For more tips and in-depth information on planting specific bulb plants in Autumn, click here to read the full article

Lay a new Lawn

Maybe you have a large, unloved area of your garden that is crying out for some natural colour, or an old lawn that has had its day.

At Stone Zone, we sell award-winning Grass Turf that has been derived from well-established fescue and ryegrass to ensure it contains the nutrients and treatment to prevent disease and drought.

Why buy our Wessex Turf?

  • Rolls are freshly-cut upon ordering for collection or delivery on specific days to ensure freshness
  • Establishes quickly and efficiently in new gardens (provided the soil has been prepared correctly)
  • No plastic netting – reducing plastic consumption and ensuring Grass isn’t contaminated
  • Thick Grass makes it tolerant to all weather conditions

Did you know? September and October usually make the best months for laying Turf! This is because the UK weather tends to be mild and fairly wet, which makes for the perfect conditions for installing Grass rolls.

For great tips and advice, read our Charlie Says article on How to Lay Turf.

Click here to purchase Wessex Turf rolls    

Add a Garden Patio

A garden patio is something all garden-lovers can appreciate – whatever you decide to use it for. For the upcoming, cooler months, a garden patio is great for entertaining with some comfy garden furniture, sitting around a warm firepit or enjoying some calming outdoor lighting.

Do you have an old patio you’ve fallen out of love with? Or maybe your garden doesn’t have one but now is the perfect time to add one with the extra space you may have gained!

Options for garden patios

  • Modern Porcelain Paving; our biggest and best-selling range which has multiple colour and pattern choices. Many people like the natural, marbled effect many of these paving tiles have
  • Rustic Natural Stone Paving; cut from real stone in India is our Sandstone and Limestone Paving. These paving slabs contain rough edges and unique colours for a traditional garden patio.
  • Premium Slate or Granite Paving; looking for some real, natural character for your garden? These premium stone pavers won’t disappoint! Great for cottage gardens or period properties.

If we’ve convinced you to add a new, stylish patio to your garden, take a look at our Paving ranges here. We’ve colours that include Grey Paving, Beige Paving, Black Paving and Patterned Paving!

Add some plant borders and beds

If you’ve recently gained some space, or you’re wanting to revamp unused areas of your garden, adding some borders or beds around the outer edges of your garden is a great way of adding cheerful colour whilst attracting a variety of bees, birds and butterflies.

Ideas for garden beds and borders

  • Ground-level borders are ideal for planting shrubs and bushes, use CORE Edging for a perfectly neat finish; available in multiple colours
  • Raised beds are great for bedding plants and flowers, use Oak Sleepers for a long-lasting planting container that will turn a beautiful, silver colour over time
  • For current beds and borders, consider adding some Soil Improver Compost if you’re adding new plants. Also, consider adding Woodland Mulch over Winter to protect roots from frost

Read our how to guide on How to Build Raised Beds

Grow your own

Lastly, now might be the perfect time to plan some fruit, veg or herb planting! There’s a reason why more and more people are opting to grow their own, and it’s because not only is fresh produce much nicer, but it’s also a greatly rewarding hobby to undertake!

Easy ways to grow your own

  • Use hanging baskets for fruit such as Strawberries
  • Use grow bags for easy tomatoes and courgettes
  • Incorporate herbs into your newly-added beds and borders
  • Try out vertical planting for space-saving herbs

Our Wessex Fruit and Veg Soil is a best-seller, especially when it comes to growing-your-own! Click here to buy now

If you've been inspired, call us on 01202 874207 or visit us in Ferndown, Bournemouth, Christchurch or Dorchester to see how we can help turn your dreams into reality!