Gardens
As the dark days of winter recede the sight of spring flowers brings a smile to the world. Dusting off the Bar-B- Que, making plans for planting the vegetable plots and enjoying being outside without the need for coats and hats is a welcome relief. Numerous television makeover programmes may give inspiration but the creative in us gives full rein to enjoy the simplicity and health benefits of gardening.
Houses are often bought in a heartbeat. The kerb appeal has a great influence over first impressions when looking for a new home and how better to portray the emotional angle than a garden in bloom. Hence selling in the summer months is always more successful whatever the economic scenario.
Whilst getting one’s hands dirty is not for everyone an investment by professional gardeners is well worthwhile whether just moving into a new home or preparing a house for sale. Creating a minimal maintenance garden with grass and shrubs can be very effective but for the more adventurous garden centres will be pleased to tempt you with bulbs, annuals, perennials and all the advice needed to create a colourful display. So, spending the evening on the terrace with a glass of wine and inhaling the scent of sweet peas is both visually restful and soothing on the mind!!
For those with a little more time and patience, the next step is venturing into the vegetable garden. Whilst it can be frustrating as you are in a small way competing with the weather, the satisfaction of picking your own fruit and vegetables is both enormous and can be cost-effective – a topical matter at present remembering the World War 2 slogan “Digging for Victory”- not forgetting the benefit of the exercise of a little manual labour! You may find, at times, you are living on runner beans for weeks in a good year!
If the garden is a key requirement when buying a new home and particularly when looking to create a garden from a blank canvas, ensure the site and soil are suitable. Just as it is important to carry out surveys and legal searches on the buildings and titles, it is also important to seek professional advice on the potential of the site as a garden.
The pleasure a garden gives is endless, and it has the long-term benefit of maintaining the value of your home when it comes to selling. As ever, home and family remain the focus: “It’s all about coming home.”
A varied selection of barn conversions:
Cator Brake, Haytor: Incredible A- rated contemporary home in Dartmoor National Park in south facing 3 acre gardens and grounds: A unique home in magical location.
Higher Collaton Cottage, Malborough: sympathetically restored thatched cottage with annexe set in pretty cottage and walled gardens in tucked away location yet not far from beaches.
Scotts Moor, Bradiford, Barnstaple: Spectacular modern residence in magical gardens and grounds of 4.7 acres including wildlife pond and river meadow.
Higher Pytte, Clyst St. George: Stunning contemporary energy efficient home in convenient village edge location with wonderful stocked and managed gardens.
Hartgrove Retreat, Musbury: Superb modern house built in traditional style with delightful gardens and grounds of 2.5 acres including grass tennis court.