How to Turn Your Virginia Beach Garden into a Peaceful Retreat

With its humid, subtropical climate, hot summers and mild winters, Virginia Beach has the kind of weather that allows people to spend time outdoors most of the year. Making sure that your garden is an uncluttered, relaxing and inviting space will entice you to spend your afternoons and weekends outside, enjoying the fresh air and maybe some fun activities with your family and friends. If your Virginia Beach backyard got shabby and needs some TLC, here’s how to proceed:

Assess the space

Take a walk around your backyard and assess the current state of the space. Make a list of any items or features that are cluttering the space, such as unused furniture, broken pots, or overgrown plants. You might also have old toys your kids outgrew, tools you don’t really need and so on. Decide what stays and what should go – based, obviously, on how you plan to use your backyard in the future.

Identify your vision

Speaking of plans, now is the time to decide how to use your outdoor space. Think about how you want your garden to look and feel and what functions you need it to perform. Maybe you love cooking outdoors and entertaining guests, maybe you’re into gardening, or you simply want a quiet and peaceful retreat. Identify the mood and style you want to create and use that as a guide for your decluttering and design choices.

Declutter and organize

Begin decluttering your garden by removing any items that are broken, no longer used, or don’t align with your vision for the space. Consider donating or repurposing items that are still in good condition. You probably also have plenty of items that you do need in your backyard, but you use them only seasonally: planters, gardening tools, a lawnmower, the barbecue grill, various pieces of furniture for your patio, and so on.

The best solution to keep them safe until you need them is to rent self storage. The cost for renting a 10’x10’ self storage unit in Virginia Beach hovers around $112 per month, and such a unit is large enough to hold your backyard items while not in use, and there’s plenty of space left for other belongings that might be cluttering your home. You can also pick a smaller size, such as the 5’x10’ unit, if you have fewer things to store.

Set up distinct areas for different uses

You’ll be spending a lot more time in your backyard if the set up allows you to do your normal daily routine. For example, if you love to cook, having a nicely fitted outdoor kitchen stimulates you to take cooking outside every time the weather allows it. Adding an outdoor cooler will keep your family hydrated with refreshing, cold drinks. If you have kids, design an area with toys where they can play safely, and make sure you include some seating options that allow you to supervise them comfortably. A yoga corner might help you save money and time not having to go to the gym, while those with green fingers will definitely appreciate a veggie garden in the backyard.

Simplify the design

To create a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, simplify the design of your garden. Use a limited color palette and choose plants and accessories that complement each other. Consider using symmetry and repetition to create a cohesive and calming design.

Think green and grow more than lawn in your backyard

Lawns are the default choice of most people when it comes to backyards, and it can be a good choice, particularly for young families with children and for those who have pets, as it offers a nice, safe area for them to play. However, if you have enough space, you could also dedicate a portion of your backyard to growing flowers, veggies, and herbs. Tending to plants is rewarding and relaxing, bees and other pollinators will be gratified by your initiative and if all works well, you could end up with a decent harvest.

Virginia Beach can be a great place for gardening, as it has a relatively mild climate with a long growing season. Some popular crops that can be grown here include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, okra, squash, beans, strawberries, blueberries, and herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary. Here are some popular options to consider for your Virginia Beach garden:

• Annual flowers that allow you to create gorgeous flower arrangements: Petunias, marigolds, zinnias, and impatiens are all popular annual flowers that can add color and vibrancy to your garden during the summer months.
• Perennials: Black-eyed Susans, daisies, and daylilies are all hardy perennials that can come back year after year in a Virginia Beach garden.

• Herbs: Basil, rosemary, thyme, and parsley are all easy-to-grow herbs that can be used in a variety of culinary dishes.
• Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and beans are all popular vegetable options that can be grown in a Virginia Beach garden.
• Fruits: Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are all fruit-bearing plants that can thrive in Virginia Beach’s climate.
• Native plants: Virginia Beach is home to a variety of native plants, including butterfly weed, purple coneflower, and swamp milkweed, which can help support local pollinators and wildlife.

Maintain the space

Once you’ve decluttered and designed your garden, it’s important to maintain the space. Regularly prune plants, remove weeds, and clean up any clutter that may accumulate over time. This will help ensure your garden remains a peaceful retreat for years to come.

By assessing the space, identifying your vision, decluttering and organizing, simplifying the design, creating a focal point, incorporating different functions and selecting the right plants, you can turn your Virginia Beach garden into a peaceful retreat.