How to Grow, When Markets Don’t…
If you got this far, you’re probably curious about the heading.
How can a gardening company, help me financially?
Around 15 years ago, my Dad handed me a magazine to read, and the article has always stuck with me.
I took inspiration for the following blog post from that magazine, where I’ll attempt to connect the dots between an electronics sales article, and gardening.
I won’t bore you with wellbeing, environmental perks or how to stop global warming with a well kept garden, (if you’re after the usual – gardening fluff) this one is strictly financial.
This article in EP & Dee (Electronics Products & Design – Eastern Europe) was published in the aftermath of the global banking collapse, which triggered a harrowing economic recession lasting approximately five quarters (mid-2008 to late 2009).
What I took away from the article was a strong sense of drive, determination, and, above all, practicality.
It highlights the simplicity of a well-oiled machine in keeping things moving forward during challenging times. For them, this means efficiently managing customer needs with every box checked. For us, it’s about navigating the forces of nature and the environment to enhance and maintain our outdoor spaces.
As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2025 and scratch our heads trying to make sense of the political and economic landscape, some of us might be treading carefully on investments around the home.
I’ll be giving you some food for thought as to why, when and how to invest in your garden and outdoor space this year, with a focus practicality and return on investment.
Why Invest in your Garden & Outdoor Space in 2025?
When it comes to increasing the value of your home, many homeowners focus on kitchen remodels, bathroom upgrades, or fresh paint.
While these improvements are important, one of the most effective and often overlooked investments is your garden.
A well-maintained and thoughtfully designed outdoor space can increase your property value by up to 20%, making it a smart financial decision.
🌱 First Impressions Matter: Kerb Appeal Sells Homes
The exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers see. A tidy, attractive garden creates an inviting atmosphere and sets the tone for the rest of the property.
Well kept shrubs, hedges and lawns are the obvious areas of focus, but tidy surrounding brickwork and driveways can also make a home look well cared for, giving buyers confidence that the rest of the home is in great condition.
According to real estate experts Winkworth (source), homes with strong kerb appeal sell faster and at higher prices than those with neglected outdoor spaces.
Simple enhancements like fresh mulch, seasonal flowers, or a pressure-washed driveway can make a big impact.
The below project shows how a restored brickwork, fresh fencing, pruning shrubs and weed suppressing layer of aggregate can have on a homes kerb appeal.
🌱 Landscaping Adds Significant Market Value
Investing in professional landscaping is one of the best ways to increase your home’s worth.
Studies show that homes with mature trees, structured gardens, and well-planned outdoor spaces are more desirable to buyers.
A thoughtfully designed garden provides visual appeal, functionality, and a sense of tranquillity, all of which contribute to a higher selling price.
Key note: you don’t always need to break the bank to get a well polished look. Restore what you already have before deciding to engage in lengthy building projects and landscaping contractors.
🌱 Outdoor Living Spaces Attract More Buyers
In recent years, outdoor living has become a major trend in property markets. Buyers are looking for homes that offer functional and enjoyable outdoor spaces.
Features like a cozy patio, fresh decking sun traps, outdoor kitchens, or fire pit make a garden feel like an extra room, increasing both desirability and property value.
With more people working from home, gardens have become more important than ever.
A well-maintained outdoor space provides a peaceful retreat, a place to entertain guests, and even a potential work-from-home area.
🌱 Low-Maintenance Gardens Appeal to Buyers
While a lush garden adds value, many buyers prefer low-maintenance landscaping. If you’re upgrading your garden with the goal of selling, consider:
- Native Plants & Perennials – These require less upkeep and are environmentally friendly.
- Hardy Turf – Perfect for busy homeowners who want a green lawn without the work.
- Gravel & Paved Areas – These reduce the need for constant maintenance while adding a modern touch.
- Well Kept & Tidy Brickwork – Walls or pathways over 10 years old start to crumble and crack. Cleaning & patching these up help keep things neat and tidy.
A garden that looks stunning without requiring hours of upkeep is a strong selling point for many buyers.
Top Tip: Specific planting areas offer vibrancy and colour to a garden. Try to fill these with a few low maintenance flowering shrubs for example Hydrangea, Azalea, Camelia and a variety of bulbs. Make sure there’s plenty of space between them to make them easier to maintain allowing for infrequent but bulk weeding, rather than having to fine comb through an overcluttered space. This saves time and money!
🌱 Final Thoughts on adding value
Investing in your garden isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s a smart financial decision.
A well-designed outdoor space boosts kerb appeal, creates functional living areas, and increases your home’s overall value.
Improving your outdoor space doesn’t have to become a hefty building project.
There are many occasions I’ve come across where various dated and untidy elements of gardens have looked stunning after restoring the existing landscape and surrounding architecture (see portfolio).
Estimates suggest that a more appealing outdoor space can add between 5% and 20% to your home’s market price. For instance, a property valued at £300,000 could see an increase of up to £60,000 due to an attractive garden (link).
When Should you Start?
The best time to invest in your garden space depends on your goals, budget, and the season. Here are some key factors to consider:
1. If You’re Planning to Sell Your Home
- At least 6-12 months before listing: A well-maintained garden can add up to 5-20% to your property’s value, but it takes time to establish plants, repair lawns, or install landscaping features.
- Buyers are more likely to be drawn in by a lush, colourful garden when house hunting in warmer months.
2. If You Want to Enjoy the Space Yourself
- Spring (March-May): Ideal for planting flowers, starting a vegetable garden, or installing new landscaping.
- Early autumn (September-October): Great for laying turf, planting trees, and making long-term improvements before winter sets in.
3. If You’re Looking for Cost Savings
- Winter (November-February): The off-season is the best time for hardscaping (patios, fences, decking), as contractors are often less busy and prices may be lower.
- End-of-season sales (late summer/autumn): Many garden centres offer discounts on plants, outdoor furniture, and gardening supplies.
4. If You Want Low-Maintenance Landscaping
- Before a major life event (e.g., retirement, new baby, busy work schedule): Investing in drought-resistant plants, artificial turf, or a minimalist design can save you time and effort in the long run.
How to Invest in your Outdoor Space
There are really three fundamentals when it comes to managing your garden.
- Regular maintenance
- Gardening
- Renovating
All 3 are forms of investment in their own regard, maintenance & gardening takes time and/or money and renovating areas speaks for itself.
The ultimate goal for many homeowners, is to achieve a slick garden which only requires infrequent maintenance, 2 or 3 intensive sessions per year). These gardens should help you save money, further the appeal of your property and increase overall home value.
Creating a Slick Low Maintenance Garden
Low maintenance doesn’t mean you have to kill everything that grows and concrete or astro turf the lot.
Catering for contemporary design principles with plenty of opportunity for spots of thriving planted areas shouldn’t cost you a fortune either (both in creation and maintenance costs).
Here are the top 3 pinpoints in a garden, and how to manage them.
1. Weeds Everywhere!
If you’re a fan of fresh soil and flower beds, make sure to leave plenty of room between plants and opt for flowering shrubs. This way, you can easily clear the spaces in between of those pesky weeds in full sweeps!
Alternatively, using potted plants on hard surfaces offers an easy way to manage the garden while adding a fresh, modern touch.
2. Stained Brickwork!
There’s nothing worse than brickwork that’s been left exposed to the elements and now has dark and slime build up.
Power washing can sometimes help to brighten things up but can also seem to just expose the long term damage that’s underneath.
Using chemicals can help to restore things but can be costly and will also risk damaging the plants (not to mention environmental impact).
Keeping on top of the cleaning is really the only answer. If you’re having new hard standing areas installed, make sure to try and wash them down annually (or bi-annually for poorly draining areas).
Opting for mortar/cement based pointing rather than the more fancy looking powder patio grout is a sensible choice. Powder grout often decays quickly and attracts moss or weeds within a year or two. Sealing a patio properly will help to prolong this but cement based grout will also withstand the impact of a jet-wash to keep on top of potential irreversible algae damage.
3. Irreversible Plant Damage!
Hedges gone brown and won’t grow back? Plants dying and looking sad?
We’ve all been guilty of plant neglect, and know what it feels like when the panic sets in knowing the world can see the big dead hole in the hedge.
Neglecting plants until they become overgrown, only to cut them back too late and reveal brown, patchy undergrowth, is every homeowner’s worst nightmare.
Keeping a calendar of when to prune your plants can be a massive help. For example many conifers won’t regrow, so annual trimming is required before they intrude too far.
Opting for more hardy hedging plants which can handle aggressive cut backs is also a good option, for example Laurel or Griselenia can both handle intensive pruning, allowing you to regain that precious garden space without loosing valuable green boarders.
We’re Rooting for You – That’s a Wrap!
In the world of gardening, you don’t need a green thumb to get your hands dirty, sometimes practicality and a bit of research goes a long way.
With the right knowledge and practical application, your outdoor space can be transformed into a lush, vibrant retreat that’s both low-maintenance and high-return.
So, let’s face it—while your stocks might be fluctuating, your garden can be a sure bet! After all, they say the best things in life grow slowly… but when it comes to your property value, why not give it a little boost?
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