We’ve heard there’s been a bit of a surge in people looking to do up their outdoor space – is that true?
“There’s been a real increase in people who are serious about investing in their outside spaces, particularly roof terraces. We’ve seen a 20% increase in commissions this May compared to previous years, which says a lot about how people are defining value and lifestyle priorities.” – Tony Woods, designer at The Garden Club London
 
“Given how life has changed lately, people’s outdoor space has become more important than ever. We’re spending more time at home and we want to make those homes as comforting as possible. As a result, we’ve seen a huge increase in interest in both outdoor and indoor plants.” – Meg Spink, plant doctor at Patch
 
What’s everyone looking to do in particular?
“We’re seeing a lot of interest in outdoor plants that can be used in cooking. Both our ​lemon tree​, which will grow fruit throughout summer, and our ​bay tree​, which you can use in lots of cooking, are really popular. As a bonus, they both smell wonderful too.” – Meg

“The biggest trend we’ve seen recently is for outdoor structures that can provide shade or protection from light rain. With so many people now working from home, and set to throughout the summer, they are the perfect compromise when you might not have room for something as permanent as a garden studio.” – Tony

What are the easiest ways you can spruce up an outdoor space?
“Paint is a really good starting point. Often small urban gardens will have lots of different boundary finishes, so the garden looks even busier and smaller than it needs to. Painting the boundaries with a calming neutral or moody dark tone will completely change the vibe. You can accessorise easily with outdoor rugs, which are a great addition to any garden. Opt for bold geometric patterns and hard-wearing materials. Lighting, such as lanterns or lamps, can add to the ultimate summer evening vibe too.” – Tony

“You could try growing plants up a wall – or a trellis if you’re renting and don’t want to permanently attach anything – to create a feature wall. We have two different kinds of ivy which would look fantastic across a wall. They keep their leaves all year round too.” – Meg

“I’d recommend cutting neat edges on the lawn after mowing the grass. Try clipping hedges, washing down paving and tastefully painting fences, sheds and other artefacts.” – Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society

If you’ve got a bit of green space, what are the essential tools you need?
“You can get by with just a spade and a penknife, but a trowel, rake, hoe and fork all make life so much easier. Secateurs and some shears are very valuable too. Don’t forget a watering can, buckets and ideally a wheelbarrow.” – Guy

Talk to us about urban gardens… What exactly are they and how do you create one?
“An urban garden is a place to escape and seek solitude from the busy city, whether it be a small balcony or a lush back garden. We have lots of clients who have little knowledge of gardening or no time to garden but, over the last decade, we have perfected amazing outdoor spaces that are low maintenance. The urban garden is essentially an outdoor extension of the home.” – Tony

“Outside space is at a premium in urban areas. If you have any outside space at all, you can use plants to turn it into a haven. Humans naturally like to be close to nature, so a bit of greenery can be very relaxing. Plants like ​Japanese maples​ can make a space feel tranquil, or a big ​palm​ can give a focal point to a space. They don’t need lots of care either.” – Meg

How can you make a small outdoor space like a balcony or courtyard more inviting?
 
“Keep it simple! Don’t go for lots of small pots. Instead, use big bold statement pieces such as large planters with a feature olive tree. These take less care and also don’t dry out as quickly as small pots and planters. Another common mistake that people with a small space make is pushing everything to the sides. This actually makes the space feel more cramped, so try breaking up planting and seating areas, while keeping the overall balance of light and space.” – Tony