Build a Secret Garden

Are you looking for a way to add outdoor tranquility to your home? Look no further. Here are some family-friendly ideas from a landscaper friend of mine: Start out by putting down synthetic grass over a flat layer of rocks and planting flowers around the perimeter or in the center. Synthetic grass looks and feels great and only requires raking once a month to keep it standing up straight. You won't have high water bills and you'll have a play area where your kids won't get muddy! Next, you'll want to surround the entire garden with lush vines to enclose the garden from outside view and create that "secret garden" effect where you can't hear or see the outside world. You'll have to find out what vines grow well in your temperate region, but some tried and true vine recommendations are: passion fruit, ivy, morning glory, trumpet vine, and honeysuckle. In frost-free climates, passion fruit vines last a long time, bloom with flowers, and of course produce delicious fruit, which will be a great activity for the kids when it's picking time. Add a comfortable chair or bench for you to relax in and if there's space, think about installing an outdoor water fountain to give your garden the tranquil sound of flowing water. This will also attract birds and butterflies for you to enjoy while you rest in the serenity of your very own secret garden.