My garden is overlooked, but the pros swear by a £10 purchase that’s cheaper than a fence
If you want extra privacy in your garden but can’t afford to throw the money on a fancy privacy fence, fear not: we have the solution for you.
It turns out that grass – yes, you heard that right – is the secret to keeping your garden from being overlooked.
And thanks to advice from landscape design guru Pollyanna Wilkinson, you can get your hands on a £9.99 purchase so your neighbors can’t peek through your outdoor space.
On a recent podcast episode of The Ins & Outs, Jojo Barr from House Nine Design was joined by Pollyanna, from Garden Design, and shared advice on adding privacy to your garden, without spending a lot of money or a mega DIY project. to start a self-project.
It comes after a listener wrote and explained: “I just got my first ever garden and oh my God it was in a state.
“We’re in London so privacy isn’t great, awkward walls and ramps making it easy for people to see in.
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“I would appreciate any recommendations.”
Pollyanna shared the following about this: “Privacy grasses – the grasses I recommend are about 4 to 7 feet tall. Unless you went for pampas grass.’
The garden professional explained that Miscanthus grass, which is very affordable, can make your space feel more private.
She continued: “Grasses that are really amazing. If you have a sitting area that you want to feel enclosed, some of my favorites are Miscanthus, which is usually a pretty tall grass, about two meters, so the height of an adult human.
“You could have ‘Morning Light’, which is quite a pale leafy grass, or Gracillimus, which has very nice tassels, like silk tassels on curtain ties.
“Or you can go for a Panicum, Panicum is more upright.
“They will all have a very nice effect by immersing you in a space.
“So hopefully that will give you some privacy.”
Garden work in October
Veronica Lorraine, garden editor for The Sun, has shared the jobs you need to tackle this October.
“It’s a good time to prune deciduous hedges – such as boxwood, yew, hawthorn, hornbeam and beech – and hedge trimmers are a great upper body workout!
Make leaf mold – collect all fallen leaves and fill garbage bags or plastic carrier bags. Seal the top, poke a few small holes in the bag and store for a year or more. Free compost!
You’re unlikely to get any more red tomatoes, so harvest one more time and throw the plants into the compost. See if you can ripen the green ones by putting a drawer in them (some say with a banana). Save the seeds from a few too – and plant them again next year if they have gone well.
Finish bringing in your spring bulbs. Ideally you would have planted daffodils and alliums, but tulips are better in the open ground when the soil temperature becomes a bit colder.
It is good to leave some plant waste in the ground; this adds nutrients as it rots, providing shelter and food for insects. But remove the dingy brown bits that are collapsing all over the lawn/winter structure.
Mulch – it not only suppresses weeds, but also keeps the soil warm, improves water retention and adds a little winter comfort to your outdoor space.
October is a good month for carrots, peas, asparagus, broad beans and rhubarb.”
If you don’t have time or energy If you want to build a privacy fence and buy some Miscanthus grass for extra privacy, you can order it online now for just $9.99 from Crocus.
Miscanthus grass, also called ‘Little Silberspinne’ or ‘Chinese Silver Grass’, is a star plant for every garden.
This is how you create privacy in your garden
CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in several ways, depending on your budget and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to improve privacy in your garden:
1. Fencing
- Install a tall, solid wood or vinyl fence. This is one of the simplest ways to gain instant privacy. Or use trellis panels, latticework or slats to add a decorative touch while still providing privacy.
2. Hedges and plants
- Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees such as Leylandii, Thuja or Bamboo along the border of your garden can help with privacy. Provide a dense hedge with plants such as boxwood, privet or laurel. It may take some time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbing plants such as ivy, clematis or wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier.
3. Outdoor curtains
- Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution.
4. Sound barriers
- A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out the noise, adding to the feeling of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if noise privacy is also an issue.
It’s compact and doesn’t take up too much space, but it’s also dramatic.
It functions narrow, silvery leaves with a white stripe down the middle, and masses of erect, feathery, reddish-brown plumes turning to silver in autumn.
When the flowers catch the evening sun, the plant appears to be covered in a silvery hue halo.
It is not only beautiful, but also ensures that your garden remains protected and private.