A few weeks ago I helped a friend tidy up and improve his front garden and it started me thinking that one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do around your home is to improve your garden and in particular your front garden.
The front garden is important because not only is it the first thing anyone will see of your home but it’s also the first thing you see each time come home. The great thing about improving the front garden is that generally on Sydney properties they tend to be the smaller of the open spaces and any transformation can be completed in an easy weekend. A simple make over doesn’t require a lot of skill so it’s a great beginners project that anyone can try.
The job can be as simple as refreshing the existing garden with new plants, mulch and removing the weeds or more complex with new garden beds or a redesign of the whole space.
To give you an idea here are some pictures of front yards I’ve improved in the past few years for friends and family.
Above a very simple square muraya hedge.
Getting Started
To get started I usually begin by cleaning the existing area including removing all weeds, getting rid of plants that are dead or you no longer want, pruning or trimming the others. Additionally look at the lawn and decide if its worth saving.
The tools you need for this make over are a good spade, matic and a set of secateurs. I found a good set on Amazon, here’s the link for those interested.
Secateur
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Matic or Pick
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Now that all the weeds and unwanted plant and material has been removed you can have a good look at what’s left.
Planning
Now it’s time to plan the new front yard,
As you can see in the above photos even simple changes can make a great difference. I’ve mentioned in previous articles that magazines, photos and other searches can provide you with good inspiration for your future front yard and I’d encourage the same here. Look for pictures or even take pictures of neighbours front yards.
Once you’ve found your look make a quick sketch and take some measurements of the front, then transfer your drawing to the ground by marking out with string or even the garden hose if you like.
Setting out the New Garden
Using your matic or spade cut the edges of your new garden beds and remove any unwanted weeds or grass.
When you finish clearing the space you can start building your garden beds or edges. Again this can be as simple or elaborate as you believe you can achieve. My mum is a great believer in simply using the spade to cut a small channel between the grass and garden as this provides a seamless natural look between the lawn and any shrubs you have in the garden. Additionally it costs nothing.
Alternatively for a different look you could construct a raised garden bed using treated pine or landscaping blocks. Really the options are as endless as your imagination or skill whichever ends first.
Preparing the Garden Bed
Once you’ve finished preparing the edges and have removed any unwanted weeds, use a spade or the matic to turn over the soil.
Add manure, additional garden mix soil and turn over again, continue this until you get to the level you require either ground level or to the level of your raise bed.
Planting
Once the garden bed is prepared I always start by arranging the plants still in their pots in the places in the garden where I’d like to see them. Once Im happy with the positions dig a hole for each plant at least 1.5 times as wide as the pot. Put the plants in the ground the cover with fresh soil.
Repeat until complete 
Mulching
The final step is mulching, Mulching helps keep weeds away, reducing your workload in the garden and also keeps the moisture in the garden. I like mulches that break down and help nourish the soil like straw or sugar cane mulch but you can use any type of mulch the suit you and that you can find in your local nursery.
Finally make sure you give the new garden a good deep watering for the first week or two.
