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I don't want to say I'm a lazy gardener, but I do really enjoy finding and using any shortcuts I can in order to maintain my outdoor space. From trying out the '70/30 rule' to giving the 'chaos gardening trend' a go, I've been pretty busy trying to transform my yard with a minimal amount of effort.Most of the time, I feel like I'm simply adding to my already overwhelming chore list for inside my home with tasks to tackle outside. And with summer knocking on the door, it now seems I'm seriously running out of time.Fortunately, interior designer Chris Catarino at Woodbury Furniture shared a really clever idea with me recently, just as the sun is beginning to really shine. It's called the '30-minute garden reset' and when I heard I only needed 30 minutes, I was desperate to give it a try. Thankfully, I was surprised by the results.How does it work?
(Image credit: Argos)Every year when summer finally hits, it doesn't matter that I've been waiting desperately for the sunshine, I'm still totally unprepared when it does appear. But, what Catarino wants me (and you) to do with the '30-minute garden reset' is to make intentional, focused changes."You don't need a perfect garden to entertain," Catarino says (and I'm so relieved to hear it). "You need a well-thought-out one. Most outdoor spaces just need structure, clarity and a sense of intention to feel guest-ready in under 30 minutes."So, no matter your plans, it feels like achieving a yard or patio you're proud of without having to spend loads of cash or work too hard is suddenly achievable.Even better, Catarino breaks down the 30-minutes into three 10-minute blocks of defined, focused work to make following the process easier:Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.1. Remove visual distractionIn the first 10 minutes, Catarino says it's about streamlining the space: "Guests decide how a space feels within seconds. If there's clutter or visual noise, it immediately feels smaller and less inviting."To achieve this, simply get rid of things that are occupying up too much space or cluttering your outdoors with no intention, like non-essential tools you could put in the shed or garage or toys that could be stored away when not in use.2. Create instant structure
