How to create a country garden at home inspired by our pubs

Imagine transforming your garden into a beautiful, fragrant escape, much like one of our Chef & Brewer pubs with a beautiful beer garden near you. With stunning views and lush greenery, these inviting spaces provide the perfect setting in which to relax and soak up the countryside. 

So why not recreate that charm in your own outdoor space? Building a country garden can be a rewarding project that keeps you busy, puts you in touch with nature and adds a wonderful sense of tranquillity to your home. 

Ten steps to create your own country garden

To help you create your own beautiful sanctuary, we've put together some simple steps inspired by the enchanting beer gardens at our country pubs. Let’s transform your garden into a lush retreat where nature and wildlife thrive. 

Step 1. Design your space

Getting outside and working on your garden can be incredibly exciting, regardless of whether you have a sprawling plot or a cosy patio. The process of planning a new-look garden allows you to unleash your creativity and design a space that reflects your personality. 

First, consider your space. Think about incorporating vertical gardening if you’re limited on room. Maybe include a charming seating area for sunny afternoons. Pay attention to how your garden receives sunlight. Soil quality and drainage is also important when selecting plants, ensuring they bloom beautifully. 

With careful planning, you can create a welcoming space that captures the spirit of our delightful beer gardens, perfect for gatherings with family and friends. 

Step 2. Prepare your soil

Healthy soil is the foundation upon which to build a flourishing garden, so it’s worth giving it some love. Start by checking the pH levels to ensure they're just right for your plants. Regularly digging and loosening the soil helps it breathe and allows roots to soak up all those lovely nutrients. 

By caring for your soil, you create a welcoming environment that supports vibrant growth and encourages your plants to thrive. 

Step 3. Choose your plants

When selecting plants, think about your garden's unique quirks as well as your goals. If you would like your plants to last longer, opt for perennial flowers like lavender, with its soothing purple blooms and comforting fragrance that bees adore. For a real English country garden feel, consider adding in peonies and hyacinth for added shape and pleasing scents. 

If you’re after a burst of colour, roses have luscious petals in various shades and captivating perfumes. Tulips are also a sweet addition, available in a myriad of dreamy hues. For wildlife-friendly gardens, choose native wildflowers like oxeye daisies, which invite butterflies to dance among their sunny faces. Feeling blue? Add a sprinkling of cornflowers and delight in their soft, cerulean magic. 

Consider including herbs like fragrant basil or refreshing mint, great for adding flavour to your dishes when cooking at home. You could also grow your own fruit and veg for fresh, home-cooked meals. And in between cultivating your garden, don’t forget to visit a Chef & Brewer beer garden near you to enjoy the fruits of your labour and gain some extra inspiration. 

Step 4. Navigate your paths and borders

Paths and borders bring both structure and charm to your garden. Winding stone pathways guide you through your outdoor space, inviting exploration, while neat borders frame your plants, giving the garden a polished look. Whether using brick, gravel, natural stone or wood chippings, these elements help create a sense of order, deepening the beauty and flow of your garden. 

Step 5. Fun with your focal points

A selection of interesting focal points can make your garden truly come alive. Think of a weather-worn bench crouched beneath a wisened old tree. Its boughs outstretched as if in warm welcome, beckoning you to sit and stay awhile. 

It could even be something as simple as a pretty bird bath surrounded by blooming flowers, a wall of ivy or wisteria, or perhaps a vintage lantern casting a warm, golden glow in the evenings. 

Step 6. Time to plant

It’s time to get planting. Start by choosing the right spot for each plant. Here’s where you need to think about its light and water needs – sun-loving flowers like geraniums thrive in bright spots, while shade-dwellers like ferns do best in cooler areas. 

Prepare your soil by loosening it and adding compost for extra nutrients. Dig a hole twice the width of the plant’s roots, then gently place it in, ensuring the root ball is level with the surface. 

Water generously after planting, and mulch around the base to retain moisture. Spacing is key, too – leave enough room for your plants to grow and spread, and you’ll have a healthy, thriving garden in no time. 

Step 7. Watering and mulching

Watering and mulching may seem like an after-thought, or optional extras, but in reality, both are important for a healthy, durable garden. Regular watering ensures plants stay hydrated and absorb essential nutrients, especially during dry spells. 

Mulching helps lock in moisture, prevents weeds and regulates your soil temperature, giving your plants the perfect environment to flourish. Together, they create a flourishing, low-maintenance garden that stays lush and vibrant year-round. 

Step 8. Welcoming your wildlife

Here are some quick tips to encourage some little, but very important visitors into your garden. 

• Plant native flowers like foxgloves or honeysuckle to attract bees and butterflies with their nectar-rich blooms.
• Leave a corner wild – a patch of untamed grass or wildflowers creates a haven for insects and small creatures.
• Install a bird feeder or birdbath to encourage regular feathered friends to pop by.
• Create a pond – even a small water feature can attract frogs, newts and those ever-elusive dragonflies.
• Build a bug hotel using old wood and natural materials, offering shelter for beneficial insects like ladybirds. Not feeling crafty? A simple log pile will do the same job.

Step 9 . Keeping your garden gorgeous

Regular care keeps your garden in tip-top shape. Prune plants to encourage healthy growth and remove dead or damaged leaves. Weed regularly to prevent them from competing with your plants for nutrients. 

Water consistently, especially during dry spells, and top up your mulch to lock in moisture. Feed your plants with organic fertiliser during growing seasons to boost their strength. Finally, keep an eye out for pests, using natural methods like companion planting to protect your garden without harming any wildlife. 

Step 10. Sit back and relax

Well done! You’ve transformed your space into a beautiful, beer garden-inspired Eden. Now it’s time to truly enjoy it. Whether you’re sipping tea with breakfast on a sunny morning or hosting a weekend summer barbecue with friends, your garden is the perfect spot to unwind and soak up the great outdoors. 

Listen to the birdsong, admire your fragrant blooms, and watch as butterflies flit through your flower beds. Take a moment to relax and relish the peaceful retreat you’ve created – a little slice of countryside tranquillity, right at home. 

Your hard work has paid off, so enjoy every moment in your garden haven. And when you’re ready for a change of scenery, head to a beer garden near you to soak up the atmosphere and continue the good times. Plus, our pubs are dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along too.