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Gardens Design Dilemma

smallish garden design help - pictures in thread

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I have a smallish rectangular garden surrounded by brick wall, fence, hedges.Needs: I have a 7year old who is football obsessed. He loves to run and jump around but conscious in a few years this may change so would like it to be adaptable.I love to sit out and host BBQs. We have our decking which has space for dining, BBQ and chiminea.I like to dry clothes outside. Not a huge gardener, a few pots/ low maintenance border/raised bed would suit me.Help: Really struggling!Constraints: slopes left to right approx 1m down. For construction, access by 1m strip down side of house although neighbor likely to allow access via their garden.Size: 10m wide by 8m deep. West facing

Featured Answer

Fiona Brown
Original Author

5 years ago

Thought you might like to see what I went with! Just kept it simple and went with artificial grass. Now to plant the beds and get all my pots planted

Comments (17)

Fiona Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
Sorry about formatting I find this app excruciating!
Would like to keep the brick wall and ivy. The hedge on the right is mine and happy for it to go. The trellis is blocking a gap between my neighbour and I, which needs a permanent solution.
Fiona Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
lost pictures here they are
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rachelmidlands
5 years ago
Hi Fiona. Bumping up your dilemma. Plus having a think about it.
Fiona Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
thanks Rachel. Thinking of two sections, left and right using the existing shape as much as possible. Left - plain expanse with goals! Right - some raised beds doubling as seating, with space for a lounger/couple of adriondacks. High wooden posts dotted around to hang lights and washing lines from. Need to sketch out if anyone can recommend a decent, easy to use app?
PRO
User
5 years ago
Do you sit in the garden at all, or just use the decking? You say that's the entrance to the house, so what rooms are attached to the garden? Can you take a picture from the back looking towards the house?
rachelmidlands
5 years ago
Agree with MATH. Would be interested in what is underneath the decking. Is it part of the house, basement, storage area? Do you you use the decking as the main entrance to the garden from house, carrying washing for instance? A photo taken from the end of the garden looking back towards house will help as I’m a little confused as to where the slope is. From the photos it looks like the garden slopes away from the house but you say it’s left to right so I’m unsure. I think you’re right by thinking of splitting it in two, one for kickabout, one for seating and planters. And it would be easier in one sense as there is already a dividing line with the path in the middle. But that’s what I find a little odd, the path in the middle doesn’t go anywhere, just ends abruptly, very strange. I’ll do a couple of rough sketches with some ideas. I prefer to draw on paper as I’ve tried a few apps but find them a little frustrating. And just to note I quite like the hedge, it’s good for wildlife, adds greenery and it’s been kept neat. A single wooden fence panel (perhaps one with a fancy trellis top) should be enough for the gap between you and neighbour.
rachelmidlands
5 years ago
Couple of sketches for you:) Just so you know, I’m no garden designer by any means and these are not drawn to scale, it’s just to give you some ideas. I’ve based designs assuming the ground slopes away from house and have left area under decking free for whatever purpose. Planting areas could be raised or ground level, whichever you like, but I’d put a border around them to contain the soil. I kept a shed in plan for storage and as your boy gets older he might want storage for bike etc. The long arrows indicate the direction of flow from the decking steps. Basically leading you around the planting areas for more interest. Seating area on right below deck as I think this is the sunniest spot and less likely to be overlooked by neighboring windows. Anyway, hope this gives you some inspiration. Oh, and the light green shrub at the end of the garden looks like a choisya. A hardy evergreen shrub with lovely lime foliage and great fragrance in spring so I’d keep this if possible. All the best. (Click pic to enlarge).
Fiona Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
some more pics
there is under deck storage perfect for bikes, garden tools etc.
I'm going to put log storage next to the deck steps.
Fiona Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
I think you will see the level difference here
Fiona Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
the deck leads to my main living room and eating space. the deck is perfect for BBQ and eating, sitting at chiminea as gets the evening sun.
rest of garden will only be used for sun bathing on very warm days or extra seating when I have a bigger gathering (quite fancy raised beds with railway sleepers) I have a lounger and two adriondacks
Fiona Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
last of the pics
rachelmidlands
5 years ago
Ah, it makes more sense now. Thanks for the extra photos. Definitely think hard landscaping in front of decking still. Although you may need extra steps/filling in to account for difference in levels. You could eliminate the shed from sketch if you have storage, more room for sun loungers:) Nice work on the house btw. :)
Fiona Brown
Original Author
5 years ago
thanks so much Rachel
PRO
Garden Design Guru
5 years ago
I don't want to comment on minor changes, I don;t really get into stuff like that, What I am wondering, looking at the pictures, is if you could make a really cool covered area underneath the decking. It would need to be a few feet below the existing the level. That would be quite exciting and make the usable space bigger.
rachelmidlands
5 years ago
Looks nice! It’s simple and great for a family to enjoy. I bet your boy will love playing footie against the wall:)
Monica
5 years ago
Loos gorgeous and fuss free !! Enjoy :)

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