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Gardens Design Dilemma landscape design

What do we do with our garden?!

last year

We’ve just finished a wonderful extension but our back garden is in need of some tlc. Although we won’t tackle it until next year I like to spend time planning/budgeting, but I don’t know where to start with gardens!

We’ve got a smallish lawn with a big patio, swing set and corner shed. I need tips for helping to make the garden look as big as possible, low maintenance, family friendly and a nice place to spend time. Neither my husband nor I are very green fingered. What would you do with the space?

Featured Answer

Soraya

last year

Hi. As someone else suggested, I would paint the fence a dark colour as well as the shed. We have done this in two of our gardens using an almost black colour and it looks fantastic and allows the plants planted against the fence to stand out.

I would plant a low border near the patio to bring some colour closer to the house and break up the garden a bit.

Move the swings and any other kid stuff to the left and add a bench or large pergola in the middle back wall to add a focus point with borders on both sides.

You have a great screen above the fence already so neaten it up and plant some mod-size evergreen shrubs. I would stick to a colour them and find 3 or 4 plants that complement one another and run that then throughout.

Add some pots in front of the shed, either side of your bifold doors and around your patio and it will look amazing. Good luck!

Comments (7)

Sonia
last year
I think you would benefit from using a garden designer to draw up a plan? Many designers do this and then you can do the work yourself if you wish. Pinterest is also a great place for ideas.
HU-463534663
last year
I would move the shed so that you can use that lovely sunny spot for sitting or growing things, and also so that it is’t so visible from your new windows. If you aren’t that interested in gardening and your children are young I would concentrate on putting some non-prickly climbers up the fences and growing something low along the edge of the paving; something tough that can withstand a bit of trampling and being hit by balls, like lavender or rosemary. If you fancy more plants, the base of the tree would be an obvious place, though conditions there will be dry and shady so suitable for things like ferns and heucheras rather than anything more colourful. I love gardens and gardening and always want more flowers, but it depends so much on how you expect to use the space and how much time you want to spend maintaining it. The options are endless!
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Ann Jones
last year
Hi, if you garden was mine I would paint the shed and fences with black or dark brown Cuprinol which is like coloured water, and not paint which would have to be redone every few years to keep the bright colour, it has the advantage of being a preservative as well.
Second job, cut the grass back an make a border for plants, the add compost to the soil and in the spring give the whole border a dressing of Growmore to give plants a good start, do this before you buy any plants.
Thirdly, how about putting a simple seat, something like a raised railway sleeper, under the tree where the soil would be more difficult to grow plants, it would give you a different perspective of you house and garden. You could put down a row of slabs in front of it or put down a membrane and cover it with chipped bark but be aware children/birds etc love throwing this on to the lawn.
Fourth. Take pictures of what you have done, go to your local garden centre a tell them what you want to achieve they would be able to give you ideas of what to look for, I would suggest shrubs and climbers and when planting allow enough space for them to grow, it might look a bit sparse at first BUT it is financially worth it. For a couple of years you could put in some annuals but they are not really child proof.
Your garden seems to have no problems with being overlooked which is great, I hope my ideas will help you and that I haven’t given you too much work but this basics are essential. If you need suggestions for plants please let me know and I will give you some ideas, measurements of the borders when done will be a great help.
How about a get together with some friends, they bring their digging forks and you provide wine/beer and a bit of food for after they have done the job. Enjoy yourselves. 👍😁
Soraya
last year
Hi. As someone else suggested, I would paint the fence a dark colour as well as the shed. We have done this in two of our gardens using an almost black colour and it looks fantastic and allows the plants planted against the fence to stand out.

I would plant a low border near the patio to bring some colour closer to the house and break up the garden a bit.

Move the swings and any other kid stuff to the left and add a bench or large pergola in the middle back wall to add a focus point with borders on both sides.

You have a great screen above the fence already so neaten it up and plant some mod-size evergreen shrubs. I would stick to a colour them and find 3 or 4 plants that complement one another and run that then throughout.

Add some pots in front of the shed, either side of your bifold doors and around your patio and it will look amazing. Good luck!
PRO
The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
last year
Hi there,

You have a lot of potential there for your garden! It is important to establish what you want out of it in order to achieve a design that not only looks good (and makes your garden feel bigger) but that is also meaningful to you and your family.

Would you like a place to seat in the sun or shade (or both!)?, would you like somewhere to grow vegetables? Do you need space for children to play where you can keep an eye on them? These are just a few examples of things that need to be taken into consideration. The fact that you are not green fingered should not put you off as there are plenty of low maintenance robust lovely plants to choose from.

I am a garden designer and would love to help you with this project. Please have a look at my website for details and get in touch if interested! Now is a great time to plan it so that you can get it done for next year!

www.therootedconceptgardendesign.co.uk

deborahbiasoli@gmail.com
pjdklm
last year
If you want to make it as big as possible, I’d advocate levelling the lawn area to match the patio.

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