Re-designing own garden - any basics I should know?
Discussion
hornetrider said:
Winter isn't the best time with the ground so hard, planting etc. What's it like now and what do you have in mind?
WInter is fantastic for landscaping because all the plants are sleeping and if you get proper frost it stops the mud.Plus you don't overheat, the exercise keeps you nice and warm.
Then in the spring all the stuff you moved grows, job done!
Slopes and potentially dry or boggy areas can be determined before you even touch a spade. Similarly any shady areas or those that will be shaded as trees grow or are planted.
Digging a couple of trial holes will tell you what sort of soil you seem to have - sand/clay/good peaty loam (I should be so lucky) and how deep it is before you hit stones, clay or builders rubble. You could also use a soil tester kit for pH & nutrients. It's difficult and expensive to change those aspects of garden soil so consider what might grow well there as it is. Check out what grows well in nearby gardens.
It is possible to prepare an area for a lawn but it's too late to sow seed or lay turf IMO.
It is, however, a good time to move most plants (as said above) but check with a good garden encyclopaedia first. It can also be a good time for hard landscaping if you catch a break in heavy rain or frost.
Digging a couple of trial holes will tell you what sort of soil you seem to have - sand/clay/good peaty loam (I should be so lucky) and how deep it is before you hit stones, clay or builders rubble. You could also use a soil tester kit for pH & nutrients. It's difficult and expensive to change those aspects of garden soil so consider what might grow well there as it is. Check out what grows well in nearby gardens.
It is possible to prepare an area for a lawn but it's too late to sow seed or lay turf IMO.
It is, however, a good time to move most plants (as said above) but check with a good garden encyclopaedia first. It can also be a good time for hard landscaping if you catch a break in heavy rain or frost.
5MUG said:
Iwill post a pic later........... it's grim!
You need to do this so we can see what you're up against. Also, which direction does it face? where in the country are you? Is it a new garden or old? are there any existing trees and other plants there?I agree that winter is the best time to do it. If you're paying people to do any hard landscaping they will probably be happy of the work and so you won't have to wait long and maybe get a bit of a deal.
People often;
Makes paths too narrow.
Plant shrubs and bushes too close to the house.
Make flower beds too small, which causes "the too close to house"
When it comes to colour combinations complimentary colours, blues and yellow flowers work well together.
As do red flowers with dark green foilege.
Vary height of plantings for interest.
Some of these modern everblooming roses are very good, takes a year to get them to the "wow" stage.
Makes paths too narrow.
Plant shrubs and bushes too close to the house.
Make flower beds too small, which causes "the too close to house"
When it comes to colour combinations complimentary colours, blues and yellow flowers work well together.
As do red flowers with dark green foilege.
Vary height of plantings for interest.
Some of these modern everblooming roses are very good, takes a year to get them to the "wow" stage.
Gingerbread Man said:
What were your initial thoughts?
Pond? Decking? Patio? Planting in borders? Discovering a view or privacy?
Child/ pet orientated?
My initial thoughts are to leave it largely as it is, with the sympathetic addition of a patio or a bit of decking if you really feel that you need it.Pond? Decking? Patio? Planting in borders? Discovering a view or privacy?
Child/ pet orientated?
Be a shame in my view to turn a well established garden into something that looks like an ad for B&Q though
What are your needs in the garden?
Are you doing it with kids in mind, dogs, chickens? Do you need space for sports or hobbies etc? Want to improve things for wildlife, and have a semi-natural look or is it going to be very formal and managed?
Might be worth considering the bigger features: pond, patio, decking, shed, rockery, established trees etc and then working the rest around those?
Ps. looks fine to me as it is, if a bit bland. Certainly not a mess or state though.
Are you doing it with kids in mind, dogs, chickens? Do you need space for sports or hobbies etc? Want to improve things for wildlife, and have a semi-natural look or is it going to be very formal and managed?
Might be worth considering the bigger features: pond, patio, decking, shed, rockery, established trees etc and then working the rest around those?
Ps. looks fine to me as it is, if a bit bland. Certainly not a mess or state though.
I phoned a landscape architect and requested a sketch.
I wanted to make the garden into 'rooms' with a BBQ/Seating area at the bottom, and a patio near the house to sit and eat breakfast in the mornings.
My garden is literally a long piece of grass.
This is what I got sent (just a sketch, but with notes on what colour to paint the shed etc. with colour charts) was pretty pleased considering what I paid.
I basically told them what I liked, and they sent this back.
I wanted to make the garden into 'rooms' with a BBQ/Seating area at the bottom, and a patio near the house to sit and eat breakfast in the mornings.
My garden is literally a long piece of grass.
This is what I got sent (just a sketch, but with notes on what colour to paint the shed etc. with colour charts) was pretty pleased considering what I paid.
I basically told them what I liked, and they sent this back.
dirty boy said:
I phoned a landscape architect and requested a sketch.
I wanted to make the garden into 'rooms' with a BBQ/Seating area at the bottom, and a patio near the house to sit and eat breakfast in the mornings.
My garden is literally a long piece of grass.
This is what I got sent (just a sketch, but with notes on what colour to paint the shed etc. with colour charts) was pretty pleased considering what I paid.
I basically told them what I liked, and they sent this back.
I did that once, the plan was accompanied with a quoteI wanted to make the garden into 'rooms' with a BBQ/Seating area at the bottom, and a patio near the house to sit and eat breakfast in the mornings.
My garden is literally a long piece of grass.
This is what I got sent (just a sketch, but with notes on what colour to paint the shed etc. with colour charts) was pretty pleased considering what I paid.
I basically told them what I liked, and they sent this back.
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