Need garden tips...
Discussion
Hello All,
We are finally getting around to making a start on the garden in our new house and really need some ideas on where to start.
As you can see from the picture, it has been neglected for some years and is going to need a complete overhaul. The biggest problem i see, is that the garden drastically drops on the right hand side, which is most likely why the retaining walls have been put in place in an attempt to create a level turf area.
The current retaining wall causes me an issue due to the fact we have our first child coming, the gap between the retaining wall and fence is around 3ft, not something i want any kids falling into...
We could perhaps keep the existing retaining walls, and just infill the gaps with gravel? However, if anyone has any better ideas i would be interested to hear them...
Thanks,
We are finally getting around to making a start on the garden in our new house and really need some ideas on where to start.
As you can see from the picture, it has been neglected for some years and is going to need a complete overhaul. The biggest problem i see, is that the garden drastically drops on the right hand side, which is most likely why the retaining walls have been put in place in an attempt to create a level turf area.
The current retaining wall causes me an issue due to the fact we have our first child coming, the gap between the retaining wall and fence is around 3ft, not something i want any kids falling into...
We could perhaps keep the existing retaining walls, and just infill the gaps with gravel? However, if anyone has any better ideas i would be interested to hear them...
Thanks,
Thanks for all the replies!
Yes, it is a single row of bricks. It isnt particulalrly level, but it does appear to be very solid.
I hadn't actually thought about terracing, i guess i would have to go from left to right as that is the direction of the slope. Annoyingly, the garden is mostly level nearest the house and only drops away towards the back right hand side. The only down side to creating terrances, is that i dont think we'd be left with much useable space for the kids to run around in.
Perhaps i could create a rectangle step down in the back corner, and use that as a seating / bbq area? The terrance would have to be quite steep though!
Yes, it is a single row of bricks. It isnt particulalrly level, but it does appear to be very solid.
I hadn't actually thought about terracing, i guess i would have to go from left to right as that is the direction of the slope. Annoyingly, the garden is mostly level nearest the house and only drops away towards the back right hand side. The only down side to creating terrances, is that i dont think we'd be left with much useable space for the kids to run around in.
Perhaps i could create a rectangle step down in the back corner, and use that as a seating / bbq area? The terrance would have to be quite steep though!
The fence to the rear is sloping quite severely. The fence on the right was recently put up by our neighbours, its a 10ft fence which he put up to offer both of us more privacy as his garden is considerably lower than mine. Its actually a remarkbly well made and sturdy fence, unlike the one to the rear which really needs addressing!
If i build up the gap with soil, wont that be too much weight on the new fence? I'd also be concerned that it would rot away the fence over time.
I think getting rid of the existing wall is a good start point though
If i build up the gap with soil, wont that be too much weight on the new fence? I'd also be concerned that it would rot away the fence over time.
I think getting rid of the existing wall is a good start point though
There was decking in the past, and i'm informed by the neighbour that it really was a huge rat run.
One possible idea i've seen mentioned elsewhere is to remove the retaining walls, level off the top left hand side of the garden in a semi-circular shape and then allow the garden to naturally fall away to the corner. (probably how it was originally). I wouldnt have as much flat space, but it would solve a lot of the issues with the fencing.
I do like the step down idea too, although its hard to picture any of the ideas in my head.
One possible idea i've seen mentioned elsewhere is to remove the retaining walls, level off the top left hand side of the garden in a semi-circular shape and then allow the garden to naturally fall away to the corner. (probably how it was originally). I wouldnt have as much flat space, but it would solve a lot of the issues with the fencing.
I do like the step down idea too, although its hard to picture any of the ideas in my head.
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