Blank canvas garden design

butchpt2503 · July 2018

I've posted this before but I believe I put it in the wrong category so I thought I'd try again with a new one

New build house, I haven't tested soil PH yet but still looking for garden design ideas.

As you can see the sun is receding away to the back of the garden, it is 1745 currently. This for me suggests a seating area at the back (despite the rowdy neighbours behind that back fence)

The rules are

No bedding plants - I simply don't like them, I prefer bigger plants. I also tend to plant all year round colour. I'm not good with names, I've got some types of plant from.my.old garden written down somewhere

Large grassed area for my child to play on

A water feature will be going in somewhere

A shed needs to be incorporated , just a standard 6x4

I'm open to ideas, how would you design this garden?

Lizzie27 · July 2018

With difficulty! Are the developers going to lay turf or is that it? Are the two small fences each side boundary fences between you and your neighbours? If there is room and no windows/doors are in the way, could you put the shed near the house so you don't have to sit and look at it. I'm not convinced you will want to sit at the end of the garden if you will be overlooked by the neighbours, even if you do get some sunshine there. I'd be inclined to put your swing bench up by the house. How about a round or oval lawn in the middle, with perhaps some stepping stones through it? That would give you some greater depth in the corners for some larger shrubs as background. Another idea might be to work on the diagonal, relaying the patio slabs on the slant and having a zig zag path (if needed).

Nanny Beach · July 2018

Good points Lizzie, would also be dubious about a water feature with a small child, even if its not deep, etc, they will no doubt want to play with/in it. Shrubs of course will have to be "safe" no berries, thorns. Would need more info, what aspect does it face, NSEW, soil type.What have you bought from your last garden?

Fairygirl · July 2018

The 'large rock with water bubbling out' type of water feature is fine.
My children grew up with all sorts in the garden too. Small children whouldn't beout for hours without supervision anyway.
I'd keep that very simple - it's a very small space. Shrubs along the back and a screen - perhaps two sections at right angles for a small sitting/dining area - in the sunny area if you don't mind noise. Personally that would drive me nuts, but it's your garden, and if you mainly use it at night, and you want the sun, that's the only spot you can have it. I think putting the shed towards the back and incorporating a seating area beside it might be better - using a screen and climbers to make it more user friendly. Make a path directly to that [possibly along one boundary ] because that's what you'll do anyway - everyone takes the shortest route.
The boundary fences are pretty flimsy looking. I'd be careful what you plant along those or you'll just end up with a very narrow plot. Keep a reasonable area of grass - and keep it a uniform shape whether it's round, oval or square. Avoid fussy, wavy messy shapes in a small space.

The best method is to put the whole thing on a diagonal. That will make the plot look wider, and you can put shrubs for screening more easily that way too. Where you locate the seating will depend on the space available. You can then screen the shed too if you don't want to look at it. To be honest - it's very small and you'll need to think carefully about how you plan it. Take accurate measurements, draw up a rough plan [ can you triangulate?] and draw [to scale] the items you need on it before you start.

K67 · July 2018

There are a lot of contained water features that are safe for children. Get a noisy one as it's great for dulling down noisy neighbours as well as your own noise. Just remember you will need to run it to a power point

Fairygirl · July 2018

This is what you'd need for really noisy neighbours K67 -

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/6o/xx467wkn94n5.jpg

I meant to say butch - I'd fill those side fences in with something before the children are out there. It's just a climbing frame for them

or they'll crawl underneath....

NewBoy2 · July 2018

Check the soil for rocks and stones as that is where "builders " will have hidden bits of old pipe and bricks as this will corrupt any lawns you start off.
a soil testing kit and find out what type of soil you have....acidic...alkaline.

Buhttp://www.mr-fothergills.co.uk/Garden-Equipment/Garden-Tools/Soil-pH-Tester-Pair.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuZCmjufB3AIVL7HtCh2K4ALgEAQYBSABEgJwKfD_BwE&ccode=F19PGP#.W1xiztJKjcsy

Put guttering on the shed so you can collect rain water into a butt as flowers prefer rain water to tap water.

Leave a "spuddling area " for the children to get mucky in with the soil and water

Hostafan1 · July 2018

If one has a noisy water feature, isn't one becoming " the noisy neighbour" I'd hate to live next door to a "noisy" water feature. I did once and it sounded like a horse p*ssing in a stream 24/7

Mary370 · July 2018

@Hostafan1

NewBoy2 · July 2018

Hostafan1

I know what you mean.

I have a "lovely trendy family " living two doors up who are NSA.............Not Socially Aware.

Wind chimes in trees.....garden full of loghts that glow when everyone is asleep.....a permanenet paddling pool.....2 cars that they bang the doors 10 times before they drive off....a porch light that flickers on and off all night.

Live and Let Live.......and relax relax relax

butchpt2503 · August 2018

The biggest thing I am struggling with is where to put things in the garden

Shed in going back left

Other than that I'm not really sure where to put everything else

Blank canvas garden design

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