Hi Maryrose - I'd agree totally with Obelixx. If you look at the garden next to yours [on the right] it's incredibly dull. By following the ideas in Obelixx's diagrams, you can see how different, and how interesting a long narrow space can be. It doesn't have to be done all at one time either, and you don't need super skills in terms of drawing up plans. Do some rough sketches, outlining the areas that you need - washing line, play areas [if you have children] shed/storage area, grass, compost bins and so on. If you want outdoor lighting or a water feature, it's helpful to install electrics at the initial stages too. These sketches don't have to be to scale - they just show roughly what you would do and where. Factor in the aspects - check which bits are sunniest, shadiest etc, and then see how much time and money you have to spend on each part. You can then go out and plot those parts and get a better feel of the size of each part. Ideally you would do a scale drawing, but you can do it 'on foot' if that's easier, with canes and string lines, or spray paint. It's a good time of year to do it, so that when the weather improves, you can get digging Do the hard landscaping first - screening of the different parts, whether that's with timber, walls, hedges or anything else. Height is important in narrow plots, but many people are frightened of it. Keep checking how the views will be from each end or the sides too. A mistake many people make is to onlylook at the plot from one viewpoint. It's nice to have a view from a different part of the garden as you may want a litle seat or bench [in addition to your exisiting patio] elsewhere, depending on the times you want to sit out or eat outdoors. Once the basics are done, take it from there. You'll get plenty of help with planting etc from everyone here
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Next doors is actually quite well done it's not a bad garden just not what we were hoping for.
We have a list of must haves. 2 10x8 sheds. 1 10x8 greenhouse and vegetable planters. 1 12x10 summer house 1 wild life pond...must contain frogs at some point or my little dude is moving out. 1 semi raised goldfish pond (With safety in mind) 1 10 ft trampoline 1 patio area so we can eat.
Apologies V.Gardener! I didn't intend being rude A functional garden is how I should have described it, but I'm sure you know what I mean No privacy in it though.... That's a big list you have Maryrose - so just make sure you have enough space for your sheds, and the right spot for the greenhouse. Once you have those areas marked out [and do those to scale] design a nice space round them, creating a bit of screening. You can do that quite cheaply with posts,timber and climbers, and that will leave more room for plants. I always think a pond should be visible from windows, as it provides a nice view on a wet day.
Most importantly - don't end up with the trampoline in front of your windows!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
As you want to eat on the patio, it would be best kept close to the house (unless you like cold food!). If the child/children are small, the play area is probably best within sight from the windows as well, and don't forget that the pond(s) should have strong mesh covering to prevent falling in. Older children would probably enjoy having their trampoline etc. in a "secret" area further from the house.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
@Fairygirl .Not offended in the least! We inherited this garden a year ago,and a third of it had been given over to decking,which was dangerously rotted.We took it all down (a lot of work!) And it revealed a set of five concrete steps going down to this straight path! We have terraced the top(near the house) I put in sloping rockeries both sides of the steps,then paved at the bottom of the steps, both sides of the path. It's given the illusion of a wider path,but how I would love a curvy path!!!! See pic,this was all underneath decking!
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
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It doesn't have to be done all at one time either, and you don't need super skills in terms of drawing up plans. Do some rough sketches, outlining the areas that you need - washing line, play areas [if you have children] shed/storage area, grass, compost bins and so on. If you want outdoor lighting or a water feature, it's helpful to install electrics at the initial stages too. These sketches don't have to be to scale - they just show roughly what you would do and where. Factor in the aspects - check which bits are sunniest, shadiest etc, and then see how much time and money you have to spend on each part. You can then go out and plot those parts and get a better feel of the size of each part. Ideally you would do a scale drawing, but you can do it 'on foot' if that's easier, with canes and string lines, or spray paint. It's a good time of year to do it, so that when the weather improves, you can get digging
Do the hard landscaping first - screening of the different parts, whether that's with timber, walls, hedges or anything else. Height is important in narrow plots, but many people are frightened of it.
Keep checking how the views will be from each end or the sides too. A mistake many people make is to onlylook at the plot from one viewpoint. It's nice to have a view from a different part of the garden as you may want a litle seat or bench [in addition to your exisiting patio] elsewhere, depending on the times you want to sit out or eat outdoors.
Once the basics are done, take it from there. You'll get plenty of help with planting etc from everyone here
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
But we're planning some curves!!! And higher shrubs and rockeries.
We have a list of must haves.
2 10x8 sheds.
1 10x8 greenhouse and vegetable planters.
1 12x10 summer house
1 wild life pond...must contain frogs at some point or my little dude is moving out.
1 semi raised goldfish pond (With safety in mind)
1 10 ft trampoline
1 patio area so we can eat.
Roses and honeysuckle, foxglove.
I am in no way excited about the garden.
A functional garden is how I should have described it, but I'm sure you know what I mean
No privacy in it though....
That's a big list you have Maryrose - so just make sure you have enough space for your sheds, and the right spot for the greenhouse. Once you have those areas marked out [and do those to scale] design a nice space round them, creating a bit of screening. You can do that quite cheaply with posts,timber and climbers, and that will leave more room for plants. I always think a pond should be visible from windows, as it provides a nice view on a wet day.
Most importantly - don't end up with the trampoline in front of your windows!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It's given the illusion of a wider path,but how I would love a curvy path!!!!
See pic,this was all underneath decking!