Blimey! Didn't realise it was a whole garden and not just a few roses. I would dig and prepare decent planting holes for thos potted plants to go in the ground and then rake everything as level as possible before doing membrane and gravel.
However, I would also consider doing some more planting of shrubs and some climbers to break up that expanse of fence because once membrane and gravel go down it will be very difficult to change.
Can't imagine a sea of gravel is going to look much better than a sea of chipped bark. What have your neighbours done?
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Neighbors have turfed, however their gardens are much smaller and they don't have dogs! We are going to sow a lawn on the right of orange fencing as that is similar size again. Really great tip for digging flowers beds out first, thank you!
Thank you. You don't think I should gravel it? The bark seems to hold the water. I thought gravel would make it less waterlogged?
No less waterlogged with gravel. IME membrane is a pain in the ar$e if you ever change your mind on the gravel. The lowest point in the garden is a good area to dig a sump, you can the plant a ‘willow wand’ or six in the surrounding soil.
It depends what you want. If you want a gravel patch or if you want a planty garden area; if you want to give the time to maintain shrubs etc. This is a gardening website so all the commenters are rather fixated on plants. I personally find membrane with gravel on top is excellent at weed reducing and can be very practical. I imagine a properly thick layer of gravel would have the results you are looking for.
You are on quite a slope; in a new build? If so, the soil quality can often be pretty awful. As you have been in the house for less than a year, perhaps just keep getting to know the garden before you do anything major or expense. It promises to be dramatically different through the summer.
Yes it's a new build. And yes a big slope away from the house. We do want plants, but are not gardener's so it's all trial and error. We desperately want to remove the bark as it seems to attract flies??? Even in the winter months.. I would love a full lawn but this is not ideal with 2 dogs and the garden seems incredibly water logged.... Hence the gravel. Thank you for your advice. I think you are right about taking it slow. I will have a rethink.🙂
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However, I would also consider doing some more planting of shrubs and some climbers to break up that expanse of fence because once membrane and gravel go down it will be very difficult to change.
Can't imagine a sea of gravel is going to look much better than a sea of chipped bark. What have your neighbours done?
https://www.willowwand.co.uk/
no membrane, no gravel, just plants it will thrive.
We desperately want to remove the bark as it seems to attract flies??? Even in the winter months..
I would love a full lawn but this is not ideal with 2 dogs and the garden seems incredibly water logged.... Hence the gravel.
Thank you for your advice. I think you are right about taking it slow. I will have a rethink.🙂