Forum home› Garden design
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

New build garden - no imagination

pinkapantspinkapants Posts: 15
in Garden design
 Hello. Me and my other half have a new build garden and no imagination (yet). 
Our puppy is grown up (nearly). 
We want the garden split into a few small area, seating and BBQ (maybe a pergola),
Wildflower area and grass for the dog. 
We need a shed 7x5 and a washing line 
We would like, 
Pergola, bistro seating at the patio doors, flower beds, shrubs/trees, climbers, 
But not sure how best to put these in. 
I've attached a picture of the tip. And a first draft of what we planned though it's without pergola. 
We are happy to rip up patio. 
It's south facing with the left hand side facing out getting most sun. It's horrendous clay soil.
Of anyone has any ideas of what we should consider, Def does and don'ts, nice way to think about layouts. 
I have googled a lot and become overwhelmed :( 

Thank you all

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    If the patio is staying, you could take your cue from it (and other features such as your house walls). Draw lines parallel with the sides of the patio, extending to the boundary. Then draw lines at 90 degrees to those lines - a good place to start is 1/3 or 2/3 of the way along. These secondary lines should be staggered or offset from each other. Fill in the rectangles you've created with "lawn", "planting bed", "seating area" etc roughly where you want them. You can fill adjacent squares with larger features like the lawn. Like a Mondrian painting. Some lines can be emphasised with a hedge or a formal row of plants/features. Move the divisions around to work for your intended used.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • pinkapantspinkapants Posts: 15
    Brilliant start thank you. That opens up a way to move things on 

  • berginjim5berginjim5 Posts: 46
    hi , in my view gardens evolve , take your time ,do it bit by bit , any big changes can be costly and it might not turn out as you imagined , my garden has taken 10 years to get somewhere like I want and its still evolving 
  • pinkapantspinkapants Posts: 15
    Thank you. Slow process is a good shout but I suppose I need to have a roughy idea to have a place to start? 
  • strelitzia32strelitzia32 Posts: 758
    pinkapants said:
    Thank you. Slow process is a good shout but I suppose I need to have a roughy idea to have a place to start? 
    You do, but unless you have a budget of several thousand pounds ready to go in one hit, you don't need to worry too much. The only things that can't be changed (easily) are mature trees and hard landscaping. Trees aren't a problem for you yet, so just take a year to get a feel for how your garden looks and feels through the seasons. One location may have excellent sun in May, but in shade by July. Maybe you want seating in a sheltered area, and you need to see how autumn and March winds affect positioning.

    As for plants, just get what you like. Don't buy loads at great expense, just buy what you like (or even better, grow from seed or cutting). Position them, see how they grow and whether they work together. Move them, replace them, use pots etc etc. A garden is never finished, and as it evolves over time you'll see what works for your location, soil and personal preferences. The journey is the enjoyment!
Sign In or Register to comment.