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What to do with this space where a trampoline was?

craig jamesoncraig jameson Posts: 16
edited May 2023 in Garden design
Im stuck for what to do with this area!  It used to house a big trampoline but thats gone now and 2 years ago I planted over 100 perennials but that didnt really work, I think the area is too big/deep, I couldnt really get into it when it was grown in summer to weed and the whole area is a mess!
My first idea was to swap the bigger plants I have from the raised border over to this area and lift the perennials and  plant them in the raised bed - at the same time, building a pathway through the area so i can weed it etc.   How does that sound?  My worry is I do all that and it still looks like an area of garden that was 'missed' when doing the rest of it!
So, a couple of ideas I had this morning and I'm really open to other suggestions here - I dont want to spend a fortune and want to do the work myself since its a nightmare getting hold of people to work in gardens and being a smaller job, I think I would struggle.


I extend the raised border at the right hand side to the end of the back patio where the gazebo is (so not the curved stone bed, but behind that where the gazebo is.  One thing, that patio is higher than the raised bed, would this look odd?  What would I plant here?   Just more large and small shrubs and a lot of the perennials, I would then turf the area in front so extending the lawn a little
I extend the raised wooden bed round the outside of the garden, meeting at the back of the patio/Gazebo. In front of this, I turf the area
I go with my first idea - I simply do a swap and add in a path, big plants in raised bed to this area and perennials to the raised bed - this is probably the easiest/cheapest but is it the best option?

Not the best pictures, but hopefully these show the area and the idea, red colour will be raised bed, green will be grass.

Im just really struggling to see what would work the best without a complete redesign of the whole area!
Its 3.6m wide(between fence and the back patio) and 5m long

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  • craig jamesoncraig jameson Posts: 16
    Its 3.6m wide(between fence and the back patio) and 5m long
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    Think I'd continue to the back with your raised bed, then on the left I'd place turf. The turf would then accentuate your Washington palm feature. You'll obviously need to condition the raised bed soil with compost, well rotted manure, mushroom manure, whatever you can get your hands on. As for what to plant in the raised bed, that depends on your preferences.  

    Take it one bit at a time then you won't be overwhelmed
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • craig jamesoncraig jameson Posts: 16
    Thanks for that, you think that will all tie in then? Sounds good
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    Just wondering if some kind of pond would work, even a small one just for a water-lilly or marsh marigold etc. The pond could be just one section of this new area you are working on. Raised ponds are also possible, but it looks like you have a ledge already towards the left of the picture where your palm is planted. This could be part of the new design, with the pond coming to the ledge area, from below. 
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    It seems to me you’re over complicating this. Here’s my plan which took around two and a half minutes, including drawing time!
    1= shrubs or climbers attached to the fence
    2= tall perennials
    3= shorter perennials.

    As to what plants, that depends on soil, aspect and preferred colour schemes.


    Rutland, England
  • craig jamesoncraig jameson Posts: 16
    I actually have a pond at the other side, it's a natural hill so lends itself to a rockery and pond. Annoyingly this side is pretty damp and not much soil so would have made a good pond
  • craig jamesoncraig jameson Posts: 16
    BenCotto said:
    It seems to me you’re over complicating this. Here’s my plan which took around two and a half minutes, including drawing time!
    1= shrubs or climbers attached to the fence
    2= tall perennials
    3= shorter perennials.

    As to what plants, that depends on soil, aspect and preferred colour schemes.


    That's what I currently have but it looks a mess! Maybe if I rejigged it but I don't even know what plants are planted where bow and its just turned into a weed patch
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Before doing anything drastic, I would weed it thoroughly, taking stock of which perennials have survived at the same time (lots here are only just showing now). Maybe put some stepping stones through the middle for access (they can be just placed on the soil). Then you can decide whether there are gaps to fill or whether some things would be better moved, or whether you'd just prefer something different. If you don't like the massed planting look (which 100 perennials in that space would give you if they'd all survived) you could use a gravel mulch with individual specimen plants like you have in your other beds.

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    I'd put a wildlife pond there. 
  • craig jamesoncraig jameson Posts: 16
    Jenny_Aster said:
    Think I'd continue to the back with your raised bed, then on the left I'd place turf. The turf would then accentuate your Washington palm feature. You'll obviously need to condition the raised bed soil with compost, well rotted manure, mushroom manure, whatever you can get your hands on. As for what to plant in the raised bed, that depends on your preferences.  

    Take it one bit at a time then you won't be overwhelmed
    Im going to go with this idea - when I make the raised bed, what do I use against the fence?  Do I need to use the same railway sleepers or can I just pin a waterproof membrane to the fence to protect it and use that as the back? Or do I use thinner wooden lengths to create a box and screw them to the fence then add a membrane?  Just want to make sure my neighbours fences dont fall down!  They are in good condition at the moment!
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