Border width size? Help with new garden :)

georginakellitt69305 · 16 February

Hello there!

After renting a terraced house with a tiny garden in the city for 15 years, we finally bought our first home in December. I'm a huge lover of gardening and tried to fit as much as I could into my old tiny garden. Our garden at our new house is much bigger, which I'm very excited about, however still probably classed as not a particularly big garden in the grand scheme of things! We also have a large wooden building out there which acts as our home office and shed.

I'm keen to incorporate a border on each side of the garden for lots of lovely cottage garden style perennials and such. The issue is have is - I have 3 small children (and a puppy!) Who also want to have as much garden space to play as possible, and my husband (and complete non-gardener!) Is keen for me to leave as much grass untouched as possible.

I was just reading up on what size garden borders should be, and read that they should be no less than 1m wide?

There is currently an empty vegetable bed on the right hand side which I would be removing (please see pic below).

Would love to hear any advice on garden layout as such - thanks so much in advance!!

Georgie 💗

JennyJ · 16 February

To start with I would make one border, on the side where the raised bed is and extending down to the shed/office building, with the front edge aligned with the edge of the paving. You might find as you gain experience that you want more width - I think most of us have (stealthily or otherwise) chipped away at lawns to make wider borders!

What is it with men and grass? I'm lucky, mine's not interested in gardening so I do whatever I like with it, but even so he has on occasion asked "has the lawn shrunk again?"

AnniD · 16 February

I agree with @JennyJ, probably start on the one side first of all.

The 1 metre size is probably the minimum, especially if you want to achieve the cottage garden look, but with 3 small children plus s dog that's probably the most you will get away with for the time being at least

I would start off by deciding the look you want to go for. Do you prefer straight lines or curves ?
If the latter remember to make them quite sweeping and not too "mean", as it makes it easier to manoeuvre the lawnmower.
Do you have to take into account a washing line or rotary washing line, and do you want to incorporate a path or stepping stones to your home office ?

georginakellitt69305 · 16 February

Thanks so much for your responses ladies.

@AnniD I was thinking curved lines would probably work best? I've read that it can help to make your garden appear bigger...I like things to be a little wild and natural, nothing too structural or sculpted - if that makes sense! We'd definitely need a washing line out there, but I think I'll get a retractable one that will just run from the corner of the office to the house.

@JennyJ I know - he's not bothered by gardening in the slightest! All about as much lawn as possible! 🙈 I was worried it might like abit uneven with a flower bed on just the one side? I think I'll take your advice though and start with that.

Thanks so much xx

ken9351 · 16 February

Hey! First off, congrats on your new home! It sounds like you have a lovely vision for your garden. Considering your desire for a cottage garden style and the need for play space, I'd suggest starting with a 1-meter wide border along the side where the raised bed is, extending down to the shed/office. This way, you can strike a balance between greenery and play area.

Curved lines are a great idea for a natural and wild look, and they indeed make the garden seem more extensive. Plus, you can always adjust and expand your borders as you get a feel for your new gardening space. And I totally get the struggle with non-gardening husbands and their love for expansive lawns! Wishing you all the best in creating a beautiful and functional garden!

Can't wait to see an update once you're done

georginakellitt69305 · 17 February

Hi @ken9351thanks for your kind reply! I'll take all of your advice and start of with that.

Another question I had to ask was, when I'm making the new flower bed - am I to dispose of the turf I'm cutting up and taking the skip? Or I was wondering if I was to leave it stacked up behind my shed, would it eventually just rot down?

AnniD · 17 February

Best thing is to leave it stacked grass side down. Eventually it will rot down.
https://www.turfonline.co.uk/blog/what-to-do-with-old-turf/

georginakellitt69305 · 17 February

@AnniD wonderful - thanks for that! 😊

JennyJ · 17 February

I agree, rotted-down turf makes loam. You can use it to mix in with compost for containers, or just add it back to the bed.

Some sources say to just dig in the turf, but when I tried that I got clump of grass re-growing. Possibly it needs to be buried deeper.

Waterbut · 17 February

It looks like your garden picture is taken from upstairs. Use a garden hose or something similar and lay it out in various shapes on your lawn and go upstairs to take photos to see which shape you like best.

Fairygirl · 17 February

If you really scalp the turf before lifting it, that helps prevent any regrowth, but if you can stack it grass to grass, that also helps. I use bits of turf in the base of pots, for any planting that need relaible moisture as it helps with that, especially in terracotta pots which can absorb a fair bit.
I don't find the turf rots down easily, or quickly, and I remember someone saying it's quicker if it's dry. Bit difficult for that here where I am, and as it's all clay, it'll be slower anyway

The important thing to remember with altering a garden of any kind is - it has to suit you and your needs. Curved spaces don't necessarily make a plot look bigger, because it ultimatley depends on how you plant it up.

Border width size? Help with new garden :)

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