A hedge such as privet will grow quickly but take nutrients and water out of the soil making it harder for the flower bed next to flourish. They are great for wildlife though, ours is full of birds. We need to trim it at least 3 times a year to keep it neat.
An alternative would be a fence with climbers and shrubs to soften it. Would be more expensive but easier to maintain. Is it your responsibility or the neighbours? We had fence panels come down in a storm and replaced them even though they weren't ours (elderly neighbours). The panels were ??30 each.
The last few weeks I have been sketching out garden layouts so I can get some quotes to help do the work (patio, pathway, fence repairs).
My dilemma is whether to remove the patio at the back of the garden?
On the one hand it is well-built and solid, with a thick base. However I would like to use that area to grow vegetables and an espalier against the garage.
Any idea how much it would cost to remove this patio approximately, and restore it to ground level so I can add pea gravel and raised beds.
A photo is below... It's the patio at the back by the white garage.
You could hire tools, and purchase eye protection and gloves, and do it yourself.
Be careful about pipes if you plant trees. Roots can create havoc. You haven't said what you actually want from the garden. Low maintenance? Lots of nice shrubs to look at? Veg garden? Fruit trees?
Regarding the fence, putting in posts and panels is easy enough if you research how to do it. I replaced a post, and three panels with a bit of help from my nice neighbour. I was quoted up to £300 per panel, it cost me £20 for a post, and £20 for each panel, plus some postcrete, £5 I think.
Thanks. Yes, I am thinking to perhaps do it myself, over several months. That way I can take the rubble to the council depot for free, without a skip.
I'd like the garden to have a large lawn, and then nice flower borders, and an area for veg. I definitely would like some fruit tree too, so was thinking of an espalier apple against the garage, as that wall faces south. Alternatively some espalier on the fence to the left, once I replace it with something strong enough to support them.
Posts
An alternative would be a fence with climbers and shrubs to soften it. Would be more expensive but easier to maintain. Is it your responsibility or the neighbours? We had fence panels come down in a storm and replaced them even though they weren't ours (elderly neighbours). The panels were ??30 each.
I need some advice...
The last few weeks I have been sketching out garden layouts so I can get some quotes to help do the work (patio, pathway, fence repairs).
My dilemma is whether to remove the patio at the back of the garden?
On the one hand it is well-built and solid, with a thick base. However I would like to use that area to grow vegetables and an espalier against the garage.
Any idea how much it would cost to remove this patio approximately, and restore it to ground level so I can add pea gravel and raised beds.
A photo is below... It's the patio at the back by the white garage.
You could hire tools, and purchase eye protection and gloves, and do it yourself.
Be careful about pipes if you plant trees. Roots can create havoc. You haven't said what you actually want from the garden. Low maintenance? Lots of nice shrubs to look at? Veg garden? Fruit trees?
Regarding the fence, putting in posts and panels is easy enough if you research how to do it. I replaced a post, and three panels with a bit of help from my nice neighbour. I was quoted up to £300 per panel, it cost me £20 for a post, and £20 for each panel, plus some postcrete, £5 I think.
Thanks. Yes, I am thinking to perhaps do it myself, over several months. That way I can take the rubble to the council depot for free, without a skip.
I'd like the garden to have a large lawn, and then nice flower borders, and an area for veg. I definitely would like some fruit tree too, so was thinking of an espalier apple against the garage, as that wall faces south. Alternatively some espalier on the fence to the left, once I replace it with something strong enough to support them.