February 2010
Re-designing your garden

 

Fed up with that dull patch of grass or derelict backyard? If you’re ever thought about redesigning your garden now is the perfect time. Here’s some tips and advice to turn it into a simple, beautiful extension of your living space.

With space at a premium we now demand our outdoor spaces to fulfill a whole range of functions: year-round outside entertaining space, vegetable patch, space for the kids to play in, compost heaps, rubbish bin area, space for trees and wildlife friendly planting, the list goes on. But all this needs to look stylish and inviting as well as being practical and not literally cost the Earth.

 

Can you really have it all? Well…yes you can, if you plan ahead and consider the function and appearance of your garden, all is possible. What will it be used for? Make a list. Entertaining or relaxing? Kids football training? What are your ‘must haves’? A vegetable planting area? Do you have pets? What style do you like? - a contemporary garden design or perhaps a more traditional layout to enhance your older property? Think about the hard landscaping features you need and want such as paths, patios, buildings and the style of planting you like – informal, formal, cottage, wildlife. When will it be used and where is the sun at those times?

 

Hiring a garden designer can help turn your ideas and wish list into achievable and workable reality within your budget. They can also give you ideas about layout and even introduce you to things you may not have previously considered, such as a water feature, covered walkways or even sculpture. Working out a plan on paper before starting out is always a good time and money saving exercise. This is the garden designer’s first stage as they go through all the design permutations that may appeal to you. They will also cost it out as well as help with finding a suitable contractor to do the work.

 

As well as measuring up accurately, if you are doing the design yourself remember to consider soil pH and which way your garden faces to ensure you select the right plants for your garden. Improving your garden is within everyone’s reach whether you pay someone to help you or you do it yourself - it just need as little planning.

 

One more thing. There is no such thing as a maintenance-free garden! Many clients ask me for this but there is no point in kidding yourself or them - this does not exist. Careful choice of plants and good planting design will go a long way to minimising maintenance, but other than covering the whole area in Tarmac (not much of a garden! Banish the thought…) you will have to do some weeding and tidying up at some point.

 

More often than not gardens in built up areas need to be flexible and multi-functional as well as being sustainable. A flexible space will add value to your property. Make the space work really hard for you. One feature might also fulfill another requirement. For example, a deck might conceal a sand pit for children or even a pool! Good storage space allows children’s toys to be put away easily when the adults need an entertaining area without clutter. Shade sails are great for sunny days to keep the children protected from the sun’s rays as well as doubling up as a shady eating area. In winter you just take it down, fold it and store it away until next summer.

 

If you do a lot of entertaining try making your furniture as flexible as well, with extending tables and chairs that fold and stack away.  Consider weatherproof furniture so you don’t need to store it in a shed throughout winter. Making the most of the limited space you may have is what it is all about. Keep kids play areas away from entertaining areas if possible. Just like a house, have separate “rooms” but ensure you can still keep an eye on them. After all, you don’t really want footballs flying around whilst trying to enjoy a nice glass of wine with friends! If you are installing a BBQ make sure you are near the kitchen door to make the movement of food from kitchen to table easy. Keep the BBQ near the eating area so the cook does not get left out of the conversation.

Next week some "must have features" and we discuss sloping gardens, tiny gardens and children's gardens!