Back Garden Design Dilema
Samantha
10 years ago
Hi all I'm currently working on coming up with a new design for my back garden. At the moment it is horribly overgrown, with a falling down fence, a small breeze block shed (apparently built as a rabbit hutch) and a slightly shabby looking garage. The garden is north facing, quite exposed (we tend to get strong winds whipping down the length of the garden) and has quite a light sandy soil. We use the garden a lot as we park our cars at the bottom behind the garage.
I would like to have a nice garden (obviously lol), with a good sized seating area in the sun (I've been thinking in front of the garage, but not necessarily), a path to the back gate from the house, space for my lean to greenhouse (currently fixed to the garage wall), one or two raised beds with the idea of growing vegetables, a raised herb bed (preferably by the house), space for a washing line and compost heap and some sort of dog run (the idea being we can open the back door for the dog and not have to worry about it digging up the garden lol - we've not got a dog yet but are looking at getting one). I would like to have a lawn, space for the dog and my brother in laws children to run round (and possibly my own one day).
I tend to go for the more traditional/ cottage garden type designs with a bit of a contemporary twist. My OH doesn't go for the really modern designs and prefers more natural lines to the hard straight edges. I've been collecting images from Houzz and have got an ideabook for the garden, if anyone wants to have a look.
The dilemma at the moment is I'm stuck. I've attached a screen dump (with dimensions) from google sketchup which I'm using to come up with ideas. So far I've got a patio by the house (the idea of fencing it off with a gate for the dog) and a patio at the top. The area by the side of the garage is inspired by this photo
which I love.
The only thing set in stone in the screen dump is the house garage and boundary lines lol. Any suggestions on layouts would be much appreciated. I've been working on this for ages but just seem to be a bit stuck in a rut. We want to get the garden done this summer (presuming we actually have one lol - so far its looking like a typical wet british summer). Thanks in advance. Sam.
I would like to have a nice garden (obviously lol), with a good sized seating area in the sun (I've been thinking in front of the garage, but not necessarily), a path to the back gate from the house, space for my lean to greenhouse (currently fixed to the garage wall), one or two raised beds with the idea of growing vegetables, a raised herb bed (preferably by the house), space for a washing line and compost heap and some sort of dog run (the idea being we can open the back door for the dog and not have to worry about it digging up the garden lol - we've not got a dog yet but are looking at getting one). I would like to have a lawn, space for the dog and my brother in laws children to run round (and possibly my own one day).
I tend to go for the more traditional/ cottage garden type designs with a bit of a contemporary twist. My OH doesn't go for the really modern designs and prefers more natural lines to the hard straight edges. I've been collecting images from Houzz and have got an ideabook for the garden, if anyone wants to have a look.
The dilemma at the moment is I'm stuck. I've attached a screen dump (with dimensions) from google sketchup which I'm using to come up with ideas. So far I've got a patio by the house (the idea of fencing it off with a gate for the dog) and a patio at the top. The area by the side of the garage is inspired by this photo
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The only thing set in stone in the screen dump is the house garage and boundary lines lol. Any suggestions on layouts would be much appreciated. I've been working on this for ages but just seem to be a bit stuck in a rut. We want to get the garden done this summer (presuming we actually have one lol - so far its looking like a typical wet british summer). Thanks in advance. Sam.
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Samantha
10 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (2)I think I’d advise against decking too, at least in the area close to the house as it would need to below the level of the damp course which would involve taking up the paving and a lot of ground works anyway. Decking needs to be raised so there’s no contact with ground but by doing so can create other problems such as make a great nesting site for rats and other rodents, not to mention slipperyness and more maintenance. Not saying it can’t be done and being a party pooper🙂, you could have steel frame and composite decking, just think it will be more work than you’re envisioning. With regards drainage and moss I’m guessing its north facing and doesn’t get much sun? Does water pool or puddle on the paving? Perhaps a drainage channel (see example pic) next to house may work more effectively but in a small area I don’t think it‘d be necessary. Certainly check the gutters for moss but i wouldn’t worry too much about the roof unless it’s really bad. On our house the birds tend to flick moss off the roof and gutters in search of food. You can get porcelain paving that looks like wood, maybe this could be an alternative. Personally I would get some advice from a few local landscapers to see what is possible and look at drainage....See More
PROOnePlan
10 years agoSamantha
10 years ago- PRO
OnePlan
10 years agoGravel near to gates is fab as alerts you to people walking on it ! ( ie people you havent invited in !) i think as the end nearest the garage gets the most sun having some relaxing space there, maybe slightly hidden by some raised beds, might be nice too !?! Its still quite a good sized garden, so zoning is easy to do here ... Have you discoberd a Dutch company called Tuin yet ?! They do fab garden structures etc ! I have a 5.5m x 5.5m roof area in my garden with built in seating underneath and a firebowl for English weatherproof garden use ! Will see if I can attach a photo ! Just took one in the dark ! Lol ! Don't think it will come out !!
- PRO
OnePlan
10 years ago Samantha
10 years ago
Carolina
10 years agolast modified: 10 years agoCarolina
10 years agoOkay, so... here's a really rough sketch to give you some inspiration I hope. I'm not good in making these sketches on the computer, but you'll get the idea.
I've left the patios you did draw yourself, although I do think that the one near the house is a lot of paving. But okay...
So, space for the dog near the back door.
Behind the house you could have the same size borders as the vegetable ones near the garage, raised or not. Near the house I've put flowering plants in them, near the garage they make up your vegetable plot.
The yellow paths are gravel. Through the grass I've drawn a path, but you could do stepping stones or a brick path if you prefer. (But don't use too many different hard materials in your garden.)
I've also made the grass area round, but you can leave it square. I didn't measure anything, it's just a rough sketch, so you'll probably have to adapt some things if you like this design. But this is, as I said, just to give you some ideas.
Paths you use a lot should be about 1 meter wide. Other paths can be less wide. Use wooden pegs and string to set out your design in your garden and it will give you a good idea about the width of paths and borders and if they need to be wider or narrower.
With raised beds you have to keep in mind that you can reach the middle without having to climb in. So don't make them too wide.
I've sketched a pergola over the path near the garage and a bench against the hedge near the house. If you don't raise the beds near the house, you could make small circles at the points where the paths cross and place a bird bath somewhere. This will create the feel that's in your inspiration picture.
If you cover the space next to the garage, you can also use that to dry your washing under it?
Samantha
10 years agoCarolina
10 years agoSamantha
10 years agoHi Carolins, sorry its taken me so long to reply, been a manic week again.
I've been having a play with patio ideas and have come up with the attached. I like it more than the square patio (although the square patio would be easier to build lol), think it works a bit better with the shape of the garden. What do you think.
So far I've only been working on the patio ideas. I've still got to have a think about the main lawn area. I'm contemplating almost splitting into two sections (but not straight across the garden) with planting in between. Not sure yet.
Samantha
10 years agoCarolina
10 years agoNo worries, we all have lives to live :-) I love the shapes that you've created. I'd be tempted to take the little shed down, unless you use it. It's in a strange spot.
I'm missing your veggie garden and the dog run?
You're right about curvy shapes being less easy to build (read: more expensive), but if you use good metal edging for instance, you could use gravel in stead of paving. Easier to do yourself.
It will be a more interesting garden if you create a border around both patios. That will divide the garden up in three spaces. Patio near the house, border, lawn, border, patio near garage.
You could keep the patios behind the house straight, end it somewhere where the shade part ends, make sort of an indentation for plants in it, leaving a path to get from backdoor to patio behind house. And create a pergola that runs only along the edge of the patio. Because you need height in your garden.Somewhere for your eyes to stop, go up and down, and then move further down the garden. Or a small decorative tree would be nice too.
Carolina
10 years ago
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https://www.google.nl/search?q=smalle+pergola&rlz=1C1CHFX_nlNL515NL517&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Cnu0Ubq_LMHnPP6UgLgJ&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1745&bih=882#facrc=_&imgrc=UZ_PYzem5pFOyM%3A%3Bszs87tWCpFn_DM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn3.welke.nl%252Fphoto%252Fscale-610x373-wit%252FLeuke-moderne-tuin-waarvan-de-pergola-zeker-bruikbaar-is-in-onze-tuin.1357742164-van-lienepien610.jpeg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.welke.nl%252Flookbook%252Flienepien610%252FTuinideeen%252Flienepien610%252FLeuke-moderne-tuin-waarvan-de-pergola-zeker-bruikbaar-is-in-onze-tuin.1357742164%3B610%3B373
https://www.google.nl/search?q=smalle+pergola&rlz=1C1CHFX_nlNL515NL517&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Cnu0Ubq_LMHnPP6UgLgJ&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1745&bih=882#facrc=_&imgrc=oS-qwa4KlnEylM%3A%3ByJiANaFY0LE4RM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.nutran.nl%252FDienstverlening%252Fnieuwefotos%252FPergola%252520hardhout.JPG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.nutran.nl%252FADienstverlening.html%3B800%3B603
https://www.google.nl/search?q=narrow+pergola&rlz=1C1CHFX_nlNL515NL517&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3Hu0UZHjLcSwPJPRgagB&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1745&bih=882#facrc=_&imgrc=Khabjx9s3IhzfM%3A%3B3XA90mF1TunOPM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.ukgardendesigner.com%252Fimages%252Fpergola.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fgardenerscorner.co.uk%252Fforum%252Fthreads%252Fadvice-on-bulding-a-pergola.11567%252F%3B350%3B528Samantha
10 years agoHi Carolins, thanks for the links and the suggestions. I really like the look of the pergola at the edge of the narrow patio on that drawing. Will definitely have a play with that.
As for a dog run I have thought that if we go with the more rounded patio we could either put a straight fence across the entirety of the patio with planting in the none paved bit (the dog run isn't intended to be a permanent home for the dog, more a safe space, so I can leave the back door open and not worry about what the dogs doing - like digging up the veg lol) or a sort of palisade fence around the patio.
With a veg bed I've been thinking about working with a square foot gardening system. I'm out of the house a lot so don't want masses of space to work with. I'm playing with the idea of raised beds on the patio by the garage at the moment. I've attached a photo of the ideas I've been playing with. Mom suggested making the beds around the patio and the circular lawn raised for veg and/or flowers. Think it might work. But may need some sort of stepping stones to save the lawn.
Carolina
10 years agoSamantha
10 years agoHi Carolins, as requested I took a couple of pictures of the garden last night. Its one hell of a mess, I'm very very much looking forward to getting it looking nice. Would be so lovely to sit out in the sun with a glass of wine (presuming we get any more sun lol).
There's 2 pictures with 2 images I've combined, one which shows the view up the garden (towards the garage) and one which shows the patio and scruffy shed. The other two images show the view from by the car (the garage is on the left) and the other shows the view from what will be the patio by the garage (there's a red Poppy in the image).
Might be ok on the path through the lawn to the raised beds then. I suppose I can always add something later if need be. Wouldn't have thought I'd go over more than once or twice a day to be honest (bit difficult seeing as I'm out 12 hours most days).
Still playing around with the pergola idea you suggested. Quite like the look of it, just a tad concerned it may block some of the light into the dining room (which is already quite dark). The other thing I'm not sure of yet is having the pergola there if we fence the patio off as a dog run. I'd previously though of basically fencing across the entire patio. May not though, I quite liked your initial idea for the dog run. I think that other than a few tweeks to the design (mostly to add things like compost heaps lol) I'm quite happy with what I've got. So thank you very much for your help, I really appreciate it. It really helps to talk ideas through with someone.
Carolina
10 years agoSamantha
10 years agoI've seen worse spaces. Must admit its a bit of a struggle at the moment to see it as being nice lol. Your right even just a new fence will be a big improvement.
I think I've decided to get rid of the existing shed. I can get a small tool shed and large dog kennel into the space the shed is in and still save space. Not to mention they will look better than the existing shed, plus I'll be able to spruce up the space between the shed and house which frankly is a mess.
Would you believe the small tree is a buddleia. It wasn't there 5 years ago! I'm planning on taking cuttings from it, but will probably take it out - its not in the best place. I would love to try to get a cherry tree in somewhere (Japanese cherry I think its called). I love the flowers you get in spring.
I can't wait to take that hedge out. Some dopey person who shall remain nameless thought it was a good idea to plant a hedge there, complete with rotary washing line in the middle of it lol.
I've been playing with pergola ideas. Not too sure about them yet. The pergola by the house I'm worried will block light into the dining room (which is dark) and the one by the garage I'm not sure of the shape and again I don't want to block the light to the greenhouse. But the overall layout I'm quite happy with. Just got to sell it to my other half now.
Carolina
10 years agoHahaha... a washing line in the hedge... uhuh... hmm
Anyhoo, as long as you have the basic shape of your garden right, you can always add a pergola if you like. The one near the garage would block light to the greenhouse, so maybe not the best spot for it. However, have you considered one to cover the space next to the garage? That will create an intimate entry to your garden.
I don't think that a narrow one along the edge of the patio near the house will have much influence on the light inside, but if you're in doubt...
Just a couple of pictures to wet your appetite ;-)
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