I need advice on the cheapest way to landscape?

6 years ago

Hi there,

we're almost at the end of renovating a hone and it's run over budget of course.

The rear garden is now a mud pit after the digger had been over and over it, and we also dug a trench for a propane gas pipe from the hard standing behind the garden. we are due to move in 3 weeks, and we have a dog... the thought of her bringing mud in every day is stressing me out. It's a large flat square garden, conifers at the end, hedge down one side and a drive down the other side. What's going to be the cheapest way to be able to use sone of the space this summer (we have kids) without it costing the earth.

Thanks all,

julie

Featured Answer

Sonia

6 years ago

Why not turf it completely for now? Perfect time of year to do this too, and as long as you water it during hot, dry spells (we hope!) it will soon knit together. This will give you breathing space until you decide what to do with it. Softwood decking is quite cheap if you want a temporary hard standing for table and chairs etc, or maybe gravel?

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Comments (12)

Julie Norris
Original Author
6 years ago
Garden is around 15m wide x 25m long at a rough guess
PRO
OnePlan
6 years ago
If you are very keen gardeners - I’ve know people cover their new gardens with black tarpaulin for months to break down any weeds /old plants etc before they eventually start to plant everything new - they plan out the new garden I assume all of that stage ... that’s the simplest way to cover the mud at the moment.
But not sure if this is quite the solution you were hoping for ?!
Julie Norris thanked OnePlan
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Julie Norris
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Well, I wouldn’t say we were keen gardeners (by any stretch!) in fact every other house we’ve lived in we’ve Hard landscaped. However I miss grass, so I would like some.

I hadn’t thought of covering the mud though. Just as a temporary solution. so thank you for that. Maybe we can turf an area, and tarp the rest, so at least we can use the garden this summer in some guise. Assuming we get a summer of course ;)
Julie Norris
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

I need to measure it accurately. I think if I can get turf sourced reasonably it might be ok. I may attempt a gravelled area. We have a patio that’s horrible but at least it’s not mud! Which we are likely to replace and extend at some point. But some turf and some gravel might be a sort term solution :)

this is the best photo I can find of the mud bath/view from the back of the house and also a photo from the other end of the garden, although it’s old, there’s no scaffolding now but there is more mud
Sonia
6 years ago
Didn’t realise there was a patio, so that’s a bonus. That’ll be perfect for now, put down some turf and you’re away! Then you can enjoy the garden and devise some landscaping ideas for when funds allow. Lovely spacious garden, you’re very lucky.
Julie Norris thanked Sonia
Julie Norris
Original Author
6 years ago
How much prep work does turf require? I’m overwhelmed with it all, and after the renovation of the bungalow and the stress that ensued I just hope it’s simple
mayfly182
6 years ago
Grass from seed is much cheaper than turf. It takes longer but requires less work.

For either turf or seed you have to flatten the soil out, press it down and then rake the very top layer. You should wait til the soil's not too soggy to do that and there's equipment to help or just pay someone to do it.

Then for turf you basically lay it like a carpet that comes in strips which you put together. Seed you spread (you can hire a spreader for more accuracy), ideally rake in a bit so the birds don't eat the lot and then leave.
Sonia
6 years ago
Julie have a look on YouTube on how to lay turf. There are some great tutorials on there. Soil needs to be raked to a fine tilth then trodden down before the turf is laid. Seed is much cheaper but I found it unsatisfactory as it takes ages to fill out and kiddies and dogs need to keep off it until it’s established, so turf would be quicker and easier. It would be easier to get a gardener to lay the turf, but of course that will cost more. Don’t put pressure on yourself, turf can be laid ideally all through the spring, so April and May would be ideal, but summer is okay as long as you water it when dry.
PRO
Georgia Lindsay Garden Design
6 years ago
I agree the most cost effective landscaping element is turf. If your budget is very tight its the only solution but I would suggest going for turf to be laid professionally rather than seed. They will prepare the soil properly end ensure it grows really well over time, dont cut corners on the prep. Good luck!
Julie Norris
Original Author
6 years ago
I suggested a turf party, invite 50 friends, they can all lay 4 rolls, job done..... however he then pointed out that people don't show up if they think they might need to 'do something' which given the last 5 months of renovation experience, is totally true! :)
Emily
6 years ago
You could perhaps turf part of garden and seed the rest? And turfing isn’t hard in my experience, any sensible person could. I don’t know how well trained your dog is though or if you leave him in garden unsupervised? I wouldn’t be able to keep mine off the seeded area without being in the garden as well.

I need advice on the cheapest way to landscape?

Sonia

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