North West Garden Blank Canvas - Please help

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I'm looking for help and advice for my garden. It's pretty much a blank canvas now after removing various greenhouses and potting sheds. I'm not a gardener by any stretch of the imagination, although I don't mind doing a bit of maintenance.

It's a detached Victorian property with a walled North West facing garden. I've added a few pictures to help picture it in its blank state, and an idea I had (although storage probably needs to be increased).

The outbuilding that is connected to the back of the property is being converted to a utility room. So I will need the 2x2m space as a shed or a few units, maybe a small shed and a couple of storage units.

I'd also like a pergola/veranda or something with a glass or perspex roof for BBQ's etc, just in case the weather turns.

The garden grass area is approx 6.5 x 11 m.

Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Comments (5)

Beanie Cheese
Original Author
2 years ago
bumpety bump
PRO
Christine Harrison Fine Art and Mosaics
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Just a practical note to talk to whoever builds your pergola about rain/drainage iif it’s completely flat the rain will sit on it and it will go green rapidly. Another thought is to divide the garden into rooms with outside seating areas as well as covered ones. We are obsessed with lawns in this country but many successful gardens don’t have one which means less maintenance and often more interest(google gardens without lawns) .Like this
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Hi Tiago Silva I would think of ways of breaking the space looking down the garden with planting - currently you look straight down it with nothing of interest and to break up what you are seeing. It would be great when you have the hot tub etc at the bottom for it to be partly hidden by planting and foliage. Create what I call 'transparent height' - planting that blocks your view quite a bit, but still has gaps through it where you can see exciting and tantalizing hints of things further down the garden. Stories, journeys and a bit of mystery all make for a great garden and it would also create the 'two' garden areas/rooms feel that Emily suggests. Don't be afraid of wide (0.5 - 1.0m+) curving beds - most people run small thin beds down the side which look boring and don't have enough space for the plants to grow properly. Having larger beds also means there are loads of low maintenance shrubs you can plant that you can leave just to grow, instead of having to cut them back all the time to keep them to their space. Take a look at this Houzz story - it really demonstrates what I mean as regards the design, although you would use more low maintenance shrubs. https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/garden-tour-clever-curves-bring-beauty-to-a-modest-outdoor-space-stsetivw-vs~84375480
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Jonathan
2 years ago
Gardens are not really my forte but I’m intrigued about what software you are using.
Beanie Cheese thanked Jonathan
PRO
The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
2 years ago
Hi there,

Your idea for your seating area location looks good if you would like to sit in a sunny area (taking your garden aspect into account). A pergola with retractable roof could also work well. A shade sail is a less bulky alternative that could provide you with some shelter from drizzle and light rain as well.

I didnt really understand what you meant by "the 2X2 space" where you want to have a shed or utility features? Is it the space by the side of what will be your utility room or in front of it?

I agree with Christine. You don't necessarily need to have lawn in your garden. Wide planting beds with a well thought of and placed planting scheme that takes your garden conditions and aesthetic principles into account could potentially add more interest than a lawn with narrow borders on the sides (could also potentially make your garden look wider if the shapes of the borders are chosen correctly). Wide borders combined with a path of some kind could also create a journey through your garden, and again, with well chosen forms, make your garden feel bigger.

If you are interested in getting professional help at any point, I would be very happy to help!

I offer a range of garden design services - from sketches and planting plans only to full on Garden Plans with planting plans and 3D visuals which are all done online (usually cheaper than in person services). Please do not hesitate to have a look at my website to find out more and get in touch!

Deborah

The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
Beanie Cheese
Original Author
2 years ago
Jonathan - I'm using SweetHome3d. I've never used a 3D software before, but this seems very easy to use.

Christine - Thanks. I'll take a look at gardens without lawns. I do want to keep my lawn. But happy to lose some of it.

Deborah - The 2x2m space is what I would probably require if I were to add a shed.

My main issue atm is the best position to get the most of the evening sun? Happy to move the pergola to another area,

North West Garden Blank Canvas - Please help

Comments (5)

Beanie Cheese
Original Author

Christine Harrison Fine Art and Mosaics

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Jonathan

The Rooted Concept Garden Designs

Beanie Cheese
Original Author

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North West Garden Blank Canvas - Please help

Comments (5)

Beanie CheeseOriginal Author

Christine Harrison Fine Art and Mosaics

Related Discussions

Jonathan

The Rooted Concept Garden Designs

Beanie CheeseOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Beanie Cheese
Original Author

Beanie Cheese
Original Author