41m x 7m garden - blank canvas!
Hello! We have a fairly large garden at around 41 metres long by 7 metres wide - all grass that slopes away from the house with a few uneven dips here and there. Our first thought was to hire a JCB and level it into 3 tiers using the natural dips as cues - but I'm now thinking that's ALOT of turf to replace and as because the fences on the right are actually lower than those on the left as well, it could become tricky.
I'm curious, if this was your garden how would you go about adding some interest and breaking the space up a bit? In the future I would like to have some kind of outbuilding at the back which would need a poured concrete foundation, so construction access for that needs to be maintained to a degree (there is no access to our property from the end of the garden; it is woodland).
I'm thinking a patio area, screening, maybe a pagola somewhere... Any ideas or examples of similar projects would be hugely appreciated!
Comments (15)
Dan Darko
last yearlast modified: last yearRelated Discussions
What to do with his garden?
Comments (8)Wow! Massive project but will also look amazing. I'm confused by the two levels with the concrete wall down the middle - would this come out? Or is it necessary? I would ruthlessly strip out all plants there currently with one exception -the tree with the white blossom - that could be something quite lovely and it is always nice in a garden to have one old tree (if it's a nice one) Big question, are you going to level the garden? (Rather a costly question....!) If so, then you'd best do it now! And get rid of that wall down the middle too. Next, I'd plant a quick growing hedge across the back fence and along the fence by the glass houses - try this website - https://www.hedgesdirect.co.uk/acatalog/griselinia_littoralis.html. This particular hedge is what I'm thinking of. I'd also get some good hardy evergreen creepers for the long fence to green that up. - Ivy is cheap and easy to grow. Another that grows well is honeysuckle and smells beautiful when flowering. Now time to make borders, mowing strips and plant grass or weed and feed any that you have left and then decide what other plants you want in your garden. That is almost another chapter with such a big garden..... Hope this is some help?...See MoreBlank canvas garden
Comments (13)So, after lots of sitting in the garden during last years lockdown, we were able to work out what parts of the garden were best for different purposes. We decided to keep the table by the house as its shady by the evening, which we prefer for eating, and we have various sunny/shaded seating areas. We had the paving done last October and have put the beds in this spring. We decided to incorporate a veggie patch which I'm finding very therapeutic after work, using the old decking to make the raised beds. I thought i wouldn't like looking at them from the house, but they actually make me feel quite proud! For a first year garden I think the planting is really coming on, and i was worried about planting up the shady border but it's feeling really lush. Looking forward to it all maturing, especially the climbing rose over the arbour, and the little box hedge below it. I still have a bed to sort by the conservatory (awaiting new roof), and the fences all need attention. Hope you like our update :)...See MoreAdvice required with our ‘Blank canvas’ garden
Comments (43)Hi Rachel, Sorry for the late reply again, full day in the garden..🤷♂️ gotta make the most of the weather! Thank you for this design, I really like your presentation and it does encourage me to ‘have a go’ with the art work, although I don’t think I’ll be posting any of my efforts on here! I wish I also shared your enthusiasm about growing green fingers, but I will try and I’m quite determine to give it a go. Thank you so much for all your ideas and designs over the last few days.. it is really quite humbling the help and enthusiasm from all on here, especially in these days of unprecedented and bizarre circumstances. It has also given me a boost and of course something to focus on whilst on lockdown (I’d never would have had the time/or the weather to have launched myself into this in normal times!) Hopefully I’ll be able to come back to you with some early stage pics of the garden and some design ideas that we’ve taken up. Many thanks again, stay safe and enjoy this glorious weather (😳 this might just be ‘Summer!’) Best regards Bob...See MoreNorth West Garden Blank Canvas - Please help
Comments (5)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...See More
PROThe Rooted Concept Garden Designs
last yearDan Darko
last yearDan Darko
last yearlast modified: last yearOverall I think what works so well in the examples shared is having interesting spaces down the length of the garden, giving you reasons to move down towards the end rather than what we do currently - spend 90% of the time in the first 10% of the garden unless we need to go to the shed at the end!
I've done some sketching and I'm leaning towards the idea of breaking the space up into diagonal sections (like Wumi suggested) at 30º angles which should create more side to side interest and draw your eye around and down the space, with nice corners for plants that can mature into screening like Angie's garden. I also like the idea of completely seperating the rear of the garden with fencing the same height as the side fences, with a gated opening in. Behind that gate the idea of a japanese inspired secret garden with a water feature and oritental inpisred plants excite me. I'll attach what I've come up with so far. Thanks to everyone that took the time to respond, each comment has been really helpful.
Wumi
last yearMarion Mitchell
last yearnrpurston
last year
Angie