Ugly back garden

IceDiamond

Hi everyone

I've just joined as I'm looking for some advice on what to do with my back garden. Its very plain/drab looking, so I would like to 'pull the garden together' in one style. I'm going to sell my house soon so really need to make it attractive, but on a budget.

I hate the gravel, as it gets full of weeds and moss. I would actually find grass easier to maintain. So to 'soften' the harshness of the gravel I dug it back and sowed grass. Unfortunately the level of the gravel is higher than the grass so to stop the stones falling onto the gravel, I've put down wooden log roll.

The log roll makes it a bit tedious to cut the grass, as its in the way of the lawnmower, so I have to remove the logs every time I cut the grass, to trim the edges.

I put down some tiles along the edge of the grass to get rid of some of the log rolls, but the tiles are higher than the grass, so the lawnmower catches on them.

I hate the sight of the brick shed, but my plants won't grow up it fast enough.

I used to have an evergreen hedge, but was encouraged by relatives to take it down. Now I wish I hadn't as the place looks so grey at this time of year. My garden brightens up in summer with lots of perenials.

I don't think a few bedding plants are quite enough to fix this garden up. I'm on a budget, and don't have a lot of time. I would have to do any work myself as I don't have anyone who is able to help. I used to have more time to spend in the garden, but not any more.

Sorry its a bit long, I promise I'll not write as much next time

Oops, seems I'm not allowed to post links because I'm new. Kind od defeats the purpose, as none of you will be able to see my garden.

Leif

If you are selling soon, i.e. this year, maybe just tidy up, remove weeds, hard prune any shrubs which are overgrown, that sort of thing. You won't get something Monty Don coos at in such a short time, with spending lots.

Alternatively, dig some beds round the borders, and plant some shrubs, but they won't really look established for a year or two.

IceDiamond

A tidy up is about all I can manage, removing dead heads, a bit of powerwashing, and tidying up the gravel.

RAS

If you want something to give a bit of height and colour later in the summer (what?), think about buying some sweetpeas plants and making a tripod of canes to cover pat of the shed?? Lidl do packets of nasteriums and soem of those climb as well?

The other qick grower is clematis but they tend to cost a fair bit.

torbrex

Don't go spending money on the garden that you will not get the benefit of, as has been said just keep what is there as tidy as you can and let any potential new owners see it as a blank canvas rather than ugly.

DaftyDuck

Pots... lovely pots.

Take them with you when you go! You can grow plenty of annuals in pots, and seed is cheap.

IceDiamond

RAS wrote: »

If you want something to give a bit of height and colour later in the summer (what?), think about buying some sweetpeas plants and making a tripod of canes to cover pat of the shed?? Lidl do packets of nasteriums and soem of those climb as well?

The other qick grower is clematis but they tend to cost a fair bit.

The garden's okay for colour in the summer. I have climbers

The worst thing is the neighbour's shed, its an eyesore. I have things to grow up it but they are only summer plants.

IceDiamond

torbrex wrote: »

Don't go spending money on the garden that you will not get the benefit of, as has been said just keep what is there as tidy as you can and let any potential new owners see it as a blank canvas rather than ugly.

I'm worried all the gravel will put people off. I would be better if it was a blank canvas of plain grass, then people could visualise what they will do with it. But maybe people will look at the gravel and see it as hard work to get rid of. I'm thinking it will put off families with small children who will probably want grass.

Pity it won't let me post a link to photobucket, then you would all get a better idea. How long do I have to be a member before I would be allowed to do that?

torbrex

IceDiamond wrote: »

I'm worried all the gravel will put people off. I would be better if it was a blank canvas of plain grass, then people could visualise what they will do with it. But maybe people will look at the gravel and see it as hard work to get rid of. I'm thinking it will put off families with small children who will probably want grass.

Pity it won't let me post a link to photobucket, then you would all get a better idea. How long do I have to be a member before I would be allowed to do that?

I tended my parents gardens (front & back) after they had both passed away up until the house was sold and the selling agent informed me that condition of the garden had been one of the main points the buyers had commented on.
6 months later I happened to be working in the area and passed the house, both gardens had been ripped out in favour of paving slabs and gravel.

There is no accounting for taste.

Leif

torbrex wrote: »

There is no accounting for taste.

That I think is the problem with tarting up a garden for a sale. Decking seems to be all the craze, but I despise the stuff. Chances are it will be redone, with tasteful decking, and gnomes. :rotfl:

sobie

I'd just keep it tidy, Like everyone else has said why waste money on something that no doubt other people will want to change anyway.

You could always draw up a simple plan with some costs on, like cost of top soil, turf/ seed, Screening for neighbours shed and perhaps even a gardeners phone number (in case the people didn't want to do the work themselves) just to say "if we was planning on staying we'd have this done.." Thats what they always say about kitchens that need doing on those "sell my home" programmes