Building a graden from scratch

HTB_newbie

Hi I'm new to this forum area and could really use some advice This is a long post - sorry!!

We've recently moved into a new build with an approx. 140-150ft by 26ft (i.e. long thin garden). All the good soil was removed during the building process and for most of the garden grass seed was sown over loose soil.

Our dilemma is what to do, over what period of time and how to keep costs down!

We used to have an allotment, then a veg patch in our last house, so we want to have vegetable beds in the new one. Eventually buy a greenhouse. Have an area for the kids 10ft trampoline and slide etc.. A herb area nearer the house and lots of plants, shrubs etc.. A garden path is a must as the ground isn't walkable on at the moment and we have a 16ft by 10ft shed at the bottom.

Any ideas on layouts, and stages of doing things? We do not have the budget to do everything at once! We've got as far as a rough idea of veg patch area near the shed as the bottom as gets sun all day and possibly a snaking path to add interest to the shed. Any thoughts most welcome!

lostinrates

Hi HTH newbie.

There are a few of us in this sort of situation. In my opinion your first job is to just sot, look and decided where you want things. its the hardest part, and the most important.

then hard landscaping of the vital stuff like path and getting your veg bed would be my priority, because you know its your comfort zone, its productive and it will keep your garden in use. In use you might change your mind a bit about decorative use of the garden around things like your route to the veg path.....what you thought you might want as a simple path you might feel might actually be a good path to line with step over fruit trees, or taller ones, or to line with something scented.

HTB_newbie

Thanks.

I agree that the first part may be the hardest! When you buy a house with an established garden it makes it so much easier as you see what you like, where you want to change things etc.. Starting with a black canvas is hard!

I_have_spoken

I know the feeling, having started on a makeover last year - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4656921

To avoid perpetual disappointment, getting the soil improved would be 1st thing on my list. Two, 1 tonne bags of topsoil isn't that pricey, plus weekend hire of a rotovator and a lot of sweat barrowing the soil across the garden. Easter holiday weekend for that!

A long, thin garden really cries out for a series of 'rooms' with green dividers to separate "messy bit" of shed & compost from veg garden from kiddies play area from floral garden seen from the house. The idea is that the whole garden isn't seen end-to-end in one go, but can be explored. EVen one change in height adds interest, as do sensible trees (not leyllandii!) There's loads of example on t'interwebs.

I'd put in the 'bones' of the garden 1st, so your evergreens for dividers, any structures like a pergola and paving. A path could be done for now just using bark chips (but can attracts cats - not in a good way )

This year, use annual seeds for instant colour but start putting in perennials bought cheaply in 6cm pots and small shrubs. Next year, they'll start to fill out. Veg this year, potatoes to open up the ground.

3 seasons and you'll be 90% of the way to having a nice, mature garden.

HTB_newbie

Thanks I have spoken. Really good advice!

We think that we'll make a plan on where everything will ultimately go and make the path a priority so we can use the shed without sinking. We're thinking of defining the veg patch area this year. The area designated for flower beds etc.. may have to wait until budget allows.

I love you garden transformation.

A neighbour has told us that they didn't get rid of all of the good soil. It is just buried beneath so hopefully with some rotivation and compacting things might be less boggy.

Will avoid the bark chips given you advice, we have two cats!!

RAS

You might consider a £1 or 2 for some cheap flower seeds from somewhere like Lidl

A packet each of marigolds, candytuft, nasties and sweetpeas could go a fair way to cover some ground this year?

lostinrates

RAS wrote: »

You might consider a £1 or 2 for some cheap flower seeds from somewhere like Lidl

A packet each of marigolds, candytuft, nasties and sweetpeas could go a fair way to cover some ground this year?

This is such a good idea.

We've done it in patches here, and a wildflower bed, and it cheers us up a lot while we cannot get on with other bits because of delays due to building schedules etc. its also nice for the pollinators to have something to get their interest!

Mojisola

Before you start the hard landscaping, experiment with different layouts using a garden hose or bamboo canes and string to mark out paths, beds, etc.

We have a long, narrow garden and I designed it with diagonal sightlines - this "widens" what your eye sees and makes the garden feel bigger.

HTB_newbie

Thanks for all the comments, very helpful.

Mojisola, do you have a picture of your garden, it would be lovely to see!