Garden Design. What things to consider?

dominoman

I have a garden that was very overgrown when I moved in. I've succeeded in cutting it all back pretty heavily, and now is the fun part. I want to get the lawn and patio relaid so I can get planting.

I'd love to get your opinions on which design to go with and also any other tips.

My dilemmas...

• Rectangular patio or curved (I prefer curves, but if the lawn is curved maybe patio better as a rectangle)
• Circular lawn or oblong / curved
• Use brick lawn edging or leave natural?
• Path around the edge (better?), or through the middle (uses less space and cheaper)

I've gone back and forth so many times. Out of the following can you tell me which you like best, and why. Or if you dont like any what would you do? Any other tips to avoid me making an error?

Thanks so much!!

My garden now:






And below, my "designs". Which do you like best, and why? Or if none, how would you do it? I'd really welcome any ideas. Thanks so much!

Option A




Option B - Same but with path through lawn



Option C - Oblong lawn

littlerock

I have similar issues with finding a suitable design for my own garden which is on a sloping site with an inappropriate patio outside at present. I can only offer how I am trying to aproach it's redesign.

1. Have you ruled out attaching a conservatory or garden at the end of the house where the patio now is as play room and dining area or just for sitting in?

2. Who is garden for and how does this affect what it needs to include? eg does it need a play area for children/,grandchildren (sand pit, swings, climbing frame, grassy ball playing area,) do you want a vegetable garden area for keen gardener (greenhouse, shed for tools, mower etc, potting shed for cuttings, cold frames, herbs for keen cook/flowers for flower arranger, or just some herbs on a patio) will there be adult socialising and parties (deck , table andseating area, barbecue, external lighting), do you want a workhop for a hobby or simply a relaxing area for whole family (grass for play area, table chairs hammocks, loungers etc) will you need to hang out washing?

3. Storage - how much stuff will you keep outside (table chairs) all year round so needs to be be all weather and how much will you need need to store in a shed over winter? Grass gets muddy and wet in winter and you do not want to tread it indoors every time you go in the garden. I have always found a shed near the house accessed via a hard path or patio convenient and time saving for that reason as well. What will you keep in shed and how large does it need to be? (Tools, mower, furniture, BBQ stuff?)

3. Style - Do you have any preferred style in mind eg trad with lawn and flower beds and maybe vegetables, modern with decking and grasses, Japanese with raked gravel and pots etc Do you want a water feature?

4. Layout - if you want a vegetable patch where should this be near house or screened behind trellis at far end. See also comments on storage at 3)

5. How much maintenance? A lot of grass takes a lot mowing and border trimming if you are not a keen gardener? Do you need a simple path around it, not stepping stones not stepping stones. Who will be the chief gardener?

6. Access does anyone accessing it regularly have mobility issues which could affect design of psth or steos eg needs slope ins place of steps etc. Might this mean you need a larger patio?

I suggest making a check list by category and ticking off what you want or need in the final garden. then see how plan measures up to this

cyclonebri1

Just 2 points;

Ensure you view it at the design stage from your sitting out area, people often forget this, but it does have to be a compromise between that and the view from the house windows.

Steeping stone paths have to be below the grass level to allow mowing. They will quikly dissapear under the spreading grass edges if tou aren't constantly trimmin them back, it's a pain in the backside if you design work in to be honest.:beer:


Oh forgot, curved everytime for me and get your tree choices and positions right bearing in mind the growth over say 20 years, victoria plums come on many rootstocks, don't go with full standard.

dominoman

Littlerock - Thanks. Lots to think about. I've been through most of those thoughts and broadly the garden works for them.

It needs space to play for kids, nice borders, a traditional feel. I like old brick, not so much decking. I'd like a raised vegetable bed or two but without removing the raised rear patio (lots of cost) I dont think I have space.

I know grass needs maintainance but I'm OK with mowing. I prefer that to weeding!

You say not stepping stones? I prefer a traditional path but it is more expensive and takes up more space that I could have as lawn.

dominoman

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Stepping stone paths have to be below the grass level to allow mowing. They will quikly dissapear under the spreading grass edges if tou aren't constantly trimmin them back, it's a pain in the backside if you design work in to be honest.:beer:

Oh forgot, curved everytime for me and get your tree choices and positions right bearing in mind the growth over say 20 years, victoria plums come on many rootstocks, don't go with full standard.

Thanks. Yes, that was my thought too with stepping stones. Creeping grass. But wouldnt the same apply for any kind of path that crosses the lawn?

I'm not keen on strimming so wanted to put a brick border around the lawn. I think it would look neat, and even if the grass creeps over it a trim once a year would be all it needed

With the trees I have a Victoria (medium rootstock) and apple (medium) ready in pots and I need to plant them. That's partly the reason I need to decide now on the lawn and path layout...

cyclonebri1

dominoman wrote: »

Thanks. Yes, that was my thought too with stepping stones. Creeping grass. But wouldnt the same apply for any kind of path that crosses the lawn?

I'm not keen on strimming so wanted to put a brick border around the lawn. I think it would look neat, and even if the grass creeps over it a trim once a year would be all it needed

With the trees I have a Victoria (medium rootstock) and apple (medium) ready in pots and I need to plant them. That's partly the reason I need to decide now on the lawn and path layout...

Yes, but you can raise it and so strim up to it, easy, or even if lower it's then a simple task to direct the cord along the edge rather than around in mini circles

Hoploz

Where does the sun shine in? If you want to sit out in the evening for example make sure you put a patio you can put bench on etc.

Areas in full shade or under trees are unlikely to grow anything well, even grass

I like c best as it makes the garden appear larger.

REEN

B or C. People will always take shortcuts with path A.

Amelanchier and silver birches are lovely. Amelanchier might be best so close to the house.

A climbing rose might be too vigorous for the steel pyramid. Choose carefully.

Garden makeovers on tv never include a washing line. Will yours?

dominoman

Thanks. Yes I love the look of Amelachier. But I love slender silver birch too. Will have to choose one or the other.

My washing line is in the side access so I don't need to worry about that on the lawn.

I'm still torn between circle lawns and a more natural oblong.

I like the circles but am worried it will look a bit like a Disney theme park. I'd need to really soften it all with lots of planting.

Thanks so much. The more opinions the better. I want to be sure before I start all the digging and get the patio in

bugslet

I like b, then a, then c last. Have you had a look on google images and pinterest? Bit of a rabbithole, you start thinking about changing things!




Pics when you are finished please:D:p

dominoman

Thanks! I think that confirms for me I'll go for the concatenated circles rather than the oblong.

Yes - I've spent hours and hours on Google images and on Pinterest. I have to stop now because as soon as I make a decision I see something else I like!

I'll post pics when I get it done.