Transforming my bleak concrete garden! *with pics*

downhillfast

Hi everyone

I've never posted in this section of the forum before but having received so much help over the years in other sections I hope you guys can help with my current project!

I've just moved into a new (to us) house. The back garden is currently 99% concrete - having been done circa 1970/80 I'd say as there's some crazy paving too! The garden is in 3 levels - the first being on the same level as the patio doors... the next being about 2.5 feet higher (with no fencing!) and then about another foot or so to the final level.

We can't afford to do the whole garden in one go so we're concentrating on the first level to begin with.

The walls/step to level 2 that surround three edges of level 1 are being 'clad' with a horizontal slatted fence that I am going to construct. The fence will rise about a foot above the level of the wall. The plan is to then have troughs behind this low fence on level two so that from the house it will begin to get 'a view' in the foreground rather than just look like drab grey levels of concrete!

What I really need your advice on is what would be good to have in these troughs...

• We have a toddler so whatever is in them needs to be child friendly and reasonably tough/thick as part of it's job is to stop him venturing near the edge of that level. (this level will be gated off so he will only be allowed up there under supervision - hence I'm not putting in a proper height fence as it will block out the rest of the garden.)
  
• needs to be about a foot in height so as to be able to be seen above the fencing but not be so tall as to block view of the rest of the garden as there are well planted raised beds at the back of level 3 already that provide another bit of colour.
  
• can't be too expensive as we have about 10m length to cover in total. (ideally spending no more than about £200 for plants and troughs)
  
• level 2 is only quite narrow (about 2 feet before stepping up to level 3) so trough will be no more than 8-10 inches wide.

• The garden is south facing with no natural shade during peak daylight hours

I was thinking that some nicely pruned box (type) hedging might be nice for some of it... can this grow happily in troughs long term?


Any ideas or suggestions please?

** EDIT **

Here are some pics (from before we moved in when there were numerous pots!)...

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Gers

Didn't want to read and run - but I'm not a gardening expert so can't offer any solutions. There are plenty here who are and can!

Happy new house!

forgotmyname

Where you have that long wall/step by the table i would get some small railway sleepers or decking boards if they are too large or expensive. You can get new softwood ones around here for £15.

You only need 3 sides. Front nearest the table and 2 small pieces for the ends.

Lay black plastic in the trough and make a few holes to allow it to drain. Fill with topsoil and compost and perlite and for a quick fix some cheap wild flower mix. You can get these from most bargain shop for £1 to £3.99. They usually come in boxes of different colours.

Or if you have more of a plan on what plants you would like a few small plugs from the garden centre and grow them on and take cuttings etc to bulk them out later on.

For the little ones get them to put some dwarf sunflowers in (teddy bear)?
Herbs for the ktchen?

I wouldnt have it above the step height though, keep it low and it will appear like a border? Concrete will transform into the bed rather than a raised box.

rach_k

I would do as above. A lavender hedge might be nice - I find it easy enough to grow, it's cheap, it will smell great when you're sitting out there and it's not as formal-looking as a proper hedge so won't need as much work to keep it tidy.

As long as the steps are safe and easy enough for a toddler to climb, I wouldn't worry too much about using plants as a barrier - kids learn these things quite quickly and you'll be supervising on the top level anyway.

forgotmyname

like this.. https://www.lovethegarden.com/community/ideas-inspiration/garden-landscaping-railway-sleepers
(smaller picture down on the right)

Sleeper can be used flat or standing up depending on how tall the step is. Black plastic sheet or the woven weed barrier to line it and the wall.
If you change your mind then it will be very easy to move.

Depending on how old the children are if they halp plant something they will know not to trample on it. If you plant something with a good name or something they find pretty. Get some plant food in little pellets or powder and get them to have a tiny pinch and say thats the food for the plant and to sprinkle it around the bottom.