How often do you use your garden?

Davesnave

Rear gardens may or may not be private in the sense that others might see into them, but there isn't any 'supposed to be' that I understand. Houses are often built with very little in the way of consideration for garden privacy, but was it ever any different?



Thinking of the 18th century town buildings I've lived in, it's virtually impossible for those living on the upper floors not to see into many rear gardens, especially close to the house. On the fifth floor, one is above everything. except the very largest trees.


Possibly one of the best places to avoid overlooking is bungalow-land in seaside resort towns, but even there, topography and loft conversions can make it difficult to find that non-overlooked space.



I now have a non-overlooked garden, but I've few neighbours anyway, and none with a second storey. Considering it's taken more than half a century to arrive at this point, I think it's definitely not the norm at all.

Gloomendoom

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I know what you mean - I find it offputting that neighbours can see into my back garden (ie that bit of my garden that is definitely supposed to be private).

Why is it supposed to be private?

It's only recently that people have started barricading their garden perimeters with 6 foot fencing. When I was growing up, back gardens generally had low fencing. It didn't seem to bother anybody that neighbours could see in. People even used to chat over the fence.

andrewf75

I've got a big garden. Occasionally I come into the house.

dunroving

I've moved from a hilly, windswept Scottish garden to a flat garden in the Midlands.

Most of the time I spent in my Scottish garden, I was "working" (gardening; making new beds, planting, mowing, trimming composting, etc.). Ironically, on reflection I spent very little time just "being" in the garden. I think because of the very hilly (sloped up from the house) topography, you had to walk up the various slopes and steps to be able to look back/down and see the garden. Also, the raised fish pond at the top of the garden was only visible if you stood next to it, after walking up the garden.

I spend much more time in my new garden. The fish pond is sunken, so you can see into it from the house (conservatory), and there are lots of spots to sit, have a cuppa and take in nature. I much prefer my new garden and although I'll be spending a lot of time working on it, too, I know I will spend a lot more time just sitting and meditating there.

Rosemary7391

Currently just have a shared yard. I seem to be the only one of 8 who even dries washing out there. I'd really enjoy a space where I could plant stuff, sit out, watch the birds...

berries

I love my garden!!! Loads more still to be done will come in time!! Also got a hammock with decking at the back of it. A funny l shape allotment which needs some kind of fencing to keep my dogs off it for next year produce. This year wasn't great only spuds Tom, onions shallots and garlic.

This week as I've been off work with purlese I've been so great full of my garden as spent most of the time in my hammock reading boos getting more idea's. And a jobs list once I'm better.

Niv

I use it every day - it is where i keep my bee's.