Front Garden Ideas

Andybooth23

Hi everyone,

We bought this house a year ago and we're finally getting round to tackling the outside.

At previous rented properties with gardens in disrepair I've very much enjoyed growing a lawn from scratch. However, we're not too sure what direction to go in with our front garden.

As you can see it's previously just had slate/gravel down. We recently had the patio slate blocks installed. I'm looking to take up the gravel that is currently there and either grow real grass (there's about 5 inches of depth) or potentially put down some astro. Also, longer term looking at actually putting some flowers in the flowerbed!

Would you recommend keeping the plastic sheet down that is currently there underneath the gravel for real grass? Also, any alternative ideas on what to do with the space would be very welcome! We have a large back garden which is all patio (will be looking to revamp that next year) and the front ideally is just going to be something nice to look at and potentially sit out on sometimes in the summer for me, my partner and two year old!

Thanks,

Farway

Remove the plastic sheet underneath, it may cause problems later with drainage or root dryness

Because it's a relatively small space, I'd go for just grass, especially as you have a young one likely to want to "explore" or do some "watering"

Not used or experience of, but artificial can become hot I'm told, and it certainly isn't nature friendly

For your borders, this year get a packet of trailing nasturtium seeds and just poke them in near the edges, they'll grow & scramble plus hang down the wall, as a bonus are edible so no chance of the toddler poisoning themselves if some gets nibbled

You can also bung a few young leaves, or flowers, in a salad, peppery taste

Very easy, pretty & foolproof, plus will seed and come again next year if you let them

Link here given as guide, you'll find them in most seed racks in supermarkets

And, will attract white butterflies, with attendant caterpillars for a bit of wild life spotting for the young one

twopenny

I agree. The membrane will be neither use nor ornament and likely the grass will perish if we get a dry spell.

It would look nice against the slate slabs too.

My concern is, how easy is it to mow? Small space, where's the socket etc. Is it going to drive you mad? You are young yes? So probably not a problem if it gives a nice look.

I'd do something about the breeze blocks. Nicely put in. Render or different colour? I dislike grey but to match the paving might be a good look.

Andybooth23

Thankyou both! 

Mowing wise I'm not too concerned. We do have sockets outside, however I also have a hand lawn/hedge trimmer which I adore and I used to use previously on our old place's grass! (I always get crazy looks and offers from neighbours if I want to use their petrol trimmers but it only takes me a few minutes longer with less hassle)  

The breeze blocks are a bit of a concern to me, just as they will probably look a bit dated as they are in comparison to the new slate slabs and grass so will definitely look to be freshening them up somehow. Masonry paint perhaps!

oldernonethewiser

I would have a border round the grass.  As well as the suggestion of trailing plants you could put a variety of shrubs/flowers etc which will soften the look and hide the wall.  

Definitely ditch the plastic sheeting underneath.

Working_Mum

That's a nice little project for you - you can definitely have some fun there.
I'd scoop up all of the shingle and keep it to cover the tops of pots in the future (helps with water retention).
I'd definitely take up the membrane underneath the shingle - I removed a large area of plastic grass last year and dried out the old membrane and rolled it up ready for use on a future project in my garden - it's tough stuff and quite expense so I thought I'd give it a second life!!
I'd weed the flowerbed and loosen the soil a bit and throw a box of bumble bee friendly flower seeds in the area - they'll last a year and will provide a bit of colour whilst you decide what you want to do in that area. They'll be easy to clear away once flowered too.
I'd paint the front of the wall a matte black and use it with my kids as an outdoor  chalkboard - easy to clean and they can have fun. I had something similar in my old garden and kids loved it! You can neaten the wall up when the kids no longer play in that area!!
Post us some pics once you're done - it's always good to see projects blossom :-)

twopenny

Now I was thinking a thin skim of outdoor plaster and paint it white for a mediterranian feel - or glue boarding (like the laminate flooring pattern) or so many other things.

Try putting 'cover breezeblock garden wall into Google images and see if there is anything you like.

Yes, good membrane stores small and useful for projects. Hard to find and much better than the stuff you get in shops and garden centres.

The slates you could put under the bushes in the raised bit, will show the green off a treat - nothing much will grow under that holly.

https://www.facebook.com/stonewarehouse/videos/how-to-use-slate-in-your-garden/2574665582746037/

Maybe Aubretia if you tend it a bit to start and put some good soil in it's hole. The purple blue would go well with the slate. But get it now. It disappears till next year at the garden centres.

https://www.suttons.co.uk/SUSGWE55/aubrieta-seeds-cheeky-mix_mh-448?feed=shopping&acq_source=[med:ad][src:g][cid:15573270479][gid:131488064615]&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=15573270479&adgroup_id=131488064615&source=SGWEBPPC&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI45mIy4qH_gIVpRkGAB1ucQahEAQYASABEgIJ0PD_BwE

But buy as potted, because it's going to have to fight for soil and light. It's an early plant for bees before the children will be out there and stays green all year.

Eldi_Dos

Thought the idea to use the wall as a blackboard is a marvellous idea.

Bag up the slates for future use, then get a riddle and destone  the area and cover with new topsoil and spread suitable grass seed, if you start soon could have nice play lawn by summer.

Andybooth23

Hi all,

Thanks for all the ideas and notes. Just to give a bit of an update and to ask further questions!

Progress has been slow (underestimated how many bags of the gravel/slate I would need and how long this would take).

I've now cleared the top layer and begun to look under the weed cover to below to find... another layer of soil/pebbles then under that it looks like another cover on top of clay?

My question is do I also need to remove the soil/pebble mix and then the clay cover and put all new soil down... or would I be able to top soil several inches on top of the pebble soil mix we can see in the pictures? 

twopenny

Ok so I had a similar situation and the soil underneath hasn't had any nutrients taken out by plants.
I removed the membrane, got as much gravel out as i could and left it for the rain to wash clean.
Dug it over a bit then planted. Gave a smattering of blood fish and bone.
The plants did really well.

If it's good membrane allow to dry and stiff brush it. Save it to go under wherever. 

Who knows what you may find next :-) 

-taff

Depends. Personally, I would because I'd know what was under there, but if there is another membrane then that is acting like a weed suppressant.  Maybe just remove the pebbles, but you can give them away probably on freecycle or similar.

I'd ditch the idea of grass and maybe look into camomile if youre not going to be out there that much, smells nice when it's walked on and no mowing.