Congratulations on your new home!
So, you've recently purchased or settled into a new home, and as you gaze upon your newly constructed garden, you see a completely blank canvas. While it might have a few irregular shapes and a randomly placed grid, it could be covered in turf or just some paving. The important thing is that it's yours, and you're eager to channel your inner Titchmarsh and create the most incredible garden ever. However, you may find yourself a bit puzzled. This article is here to guide you!
The gardens of newly constructed homes typically resemble blank canvases, often featuring just a lawn without any borders.
Before you begin making alterations, take the time to understand the climate of your area, as well as its orientation and soil type. Additionally, consider any existing elements, like patios and fencing, that can influence the overall ambiance of your completed garden.
Start with a Survey
Conducting a thorough garden survey is crucial. Without it, you may find yourself making guesses, overspending, taking shortcuts due to material shortages, and feeling overwhelmed. This is where hiring a garden designer can save both time and money.
A skilled garden designer can take your requirements and create a tailored blueprint. However, if you prefer to tackle it yourself, take a look below at the level of detail you’ll need for your design.
Take note of all the proportions, aspect, soil conditions, power requirements for lighting or water features. Access to the garden is also something to consider. An accurate survey will give you the best blueprint to work from.
Decisions...
It's time to assess the position and characteristics of your garden to understand what you're working with.
Function: What purpose do you want your garden to serve?
Aspect: Where do the sun and shade fall?
Maintenance: How much time can you dedicate to garden care?
Grids in New Build Gardens: Concealing utilities effectively
Screening Off Neighbors & Noise: Ensuring privacy is essential
Plant Choices: Determined by soil type and garden aspect
Grouping Plants: With various factors like aspect, water retention, soil pH, theme, and function to consider, it's best to maintain a cohesive color scheme and limit the number of plant selections.
Soil Improvement
The soil in new build gardens is notoriously bad - often leading to lawns flooding.
Ways to improve the soil:
Lawns situated on heavy, wet soils may begin to appear thin, especially during rainy winter months. Consider removing the existing turf and starting fresh.
If you choose to go this route, save the strips of turf, as they can be transformed into valuable soil for your garden.
Regardless of your soil type, incorporating organic matter will enhance both its structure and fertility.
Intense rainfall can lead to soil compaction on the surface, resulting in a 'pan.' Use a fork to break up the soil surface to prevent this issue.
Avoid walking on the soil after heavy rain, as this will lead to further compaction. Instead, use a plank to support yourself while digging or planting.
Overlooked garden?
Using trees or multi stem shrubs might be the perfect answer. By selecting smaller trees, you won’t require as much space as you might expect.
A tightly clustered group of birches works wonderfully; their white trunks create a vibrant effect, while the leaves form a shady canopy—ideal for a peaceful and secluded getaway.
Pleached trees used as a living fence panel could give you the extra height to increase privacy without using trellice.
Just give it a go!
Finally, don't let the all the decisions deter you. Begin by considering the garden's purpose, appearance, and soil type, and then design your plan accordingly. This approach will lead you to create something that meets your needs. If certain plants aren't thriving in their current locations, simply reposition them.
As your garden matures, it will naturally evolve; what you initially believed would work may change. The joy of gardening lies in the planning, researching, and experimenting. Additionally, observing your neighbors' gardens can provide valuable insights into what has been successful or unsuccessful, guiding your decisions.
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