New build gardens present a challenge to even the keenest of gardeners. You may find the garden is a big square of mud, or you may have been left with a lawn, but nothing else. For some people the idea of planning a new build garden is exciting. All that space to do whatever you want with! But for other people the challenge of a blank canvas can be overwhelming. We work with our clients to plan the garden of their dreams, whatever space you are working with.
Take a look at our Top Tips for new build gardens to give you some useful ideas.
Planning is key here. If you just start digging and planting without a firm plan in mind, your garden will end up looking just that – unplanned. Be nosey – have a look at what your neighbours have done, because this will give you an idea of what works and what doesn’t work. You can also get ideas from sites like Pinterest. However, it helps to have the basics in mind before you get carried away with designs that might ultimately prove to be impractical. Before you put a spade in the soil, there are several things to consider so you can plan a garden that will look wonderful and deliver what you need.
When you begin to plan your new build garden, the first thing to consider is what you will be doing out there. Will you be using your garden for entertaining, so a seating area will be a priority? Do you intend to have a garden shed or summerhouse, and if so, where will it be? Will you be allocating space for a vegetable garden? Do you enjoy spending time maintaining the garden, or would you prefer something that looks after itself? If you have children, your main concern may be to create space for them to play, but that doesn’t mean you have to give the garden entirely over to lawn. We help owners of new build gardens to identify right at the start what their main priority is, so we can plan a garden that works.
Consider your garden’s aspect, as it affects where light falls throughout the day. South-facing gardens get sun most of the day but need more watering in summer. North-facing gardens are cooler and have consistent temperatures. East-facing gardens are sunny in the morning, ideal for breakfast, but shaded by afternoon, while west-facing gardens enjoy evening sun.
Your garden’s aspect is crucial when choosing plants, as some thrive in sun, others in shade. Shadows from buildings may block sunlight, so place patios where the sun lingers. Observe how sunlight moves through your garden during the day to help plan your design effectively.
New build gardens are usually surrounded by standard panel fencing, which is practical but can have a ‘closed in’ feeling, especially if the garden is quite small. On the other hand, despite the fencing new builds are often totally overlooked by neighbouring houses, and you may want to create more private areas using screening, trellises or pergolas. You can use climbing plants to create interest along a fence, or plant trees to provide some foliage coverage. Even quite small trees can really enhance a garden and give you some sense of privacy.
Paths are not only practical, they also add interest to a garden as they lead the eye to selected features and can separate a garden into different sectors. Laying the path should be a priority. Not only will it prevent you traipsing soil into the house but it will also give you better access to the garden without damaging your new plants.
Even if a lawn has been laid in your new build garden, you may discover the soil beneath it is of a very poor quality; it may even be full of rubble left over from the building work. It’s really important to dig over the areas where you will be doing any planting, as compacted or stony soil will hinder the growth of plant roots. You might also want to find out what kind of soil you have – peat, chalk, clay, sand and so on – as this makes a big difference to the type of plants you will be able to grow successfully. You can buy a soil testing kit, or we can help you identify your soil type before we begin working on your garden design.
Finally, a word about lawns. Many people moving into a new build house settle for a rectangular lawn with flower beds around the edges. And that’s fine, if it works for you. But lawns take effort to keep looking good year-round, and there’s lots you can do to create an attractive garden without the traditional square lawn. You might want to create a smaller shaped or curved lawn, which will look wonderful and give you lots of space for additional planting. Or how about doing away with the lawn altogether? Large, shaped flower beds set around patios or gravel spaces provide a more low maintenance option while giving you an attractive garden to be proud of.
