My Garden Project Suggestions & Advice

Hi everyone

I could really do with some input regarding the small garden that I have inherited from my late father.

My Father was in his 80's and loved growing cottage garden plants all over the garden as well as in every pot or container that he could find.

Not one for regimental planting or weeding, he relished in the beauty of the plants not the layout.

Here are the pre work images.

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The garden is on a slope from front to rear as well as from side to side, which isn't that evident in the images.

Anyhoo, I have now cleared the garden, replaced the hedges with fences and built my first contemporary style pond and garden path. I have also installed a conservatory and clad the entire house.

I have no building experience at all and in our trade I am strictly maintenance but I digress.

Here is the current state

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My dilema involves mainly the pond area and the oak sleepers that I have sunk into the ground. (Those sleepers are damn heavy lol).

Here are my thoughts.

1) I want to stain the sleepers but can't decide on the right colour.

Should they be standard dark wood like most peoples?

Should they be white to match the fencing or a completely different colour?

Do they need a screen behind them to hide the sheds or should the sheds be moved?

2) The Pond surrounding.

The area around the pond has taken me many hours to level as best as possible using shovels and rakes as there is no access for heavy equipment.

I am convonced that a contemporary style pond would look odd unless the ground around was entirely flat.

I cant decide if the area here should be lawn, gravel or patio.

Grass is the easy option and would have a good contrast.

Plenty of gravel has already been used in the garden.

Patios will probably cost a lot more.

Your suggestions here would be very welcome?

I have tried to change the garden with a limited budget and there is still a lot of work to do.

I still may have to level the soil below the green shed and re-install the rear and side fences due to the drop in height.

The shed is sitting on the original garden height.

I would be happy to hear your suggestions, ideas or thoughts on how the renovation could continue.

I seem to have hit a bit of a brick wall at the moment and in need of some inspiration.

I also don't know if there should be more sleepers around the pond to make a semi circle and hould they stay at full height or graduated down.

Dilemmas, Dilemmas and mushy brain!

Help needed :0)

Great job Marc:)

It's always a difficult task when asking for others' advice on matters of subjectivity: such diversity but none less stimulating.

I'm a great lover of wood being allowed to shimmer ion its own silvery tone. The oak you've used will not need to be treated so there's not a maintenance issue and after a year or two the light tones (with out being bright) will make a good background for any foliage or flower. Hanging rusty chains or old hemp rope through the structure might be attractive - especially if you plant something delicate such as clematis.

I understand what you say about level ground around the formal pond but I'd also argue that convention isn't always a barrier to trying something different. I'm not sure how it would look but shallow terracing (even if each riser was only 100mm in height) might just add that contrast whilst adding shadow and dimension.

If budget allows I'd consider 4mm thick steel edging (like Everedge but in a more basic and naive style) and allowing it to rust. If you used a light coloured gravel the contrast against the warm orange/brown steel would work. Letting the steel rust would also continue the 'un-treated' theme of the space.

I'd also consider adding sea washed oak (or imported flopsum) roots too to bring the garden out of the ground.

as a focal point, I'd consider a delicate tree that didn't grow too high - a Betula serrula would compliment the rusty look. Other plants: maybe grasses and possible even herbs.

Replies

Pro-Cut June 20, 2011 at 9:14pm

I think it's fixed now Paul.
Pro-Cut June 20, 2011 at 9:35pm

Yeah the sheds a bummer Paul but it's full of kit. I could get rid at a push as I have the larger shed but then if I drop the soil behind, I think I will have major problems due to the neighbours garden levels.

Ie I would have to put in longer posts and a few gravel boards.

Ebony Sadolin sounds good. The wife wanted white woodstain but I think it would look errrrrr not right lol.

I do have some black fencestain but it's very matt. Sadolin has a little more lustre does it not?
CJ June 21, 2011 at 12:36am

Im by no means an expert but why not come of the pond/water feature with the same flags/stone use on the path but in the same staggered pattern out into grass and as Paul said a shed will be a shed.

you could cut the sleepers to different heights staggered or up to the centre and backdown for a variation in height and the use a deceant trellis on side of shed to grow evergreen climber maybe evergreen honeysuckle or simular.
John Cooke June 21, 2011 at 6:10am

Fantastic work, Marc. I think: leave the sleepers natural and grow something to aid screening: something unsual like Lonicera sempervirens, although it may take over (?).

Contrasting stone around the pond and then grass.

It's great that we can suggest ideas while you do the work, and pay for it!

Good luck
Andy Kenney June 21, 2011 at 7:29am

Excellent work Marc - i'm sure you are very proud of what you have done so far too and i'll bet you have arms like Rocky Balboa after sinking those sleepers. I agree with CJ with regard to using the same concept as the staggered pattern as used on the path and i presume the property is currently still in your family so while grass would be cheaper, i feel that a modern hard surfacing surrounding the contemporary pond may be better in the long run. Also so what if the sheds stay, - you can remove them if and when you sell the property (as im sure you would want to) and put something in the vacated space. Be great to see your finished work.
PRO

Phil Voice June 21, 2011 at 8:06am

Great job Marc:)

It's always a difficult task when asking for others' advice on matters of subjectivity: such diversity but none less stimulating.

I'm a great lover of wood being allowed to shimmer ion its own silvery tone. The oak you've used will not need to be treated so there's not a maintenance issue and after a year or two the light tones (with out being bright) will make a good background for any foliage or flower. Hanging rusty chains or old hemp rope through the structure might be attractive - especially if you plant something delicate such as clematis.

I understand what you say about level ground around the formal pond but I'd also argue that convention isn't always a barrier to trying something different. I'm not sure how it would look but shallow terracing (even if each riser was only 100mm in height) might just add that contrast whilst adding shadow and dimension.

If budget allows I'd consider 4mm thick steel edging (like Everedge but in a more basic and naive style) and allowing it to rust. If you used a light coloured gravel the contrast against the warm orange/brown steel would work. Letting the steel rust would also continue the 'un-treated' theme of the space.

I'd also consider adding sea washed oak (or imported flopsum) roots too to bring the garden out of the ground.

as a focal point, I'd consider a delicate tree that didn't grow too high - a Betula serrula would compliment the rusty look. Other plants: maybe grasses and possible even herbs.
Pro-Cut June 21, 2011 at 11:54am

Thank you everyone so much for all of your suggestions, I've just logged on before leaving for work and hope to reply later when I return home. :0)
ian mcletchie June 21, 2011 at 12:09pm

i think the sleepers would look beter if you lowered the height from right to left when looking at your pictures this would help to soften the square edges of the pond
Pro-Cut August 8, 2011 at 5:27pm

Hey Everyone

Apologies for the delay but I have been unwell for a few weeks as I suffer from Fibromyalgia but anyhooo, heres a little update to my garden project. I hope you like and thanks to everyone for all of your input.

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Pro-Cut August 8, 2011 at 5:28pm

I made my fence out of roofing lathe beleive it or not, sanded it all down treated and varnished it and added some chrome trim.

The sail is a bit of an after thought lol