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Long Garden

• Message 1. 

  Posted by PhilJan (U3305634) on Friday, 24th February 2006

  We have recently moved into a new house that has quite a large garden approx 110ft x 60ft and at the moment it is all laid to lawn. We have no houses behind us and a lovely countryside view (fields, woods and hedgerows - no houses!!!) please could someone give us an idea of what to do with for the design ofthe garden without ruining the view. Look forward to getting your views.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by siouxb (U2841804) on Friday, 24th February 2006

  Could you give some idea of what you want? It's a bit vague at the mo!!
  Wildlife friendly, orchard, pond, deck, aspect, fave plants to include, hammock area, dining area?......... etc etc etc
  
  Sioux

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• Message 3

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  Posted by Fat_Andy (U2418582) on Friday, 24th February 2006

  Which direction does it face and what sort of soil has it got ?

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by gardeningguru (U3309744) on Saturday, 25th February 2006

  1. Create some borders cut into the lawn so you break up the long expanse of grass and plant with low growing shrubs and perennials. Depending on your likes and dislikes, try some standard plants, too, in the borders - roses, Box, Honeysuckle, even conifers. These will blend in with the countryside, add height but not obscure the view.
  2. Think about having a seating area directly outside the house and a secret one at the end of the garden to take full advantage of the view.
  3. Think carefully about wind exposure when a garden is open to the countryside, too. It can mean wind damage to plants and exposed areas mean your plants will be a bit later getting going. If you need to plant a windbreak, use native species in it. You could always put a raised seating area in the garden if you put a wind break in.
  
  Hope this helps!

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by PhilJan (U3305634) on Wednesday, 1st March 2006

  The garden is south facing and their is already a large paved area for a bbq etc. It is at the moment laid to lawn and i'd like a 'secret' area whereat the end of the day i can go and put my feet up perhaps on a decked area and 'disappear' i've no idea what type of plants like what type of soil and which would suit a sunny (as i believe that what south facing gardens are!!!) area. I would like to break up the expance of soil but without it being 'square' and would like to put some plants against the post and rail fencing - climbers perhaps. Does that help at all?

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by PhilJan (U3305634) on Wednesday, 1st March 2006

  1. Create some borders cut into the lawn so you break up the long expanse of grass and plant with low growing shrubs and perennials. Depending on your likes and dislikes, try some standard plants, too, in the borders - roses, Box, Honeysuckle, even conifers. These will blend in with the countryside, add height but not obscure the view.
  2. Think about having a seating area directly outside the house and a secret one at the end of the garden to take full advantage of the view.
  3. Think carefully about wind exposure when a garden is open to the countryside, too. It can mean wind damage to plants and exposed areas mean your plants will be a bit later getting going. If you need to plant a windbreak, use native species in it. You could always put a raised seating area in the garden if you put a wind break in.
  
  Hope this helps! 
  
  I like the idea of a secret area with sime seating at the end - can you expand on this idea?

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by PhilJan (U3305634) on Wednesday, 1st March 2006

  It is south facing and i've absolutely no idea what type of soil i've got - how can i tell

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by weedy (U2329409) on Wednesday, 1st March 2006

  It is south facing and i've absolutely no idea what type of soil i've got - how can i tell 
  
  Hi PJ. Soil types in a nutshell: If you take a handful when damp (about an hour after rain, say) and can roll it into a ball, then you've got clay. If you roll it into a ball and then it falls apart you've got loam, which can be clay-y or sandy but is generally good. If you roll it but it refuses to become a ball then you've got sand. Sand is usually very well-draining and so dries out quite quickly. Clay can be like potters' slurry in winter and like concrete in summer but can be improved with additions of sand and organic material and there are plants that love these conditions (eg roses).
  Also it’s worth spending a few quid on a cheap pH tester which will tell you if you’re on acid or alkaline soil. There are a few plant types that hate one or the other so it’s worth finding out before you spend lots of money and then your plant dies.
  Finally, talk to your neighbours who may be willing to give you a hand and talk freely and long(!) about their gardens once you get them started. Try openers like 'I like that plant, what is it?'
  wg
  

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• Message 9

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  Posted by siouxb (U2841804) on Wednesday, 1st March 2006

  That's a good suggestion. Have a peep at neighbour's garedens and see what's thriving. All the best gardening books state that you should have curves - in lawns, borders etc, and focal points in interesting places to draw the eye along.
  Bamboo is a good one to screen a secret area, and then you've got the lovely sound of the wind rustling through it. You need scented plants there too, lavenders etc, how about a chamomile seating area? Releasing a fantastic scent when you sit on it in Summer after a long day, and relaxing too. Muted colours to relax the mind - keep the brights adn cheerfuls to the rest of the garden. Trickling water is also relaxing. T
  
  It may be an idea to tacke 1 bit at a time other wise it can seem a bit daunting, especially in a big garden. That way you learn as you go, and find out what suits you and the garden!
  
  Hope that helps a bit
  
  Sioux

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Slugger (U2316506) on Wednesday, 1st March 2006

  I would definitely put a scented garden (phlox, roses, jasmine etc....) with a seat at the bottom end, directly overlooking the view. To chill out there with a glass of wine on a warm summer evening would be heaven!
  
  Even better to enter this via a small woodland so that it comes as a surprise, but that might block the view from the house.

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