We're in the process of buying our first house together and this will also be our first garden. The developers are going to be turfing it before we move in. As you can see, it is on a slight slope so I'm just looking for some ideas/suggestions of how to make the most of this? I've had a quick google search but most of the advice seems aimed towards more steep slopes whereas this isn't quite that dramatic. It's south-facing if that helps! Would really appreciate any advice (dumbed-down if poss as we're both total newbies to this gardening business)
by savagestarlights
8 Comments
1st tip, memorise the location of those bits of rock/rubble because the developer sure as hell won’t remove them 😂
On a more serious note, a south facing slope on what is likely to be poor/thin soil you can’t go wrong with lavender. Gaillardias and Verbena bonariensis may also do well.
Are you paying for the turfing? Make sure you check that they’re going to prepare the ground properly first! A lot of the time they just chuck the turf down on top of whatever rubble and detritus is left behind.
If you’re paying the developers, you may find better value for money paying a local landscaper to come and do proper prep work and turf; it will have better long term results even if it’s more expensive up front.
Edit to add:
A landscaper would be able to help you figure out if the slope is going to be problematic. We had a very sloped garden and had it terraced so we had three smaller flat levels with steps in between. It depends what you want to do with your garden; if you have kids, a slope can be really annoying for setting climbing frames, playing football etc.
Just from the pictures I would have a long path down the right side. Looks to be 2 pretty flat areas make them lawns with a path in the middle for the eventual shed or summerhouse on the left.
This is the perfect time to install drainage especially if they are still building. You might have the perfect people to do the work kicking about on site.
Few hundred quid in cash moves mountains before Christmas.
New builds are notorious for what we call “construction fill” which is basically rubble and clay compacted tighter than a drum, so don’t be surprised if you stick a shovel in there and hit a brick. Since the developer is throwing down sod immediately you are essentially putting a carpet over a concrete floor. If you can stop them from turfing the whole thing do it, otherwise you are going to be peeling that grass back up the second you want to plant a single bush. I always tell clients in new developments to keep a perimeter bed open along the fences about 3 or 4 feet wide so you have ready-to-go planting space without breaking your back removing brand new grass later.
That slope is actually a blessing because it solves your drainage for you. Since it is gentle you do not need a massive engineered retaining wall, but a low “seat wall” about 18 inches high cutting across the middle would look killer. It creates two flat usable levels instead of one slide, and gives you built-in seating for parties without buying extra furniture. You can put a fire pit or a gravel hangout spot on that lower level to draw people out of the house. I help people with these kinds of layouts all the time and breaking up the elevation is the single best way to make a small box feel like a designed landscape.
Since you are South facing that back fence is going to bake in the sun so you need heat-loving plants that can handle the reflection. Don’t plant “soldiers” in a straight line along the fence or it will look like a prison yard. Use curves to soften those harsh corners and get some height in the back with a small ornamental tree like a Serviceberry or a Redbud to stop your eye from hitting that back wall immediately. You want to obscure the fences so the yard feels like it goes on forever rather than highlighting the property line.
Don’t let them turf it.
The ground needs breaking up, and rubbish removed.
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1) sloping away better than sloping towards house…
2) soil will be compacted, don’t worry your new to this, so let them turf it while you think about what you want…
3) you have time, time is your friend…
4) think about what you want in it, washing line or whirly gig, table and chairs, shade, plants, lawn etc…again don’t rush but come up with a list of everything you want.
5) don’t worry about knowledge and getting it right, this will come…
6) if you want it done in one hit then hire a pro, if you want to do it yourself then enjoy the process and you will make mistakes but again time is your friend.
When I design a garden and often manage the build I always start by asking my clients what they want in it, it’s your garden…
Some landscapers and designers like me offer consultation services where we help you decide and show you the options. There’s no rush and my best advice is look online at differing ideas for inspiration.
I would think about shrubs and small trees or even pergolas or garden structure to break up the lines of the fence