Small house Frontage Design
JonnyT
Posts: 3
Hi,
I have a small frontage on my house, which i'd like to dig out, and raise that about 30cm. I'd the like to plant lots of colour and and have something that is attractive all year round.
It's a small space, approx 0.8m x 2.8m and the is a window at approx 1.2m above ground level, so don't want to obscure that too much.
I'm open to suggestions for any colours / plant types - I just don't really know where to start.
Where possible i'd like to grow from seed (although not necessary).
Can anyone advise on what would be best to do in that space.
Many Thanks in advance,
Jon
0
Posts
CHECK THE LEVEL OF THE DAMP PROOF COURSE BEFORE RAISING THE SOIL LEVEL.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
Hi Pansyface, thanks for your response. good point, I was thinking of building a raised bed from wood into the space, so the soil wouldn't be touching the wall directly.
If you enclose it and made yourself some raised beds then you will be able to match your soil/compost to the plants. (Yay)
If it were me: I’d start by asking “which summer flower do I like most?”, it will most likely be the statement plant, for me it would be roses. I would grow Digitalis from seed and have it against the back wall to give some height and it will look champion against red brick. Holly would look nice against it as well and give winter Colour. Plant spring bulbs in the gaps and you have an all year round display.
Thanks Learnincurve, thats really helpful.
Digitalis looks really nice, so i'll certainly add that to the list.
I quite like sunflowers - so thinking I may grow a few of those too.
Looking at bulbs - i think i've missed the boat this year - is it worth buying pre-grown from the garden center and planting out when the time comes, or should i be planning for next year instead?
It will cost more but we get into is it worth it to you to get the display up and running fast. I’m looking at a garden with half empty brand new borders and it’s a bit depressing.
One other thing, garden centres have the larger ready to plant perennial plug plants just as the daffodil season is over, these are the ones I’m going for to fill my borders along with dailias, I’ve don’t the small cheap plug plant thing before and it was the more established ones that really thrived.
Which way does the border face out to? A theme would be better for a small space. Are you looking for a naturalistic prairie style border or more structured shapes. Think about the time you will have to tend to the space. Do you like to garden or perhaps you don't have much time.
I wouldn't raise the soil level, even with a wooden board at the back. The issue with the damp proof course is not soil in contact but creating a surface above the dpc which allows water to sit against the wall and soak through - a wooden edge is no better, really.
You can dig out the old soil and replace it with better then plant into it at the existing ground level, though. Or stand a pot close to (but not touching) the wall if you want to add some height.
I agree. Don't mess with DPCs or air bricks either. If you want height for privacy grow taller plants or maybe a short climber up a small trellis.
Last edited: 03 January 2018 10:39:14
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