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Space under the shed...and the screening!

We have recently and still in progress, getting our garden revamped.  In hindsight we should have moved the shed and put it on a proper base...but anyways.  It now has gravel around it but it doesn't hide the 'mess' under the shed.  Any ideas are welcome! 

Also the fence on the left side is also ours but long story cut short, neighbours are being really difficult and we want an easy life.  Want to make bring some uniform to our garden and hide that dilapidated fence. Any screening/paints/"colours recommendations are welcome.

Was thinking of something like this..
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072JXX54G/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_i_W51nDbJMR3G4A
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Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,957
    It depends how big the gap is between the bottom of the shed and the ground. I am finding it a bit difficult to picture to be honest, maybe a photo would help my lack of imagination  :)
    With regard to the fence, there are many colours available, l find that black makes it "disappear" and brings out the colour of the plants. It depends just how tatty it is, if it's structurally sound then fence paint is okay. If it's so tatty that you'd really rather not look at it, there are several things you can cover it with depending on the look you want. 
    https://www.screwfix.com/c/outdoor-gardening/garden-screening/cat9730004
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,016
    Yes - a photo is needed to see the shed area and offer help  :)
    Persoanlly, I find those fake screens awful, and all they do is draw attention rather than distract, because they're so obviously fake. If the fence is yours, fix it, paint it, add some vine eyes and wires, and plant some climbers. If it's in bad repair, renew it.
    Again, a photo and more info about aspect, soil etc will be helpful for suggestions.

    Colour is very personal, and depends whether you want something to stand out and provide contrast, or disappear and blend with the surroundings. For example, many people love blue, but I loathe it, so would never have it in paint or plant form. It's your garden, so it's your choice, but it's important to decide whether you want to see the fence or not.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Photos now attached, I thought I had attached them initially to first post but of course didn't upload.

    Another pic of under the shed and dilapidated fence
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,016
    Ah - the pix weren't there when I posted  :)
    I think you'll need to revisit how you've done the shed. That's not going to be stable enough. I wouldn't feel very safe going in and out of there, especially if there's a lot of stuff in it  :/
    I'd replace those two panels on the left, then you can cut away some of the grass at the patio end and plant a climber, and train it along towards the shed. Depending on the aspect, there are plenty of clematis which would suit, perhaps roses, if the ground/aspect  is suitable for them. The fence at the back can be painted whatever colour you want and as you have a raised bed, you could have a climber with underplanting, or have it with perennials/bulbs of varying heights. It really depends on what you like, andhow much time you have for maintenance too.
    If you like a minimalist look, you could have a very simple display of identical grasses [ something green/gold  perhaps] with alliums/verbena bonariensis/cirsium rivulare [for height]  right along it, and the fence could be black so that they stand out against it. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TheveggardenerTheveggardener Posts: 1,057
    I would seal around the bottom of the shed or you might get rats living under there, do also check there isn't a hedgehog under there. Unlike rats Hedgehogs are a gardeners friend. Have you thought about painting the fence black then whatever you grow up it would stand out. You might even consider painting the shed black and also growing something up on a trellis.   
  • The shed has been there for years - unfortunately, we did not know it was resting on just bricks but we have been using it fine.  We are getting a quote to get a concrete ground there but will have to wait til our funds are back up!

    The fences - they are our fences - but our neighbours won't let us replace them! We of course are within our limits to go against them and replace but we want an easy life!
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,218
    The other thing which occurs to me about the shed is the electricity supply to the freezers...  I'm no electrician, but that looks like an ordinary extension cable.  They're not designed for permanent use outside the house because they go brittle, also the insulation isn't robust enough to stop them being chewed by squirrels or rats (who love such things).  Sorry, I don't know what you ought to use, but I'm sure you can find out on the Net... and don't forget to use an RCD too.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,016
    That's probably because they've got stuff growing on them. Your choice, but perhaps you need to point out to them that the fence is going to collapse at some point, and it'll take with it anything that's on it. Their choice if they're happy to lose everything they've got growing there. 
    If you feel the shed is ok, then a simple piece of fencing timber attached to the shed will cover the gap.
    My shed is black, along with other fences/trellis, which is why I suggested it,  and greenery looks very good against it, but it's your choice.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,523
    Personally I would wait for the quote for a concrete base and get that done.While the shed is (presumably) moved to allow the base to go down I would also get the fence done behind it.
    Concrete posts and gravel boards would mean replacing fence panels later is easier.
    (Like your neighbours have done).
    I did this and would always recommend concrete posts over wood,it may be more costly initially but a godsend later as I found!
    Doing something well at the beginning really does save time,effort and money later on.
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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