Garden Design Meltdown!

Edward.francis

Hello everyone,

After many weeks of trying to come up with garden ideas I've failed to come up with something suitable. Someone mentioned that a blank canvas can be quite a dauting task an yes that is exactly what I'm finding. 

I was wondering if there are any budding garden designers out there or if anyone can recommend one to help give me some inspiration? Ideally I'm looking for someone to view the plot and after a discussion help me come up with some ideas and a basic plan. My problem is that I don't really know what is possible.

I've included a plan of the plot and some photos of the space for information. There is a slope towards the house so I am anticipating a two level design. We'd like an area for sitting/entertaining, a small shed, grass area and beautiful plants. Something relatively easy to maintain but I don't mind getting my hands dirty so something that requires maintenance isn't a problem. I kind of like the idea of a fusion between a country garden/contemporary look.

Being financially limited and an engineer at heart I'd like to do most of the work myself once we have a design. Ideally I'd be able to build it in a modular fashion as and when funds become available, hence the requirement for a firm plan/design from the outset.

We are in Hampshire and the garden is south facing.

Anyway see what you think....

ATB,

Ed

Posy

Oh dear, that is a blank canvas! You will find lots of garden designers advertise locally, but before you jump in, have look at lots of pictures of mature gardens to help you find a look that YOU like. There are so many examples online and in magazines that you are bound to find a starting point.

Allotment Boy

There are lots of garden design books around and at least 2 professional associations who list designers.  Many are very happy to give advice or even draw up a design that you can implement yourself.  This will incur a cost but not necessarily a huge one.  Another route is to see if there is a college near you , they can often put you in touch with advanced students who would relish the chance to practice. 

AnniD

The new estate blank canvas, surrounded by overlooking properties, always tricky.
If you want to get a designer in, l would try putting a request on local Facebook pages,or as has been said previously try a local college. Another place to try would be local garden centre(s), they may be able to put you in touch with someone or even be able to advise themselves.

Liriodendron

I see you have a tree... so not absolutely blank then!     Any idea what sort it is?

Edward.francis

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll get googling!. I'm not sure about the tree but I will find out what it is. It hasn't inspired me over the past year so it could come down! The photos were taken when we didn't have any plants, since then we have bought some but they are all in pots.

Loxley

Don't be in a rush... keep looking at Pinterest and Instagram and save ideas that you like, that you think would work.

Edward.francis

Allotment Boy said:

There are lots of garden design books around and at least 2 professional associations who list designers.  Many are very happy to give advice or even draw up a design that you can implement yourself.  This will incur a cost but not necessarily a huge one.  Another route is to see if there is a college near you , they can often put you in touch with advanced students who would relish the chance to practice. 

Thanks for your response AB. You mention 2 professional organisations, who are they please?

Many thanks,

E

BobTheGardener

There's a list on the RHS site which may be useful:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=465

rachelQrtJHBjb

Edward.francis said:

Allotment Boy said:

There are lots of garden design books around and at least 2 professional associations who list designers.  Many are very happy to give advice or even draw up a design that you can implement yourself.  This will incur a cost but not necessarily a huge one.  Another route is to see if there is a college near you , they can often put you in touch with advanced students who would relish the chance to practice. 

Thanks for your response AB. You mention 2 professional organisations, who are they please?

Many thanks,

E

Members of The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) are assessed before they can join and some of the most famous designers can be found on their listings. Their design work can be quite costly - my Mum's garden is 3 times the size of yours and she was quoted c £1,000 by one of their members. 

I don't know where you are in Hampshire but Merrist Wood College (Surrey) springs to mind if you wanted to approach them and put forward your plot for a student project. The advantage is the students' designs will be overseen by experienced tutors. May be worth a call to the college?

micearguers

Do you like gardening? You could start by finding out what sort of soil you have, how wet/dry it is over the seasons and what sort of plants, shrubs and trees seem to grow well near the houses and streets around you. Then you could start with some of those that you like. Based on the East/West aspects there are probably logical places to start borders. You could just start by slowly creating some small spaces in that blank canvas. Would you like some fruiting trees and or shrubs? Grow vegetables? Have lots of flowers? How much lawn do you want? Do you want more privacy from certain angles? A seating area? Make a list of things you'd like in a garden to start with. It's nice to slowly evolve a garden rather than commit to a complete design.