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Back garden design

djhenderson83djhenderson83 Posts: 9
in Garden design
Evening all. My wife and I are desperate to re-design our back garden. We inherited the current garden from previous house owners. We have a 3 year old and 1 year old so need to make it more child friendly with a lawn. Our garage is very small so need a shed too. Attached is a basic plan we have done on a website. I’d appreciate your thoughts on our design. At the front we’d like new patio of porcelain tiles, steps up to a lawn, path leading to the right past existing apple tree up towards a 8x6 shed. Retaining wall at front to be rendered in white. Considering putting raised beds on top of wall to act as a means to prevent children from falling off lawn on top. We’re also thinking about a raised bed across back of garden. Please can we have feedback on our design and suggestions on suitable plants. Garden is west facing but only has gardens beside it to the left so plenty of sun hits garden from south direction too. Warm regards, David and Dawn 
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  • djhenderson83djhenderson83 Posts: 9

  • djhenderson83djhenderson83 Posts: 9

  • djhenderson83djhenderson83 Posts: 9
    Two photos above show our current garden 
  • djhenderson83djhenderson83 Posts: 9
    The diagram shows a block paving style path going up right to the shed but we intend this to be a path out of porcelain tiles too
  • djhenderson83djhenderson83 Posts: 9
    We’ll be purchasing a new retaining wall by the way and also 3 new fences 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 84,041
    edited June 2021
    Just an initial thought, but I'd think twice about painting the retaining wall white ... whilst a white wall can look fabulous when freshly done and with the sun shining on it (thinking Spain or Greece in the summer B))  in the UK, unless it's south facing (which I don't think it is from your pics) it'll soon go green with algae and will need scrubbing down and repainting every year.  With two young children you really won't have the time for that.   :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    Your plan looks nice and practical, the only thing I would do different would be to have a narrow border or raised bed all along the rear fence rather than a partial raised bed. It will enable you to plant some climbers & tall flowering perennials giving you a green & colourful fence. But that also depends on what you plant in the raised beds on top of retaining wall or rather how tall will the plants be as it will probably block most of your view of rear fence, if so then maybe just a partial border/raised bed in the middle of fence ie in line with the stairs.

    You might also want to consider some potted plants for the Patio to make it cosy and relaxing. 


  • brackenbracken Posts: 91
    Are you going to plant some trees to try and screen the neighbours?  
  • djhenderson83djhenderson83 Posts: 9
    Dovefromabove said:
    Just an initial thought, but I'd think twice about painting the retaining wall white ... whilst a white wall can look fabulous when freshly done and with the sun shining on it (thinking Spain or Greece in the summer B))  in the UK, unless it's south facing (which I don't think it is from your pics) it'll soon go green with algae and will need scrubbing down and repainting every year.  With two young children you really won't have the time for that.   :)
    Valid point. We think you are right and are considering cladding the wall in porcelain tiles. Alternatively, we may just opt for a brand new stone wall without cladding on. 
  • djhenderson83djhenderson83 Posts: 9
    bracken said:
    Are you going to plant some trees to try and screen the neighbours?  
    Possibly. Any recommendations for suitable trees to go for? 
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