Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Garden design ideas - help

We're renovating a terrace house and have an ugly bare garden covered in cement with a couple of sheds. It all needs to go and be replaced with a space containing some greenery, space for kids to play, vege planter beds and some semi mature trees. However, I've planned myself into stagnation and am having trouble developing a clear design that accounts for all the things I need to consider like the type of plants, how to use the space effectively given sunlight angles etc etc.

Has anyone used a garden designer or local garden landscaper who could help design the garden and potentially carry out the work as well? I'd be grateful for any suggestions or advice regarding likely costs and other considerations. Thanks.

Tags for Forum Posts: landscape gardener

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Finsbury Park Ranger on March 30, 2016 at 23:45

I found the 'paper' app on the iPad was a pretty good discovery for doing designs like that,

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by pamish on March 31, 2016 at 1:13

I did the basic Garden Design course at Capel Manor college a couple of years ago. There are many students there at various levels, from beginner to foundation degree. You could put a card on the relevant* notice board offering a bit of cash for a bit of a brainstorm, it may spark someone into coming to work with you. *in the garden design classroom which is not in the main building it's out by the greenhouses, the name escapes me.

The college is up the A10 just before the M25, normally a half hour drive ha ha, or train to Turkey Street then 20 minute walk.

Gardens open seven days now it's summertime. There's about 50 model gardens that may just give you all the ideas you need.

I see they have an open day on 16th April when you can get in for free, need to register perhaps.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Somo on March 31, 2016 at 1:58

We asked Ben and Rob of The Relentless Gardeners (http://relentlessgardeners.co.uk/) to transform our (front and) back garden, and they were miraculous. They did everything -- designing, remove hard-landscaping, bricking a back terrace, perennial planting, turf-laying, lawn care -- all with good cheer, and hard work ethic. I was opinionated on some things (lots of yellow please) and ignorant on others, and they were both responsive and pro-active. Such a pleasure to work with, and lovely guys as well. I can't recommend them highly enough, and wish I'd found them ages ago.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sean on April 1, 2016 at 23:43

We had this when we moved into our place a couple of years ago. In the end we just designed something simple ourselves - putting decking, some raised planters, artificial grass and a patio on top of the cement. We used pinterest to get ideas. We then got a gardener in to advise on the design and do the work - http://www.forgetmenotgardendesign.co.uk/. They were pretty good. You're welcome to come over and see their work.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on April 2, 2016 at 8:39

You could consult Sally Lee (see LinkedIn). She is in the garden design business and lives right here, in Ede Road.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Finsbury Park Ranger on April 2, 2016 at 17:28

I would recommend choosing your spot to gather round a fire and make that fairly central. Personally I would keep that area grass and be prepared to lay down rugs or throws when you have lots of people around. If you keep to grass and flower beds it keeps a real cottage feel. Maybe use concrete slabs / York stones as stepping stones where you need hard surface.. Also use thickish branches to delineat between grass and flower beds as that manages to keep a really natural feel. Put in at least one pond for to maximise your wildlife, Amazon pre formed ones are cheap. Load with plants and a little solar air pump two keep two little fish alive ( any more the wild life won't have a chance). Maximise your fence / vertical growing possibilities with trellis everywhere ( for clematis, honeysuckle, Yasmin and grape vines). Hang lots of half wicker baskets with ferns in a nice shade area. Drill lots of iron wall plant pot holders in a well placed wall to make a feature 'green wall'. Plant with herbs if it's in the sun and you have a herb garden. A sunny spot for a cold frame will give you and extra month or two growing time. Make sure to find a place for a hammock under some dappled light if you can. Consider an area for a fold up chair or four and fold up table for breakfast too ( maybe on top of York stone placed a little bit like crazy pacing but instead of concrete in between plant with mind 'your own business'. ( just lay stones on sand and plant in between). Also consider where you might want a nice wooden 'steamer' style sun bed for a little colonial charm, if that's your thing and generally plant with 'cottage plants' if you want that old English feel.

All of the above can be done without any concrete and all can be laid quite happily by eye, more wonky the better actually.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Holly Willis on April 8, 2016 at 18:38

Nash at Groundwork Gardening just helped us plan our front garden and he did the hardlandscaping as well. Very professional, hardworking and a lovely bloke - very patient with me changing my mind all the time!

nash@groundworkgardening.com