How can I give my garden a makeover?

Question:

I want to give my garden a new look. What is the most sensible first step?

Answer:

How exciting. It really depends on budget, time and money as to where you start. Creating a new look on a low budget is more than possible but it will take hard graft and a little more time.

Now is the perfect time to move plants, dig ponds and clear ground so it’s wise to get cracking. I am creating a new look for my garden with the help of designer Janine Pattison and you can follow the steps we have made at www.theenglishgarden.co.uk.

However you plan to tackle this, start by measuring your plot and looking for new ideas in magazines and by visiting gardens. Make a list of the essential items you need in the garden such as shed, washing line and chicken house and then a list the more luxury items such as loungers, large borders and pergolas.

Start by knowing what you are trying to achieve and deciding on a style for your garden. Do you want a formal or informal look and are you trying to create a garden for life or just spruce it up for a couple of years? The key is to get your ideas down on paper.

If you need a designer to help you then ask locally for tried and tested companies or visit www.sgd.org.uk to find highly acclaimed designers in your area. However, if you are want to tackle the project yourself then make sure you get all your hard landscaping in place before you start to plant.

Some features will need planning permission and if carrying out more dramatic landscape work seek advice from a landscaper to avoid expensive mistakes.

Creating a new look can take years or just a weekend. Small gardens can be reinvented simply by adding container planting or colour themed borders. The world is your oyster.

Tamsin Westhorpe - Editor, The English Garden magazine