Compass Garden Design – Meeting the Challenges of New-Build Gardens
If you have just moved into your first home (or if you’ve moved from an existing home into a new build), then sorting out the garden may not be your top priority. However, with a little bit of expert help, you can really put your stamp on it and make it your own – just as much as the inside of the house.
At Compass Garden and Landscape Design, we have helped design new build gardens in Bradford on Avon, Bristol, and across Somerset and Wiltshire. Here we look at the challenges posed by these types of spaces – and why it’s always worth calling us for gardening advice.
Working Out the Soil Type
Many new build developers will give you the option, if you are purchasing your house early enough in the home’s building stage, whether you would like to have your garden turfed or simply left as topsoil before you move in.
Whether you are having your garden turfed or not, it’s important to know that the type of soil in your garden will affect what you can grow. You also need to know whether the soil is compacted or not, as this can also affect plant growth.
You also might decide to move into your new home with just topsoil, but the time of year (for example, if you move in during winter) might not be appropriate for much planting or any other sort of garden work. In this case, it’s important to keep the space nice and clear, as well as relatively smoothed-out in preparation for any gardening work you undertake once the weather warms up.
The Royal Horticultural Society warns that gardens in many new-build houses are low in nutrients, so you may also need to consider some compost, mulch or any other form of soil improver if you want to make your space a growing concern.
Location, Location, Location
Of course, when considering your garden design, it’s always important to consider the amount of rainfall you receive. Luckily, wherever you are in the UK you’re probably not short of rain throughout the year.
It’s also important to think about how much sunlight your garden gets, and whether it’s north- or south-facing. This can not only affect plant choices, but also hard landscaping features.
At Compass, we can quickly work these aspects out for you and advise accordingly – we have been working in the south-west of England for many years and know all about the micro-climate of the area.
Space at a Premium
A common trend with many new build homes is that garden space is often quite sparce, so while you may have a blank canvas you probably won’t have too much room for manoeuvre.
One way to circumvent this is to focus on plants which grow upwards rather than outwards, such as wisteria, jasmine and clematis, in order to make maximum use of your available space.
Utilising raised beds is another possibility. Creating different levels and a sense of elevation in your garden with raised beds and terraces is a great way to make it interesting, even if your space is limited. It’s also a great way to separate your garden in an aesthetically pleasing way, creating clearly defined spaces for seating and planting.
Sticking to a Budget
Financial constraints are another factor – especially when you’ve just bought a house (and all the associated costs and fees that come with it!)
So, it’s important that any gardening solutions you go for are competitively priced. Our excellent relationships with local wholesalers means we can source plants and materials at a very competitive price, cheaper than if you buy them yourself from a local garden centre or nursery.
Adding Additional Features
A number of touches can really make a garden feel like your own; It could be a water feature, a sun dial, a statue or benches and seating.
At Compass we know what will work best and where and, as we get to know you, we’ll be able to help you create a garden that not only matches your space but matches you too.
A Question of Privacy
Many people like privacy in their garden – a space to unwind or get some gardening work done away from prying eyes. While your new build home is likely to come with fencing (on both sides) that will provide a good level of protection, there are several other features you can add for further privacy. Trees, pergolas and arches are great ways of providing seclusion, as well as extra shaded areas if your garden gets a lot of sunlight.
However, when looking at growing something large like a tree, it might be worth checking on your property deeds to check if there are any restrictions about what you can or can’t grow. It’s also important to consider that growing larger trees and shrubs may also make it more difficult to grow smaller plants nearby, as the larger plants will take the lion’s share of the sunlight and soil nutrients.
Compass Garden Design – Garden Advice Experts in Bath
At Compass Garden Designs we have helped design new build gardens in Bradford on Avon, Bristol, and across Somerset and Wiltshire. We will be able to provide answers to all the above issues, not just for new build homes, but for any kind of home or development.
We provide services for full garden designs, from the initial consultation all the way through to the implementation, and we have a network of tried and trusted local traders who can carry out the work.
If you would like to know more about any of our services , fill in the form and we will get back to you as soon as we can. You can also email office@compassgardendesign.co.uk or call 07920 051549.
