http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007...n-how-to-enter

This is a competition to design a family-friendly garden, based on an
8m x 8m flat site, which may be viewed by visitors from 2 or 3 sides.
A backdrop should be considered. It may include an area of excavation
but it should be no deeper than 0.5m.


I've never designed a garden, so where on earth do you start?
--
http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk

On Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:55:00 -0000, Janet wrote:

In article ,
says...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007...n-how-to-enter

This is a competition to design a family-friendly garden, based on an
8m x 8m flat site, which may be viewed by visitors from 2 or 3 sides.
A backdrop should be considered. It may include an area of excavation
but it should be no deeper than 0.5m.


I've never designed a garden, so where on earth do you start?

Have you ever gardened at all? What level of knowledge do you possess
about plants, soil types, hard landscaping?

Janet

I have gardened for years but starting from what was there. I've never
regigged an entire garden, merely attacked it from the sides in
--
http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk

"mogga" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:55:00 -0000, Janet wrote:

In article ,
says...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007...n-how-to-enter

This is a competition to design a family-friendly garden, based on an
8m x 8m flat site, which may be viewed by visitors from 2 or 3 sides.
A backdrop should be considered. It may include an area of excavation
but it should be no deeper than 0.5m.


I've never designed a garden, so where on earth do you start?

Have you ever gardened at all? What level of knowledge do you possess
about plants, soil types, hard landscaping?

Janet

I have gardened for years but starting from what was there. I've never
regigged an entire garden, merely attacked it from the sides in
--
http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk

This one http://www.myalbum.com/Album=MUKLG34Q was done from the sides
and both ends over a period of years. You should have seen what it was like
when we moved in :-(((

Mike

--

....................................

I'm an Angel, honest ! The horns are there just to keep the halo straight.

....................................

On Thursday, 31 January 2013 13:50:59 UTC, mogga wrote:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007...n-how-to-enter



This is a competition to design a family-friendly garden, based on an

8m x 8m flat site, which may be viewed by visitors from 2 or 3 sides.

A backdrop should be considered. It may include an area of excavation

but it should be no deeper than 0.5m.





I've never designed a garden, so where on earth do you start?

--

http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk
Oh dear this is going to be another one of my sermons ;~((
For myself - never on paper, at least not in the first instance.
Look at the site - *really look*. Soil type/types, drainage, pH, aspect/potential microclimates, shade/shelter, nearby landscape you might be able to incorporate into the garden, manmade objects you may wish to screen or include, anything worthwhile already on site - manmade or plants that you may ormay not be able to see atm (better to observe the site over a full season if poss.)
Then what do you need in the way of access, paths, patios etc, compost heaps, sheds etc.
Now how much time do you have or want to spend on maintenance especially with respect to time hungry tasks like mowing, hedges etc - keep that low and give more time for the pleasure fun thing with plants etc and time to enjoy being in this lovely place you've made.
At this stage you probably would start thinking about making a budget around these basic thoughts so you don't start something you can't afford to finish or something you run out of steam on before it's complete
*But* if it's going to be a good garden it never will be complete, things grow and change, mistakes are inevitable and this is where almost all paper planned gardens fail.
All that sounds a lot but it won't take too long and will save time and money and lead to a better outcome.
Now get your wellies on and your wallet ready.
This probably isn't much help for the totally artificial task set by the competition but it's not a bad way to start making a real garden.

Rod

"Rod" wrote

mogga wrote:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007...n-how-to-enter
This is a competition to design a family-friendly garden, based on an

8m x 8m flat site, which may be viewed by visitors from 2 or 3 sides.

A backdrop should be considered. It may include an area of excavation

but it should be no deeper than 0.5m.

I've never designed a garden, so where on earth do you start?


Oh dear this is going to be another one of my sermons ;~((
For myself - never on paper, at least not in the first instance.
Look at the site - *really look*. Soil type/types, drainage, pH,
aspect/potential microclimates, shade/shelter, nearby landscape you might
be able to incorporate into the garden, manmade objects you may wish to
screen or include, anything worthwhile already on site - manmade or plants
that you may ormay not be able to see atm (better to observe the site over
a full season if poss.)
Then what do you need in the way of access, paths, patios etc, compost
heaps, sheds etc.
Now how much time do you have or want to spend on maintenance especially
with respect to time hungry tasks like mowing, hedges etc - keep that low
and give more time for the pleasure fun thing with plants etc and time to
enjoy being in this lovely place you've made.
At this stage you probably would start thinking about making a budget
around these basic thoughts so you don't start something you can't afford
to finish or something you run out of steam on before it's complete
*But* if it's going to be a good garden it never will be complete, things
grow and change, mistakes are inevitable and this is where almost all paper
planned gardens fail.
All that sounds a lot but it won't take too long and will save time and
money and lead to a better outcome.
Now get your wellies on and your wallet ready.
This probably isn't much help for the totally artificial task set by the
competition but it's not a bad way to start making a real garden.


And you need to know how old the "family" is, for example young children
might make a pond unwise or they might like a sandpit, Dad might have
hobbies and need a decent sized shed, Mum/Dad might like to sunbath or are
BBQ people. You really need input from the family as to their needs before
starting to design something for them.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

On Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:48:30 -0000, "Bob Hobden"
wrote:


And you need to know how old the "family" is, for example young children
might make a pond unwise or they might like a sandpit, Dad might have
hobbies and need a decent sized shed, Mum/Dad might like to sunbath or are
BBQ people. You really need input from the family as to their needs before
starting to design something for them.


I think the idea is you decide how old they are and justify it in the
written bit of the exercise.

ie: 2 boys 9,11:
Astroturf and paint goals on the fences.

--
http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk

On Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:30:33 -0800 (PST), Rod
wrote:


Oh dear this is going to be another one of my sermons ;~((
For myself - never on paper, at least not in the first instance.
Look at the site - *really look*. Soil type/types, drainage, pH, aspect/potential microclimates, shade/shelter, nearby landscape you might be able to incorporate into the garden, manmade objects you may wish to screen or include, anything worthwhile already on site - manmade or plants that you may ormay not be able to see atm (better to observe the site over a full season if poss.)
Then what do you need in the way of access, paths, patios etc, compost heaps, sheds etc.
Now how much time do you have or want to spend on maintenance especially with respect to time hungry tasks like mowing, hedges etc - keep that low and give more time for the pleasure fun thing with plants etc and time to enjoy being in this lovely place you've made.
At this stage you probably would start thinking about making a budget around these basic thoughts so you don't start something you can't afford to finish or something you run out of steam on before it's complete
*But* if it's going to be a good garden it never will be complete, things grow and change, mistakes are inevitable and this is where almost all paper planned gardens fail.
All that sounds a lot but it won't take too long and will save time and money and lead to a better outcome.
Now get your wellies on and your wallet ready.
This probably isn't much help for the totally artificial task set by the competition but it's not a bad way to start making a real garden.

Rod


Yes with a space in front of me I could visualise how I'd want things
(And what I'd negotiate that down to with my OH) - but the competition
aspect - I spose you have to imagine the space and then fill it.

--
http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk

On Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:25:04 -0000, "'Mike'"
wrote:


I have gardened for years but starting from what was there. I've never
regigged an entire garden, merely attacked it from the sides in
--
http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk

This one http://www.myalbum.com/Album=MUKLG34Q was done from the sides
and both ends over a period of years. You should have seen what it was like
when we moved in :-(((

Mike


Pretty! It looks very tidy! And a real mix of things. The purple
(?)acer in the blue pot is lovely.
--
http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk

In article ,
says...

On Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:55:00 -0000, Janet wrote:

In article ,
says...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007...n-how-to-enter

This is a competition to design a family-friendly garden, based on an
8m x 8m flat site, which may be viewed by visitors from 2 or 3 sides.
A backdrop should be considered. It may include an area of excavation
but it should be no deeper than 0.5m.


I've never designed a garden, so where on earth do you start?

Have you ever gardened at all? What level of knowledge do you possess
about plants, soil types, hard landscaping?

Janet

I have gardened for years but starting from what was there. I've never
regigged an entire garden, merely attacked it from the sides in

OK. Well, it's to be a family garden, but (other than the comp rules,
all spelled out) it's all on paper and sheer fantasy; so there are no
limits such as personal strength, pocket or practical skill.

Pick your favourite style of garden/planting and make a version which
is attractive to a family AND the listed "judging criteria".

Janet

On 31/01/2013 18:53, mogga wrote:
On Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:30:33 -0800 (PST), Rod
wrote:


Oh dear this is going to be another one of my sermons ;~((
For myself - never on paper, at least not in the first instance.
Look at the site - *really look*. Soil type/types, drainage, pH, aspect/potential microclimates, shade/shelter, nearby landscape you might be able to incorporate into the garden, manmade objects you may wish to screen or include, anything worthwhile already on site - manmade or plants that you may ormay not be able to see atm (better to observe the site over a full season if poss.)
Then what do you need in the way of access, paths, patios etc, compost heaps, sheds etc.
Now how much time do you have or want to spend on maintenance especially with respect to time hungry tasks like mowing, hedges etc - keep that low and give more time for the pleasure fun thing with plants etc and time to enjoy being in this lovely place you've made.
At this stage you probably would start thinking about making a budget around these basic thoughts so you don't start something you can't afford to finish or something you run out of steam on before it's complete
*But* if it's going to be a good garden it never will be complete, things grow and change, mistakes are inevitable and this is where almost all paper planned gardens fail.
All that sounds a lot but it won't take too long and will save time and money and lead to a better outcome.
Now get your wellies on and your wallet ready.
This probably isn't much help for the totally artificial task set by the competition but it's not a bad way to start making a real garden.

Rod


Yes with a space in front of me I could visualise how I'd want things
(And what I'd negotiate that down to with my OH) - but the competition
aspect - I spose you have to imagine the space and then fill it.


So with the hard standing for the caravan, the astro turf and goal posts
for the boys football practice as well as the decking and BBQ area. then
you have problems.........

"mogga" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:25:04 -0000, "'Mike'"
wrote:


I have gardened for years but starting from what was there. I've never
regigged an entire garden, merely attacked it from the sides in
--
http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk

This one http://www.myalbum.com/Album=MUKLG34Q was done from the sides
and both ends over a period of years. You should have seen what it was
like
when we moved in :-(((

Mike


Pretty! It looks very tidy! And a real mix of things. The purple
(?)acer in the blue pot is lovely.
--
http://www.voucherfreebies.co.uk

Well my wife is the gardener. She has over 50 years experience. The Acer is
mentioned in another thread somewhere and was a 70th Birthday present from
the family 4 years ago

Mike

--

....................................

I'm an Angel, honest ! The horns are there just to keep the halo straight.

....................................

On 31/01/2013 20:46, David Hill wrote:
On 31/01/2013 18:53, mogga wrote:
On Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:30:33 -0800 (PST), Rod
wrote:


Oh dear this is going to be another one of my sermons ;~((
For myself - never on paper, at least not in the first instance.
Look at the site - *really look*. Soil type/types, drainage, pH,
aspect/potential microclimates, shade/shelter, nearby landscape you
might be able to incorporate into the garden, manmade objects you may
wish to screen or include, anything worthwhile already on site -
manmade or plants that you may ormay not be able to see atm (better
to observe the site over a full season if poss.)
Then what do you need in the way of access, paths, patios etc,
compost heaps, sheds etc.
Now how much time do you have or want to spend on maintenance
especially with respect to time hungry tasks like mowing, hedges etc
- keep that low and give more time for the pleasure fun thing with
plants etc and time to enjoy being in this lovely place you've made.
At this stage you probably would start thinking about making a budget
around these basic thoughts so you don't start something you can't
afford to finish or something you run out of steam on before it's
complete
*But* if it's going to be a good garden it never will be complete,
things grow and change, mistakes are inevitable and this is where
almost all paper planned gardens fail.
All that sounds a lot but it won't take too long and will save time
and money and lead to a better outcome.
Now get your wellies on and your wallet ready.
This probably isn't much help for the totally artificial task set by
the competition but it's not a bad way to start making a real garden.

Rod


Yes with a space in front of me I could visualise how I'd want things
(And what I'd negotiate that down to with my OH) - but the competition
aspect - I spose you have to imagine the space and then fill it.


So with the hard standing for the caravan, the astro turf and goal posts
for the boys football practice as well as the decking and BBQ area. then
you have problems.........



It's also important to remember the washing line, the dustbin and
recycling bins and, preferably, at least one compost bin.

If I were planning a garden around a family, I would base it around a
small shed with a 'tree'(shed!) house built on top. That would allow
plenty of room for toy/games clutter as well as offering shelter in bad
weather for either girls or boys. It could be made to look quite
attractive. The youngsters could even have their own mini-borders
around their shed, which would help to encourage their appreciation of
the wider garden. That's just a starting place...

To be honest, I'd rather see a competition based on a small front garden
which would incorporate an attractive way of concealing the various
wheely bins, recycling bins and bags that congregate at the front of
houses (and even on the pavement!) these days. Our own road is very
difficult in that respect because it is on a hill. Finding a flat site
to store either three wheelies or their equivalent is very difficult.

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay