Do you want to turn your new build garden into an outdoor space of your dreams?
Here Mel, from @melslittlegarden, shares her top tips for creating the perfect space:
New build gardens can be a wonderful blank canvas for gardeners to put their stamp on and I truly believe that anyone, whether an expert gardener or a complete novice, can transform their brand new outdoor space into the oasis of their dreams.
Having lived in my new build garden for six years I have come to know the small 6x6m space well, and with a bit of planning and plenty of passion, I have made sure it packs a punch.
Here is my advice based on my experiences:
Hard Landscaping
Depending on whether you have bought off-plan or not, some developers might allow you to make landscaping requests during the build.
This will allow you to start to think about how you might shape your garden to suit your space from very early on. Think about how much patio or lawn (if any) you would want and how you might want these to look.
Top Tip: If you get the chance to ask your developer to add an outdoor tap then do this! Or install one yourself as soon as you can. This will ensure you can water your plants and lawn of the future with ease.
Hozelock products are all easily connectable to any outdoor tap.
Mulching
New builds are notorious for compacted, rubble-filled soil, which doesn’t make the best environment for plants to thrive.
To overcome this, mulching will be your best friend. This is simply adding layers of organic matter to your soil to improve its structure and give your plants a boost.
This usually consists of compost or soil improver, but it could be bark chippings or even grass clippings.
Add Trees
New build gardens can often be overlooked by neighbours, meaning the best thing you can do for privacy is to add height and structure with trees. They are also some of the best additions you can make to attract wildlife to your space.
I love a birch tree or a fruit tree which can bring you blossom in spring and fruit in summer, also adding colour and variety to the plants in your garden.
Add Climbers
I love adding climbing plants for much-needed fence coverage.
Climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle and star jasmine are all fantastic options. A mix of evergreen and deciduous options will give you all-year round interest.
Get Planting
I personally think that this is the most exciting part, as our gardens are so personal to us.
My advice to any new gardener is to plant according to your space and needs. Learn from my early mistakes and don’t plant sun-loving plants in shady spaces; they won’t thrive and there are some wonderful shade-tolerant alternatives available.
You can still maintain a gorgeous garden without being a dedicated gardener – low-maintenance plants such as hydrangeas and various shrubs and grasses will still have a big impact.
Keep Everything Thriving
Once everything is in place, you will want to keep it looking its best.
The most important thing you can do to keep your new plants healthy and hydrated is to have an effective watering plan in place.
I love using the Hozelock Compact Reel paired with the Multi Spray Ultramax for all my watering and cleaning needs – simple, yet effective.
The Superhoze City is also an ideal option for smaller gardens and terraces, as it contains everything you need, including a 7.5m Superhoze, Rose Spray Gun, and storage bag, perfect for storing all of your garden tools in a neat space.
