New build garden help please!

[EmrysAtticus]

So we moved into a new build house two years ago and have yet to do anything with the garden which is just the standard patio and lawn (we have put in a shed and small gravelled area around the side. The garden is north facing (in late spring to early autumn the patio gets plenty of sun in the morning and the lawn gets the sun in the afternoon, in the winter no area gets sun). The lawn is not good quality and it's a pain in the neck to maintain and would much prefer something more biodiverse and easy to maintain. Any ideas much appreciated as we are complete novices and don't have loads of money.

One thing I really want to do is a Belfast sink pond and bug friendly area. Wildflowers would be amazing but how do I introduce these? I have also always wanted a water feature of some kind (more rustic than modern) and I love old bricks used in gardens.

I have attached a scale drawing of the garden. The scribbled areas are where the grass growth is very poor.

[Beebumble2]

It’s difficult to advise on suggestions for the lawn area as you seem to have forgotten to put dimensions on your drawing.
The good thing is that ponds don’t like to be in full sun, otherwise they get algae.
It’s akways helpful to have a structure of trees and shrubs to give all round interest. Have you walls or fences? Climbers on fences will help with interest at height. Plants such as Cranesbill geraniums are good ‘dooers’ . They don’t mind shade or sun and can have a long flowering season.
Try it to do everything at once, live with what you plant or change for a bit to see if it feels right. You can akways fill in gaps with bedding plants in the summer.
Other posters will be along with more advice, until then have a look on Pinterest for ideas. Above all enjoy your garden.

[Beebumble2]

*try not to do everything at once.
Auto type!!

[theconstantinoplegardener]

If you would like your pond to be wildlife friendly, it would be best to have at least one shallow sloping area (as well as deeper bits), which would be difficult with a Belfast sink. The shallow area makes it easier for birds and animals to get out if they fall in, and the shallow areas will be warmer, so you will have different microclimates in your pond, suitable for different creatures.

[EmrysAtticus]

Thanks gardener will have a bit of a rethink then :)

We have fences bee and currently have fruit trees on pots which we plan to put along the fences :)

[cupoftea84]

Firstly check if wildlife can get in your garden. If there's fencing all the way round like many new builds hedgehogs, frogs etc won't get close.
Secondly I'd suggest looking out for bee friendly plants ( they have a bee symbol on their labels usually). These will attract bees, butterflies etc.
In a new build your soil might be shallow (saves them money), bare in mind if looking to plant trees etc.
Don't tidy up too much, leaves etc make great homes for bugs which all add to the bio diversity.
Try composting your none cooked food waste, newspaper/ egg boxes etc. It's free compost that'll improve your soil and it'll attract bugs.
How do you get wild flowers?- you plant them. Things like poppies are super easy to grow, scatter seeds and water occasionally and they'll grow just about anywhere. You can get wild flower seed mixes to just scatter and water.
Start watching gardeners world. Monty knows his stuff even if it's more complicated than what you're doing, just watching him will show you how to plant and look after your garden.