My new garden within a garden

[thegardenvirgin]

I have recently moved to a new flat and have a plot within it. I wanted a house and garden, but with the market the way it is, this seemed the ideal compromise.

Now I have no idea what to do with my space! I'm not even sure I'm comfortable sitting out in it, although the other neighbours obviously do, as they have furniture on their plots.

I would love to really make it my own, but is that possible when it's really a shared space?

I have attached a photo. My plot is the patio with pots on it, and the area of grass the same size, adjacent to it.

I thought I could get some trellised planters on one of the corners to create a bit of screen, but do they generally need to be secured? I would love some colour.

Any ideas/opinions welcome.

I likely won't be doing much to it until next summer now, as money is going on the actual flat for now.

It's a lovely space :)

Are you permitted to put up some sort of border around your boundary, a low fence maybe?

If not then I'd consider putting in some flower beds to mark out your area, you could do these at the corners in an L-shape so that you're not boxing thr whole thing in but they would provide attractive structure at ground level.

I'd want some privacy too, so I'd find the area that gets the best light - or is most comfortable to sit in - and put up some screening. You can use bamboo in pots which will give lots of height, movement and sound great in the breeze.

Think about how you want to use the space. You might want to mark out an entertaining area - chairs and table, fire pit etc. The lawn could be a meditative space for sunbathing, or a hammock for reading outdoors...

Once you know what climate is in the garden and the soil (how much sun, wind etc) you can work out what plants would work. Rhs plant finder allows you to browse plants by the environment they're to go in, by colour, scent etc.

I always love a sensory experience so would choose some ornamental grasses and scented plants mixed with bulbs. Trees like acers can work well in large pots and look fabulous later in the year.

Just have some fun, get to know the space and don't stress when things go wrong if planting up (they always do)!

I'd do a perimeter of solar lights. Get some nice garden furniture on it and get some nice smelling pots like lavender.

I’d be tempted to border it with trellis and screen with creepers and bamboo in pots to create a private leafy oasis.

Ive seen the trellis with planter attached- I assume the weight of the soil keeps it secure but more knowledgeable posters may be able to confirm!

Thank you @Kat1953!

Re a fence or border, I'm not sure to be honest I've only started considering the garden this weekend, and haven't checked this out. Would that be specified in my title deeds?

There are some dogs in the building, and as gorgeous as they are, I'd maybe like something in place to keep them from pooing on my grass while staying being able to get near them for petting

My plot seems to get the sun all day. I'll definitely be buying some furniture for the patio area. A hammock is a cracking idea, but I cannot imagine lying in one, or even a lounger, for all my neighbours to see 🙈 But perhaps I need to just start as I mean to go on!

Looks lovely op. I’m sure you can make it really nice to sit out in. One thing though, I really wouldn’t get a fire pit as pp suggested as I think they’re really anti social at the best of times never mind in a space like that. So smoky and smelly

A hammock is a cracking idea, but I cannot imagine lying in one, or even a lounger, for all my neighbours to see

That's where the screening from bamboo or something comes in :)

Love the pp idea of a perimeter of lights. And yes, you need to think about creating 'a private oasis'.

Something to screen you from view will also be important for shade in the heat of high summer. A pergola or similar would be lovely, with fast growing climbers up it - its always cooler in-between plants.

A useful tip is to think about creating 'rooms' in your garden, they often make a space feel bigger and can be helpful in planning out what you want.

Lots of ideas on Pinterest and have a look at gardening magazines too for inspiration!

I am assuming your flat is within a building that used to be one house? That garden looks like it used to be one large garden. It’s strange that they have divided it the way that they have. i would have thought it would be easier to have one whole large space that all occupants could use. But then again there will always be someone who doesn’t want to take their turn to mow the grass or do weeding etc.

perhaps you could plant box hedge around yours. It can be kept really low, 8-12 inches. Or place troughs with plants in around the edge of your space. By the looks of it you’re not going to be able to put up anything higher, noone else has. Is there a place outside for you to keep a lawn mower?

That's a lovely space. Those planters with trellises would be good for screening. With soil in them they are heavy enough to not blow over, especially if you put some rocks in the bottom.

What a lovely place! I’m really jealous OP, even shared it looks idyllic.

One thing I would put out is a bird bath of some sort, not only birds but insects, foxes and hedgehogs will use it. Keep it well filled. Lots of garden centres will be piling up their shelves with trays of bedding plants in the next few weeks, great for filling pots for instant colour all summer long, remember to water them regularly. If you don’t have access to a standpipe or don’t have the time for regular watering duty then think about buying low and wide pots and using sedums, sempeveriums or choose woody herbs like rosemary or thyme that are forgiving if you don’t water regularly.

Google corner arbour as this would give you some privacy.

I think you're really lucky to have an end plot though, you should be able to do more with it than a middle one because it won't be in the way. And you can achieve greater privacy as well. If structures aren't allowed, look at tall plants- if you're only going to sit out in the summer, then beans or sweet peas etc would work really well.

I would keep an eye on freecycle or FB market place people often are clearing out houses and giving away garden furniture and planters.

I think creating a loose boundary would a fair to your neighbours also you don't want to lose light.

@Twospaniels no, it's a purpose built tenement flat.

We have individual cellars (haven't even looked in mine yet 👀🙈), and we have recently agreed on a gardener cutting the grass. Someone has actually been and done it, and now I think about, I've not been asked to pay anything and he's cut the communal area as well as mine. Need to check that out!

What about a sturdy gazebo with curtains like this - it is not a permanent structure, but you could have a table and chairs in the middle and close the curtains a bit for some privacy, string up some fairly lights for night time?

Honestly, you are never going to get real privacy so you'd be better just accepting that and using it as it is. I have a similar set up and it was odd the first few times but although we say hi if we are out together generally we ignore each other.

Get a hot tub and a trampoline and you''ll have the WHOLE garden to yourself.

If you are allowed to plant whatever you want, I would consider a willow fedge, relatively cheap and fast growing so you would get the privacy you want within weeks.

The are basically tall willow twigs that you stick in the ground and weave together in a trellis pattern or any pattern you like, you can even make arbours or playhouse with them. They then put out roots and new shoots so you have an almost instant hedge up to several metres high. You are just in time to do it for this year.

If you can find anyone with a willow, you might even be able to get the twigs for free.

It's really easy. I've even had twisted willow twigs, spray painted gold and bought from the flower section in the supermarket, take root and grow after I used them as Christmas decorations in the garden in pots and forgot to take them down.

www.thewillowbank.com/living-willow-structure-kits-for-sale/willow-fedge-screens/

Thanks so much for all these ideas. Wasn't even expecting much response!

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles someone has beaten me to the trampoline, but I don't mind that. It's just nice to have decent neighbours who care about the space. My last garden was a complete no go area, and that was with a young DC.

I think you need to think first about what you would actually use the space for OP.

Sitting out is not going to be a major thing as it's so public but some planters with trellis will give a bit of privacy.

i would go for pots that you can grow annuals in. These will look pretty, and you can pick them to bring inside too.

I would turn a bit of the grassed area into a wildlife meadow area, but make sure you tell the guy who cuts the grass.

I love the idea of a garden meadow, but worried it would just look like a random and uncared for space, which the neighbours might not appreciate it.

However, I've found this. Would that work in a planter along the edge of my grassy area?

And has anyone used anything like this?

www.wilko.com/garden-on-a-roll-wildlife-2m-x-40cm/p/0529620?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2aPo15St9wIVx4XVCh09Pw-6EAQYASABEgLmmfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Absolutely it would work.

All you need to do is define the boundaries of the meadow area. As for its shape, your could organic-y curved or do a rectangular or square strip.

Thanks @Kat1953

This thread has me so excited about having an outdoor space now.

Thanks so much!

it’s currently not available on Amazon, but you could probably find it elsewhere. You can close/open the nets any which way you want to give a bit of privacy, depending on who is using their garden area at any given time. The seat size is really generous, nothing nicer on a summers day then gently rocking. The back can fold down and lock into place to form a big double sun bed. I got this almost 10 years ago - it’s still my favourite purchase for the garden.

www.amazon.co.uk/Trans-Continental-Group-Ltd-Suntime/dp/B007ER69CK

You might like to look at container ponds too, op, if you're going for the wildlife route. Can be as small as a bucket in the ground, but wildlife will love it with the meadow!

Furries that swing set is great!