Garden design - any recommendations please?

[wickedfairy]

Hi, We have just bought an extra bit of garden at the end of our current garden and are looking for some design ideas. We currently have a square of grass, then a raised bed. Then behind that is the new bit, which will house the children's play equipment. We want to build a windy path from the side of the raised bed to lead to the swings, etc but need some advice on how to arrange what will be flower beds on either side of the path.

I have no idea - I have tried to look for pictures online, but it is overwhelming. Don't really have enough money for a garden designer (I presume they are expensive) - does anyone know of any free garden design tools that you would recommend? Thanks

I meant a winding path, not a windy one. Ahem....

My only advice, based on experience, is to not make any winding paths too winding, particularly on a way to play structures. Dc are prone to taking shortcuts through whatever the most direct route is, regardless of flowerbeds.

What I now do is leave it for a little bit, and then go build the path on the bare patch where the dc have trampled on their way to the games. Saves no end of aggro.

Thanks Liara, good point!! I think I will do a curved path instead

If you google online garden design there are a couple of websites that come up that are free to use, you can draw in where your house, garage, etc is, then it has lots of tools to add bits and have a play.

Thanks BreakOut - will do!