Garden design - where to start?

[RainbowPanda]

I am not in the least bit creative.. I have a new build square box garden (6x5m ish) so small but a blank canvas really. Lived here 2.5 years and only got straight borders around each side of the lawn with some shrubs.

I don't even know where to start with design in terms of shape, patio, where to put a tree etc.

I do know I want some sensory elements as DS (toddler) is blind so want to interest him as he grows up. I am thinking a path with different textures under foot that leads him round the garden to different areas? But it's only small and don't know if it would even work.

Scented beds like lavender. Maybe a music area with metal and wooden things as he loves his music (example attached).

I may be able to get some charity funding for DS (particularly need to level patio for safety as some slabs have sunk so trip hazard).

But at the same time I don't want it to look like a playground, I still want it to have a natural feel about it. Maybe some raised beds where the lawn dips at the end.

So I kind of know what bits I'd like, but with no idea how to put them together. What do I focus on first?

I'm afraid I'm not good at design, but re the sensory aspect, I've heard comments about enjoying the sounds some plants make when they rustle, and the plash of water - obviously not a pond for you, but maybe one of those trickle type things if you know what I mean? And also one thing that stuck in my mind was a blind person describing how the garden came more alive for him in the rain, the sound it made on various surfaces.

And another obvious thing may be to encourage birds! So, I'd definitely want somewhere to feed them (including ground feeding for blackbirds, which are some of the best singers), trees/shrubs for perching, nest boxes....

Sorry I've not really answered your question, hope someone else with design skills shows up.

I am not good with design either, but I read loads and ended up almost freezing rather than doing anything. In the end I just started buying plants from time to time to spread out the seasonal interest (and cost).

My mum was a keen gardener and she said try to buy RHS garden of merit plants as they will be good. There is an RHS plant finder on their website which allows you to find plants with fragrance.

I also got told to go for lots of different shapes and heights and make sure you have plenty of perennials.

I read lots of top ten lists of garden plants because I didn't even know what things were called. Once I had looked round lots of garden centres and could start to match names on the lists that helped.

I am now at the stage of moving plants around to fit in better and widening borders to put in layers of plants to make it more interesting. For the first time I am enjoying gardening.

The previous owners also had two long wooden frames which effectively formed a tunnel and they grew primroses underneath and had climbing roses and fruit trees above. I like this and our cat loves to climb it. I don't have kids, but other than avoiding the roses I would have thought it would appeal to toddlers too as the apples and pears grow low so they can pull them off easily and run through it.

Sorry perhaps cancel the fruit idea with a toddler, I always forget the mass of wasps that arrive as the fruit starts to fall. Tomatoes might be good though.

There is a BBC show on at the moment with Charlie dimmock and the rich brothers in where they compete over garden design. I have learned loads watching it. You could watch for ideas - they have done new builds and kid friendly gardens. You could also apply to go on it...

@Starface funny you should say that as I said to my friend I bet if I applied for that I would probably get on it ! But I don't have a budget to be able to do it all at once, i need to do bits over time. Plus I don't think I'm cut out for tv 😂 Harry is pretty cute though!!

Thanks for the tips and ideas so far. Thinking further I think it's the 'path' I'm struggling with, and that impacts where beds and other things go as I think the path will give it its shape? I'm thinking a path will help DS get around the garden more independently as he will have something consistent to follow.
Maybe I should get some string and pegs and see if mapping something out on the ground will help.

Some advice here

That sounds like a good idea. In terms of finding his way around, it occurs to me that if you do have a water trickle feature in one corner that might help him orientate himself. Another thought is that the differing acoustic qualities of hard surfaces can give clues.

In terms of plants, a few more thoughts... probably obvious but I guess you should avoid anything too prickly, spiky or irritant near the paths. On a more positive note, many of the best scented plants are climbers, so if you've bare fences you might want to put up vine eyes and wires, and/or trellises - clematis Montana, jasmine, honeysuckle and some types of roses for instance.

How about a sensory path that leads him round or across part of the garden? Should be fairly simple to DIY.

In terms of layout, I would look at where the sunny/shady parts are. Think about placing seating there, then think about linking that back to the house with a path or two. Consider whether you want to keep a lawned area and if you need to plant trees or shrubs for privacy.

Have a look at Houzz.co.uk there are loads of pics of interior & exteriors but you can refine your search to garden stuff.

Ooh yes - I guess you wouldn't have to necessarily stick to conventional paving materials so long as they were weather resistant. E.g sections of AstroTurf or rubber matting (cut up old car mats?)

Yes the different materials for the path is something like what I was thinking, but maybe larger sections. Not sure about doing the whole path like it as might look a bit like a patchwork garden.

I did just find this! I love the path to the play deck idea, I have a very deep shade spot that would probably work well for a play area. I could put the music board there and any other toys he wants as he grows.

Then maybe a normal path around the rest of the garden.

@ErrolTheDragon Yes his sensory team have said about putting different things in different parts of the garden so he can build a map in his head like he does in the house. And also get an idea how big the space is, being blind often the world is only as big as the end of your arm!
I started off with some bamboo chimes but had to return them as they arrived split.

Talking of bamboo I really love the bamboo plant but know it can take over the garden if not contained. But love the sound in the breeze and feel of it.

Lots of ideas thanks. Need to join them up! (I also need a bigger garden 😂)

Sorry forgot to post link/pic

playathometeacher.com/2016/06/25/diy-sensory-path/amp/

Start of with something very simple. cut 4 squares into each corner of the garden . The lay pea gravel across each to make a path diagonally which will give you 8 beds but still keep a central area for you.

For Both sound and touch I would plant ornamental grasses, the feathery ones would be great. They will also be a place for hide and seek and a little den behind them. An easy den is just some bamboo canes . Hebes smell nice and you can easily shape them into balls and squares and help him identify shapes. These can be planted in the bed with the grasses.

For perfume the cheapest plants are the best. Ones that he can tread on and lay on without any damage to himself or the plants.
Garden mint, lemon mint, chocolate mint and ginger mint, lemon balm and lots of thymes. Lavender and Rosemary are very scented but quite spiky. Lemon verbena smells of sherbet lemons. He can taste these plants too.

For a touch garden then I would plant the lovely soft rabbits ears stachys Byzantine and also lots of mossy plants and sedums.

Also a little growing garden, calendula, Nasturtium and Nigella seeds are easy to grow in any soil and it is not too late to plant them now. Each seed has a different shape and feel. Also tomato plants, lettuce and herbs can all be planted now.

For free plants, try freecycle and freelywheely. I got rid of over a hundred plants when I had a garden makeover. It was lovely to meet so many gardeners. If you explain about your son I bet you will be inundated.

Can I ask what part of the Country you are in?

I like circles in gardens that kind of link in to each other. Have you been on Pinterest?

I forgot to add a bug hotel with old wood, stones and bits and bobs. We sunk an old washing up bowl into ours, put some soil in the bottom and some flat bricks and put some water in it. We put a bog plant in too and before we knew it we had a toad visiting.

He can taste these plants too.

I'd be inclined to put anything that can be tasted straight from the plant in distinctive containers so he knows these, and these alone, may be eaten. (I remember DD when quite small rather officiously showing a new friend our herb pots and instructing her that these could be eaten but nothing else )

@florentina1 I can't picture in my head your suggested layout and how it makes 8 beds?

We are in Cheshire. Good tips about the free plants thank you

Does this help?

Ah yes thank you! I was picturing the gravel another way.

I would definitely look into TV programmes you could get something amazing for free! Could you get a mud kitchen, sandpit or water table for him? They are all quite sensory but could be removed later when he outgrows them.

Check out local open gardens. Either NGS or this website: www.opengardens.co.uk

It's so inspiring and the owners are always happy to talk about how they came to design decisions.

And you can have a lovely cup or tea and piece of cake on a gingham tablecloth 😊

Is there a Horticultural college local to you that you could approach? I think it would make a good student project and if you could get some charity funding so much the better. Lots of lovely ideas on this thread.

Lot's of great ideas on this thread,including asking student designers if they'd like to do a design to add to their portfolio.I'm a gardener and designer,if you don't have any luck locally,feel free to get in touch and I'll email you initial drawings and planting plans.

There is a farming type college about 20 minutes from me and they do horticultural, landscape structure and gardening workshops so think it would be relevant.
I feel a bit cheeky asking though? or do students really want these opportunities anyway?