Shade for South facing garden

[Laurasanford111]

Hi all

I have a narrowish garden, south facing, summer days like this, I can't really spend much time out there it's to much. We don't have many trees planted only lived here a year.. only a cpl of small fruit trees. Anyhow aside from a umbrella on the dining table we have no shade, somewhere I can sit and watch kids play. I was looking at awnings that attach to house but with our size patio wouldn't work. If you have a garden that gets a lot of sun, what do you have to create some shade? Feel free to attach any pics, need inspo here! I have a long stretch of grass that kids play on I thought about some kind of pergola there but I don't want to take up to.much of Thier space, then again I'm sure they would appreciate having it there for protection to.. any suggestions welcome

Thank you

If your trees are above head height, just get those sails that you can hook to bungee cords, tie the cords round the tree and just take them down at the end of the summer

@bellac11 They're not they're v young trees :( also not positioned in a place possible to do that. I did see those online though

In your situation I would probably put in tall metal poles at the far end, and suspend a shade sail from them.

For the future - plant more trees! It is amazing how fast they grow. Ok, fruit trees may be slower growing, but in five years time you will be so glad you put in a tree.

Yes more treets, eucalyptus, red robin, laurel, these have all grown very quickly for us, in fact the eucalyptus is quite incredible

And yes, put some pretty poles, or big think fence posts and tie the sail to that

A local tradesman built this pergola for us - it wasn't expensive. We've now grown climbers up it at each of the corners and it's lovely to sit under.

@Saunaandsteam that's a really lovely area! We have gone and bought a gazebo for now which keeps sun off for kids pool but long term I am going to look at something like what you have, I love the idea of climbers on it, jasmine maybe but further down the garden as a feature area

@Laurasanford111 We've planted a mixture of climbers - wisteria, clematis x 2, honeysuckle and everlasting sweet pea. It's still a work in progress but coming on nicely.

I feel your pain as our last garden was like this. I think a permanent pergola is a good idea, as is more trees and larger planting.

DH had the same argument about not wanting to take up too much of the children's play space but in reality, they like having space for a paddling pool and a swing or a slide. If you create more spaces for shade you may find like my DDs they like sitting outside under a tree playing with their toys, or my two like to be at the outside dining table under our shade sail colouring in or reading.