Help me transform my backyard (cheaply). Pics.

[moonmaker]

An a complete novice so bear with me
Moved into a rented property. My landlord has refused to do anything about the backyard but it's in a state . As the pic shows , weeds , moss everywhere , dirty flagging, badly weathered walls etc. Now I don't have a huge amount of money to transform it but really want to make it as nice and as child friendly as possible . I have a budget of around £400 but can stretch to £500 at a push ( I know that isn't much !).
I have 3 dc- 12,11 and 2. The older 2 might want somewhere to sit outside when it's warm and the little one would probably love an outdoor toy or two like maybe a mud kitchen and a slide or a water table .
Where do I start ? I really want to make it clean, attractive and homely .
All suggestions appreciated .
Thanks .

The landlord has done the inside of the house up quite nicely- stripped wooden floors, newly painted, new doors, radiators , etc. He just refuses to do anything about he outside ! The slabs which look missing aren't missing - they're just covered in so much moss which makes it look like a dark gap .

[]https://pin.it/vic3htm27ifhtd]

If link does not work on Pinterest good search words are courtyard gardens, small backyards, or courtyard backyards -

oops thought I had posted the pallet gardens...something like these op

And you can pick up these £1 each in Poundland all colours. My mum sourced an old gazebo frame and has them hanging all over.

Likemyteahot - I love those light bulbs are they a recent buy? Have to go searching!

How about a teepee for the kids to play in as well?

www.amazon.co.uk/CrazyGadget%C3%82%C2%AE-Children-Wigwam-Pentagon-Ourdoor/dp/B01NAD2GIS/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=Teepee+large&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1518557522&sr=8-6

Not sure if the flag is your style but this ones got metal poles and will be big enough for the older kids too. Few sofa cushion in there for chill out or tea party stuff for little ones, if you don't like this pattern I really recommend the same style- metal poles and large - to get the best use of it.

dressinggowndressingdown they have been in poundland well over a year...still in stock recently. Also b&m and wilko have similar version as a string of lights.
I'll show you some of ours

Here are a few

My mum wants me to show you her bargain make.
I gave her some old candle holders and she bought some pound shop pots and some reduced hanging basket plants...she has these on almost every wall on the garden...a few have mini pounshop solar lights hidden in them too.

@moonmaker if you can get a better picture I've just had an offer from someone to draw up an idea for you xx

I'm on a group on fb and somebody did this to their yard. The grey decking tiles are from
Ikea (I think they are called runnen) and she looked for cheap artificial grass. I would be tempted to get someone to put a layer of packed sand down first to level it out,

whitecovers that's lovely

Jetwash and a bit of paint to get it blank and new. Wooden tables with light and bunting, maybe a mini greenhouse to grow some fruits. Then a sandpit or another toy. Once you get it cleaned up and refreshed you can start from scratch and build it up.

I don’t think you need to paint the wall. I think it adds s bit of character as it is compared to all uniform white. I’d jet wash the patio definitely though. What direction does it face? I’d go for a Mediterranean theme by adding some pots. You can get olive trees really cheaply in supermarkets but if north facing nog sure they’d do well. Ikea do cheap garden furniture. 2 yo may appreciate a sand and water table? Plus leave room for scooters/trikes etc. Enjoy!

The slabs which look missing aren't missing - they're just covered in so much moss which makes it look like a dark gap

I was going to suggest planting something in the 'holes'!

I don’t think you need to paint the wall. I think it adds a bit of character as it is compared to all uniform white.

An old Victorian wall may be 'charming and characterful', but from the OP's picture, the walls around the yard seem modern and tatty and the yard itself looks dull and very grey.

@IlikemyTeahot love that!

The garden will be transformed by jet washing the patio, painting the walls white again and getting a few plants in pots out there.

@intelligentyetindecisive I would not go for a rambling Victorian style garden here as the wall would not be in keeping. But a shabby white wall could easily be styled with planting and seating etc, and would give s Mediterranean feel. I would sand the loose paint off. You can also add some yoghurt to get miss to grow over bits of it! Painting the wall imo would highlight it more. Crisp render would look great but obviously not in budget.

Great advice from angryosaurus

Paint the walls and scrub the flags and it will look loads better. Buy a mattock (£15) and use it to create a narrow U-shaped planting area towards the back and down the first 6 foot of the sides. Dig out all the rubble that will be under there, add topsoil and compost. Then plant suitable climbers for your aspect on trellis to push the walls back, creating an illusion of space. An outdoor mirror will help!

Since you are renting, get hold of some planters and use these rather than planting any more into the soil. You will need to remember to water them, but you can take them with you when you move. Don't be afraid to buy big containers and plant large things, in repeat groups if necessary (four standard trees making a square about 1/3 in would look great). There's nothing worse than a small garden filled with tiny pots of tiny things - it just looks messy and fussy. And avoid twee signs, gnomes, ornaments at all costs!

I also have a small and frequently green patio.

Pressure wash it. I suspect it will go green again so cheaper to get on yourself, we bought a karcher one from Halfords for £60. Very easy and satisfying to do it yourself. You'll become obsessed!

Then buy Sika mould and mildew solution (a clear/purple liquid), dilute and spray over the newly washed patio and walls when you have a run of a few dry days. We bought a cheap 5litre weed killer spray bottle from b&q to dispense it. Then leave it on and all the green will just go.

It will happen again so worth investing in these things. We do ours about 2-3 times a year.

What direction does the yard face ?

The garden at our old house was almost identical!

Here's what we did:

repainted walls in a chalky/warmer white from F&B- made an amazing difference. Cost of say 2 x tubs/primer of paint from F&B+£100 /paint yourself

Lots of planters dotted around with flowers/shrubs- and a much larger one/small tree in the corner £100-£150

Bought cheap but lovely vintage look table set- similar to this- www.shelvingcentre.com/5-piece-cream-garden-dining-set.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2Y_UBRCGARIsALglqQ2ZtwPnLBTUuhlGgbGUF100IrnJi3zH2pyLrrtPMDz-9flnSCWXD4waAvCkEALw_wcB- £100

Hired cheap handyman via mybuilder.com to come for 1/2 day and pressure wash slabs/de-weed/clean up in general- £50-£100

For kids- mini playhouse would look lovely in corner- www.gardenstreet.co.uk/outdoor-play-c6/play-structures-c78/playhouses-c85/shire-playhut-playhouse-p5841/s13417?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2Y_UBRCGARIsALglqQ2OMNCBjP_8cygPlpc_JuxkBD_kXdqZ-kF7JaY3tZ41M63WLIQNFScaAlQOEALw_wcB -£150

Jetwash fhe patio , re paint the walls , maybe a bright colour or white if not allowed . Get some pot plants and patio set !

Also some fairy lights all around and some decorative statue thingys . 🤗🤗I can picture it totally .

This sort of thing