Garden design- how much can you do yourself ?

[itto]

So the weather is getting warmer (or is it wishful thinking? ) and my garden is a mess. The floor is quite uneven and there were some kind of raised beds along the fence that have half-collapsed. Half of the floor space is covered is decorative gravel, which looks pretty bad now as weeds all over, and it's not really practical with kids. Not sure if I should tile that bit or look into something else. I love gardening so I would like to build new, long raised beds along both sides and the back, possibly using sleepers, ideally building a little bench too, and maybe get new floor tiles if budget allows. I don't have a huge budget (1-2k at a push). Garden is quite small, rectangular shape and I am quite good at DIY, but I have young kids and not much time. Husband can probably help a bit but works most of the time and not good at DIY. How much can I do myself, or do I need to get someone in? Where do I start? Please share your DIYs and pictures for inspo!

Preparation is the time taker, if it’s overgrown with uneven surfaces and collapsing raised beds then it sounds like it needs a total make over, I would suggest getting a landscaper in to give you a plan and then do the heavy lifting, get them to clear it down and level it off and build your new raised beds, after that it’ll be easier you do the new planting as and when, obviously there will be cost initially but after you can spread the cost of planting up over several season or years

You can make your own plan then get a landscape gardener to do the clearing (back breaking work) and prepare the ground. If you turf it you will need soil. If flagstones then an even surface. Get them to do the basics then you could lay the stones yourself, though again hard work as those things are heavy, but with your partner possible.
I'd get it all costed and see how far your money will go.

Pinterest has loads of good garden inspiration!

When you said 'garden design' I thought you meant actually designing the layout etc but it sounds like you're asking more about the actually execution of it. It sounds like you know what you want and so I'd save money on getting a 'designer' in and instead pay fir the site to be cleared (we had some guys come in with their diggers to flatten the site- might be with asking around for quotes for yours?) and then doing the fun part yourself. But I suppose it depends what you see as 'fun'... it's so rewarding doing it yourself and I'd imagine you could put the sleepers in yourself for edging the beds, sow grass seed/lay turf, go in a shopping spree for some gorgeous plants and, if you prefer, you can employ someone to lay a patio or whatever.

Sounds like a great project to me 😊

My SIL has just started an allotment which was completely overgrown (but great soil underneath) and she just cut everything back, lay some vegetable beds and put thick layers of cardboard in the base to suppress weeds (it'll naturally decompose), added compost and she's up and running.

It depends on how much work there is to do to clear the site in your case... once it's flat/cleared though, either do the job quickly or lay down weed suppressing membrane (eg. pic) to stop weeds getting a hold again while the earth is bare.

Sleepers are heavy. There are other containers that might be easier to move. You need someone to clear it for you and then see what’s left over. Your budget is tiny if you want a patio.

You will find gravel is a cheap patio solution and can go over other surfaces. Just ensure it’s contained with edging. Plants grow best in topsoil and personally I wouldn’t go for raised beds. Too expensive on your budget in my view. I’d plant borders and prioritise somewhere to sit.

You’d probably find if you had a clear weekend toddler free you could do most of it. You may need another pair of hands for the heavy work. Getting rid of the old stuff is a pain so advertise it for free or try and reuse. My garden had loads of those big white quartz stones lining every path and a big pond. The stones went to a delighted person on local Facebook and i emptied and chopped up the pond liner myself. (I’m putting in another pond in a more suitable place).

Thanks for your replies, lots to think about! I love pinterest but it's really hard to figure out how much I can do myself and what needs a professional. Unfortunately no toddler-free time as no family anywhere near. I think I am going to get a quote and take it from there.