Cheap ways to make this look better?

Hey guys how can i make my garden look better?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lbg7exmhd28qbh4/2012-05-11 12.06.25.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sf4u4cvevi3ppat/2012-05-11 12.07.17.jpg

I dont have alot of cash but open for ideas

 

needs a bit of grass? ... cheap if you use seed .... and perhaps an evergreen crawler on the back wooden fence

 

You can look around at garage sales etc for objects to refurbash or make into something else. A neat site to look at examples is called Two women and a hoe. They seem to get almost any piece of "junk" and re-do it. Like for example an old wash tub found, can be painted positioned and soil added with tons of colorful flowers.

 

Some would say it looks alright as it is. It all depends on what you want from it. Grass? Lots of flowers? Lots of greenery? Nice furniture? Water features?

It has to work for you whatever you do with it.

 

Morrisons at the moment seem to have a lot of climbers and shrubs at £2 each. They're quite small, but will grow. The clematis and honeysuckle for example are quick growing.

 

What don't you like? Individually the features look fine to me, are you looking for some way to tie it all together? Maybe because each separate feature is about the same size none is a main focus, perhaps deciding what you want to emphasise most will tell you where you want to go with it.

 

Hard to come up with a quick solution, but at present your garden is neat and tidy but comprises a lot of small and unrelated 'features'. It's fairly short so you need to try to create an impression of length. The pergola/ trellis 'thingy' doesn't seem to do much in its present position but if you moved it to a central postion about where the stepping stones turn right you could possibly create a gateway effect into another 'hidden' part of your garden. As Marley has suggested some climbers up the back fence would soften your view and also help create depth.
A couple of hours with a scale plan on graph paper sketching might help you visualise possibilities.

 

Hi imnew and welcome!
Garden planning is really a very personal thing- the starting point is to get an idea what you actually like.
It might be useful to visit the library to have a good look at garden design books. That might give you an idea if you prefer very structured, formal garden, a wild cottage garden or perhaps something quirky?

At the moment I'd personally say that there is perhaps too much going on in your garden- ornaments, water feature, coloured gravel, shaped stepping stones in a bit artificial curve... but that's me My personal taste would add plants and reduce other things. Masses of greenery would tie things together nicely.

The "secred garden" behind the arch is lovely! Does it get sun at any time? A hidden corner, a bench, small table and some lush, fragrant plants (maybe in containers) would make it a smashing retreat for summer evenings.

Wilkinsons and Morrisons are my favourites for cheap gardening.

Your garden is very neat and tidy, and has some great features. After getting an idea what you want, I'd sit down with a paper and pen to see what goes where and what you need to buy.

 

Lots of containers with flowering plants

 

K, first of all I need to confess I'm a newbie too but as Selleri stated design is kinda a personal thing. Like lots of people suggested climbers on the back fence but I don't like climbers and I cut down the ivy on the back of our house. They will discolour and damage wood and brick over time.

I too though love the 'secret garden' bit but agree with Dave W that there is too much going on! Maybe tone it down a bit? The stepping stones don't seem to lead anywhere so personally I'd change that. In the central bed i'd plant some cottage garden flower seeds - I got some from Wilkos for like £1.50 - so splash out .

As you don't have a lot of cash why not grow some veg - that way your garden will actually be making you a bit of money in that you won't have to buy it? Maybe even a few chickens?! I'm tempted myself except my garden is tiny - smaller than yours.

Have fun!