A homeowner who transformed a new garden tells us the do's and don'ts to create your own oasis on a budget.
When Charlotte Hugh bought her home in 2020, her garden was covered in mud.
She now regularly shares tips and tricks from her thriving plot in Bishop's Stortford to her 21,000 Instagram followers, posting under the username @new.house.home. I am.
Documenting her successes and inspiring others via social media, Charlotte shared her advice for turning a blank canvas into the garden of your dream vacation home.
she said: “The best way to design the perfect garden is to start using the space. This will help inform your landscaping choices.
“Maybe you realize your patio isn't big enough to surround your entire family and need a bigger patio.
“Or maybe you find yourself always dragging a chair to the edge of your garden to sit in the sun. That's where you should put a seating area.”
Despite having a clay foundation in her garden, Charlotte made a point of sowing the lawn to create a lush green space.
Furthermore, she added: “Don’t be fooled into thinking that artificial turf is a low-maintenance option, when in fact it is not.
“If you don’t take care of it, clean it, and make it of high quality, it won’t last long.
“Plus, wildlife will also appreciate leaving grass behind. New buildings have a bad reputation for being built on top of green space, so I think it’s important to do what we can for nature. ”
Not only can wildlife help with pollination, but they can also increase biodiversity, a double win for gardeners.
Charlotte also claimed that social media was a game changer when she took up hobby gardening for inspiration and cost savings.
She explained: “Instagram is full of inspiration on how to transform your space, big or small. This is especially helpful when it comes to knowing what to plant and where.
I spend my evenings scrolling through what people are selling and even giving away.
charlotte hugh
“I host a weekly roundup on Instagram called #NewBuildGardenShare where I repost New Build Garden content to help others find accounts and inspiration for their own gardens.”
The gardening enthusiast explained that she often finds freebies on Facebook Marketplace, admitting: “I often find freebies on Facebook Marketplace. “Make Facebook Marketplace your new social network of choice.
“I spend my evenings scrolling through what people are selling and even giving away.
“We found lots of things: pots, planters, patio slabs, greenhouses, sheds, decorations, and even plants. So keep an eye on what you can get.”
However, as Charlotte advised, never confirm that the project is complete and take your time to achieve your dream garden. Realizing your dream garden won't happen overnight.
Take your time, your garden is never “finished”
charlotte hugh
She recommended: “Patience is key. Plants take time to grow, so there's a temptation to crowd them all in to avoid bare ground. But you need to give them plenty of room to grow.
“Also remember that gardens change through the seasons, so plants and lawns will thrive at different times of the year.
“And don't get discouraged if things start dying. The weather in the UK is unpredictable and can wreak havoc on plants and grass.
“We have a chance to turn things around, replant trees and continue to nourish lawns. All is not lost.
“Take your time. A garden is never 'finished.'”
Gardens in new developments often have clay foundations, which lack efficient drainage and can result in muddy lawns.
Timothy Greene of iCANLAWN.com says: “Growing a lawn from seed is not only rewarding but also much cheaper than installing and maintaining an artificial lawn.
“Clay foundations are rich in nutrients and have a high water retention capacity, but they require proper care. Also, new gardens are not the best start, as construction equipment frequently passes over them.
“Due to lack of drainage, some gardens can become too wet for grass to grow if not managed properly.
“Perennial ryegrass, smooth-stalked prairie grasses, and tall fescue make a great seed mix for growing great lawns on clay foundations.”
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