From Novice to Nurturer: Designing a Garden for Edibles, Evergreens, and a Growing Family

Transforming a North-East Facing Garden: A Guide for New Parents

Having a baby on the way often sparks a desire to create a nurturing and beautiful environment, and for many, this extends to the garden. This is particularly true when the urge to be surrounded by life and greenery is strong. This guide provides practical advice and inspiration for transforming a north-east facing garden, balancing ambitious plans with the realities of new parenthood.

Assessing Your Space

Before diving into planting schemes, a careful assessment of your garden’s characteristics is essential:

• Orientation and Sunlight: The north-east facing aspect is key. While the area closest to the house may receive limited direct sunlight, the longer garden has a back/middle section which benefits from full sun exposure. Understanding these microclimates is essential to selecting the right plants.
• Waterlogging: The front section of the garden near the patio exhibits waterlogging issues. This can be addressed through careful plant selection and soil management.
• Existing Structure: The removal of a dividing fence offers an opportunity to reimagine the garden’s layout. Consider how new elements, like hedging, can define spaces and enhance privacy.

Garden Design Ideas

With a focus on edible plants and year-round colour, the following design ideas can transform the garden into a thriving space:

1. Defining Zones

• Evergreen Hedging: Evergreen hedging can act as a natural divider, creating distinct zones within the garden. This is useful for breaking up the length of the garden and establishing separate areas for different purposes. Consider options such as:
  • Yew (Taxus baccata): A classic choice that can be easily shaped and provides dense, year-round foliage.
  • Holly (Ilex aquifolium): Offers attractive foliage, red berries (provide winter interest), and is relatively low-maintenance.
  • Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens): Known for its compact growth and suitability for formal hedges.

2. Maximizing Edible Plants

• Fruit Trees and Bushes: Embrace the full sun in the back/middle section of the garden. Consider dwarf or espaliered fruit trees to save space. Ideal choices include:
  • Apples: Choose disease-resistant varieties suitable for your climate, such as ‘Honeycrisp’ or ‘Gala’.
  • Pears: Select varieties like ‘Conference’ or ‘Doyenné du Comice’.
  • Plums: Consider self-fertile varieties like ‘Opal’ or ‘Victoria’.
  • Berries: Plant raspberries, blueberries (choose varieties suitable for your soil pH), and currants for a continuous harvest.
• Vegetable Garden: Designate a specific area for growing vegetables. Raised beds are great, especially with waterlogging issues. Build them or buy them ready-made. Select easy-to-grow vegetables like:
  • Tomatoes: Plant in a sunny spot, providing support for the vines.
  • Lettuce and Salad Greens: Grow in succession for a continuous harvest.
  • Zucchini and Squash: These plants are prolific and relatively low-maintenance.
  • Herbs: Plant herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, and mint near the kitchen for easy access.

3. Addressing Waterlogging Issues

• Water-Loving Plants: The waterlogged area near the patio presents an opportunity to cultivate a unique planting scheme with moisture-loving plants. This helps absorb excess water and create a visually interesting feature. Consider:
  • Irises (Iris species): Many Iris varieties thrive in moist conditions, providing beautiful blooms.
  • Astilbes (Astilbe species): These shade-tolerant perennials produce feathery plumes of flowers in a range of colors.
  • Hosta (Hosta species): Hostas enjoy moisture and offer a variety of foliage textures and colors.
  • Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris): A cheerful plant with bright yellow flowers, perfect for boggy areas.
• Soil Improvement: While plants can help, consider improving drainage. Adding organic matter to the soil, such as compost or well-rotted manure, can improve its structure and drainage over time.

4. Incorporating Year-Round Color

• Evergreen Shrubs and Perennials: Introduce evergreen plants to provide structure and colour throughout the year. In addition to the hedging options mentioned above, consider:
  • Camellias (Camellia species): Offer stunning blooms in winter or early spring.
  • Rhododendrons and Azaleas: Provide vibrant flowers in spring and attractive foliage.
  • Heathers (Calluna vulgaris): These low-growing shrubs offer delicate flowers and foliage in various colours, thriving in acidic soil.
  • Conifers: Select dwarf or compact conifers for year-round greenery and interesting textures.
• Seasonal Planting: Incorporate seasonal flowers and bulbs for continuous colour displays. Plant spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and crocuses in the autumn, and summer-blooming annuals in the spring.

Practical Tips for New Parents

• Low-Maintenance Approach: Choose plants that are relatively low-maintenance and disease-resistant. This is especially important when time is limited.
• Raised Beds and Containers: Raised beds and containers make gardening easier, reducing the need to bend and weed. They can also be moved and adapted as the needs of the garden change over time.
• Mulching: Mulch beds with organic materials like wood chips, straw, or compost to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve soil health.
• Automated Irrigation: Consider installing an automated irrigation system, especially for vegetable gardens and containers. This can save time and ensure that plants receive consistent watering.
• Child-Friendly Design: Ensure that the garden is safe for children. Avoid planting poisonous plants and create safe pathways. Consider adding a small play area, such as a sandpit or a small climbing frame.
• Start Small: Don’t feel pressured to do everything at once. Start with a small area and gradually expand your garden as you gain experience and time.
• Embrace Help: Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family, friends, or local gardening services. Gardening should be enjoyable, not a source of stress.

A Year-Round Garden Plan

To guide your gardening efforts throughout the year, here is a seasonal planting and maintenance schedule:

• Spring:
  • Prepare the soil for planting. Add compost and organic matter.
  • Plant seeds for vegetables and flowers.
  • Plant summer-flowering bulbs and annuals.
  • Prune spring-flowering shrubs after they finish blooming.
  • Apply mulch to beds.
• Summer:
  • Water plants regularly, especially during dry spells.
  • Harvest vegetables and fruits.
  • Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
  • Control weeds.
  • Prune hedges as needed.
• Autumn:
  • Plant spring-flowering bulbs.
  • Plant evergreen shrubs and trees.
  • Prepare beds for winter by adding compost and mulch.
  • Harvest remaining vegetables.
  • Clean up fallen leaves.
• Winter:
  • Protect tender plants from frost.
  • Prune deciduous trees and shrubs.
  • Plan for the next gardening season.
  • Order seeds and plants for spring.

Final Thoughts

Creating a garden that is both beautiful and productive takes time and effort. By taking a thoughtful approach, prioritizing edible plants, incorporating year-round color, and addressing specific challenges, you can transform your north-east facing garden into a haven for both you and your growing family. Remember to be patient, enjoy the process, and celebrate the small victories along the way. With a little planning and care, your garden can become a source of joy, relaxation, and connection to nature for years to come.