From Shed to Sanctuary: A Gardener's Guide to Planning and Creating Your Dream Garden

Planning Your Dream Garden: Shed Placement, Edible Hedges, and More

Embarking on a garden transformation can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s a chance to shape an outdoor space that reflects your personality and meets your needs, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out. This guide will walk you through planning your garden layout, with a focus on shed placement, integrating edible hedging, and maximizing your space for both beauty and functionality.

Assessing Your Space and Sunlight

Before you even think about laying a foundation, a thorough assessment of your garden is crucial. Consider your garden’s dimensions, its orientation, and how sunlight moves across the space throughout the day.

• Orientation: A south-east facing garden, as mentioned in the original inspiration, is a great starting point. It means you’ll receive plenty of morning sun, ideal for many plants. However, be mindful of the potential for intense afternoon sun, especially during summer.

• Dimensions: A rectangular garden with access on one side offers a good canvas for various designs. The length provides opportunities for zoning different areas, while the access point will influence the placement of key features like the shed. In this case, a garden of 7.8m x 32m provides plenty of room for diverse elements.

• Existing Features: Note any existing features, such as the washing line area. These can inform your design and help you to integrate new elements seamlessly.

Shed Placement: Functionality and Aesthetics

The shed is more than just a storage space; it can be a focal point or a discreet element depending on its placement.

1. Consider the Access: Think about how you’ll use the shed. Will you be frequently accessing tools, potting soil, or other gardening essentials? Placing the shed near the access point is a practical choice.

2. Sunlight and Shade: Take the sunlight into account. Avoid placing the shed where it will cast a long shadow over your allotment or planting beds, unless you want shade-loving plants there. On the other hand, if you need a cool place, that is an excellent choice. Consider where the sun sets in your garden, too.

3. Aesthetic Integration:

   • Blending in: If you want the shed to blend into the background, choose a location towards the back of the garden or against a fence. Consider painting it in a colour that complements the surrounding foliage.
   • Focal Point: If you desire a focal point, select a more central location or consider using a shed with a unique design or colour.

4. Zoning: A shed can help define different zones within your garden. You might position it to create a visual separation between a more formal planting area and a more relaxed, recreational space.

Building Your Shed: Materials and Methods

Building a shed can be a satisfying DIY project. Here’s how to approach the construction:

1. Planning and Design:

   • Purpose: Determine the primary purpose of your shed (storage, workshop, potting shed, etc.).
   • Size: Choose a size that fits your needs and the available space, keeping in mind any local building regulations.
   • Design: Sketch out your design, including the dimensions, roof style, door and window placement, and materials. Online shed plans are readily available, or you can create your own.

2. Foundation:

   • Concrete Slab: Provides a durable and level base, ideal for heavier sheds.
   • Gravel Base: A cost-effective option, especially for smaller sheds. It allows for drainage and helps prevent moisture buildup.
   • Paving Slabs/Decking: Suitable for smaller sheds or a more temporary solution.

3. Materials:

   • Wood: A popular choice, offering versatility and a natural aesthetic. Common options include pressure-treated lumber (for the frame) and siding materials like cedar, redwood, or pine.
   • Metal: Steel or aluminum sheds are durable and require minimal maintenance.
   • Plastic/Resin: Lightweight and easy to assemble, often a budget-friendly option.

4. Construction:

   • Frame: Build a sturdy frame, ensuring it’s square and level.
   • Walls: Attach the wall panels or siding to the frame.
   • Roof: Install the roof structure and roofing material (shingles, metal sheets, etc.).
   • Door and Windows: Install the door and windows, ensuring proper sealing.

5. Cost-Saving Tips:

   • Recycled Materials: Look for reclaimed wood, windows, or other materials.
   • Flat-Pack Sheds: Can be more affordable and easier to assemble.
   • DIY: Building the shed yourself will significantly reduce labour costs.

Designing Your Garden Zones

Taking inspiration from the original plan of the garden, let’s consider how to arrange different areas:

1. The Allotment:

   • Location: The bottom of the garden is a great spot for an allotment. It’s usually further away from the house, where sunlight and accessibility are less critical. This location also gives you a feeling of privacy and distance from everyday life. Consider good soil drainage.
   • Layout: Design your allotment with raised beds, pathways, and a composting area. Consider a poly tunnel, or other protection for extending the growing season.

2. The Tree Area:

   • Purpose: The middle of the garden can be transformed into a beautiful tree area. Tightly planting trees initially, and thinning them out later, is a clever technique. This encourages faster vertical growth and creates a woodland atmosphere.
   • Tree Selection: Choose a mix of tree species with varying characteristics.
   • Thinning: Thinning the trees allows light and air to reach the remaining trees, fostering their continued growth, and creating a natural clearing for a fire pit or seating area.

3. The Edible Hedging:

   • Fence Replacement: Replacing the fence with edible hedging is a brilliant idea, offering privacy, beauty, and a harvest of delicious fruits and nuts. This is an especially creative solution given that the fence needs replacing anyway.
   • Plant Selection:
     • Berries: Consider berry bushes such as raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries, or currants.
     • Nuts: Hazelnut and other nut-bearing shrubs and trees can be a good choice.
     • Fruit: Apples, pears, plums, or other fruit trees can be espaliered along the hedge to provide a yield and add a beautiful design element.

4. The Dwarf Fruit Trees:

   • Integration: Place dwarf fruit trees between the tree area and the washing line. These trees provide fruit in a limited space, and will not overgrow the washing line area.
   • Variety: Select a variety of fruit trees to extend the harvest season and diversify your crop.

5. The Fire Pit and Hammock Area:

   • Location: Once you’ve thinned out the trees, the created space can be used for a fire pit and hammock. This area provides a cozy and relaxing space for socialising and enjoying the outdoors.

Plant Ideas and Considerations

• Edible Hedges:

  • Hazelnut: A great option for both nuts and privacy.
  • Berries: Raspberries, blueberries, and currants can be woven in for variety.
  • Saskatoon Berry (Juneberry): Produces delicious berries, which can be eaten raw, or used in cooking, and offers stunning autumn colours.

• Tree Selection:

  • Fast-Growing: For the initial planting, consider fast-growing trees to establish the canopy quickly. Silver birch and poplar species are known to be fast growers.
  • Long-Term: Incorporate slower-growing species for the future, such as oak, beech, or maple, for added structure, colour and interest.

• Dwarf Fruit Trees:

  • Apples: Choose disease-resistant varieties like ‘Honeycrisp’ or ‘Gala’.
  • Pears: Select varieties like ‘Conference’ or ‘Williams’.
  • Plums: Consider ‘Victoria’ or ‘Opal’ for their reliability.

Maximizing Your Garden’s Potential

• Vertical Gardening: Use climbing plants on the fence or shed walls to maximize space and add beauty.
• Water Features: Add a small pond or water feature to attract wildlife and create a calming atmosphere.
• Lighting: Install outdoor lighting to extend your enjoyment of the garden into the evening.
• Seating Areas: Create comfortable seating areas in different parts of the garden to enjoy the sun, shade, and views.

Budget and Resources

• Materials: Source materials from local garden centres, builders’ merchants, and online retailers. Compare prices to find the best deals.
• Plants: Buy plants from reputable nurseries or garden centres. Consider starting plants from seeds to save money.
• Community Resources: Check local community groups or online forums for advice, plant swaps, or discounts.
• Online Resources: There are countless websites and forums that provide information about gardening. Many gardening centres also offer free advice.

Conclusion

Transforming your garden is an ongoing process. Planning is key to creating a space you’ll love for years to come. By carefully considering the placement of your shed, integrating edible hedging, and choosing plants that thrive in your environment, you can create a beautiful and functional garden that meets your needs and reflects your personality. Remember to be patient, enjoy the process, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Happy gardening!