We bought an old house and have been working extra hard on a self-build extension and house renovation for the last seven months. We have installed a big fixed window pane with the idea of looking out on to a lovely green back garden, but at the moment it is just a mound of earth, derived from the dig to get foundations done. What can I place here that will green quickly and also be bee and bird friendly and give us some nice colours and view for this summer? Would a wild flower meadow be the way to go until we figure out what to do with space or what can you recommend that is eco and purse friendly? RH, Co Dublin
What a great outdoor space, and with so much potential. My first bit of advice is to study and record your new plot in detail from any existing planting to its microclimate, shady corners, sheltered sunny spots, problem weeds, aspect, and the movement of light throughout the day. Study the soil too, including any trouble spots where there’s compaction as a result of building work. All will have a bearing on the final design.
Next, take some measurements (a two-person job) to make a rough scaled drawing of the site (use a scale of 1: 25 or 1:50), including the house, its doors and windows, changes of level, manholes and any existing plants you want to keep. This scaled site survey drawing will be invaluable as the foundation drawing, on which to subsequently play with different designs loosely sketched on to sheets of tracing paper laid over it.
Bear in mind that hard landscaping (paving, walls, hard pathways etc) is expensive, as well as the element in any garden design that typically comes at an environmental cost, so keep this to a minimum. But do consider the need for easy access to features such as a
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