Small town garden in St Andrews

The existing garden design consisted of tired old paving slabs with almost no plant life and no green space whatsoever. There was also a drainage issue, with water gathering infront of the lounge area, and the garden was being overlooked by the neighbours from behind.
Our brief was to make the most of a limited space, providing some patio space along with a lawn area. Planting beds were required along with a raised vegetable bed, and we were asked to try to help solve the issue of privacy from behind.
Our brief was to make the most of a limited space, providing some patio space along with a lawn area. Planting beds were required along with a raised vegetable bed, and we were asked to try to help solve the issue of privacy from behind.

Stage 1. Clearance and drainage
Full garden clearance was required to create a blank canvas from which the new garden design could be created.
Soil conditions were found to be fairly poor and so a submerged land drain was introduced to direct any water build up away to the storm drains and fresh topsoil brought in to ensure the new lawn would thrive.
An overgrown Wisteria climber was cut back considerably as a garden of this size can be easily dominated by these types of plants if left to their own devices.
Full garden clearance was required to create a blank canvas from which the new garden design could be created.
Soil conditions were found to be fairly poor and so a submerged land drain was introduced to direct any water build up away to the storm drains and fresh topsoil brought in to ensure the new lawn would thrive.
An overgrown Wisteria climber was cut back considerably as a garden of this size can be easily dominated by these types of plants if left to their own devices.

Stage 2. Paving
A curved finish was decided upon to help soften the otherwise hard square lines throughout this fairly tight space.
The underground drain was positioned along the edge of the new patio to ensure all water runoff was directed away.
A warm shade of Indian sandstone was selected to brighten up the space and some complimentary decorative stone was used down either side.
A curved finish was decided upon to help soften the otherwise hard square lines throughout this fairly tight space.
The underground drain was positioned along the edge of the new patio to ensure all water runoff was directed away.
A warm shade of Indian sandstone was selected to brighten up the space and some complimentary decorative stone was used down either side.

Stage 3. Raised beds and garden wall
Sleepers were used to create a tiered effect for the raised beds. Posts were attached to the backs of the sleepers and concreted into the ground to ensure no movement occurs.
The garden wall was significantly lower at one end and needed bringing up. We sourced some matching imperial sized bricks from a reclamation yard in Frampton Cotterell and raised the entire garden wall by around two or three courses to help provide some extra privacy.
Sleepers were used to create a tiered effect for the raised beds. Posts were attached to the backs of the sleepers and concreted into the ground to ensure no movement occurs.
The garden wall was significantly lower at one end and needed bringing up. We sourced some matching imperial sized bricks from a reclamation yard in Frampton Cotterell and raised the entire garden wall by around two or three courses to help provide some extra privacy.
Stage 4. Turfing
Having no previous lawn to observe it was difficult to tell whether soil conditions were favourable or not. Being such a small area we took no chances and brought in a good depth of new conditioned topsoil to ensure the new lawn would thrive. A slight fall on the lawn towards the submerged drain would help prevent any chance of water build up. After extensive levelling, treading in and raking, quality Rolawn turf was laid.
Having no previous lawn to observe it was difficult to tell whether soil conditions were favourable or not. Being such a small area we took no chances and brought in a good depth of new conditioned topsoil to ensure the new lawn would thrive. A slight fall on the lawn towards the submerged drain would help prevent any chance of water build up. After extensive levelling, treading in and raking, quality Rolawn turf was laid.

The final result!
Both ourselves and the client were very pleased with the final result. The small patio area was sufficient for a table and chairs and the raised beds (positioned stategically) left a decent sized lawn area which helped transform a previously grey and urban landscape.
It still suprises me today what can be done with such a small garden to provide a practical and visually appealing space.
Both ourselves and the client were very pleased with the final result. The small patio area was sufficient for a table and chairs and the raised beds (positioned stategically) left a decent sized lawn area which helped transform a previously grey and urban landscape.
It still suprises me today what can be done with such a small garden to provide a practical and visually appealing space.