The good lawn guide

How to lay a lush patch of green on your plot

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Despite being a quintessentially British concept, lawns often end up as last on the list of things to tackle in the garden. Instinctively, gardeners tend to think about planting up boundaries first, then purchasing a shed or creating a patio beside the house, with a patch of lawn ending up as the default space in the middle. This can result in an unimaginative, box-shaped garden with borders that are too narrow for any decent, imaginative planting.

Garden designers generally work from the middle outwards, creating interlinking spaces, then establishing where the planting areas will be. When cut into strong geometric shapes, like circles, a lawn draws the eye, acting as a focal point. Far from being utilitarian, think of lawns as attractive features in their own right.

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The shape and position of a lawn can trick the eye into thinking a garden is bigger or wider than it really is.

Lawn edgings look decorative, clearly define spaces and help to prevent a lawn invading adjacent planted borders.

● The simplest options are smooth concrete mowing strips (try B&Q, Wickes). These have a sleek modern feel. Bricks are the traditional choice and are flexible – they can be laid lengthways, side by side or even zig-zagged.

● Why not get creative with your edging? Flat log circles, upturned bottles, pebble mosaics and gravel are all materials worth considering.

● If you would rather avoid edging, the level of earth can be reduced between the lawn and the border, so that the lawn edges can be trimmed and tidied with edging shears.

● Use a strimmer where a lawn butts up against a raised bed or a half-moon edging tool against a hard surface.

CREATE... Lawn alternatives

Turf seats

Try this fun DIY project in the spring. Either construct a seat with wattle or planks and fill with soil, then lay turf on top, or, create a framework of the shape you want on your lawn (a crescent shape would be nice) using a bio-degradable material like cardboard. Fill with soil and sow grass on top. As the grass grows, the roots will anchor the soil in place, and the cardboard will decompose. Maintain with grass shears.

Lawns for awkwardshaped plots

The designer trick for difficult plot shapes is usually to define a new and more pleasing garden shape within the boundaries. The resulting planting pockets will then help to disguise the existing boundaries.

Wide and shallow

Positioning a lawn on the diagonal usually helps with this shape, as the longer lines give the illusion of depth. But another way is to divide the plot into two or three separate areas that interlink, so that you can’t see the whole plot at once. You could also play with perspective and construct a straight path that narrows slightly as it gets furthest from the house.

L-shaped

How you tackle this tricky shape really depends on the size and position of the existing two rectangles. If the area that’s furthest from the house exit is very slim, it’s probably best used as a place for storage. If you step out onto the narrowest part, you can use overlapping circles or squares or a sweeping path to and make this area seem wider and unite the two areas.

Sloping

Terracing is a fantastic solution for a steeply sloped site, but it can be expensive. Consider whether the whole garden needs to be terraced – could you have just one area levelled and rest sloping? It may be less costly to site a lawn and sitting area away from the house.

Class grass There’s a strong case for having a lawn, however big or small your plot is. Not only are they lovely for lounging, snoozing and picnicking on, grass supports wildlife better than most hard surfaces do, and creates a restful open space to contrast with surrounding planting. Close-mown turf adds a living textured surface, while grass allowed to grow wild creates a naturalistic feel. Alternatively, a grass-like ground cover such as festuca or mondo grass can be used to create a bold statement.

Adapting an existing lawn Spring is the perfect time to begin any changes to an existing lawn or start a new one. The question to ask yourself is: what is your lawn primarily used for? If you have a family, you may want as large a lawn as possible. But bear in mind that to some kids, spaces to hide secret dens and wild areas for bug hunts can be just as appealing as a large lawn on which to play ball games.

Circular This bold shape creates a strong statement and draws the eye. A pathway that sweeps around one side of a circular lawn, draws the eye to an area beyond.

Lawn steps Changes in levels – even just a 10cm drop – adds to the perception that the space is bigger than it really is – and makes a garden more interesting.

Interlinking Break up a long, narrow garden by creating a series of interlinking spaces. Points of interest along the way make your eye focus on near and middle features first.

On the diagonal A diagonally laid lawn creates longer lines and deeper planting pockets – a good solution for wide plots. A zig-zagged lawn can make a narrow garden look wider.

Rectangular Intersecting a large rectangular lawn with a bold pattern of paving slabs makes the space more interesting, while keeping it unified.

A pathway running along a lawn also serves as edging

Walk on the wild side Experiment with growing your lawn grass long to create a mini perennial meadow. Define the space by mowing pathways around the edges and/or through the middle. Don’t apply fertiliser and remove pernicious weeds like nettles and dandelions. Strim or scythe the ‘meadow’ down to the ground in August removing all the hay (clippings) and allow it to grow again in spring. Rake over in November and sow some yellow-rattle seed (Rhinanthus minor), which will weaken the grass and allow wildflowers like ox-eye daisies, knapweed and vetch to appear.

Turn part of your lawn into a mini meadow by letting wildflowers grow

Fake it Artificial turf is not an eco-friendly option as it doesn’t support wildlife and will end up in landfill. But there is a place for it as a cheaper alternative to paving and concrete. It’s also good for children’s play areas, gardens with no side access or in shady spots.

shapes Interlinking circular an lead the eye around L-shaped space

Dividing up a wide plot tricks the eye into believing the space is bigger than it really is

Sloped gardens look good with one section terraced and the rest levelled