Working with what you have
First check the boundaries of the plot and see if the fence panels are sound. Having to replace them after you’ve made your garden would risk damaging what you’ve already created. Those 6ft x 6ft interwoven panels are notorious for blowing over in strong winds, so check that the posts aren’t rotten at the base. Concrete posts are much more durable, and new panels can be slid into the slots to replace old, rotting ones in the future.
Think carefully about fence colours. Bright shades are jolly but your tastes might change over time. Black, dark grey or green may seem oppressive when first painted, but once plants are positioned in front, the fence will blend into the background and the garden will seem larger, rather than smaller. Hedges are easier on the eye and more wildlife friendly. Have you got room to plant one in front of a fence, or will trellis attached to the panels let you grow climbers up them?
Get out there with a tape measure, and jot down the size and shape of your plot. You don’t have to be a professional draughtsman to sketch out a plan, and it will help to clarify things in your head – looking at a sketch of the shape and working out what might go where. Mark the site of any drain covers and the path of the drains that link them, to avoid expensive damage.
If the garden already contains some things that you like, indicate their position on the plan so you can work around them. They might become a focal point for a path or a view. Similarly, decide which features or overgrown shrubs and the like can be dispensed with. Sometimes it’s hard to bite the bullet and get rid of an established plant. If it adds to the atmosphere of the garden and looks reasonably healthy, you might want to keep it. If it’s ugly or overgrown, or you simply don’t like the look of it, then get rid of it. If the subject in question is a tree, do find out if it’s subject to a Tree Preservation Order, in which case you’ll have to keep it. Your local council’s tree officer will advise.
KEY POINTS
Check boundaries are sturdy
If replacing, decide on the style of the new boundary
Measure your plot
Decide which features and plants to keep