Advice and opinions needed on back garden plan

Harry · Hazel Tree Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 2

Hello all,

I have attached a plan I created for a small back garden. I would like some advice or opinions on what I plan to do.

Currently in the garden I have a garden shed in the back right-hand corner and a patio running from the house to this. This is the right-hand side of the plan attached. I am not going to change that, it is staying as it is.

As you look at the picture, the top is East.

The grey running around the bottom edge and left-hand side is the footpath.

In the middle of this is currently grass (well muddy grass!). I plan to get rid of the grass and replace with pebbles/stone chippings. The reason for this is that the garden is damp and quite shaded as the walls around it are high and it is a also in a boggy area. Also, I have a pet dog, who likes to dig a bit so the grass just doesn't get a chance to grow and I'm sick of this muddy patch in the back which gets dragged into the house.

I am going to dig out the topsoil, lay a permeable weed mat. On top of that I am going to lay chicken wire (this is to try stopping the dog from digging), and then cover all that with 2-3 inches of pebbles.

I would like to plant some shrubs, trees, or whatever at the back but I'm not sure what I should plant. I have no idea about gardening. But I need low-maintenance, plants or trees that can thrive in shady areas and are dog-resitant!!!

Anyone any opinions on my plans above or done a similar job before? BTW, the budget is not going to stretch too far!! Also, what time of year can I plant such shrubs / trees??

dinahdabble · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 93 Location: Torr

It depends on the dog what you will have to do to get your shrubs going. If it is a male dog, and it is a keen leg cocker, I have this advise. See how high the dog can cock it's leg. Use pots, and raised beds to put the shrubs in, or else you will have to grow them with plastic covers on until they are well established. Make sure that all these are above leg cocking hight. Sorry to be so explicit, but I had to deal with this problem for a friends garden, and sufficient hight is everything. If the dog tends to use the garden as a toilet generaly (some wouldn't dream of it, some would not have it otherwise) you'd find that slabs, flags, or large recycles quarry tiles are a lot easier to clean than pebbles. I know they are not so nice looking, but pebbles can end up being quite a chore since they are not easy to wash down if they start to go green, as I suspect they might in a shady, damp garden with a dog.

kindredspirit · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:47 am Post subject:

You could possibly put a low trellis type fence, say about 2' high, behind the bench and plant your shrubs behind that. That might solve the potential "dog damage" problem.

Does your planned bench get sun in the evening (or at any time) or is your garden in total shade all day?

Harry · Hazel Tree Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 2

Thanks for the replies and advice.

The dog is female and not a leg-cocker!! Digging is the main problem with her, hence the chicken wire idea.

I like the idea of a trellis fence to protect the shrubs, might just do that.

The bench would get some sun during the day so it is not completely in the shade. It was kinda added as an after thought and can be easily moved.

Thanks again for the replies, much appreciated.

kindredspirit · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:43 am Post subject:

Yellow Wave Phormium, Cordyline and Cortaderia Richardii pampas grass would look well in gravel and you'd have little work with them. Virtually none really.