UK gardening - Any Ideas For this Strip of Land??

Author

Any Ideas For this Strip of Land??

Planet X

2006-09-25, 9:25 am

Hi,

I have a very long, thin back garden, with two paths either side of a
1m x 10m strip of land.

I've been racking my brains as to what to do with this piece of
garden. I don't particularly want a 10x1 flower bed. More of a design
that can be attractive yet take away from the hard rectangular lines,
if possible.

Does anyone have any ideas?? Many thanks

Uncle Marvo

2006-09-25, 9:25 am

In reply to Planet X (planetx@ntlworld.com) who wrote this in
6s7fh2pvjphqrbj85rjqpani8gh77clvui@4ax.com, I, Marvo, say :

> Hi,
>
> I have a very long, thin back garden, with two paths either side of a
> 1m x 10m strip of land.
>
> I've been racking my brains as to what to do with this piece of
> garden. I don't particularly want a 10x1 flower bed. More of a design
> that can be attractive yet take away from the hard rectangular lines,
> if possible.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas?? Many thanks

1m is very narrow! I used to have a very long, very narrow garden but not
that narrow. I would put it to herbs, I think, it's ideal because the 1m
makes everything accessible. And there are many herbs which are both
decorative and functional too, and many have strong (and nice) smells. Also,
flowering herbs (once they've gone over, like chives etc) attract bees and
such.

You can always break it up a bit with some trellis, there are tall arches
available in garden centres made of black-coated metal (self-assembly, cost
a tenner), they'd be ideal for some climbing plants like honeysuckle maybe,
and that would have the effect of "shortening" the plot too.

JMHO, obv.

michael adams

2006-09-25, 9:25 am

"Planet X" <planetx@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:6s7fh2pvjphqrbj85rjqpani8gh77clvui@4ax.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have a very long, thin back garden, with two paths either side of a
> 1m x 10m strip of land.
>
> I've been racking my brains as to what to do with this piece of
> garden. I don't particularly want a 10x1 flower bed. More of a design
> that can be attractive yet take away from the hard rectangular lines,
> if possible.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas?? Many thanks

The first thing to do is to dig up one of the paths. Two paths are
unecessary in this situation, IMO.

That is, after first determining the aspect, North, South, East,
or West facing, how high the fences are, and if there are any
overhanging trees, either from the side or the bottom of the garden.
I.e. which parts of the actual plot will get how much light, for how
many hours each day. Your subsequent plantings should be in keeping
with this, while more shaded path would normally be the one to dig out.

Presumably this strip is part of a garden shared between residents
of the one dwelling.

michael adams

JennyC

2006-09-25, 1:25 pm

"Planet X" <planetx@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:6s7fh2pvjphqrbj85rjqpani8gh77clvui@4ax.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have a very long, thin back garden, with two paths either side of a
> 1m x 10m strip of land.
>
> I've been racking my brains as to what to do with this piece of
> garden. I don't particularly want a 10x1 flower bed. More of a design
> that can be attractive yet take away from the hard rectangular lines,
> if possible.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas?? Many thanks

Ergo - garden is 3 meters wide.

Demolish the paths
Make 'staggered' or 'squiggly paths, or stepping stones
Put up barriers so that you can't see all the way to the end in one go
(trellis, shrubs, obelisks, bamboo, whatever....)
Use different materials to break up the space, wood, paving, gravel

RHS has this to say:
A long thin garden, for example, lends itself to being divided into
compartments although it would be a mistake to simply cut it across from
side to side, which would be restrictive and uninteresting. A simple way is
to incorporate a winding path that runs right through the garden, using
plants to block the view from one end to the other or you could use an open
trellis that is planted with climbers. These techniques give the impression
of reducing the length while allowing you to catch glimpses of the rest of
the garden through the spaces, avoiding the end result of a solid division.

More ideas:
http://www.amagickgarden.com/pages/amgpages/amgED.html

HTH jenny

Dwayne

2006-09-25, 8:25 pm

Garlic, strawberries, asparagus or onions come to mind. The first three
should be planted in a permanent bed, and that would be ideal.

Dwayne (in Kansas)

"Planet X" <planetx@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:6s7fh2pvjphqrbj85rjqpani8gh77clvui@4ax.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have a very long, thin back garden, with two paths either side of a
> 1m x 10m strip of land.
>
> I've been racking my brains as to what to do with this piece of
> garden. I don't particularly want a 10x1 flower bed. More of a design
> that can be attractive yet take away from the hard rectangular lines,
> if possible.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas?? Many thanks

Planet X

2006-09-26, 9:25 am

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate the good advice. It gives me
plenty to think on

On Mon, 25 Sep 2006 09:22:29 GMT, Planet X <planetx@ntlworld.com>
wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I have a very long, thin back garden, with two paths either side of a
>1m x 10m strip of land.
>
>I've been racking my brains as to what to do with this piece of
>garden. I don't particularly want a 10x1 flower bed. More of a design
>that can be attractive yet take away from the hard rectangular lines,
>if possible.
>
>Does anyone have any ideas?? Many thanks

Sacha

2006-09-26, 9:25 am

On 26/9/06 11:13, in article rfvhh25kj4rsls70uprcjb56ogitk6j5j8@4ax.com,
"Planet X" <planetx@ntlworld.com> wrote:

> Thanks for your comments. I appreciate the good advice. It gives me
> plenty to think on

>
>
<snip>

What about a round or figure of 8 pond, removing one of the paths, as
already suggested? In the remaining corners or circles, you could either
pave or gravel or make small herb beds of rosemary, lavender, thyme,
oregano.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/

Bob Hobden

2006-09-26, 1:25 pm

"Planet X" wrote ...
>
> I have a very long, thin back garden, with two paths either side of a
> 1m x 10m strip of land.
>
> I've been racking my brains as to what to do with this piece of
> garden. I don't particularly want a 10x1 flower bed. More of a design
> that can be attractive yet take away from the hard rectangular lines,
> if possible.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas?? Many thanks

With those straight lines it would be better to go for a formal garden,
perhaps two rectangular ponds, one at either end, and some planting in the
middle (small knot garden using Box?).

--
Regards
Bob H
17mls W. of London.UK

LinkBot