What Is The Most Important Part Of A Garden?
Every garden owner will have their own opinion on what the most import of a garden is. For some, it might be the privacy afforded by a hedge, for others it may be the outdoor dining area. But in actual fact, the most important part of a garden is the bit you can’t see. It’s the build-up beneath the features that bring you so much joy.
If you’ve ever had your outdoor space professionally landscaped, you’ll know how much work goes into bringing a garden design to life. First there’s the clearance and the removal of old structures, tired pavers and overgrown plants. Then the digging out phase begins. And it’s not until the final stages that you start to see patios, paths and structures emerging from the ground.
The Importance Of What Lies Beneath A Garden
Most homeowners are aware that their home is built on a strong foundation and a damp proof course to protect the structure from water damage. The property will also be constructed so that rainwater is directed away from the building through gutters and a drainage system. Those are things we all take for granted, along with having water, gas and electricity supplied to the building and sewerage taken away.
Those amenities are not just for our comfort and convenience. They also help to ensure the longevity of the building. Nobody wants their interiors eaten away by mould in a damp environment, and of course structural timbers need to be kept in the best possible condition.
Now think about your garden. Whichever features you plan to install need to be very well protected from the elements. Let’s face it, our gardens put up with big variations in weather. Wind, rain, frost, heat, drought - you name it, UK gardens are exposed to it.
We humans are barely aware of it, but the ground beneath our feet is in a constant state of flux. It gets wet, it dries out and in doing so, it changes shape and it moves. Any structure built on a moving platform needs firm foundations. In a garden that means patios, paths, sheds, greenhouses, ponds and the like must be robustly built. You rarely see the foundations of your house, and once it’s built, you won’t notice the foundations of your garden. But you’d certainly know about it if they weren’t there!
Image Credit: Adam Vetere Landscape and Garden Design
What SHOULD Lie Beneath Garden Features?
Deciding on the build-up for any garden feature is one of the most skilful parts of a garden designer’s or a landscapers job. For every type of material the manufacturers will give installation instructions. However the landscaper also needs to know how to make sure that the materials are a) suitable for your garden and b) will last a very long time.
For example, laying a patio in a garden with clay based soil needs extra attention to the fact that clay soils change consistency with every type of weather. The base needs to be very robust indeed to ensure the paving slabs don’t lift or crack over time.
Decking should be well supported and protected from damp. The sub frame needs to be built to current specifications. Your APL Landscape professional will be able to inform you of this.
A paved driveway, may look vaguely similar to a patio or path on the surface. But patios and paths don’t need to withstand the forces exerted by a moving vehicle. Planning regulations also stipulate that driveways should be permeable - that’s another factor to consider when deciding on the build-up.
Ensuring The Most Important Part Of A Garden Will Be Fit For Purpose
The only way to ensure that the most important part of your garden will be fit for purpose is to hire reputable landscape professionals. And yes, that may mean in the short time that the installation cost will be slightly higher than you perhaps expected. However, you will be investing in a garden that will look good and perform well for a very long time. Remember the old adage “Buy Cheap Buy Twice.”
Your garden designer should conduct a thorough survey of the garden before they begin designing the layout. In some cases a hydrological survey may also be necessary. Drainage channels, soakaways etc should be designed into the plan. They are more important to the functioning of your garden than the colour of your patio or the materials used to build your pergola.
Members of The Association Of Professional Landscapers are all vetted annually to ensure that comply with best practice when designing and building gardens. And so when you are planning a garden makeover, your first port of call should always be an APL member. Use the search facility on our website to find a landscaping professional near you.
Image Credit: Nordland Landscapes Ltd
More Information
If you’d like to learn more about the most important part of a garden, use this link to see some examples of correctly installed garden features.
/apl-shows/what-lies-beneath-bbc-gardeners-world-live-2021/what-really-does-lie-beneath
First steps to planning your new garden. /landscaping-guidance/first-steps-to-planning-your-new-garden
Find a reputable landscaping professional
Members of The Association Of Professional Landscapers are all vetted annually to ensure that comply with best practice when designing and building gardens. And so when you are planning a garden makeover, your first port of call should always be an APL member. Use the search facility on our website to find a landscaping professional near you.
Image Credit: Ellicar Landscapes