Give your garden a makeover - in a weekend

A garden makeover may seem a big task, but it can be done in just one weekend, by considering the seven basic rules of garden design.

1 Have a good look at what you've got

✱ Get your existing garden layout down on paper to help you make the right choices on plants and paving.
✱ Measure your garden with a tape measure, and then plot it accurately on graph paper.
✱ Mark out views and areas that you'd like to enhance or screen. Don't forget trees that could cast shade or provide awkward planting conditions.
✱ Work out which areas of the garden receive the most sun or shade throughout the day, and then consider soil type. Along with the amount of sun or shade a plant receives, soil type will govern what you can grow.
✱ Next, consider what plants you'd like to keep and which ones you'd like to remove.

2 Concentrate on hard landscaping

If your shed is on its last legs, it may be wise to replace it before you've finished your garden makeover, and the same may be true of your fence. If you're doing that, it may also be the best time to relay or camouflage a crumbling patio, make your paths more interesting or create a new area of decking. All these details will greatly add to your enjoyment of your new garden and inspire you to use it more.
Read the golden rules for choosing a shed
Liven up paving with interplanting

3 Observe existing plants

Remove anything you dislike. Dig up plants that are obscuring pretty views or casting too much shade. Plants that are dead, damaged or diseased need to go, as do those that have simply outgrown their space. Be careful if you're removing or even pruning trees, as some can have Tree Preservation Orders on them. Also, if your garden is situated in a conservation area, any works or removal can result in fines.

4 Assess your needs

✱ Ask yourself the following questions:
✱ Do you want a terrace in full sun or shade?
✱ Would a good view be enhanced with a bench from which to enjoy it?
✱ What kind of style do you want?
✱ You also need to consider the best place for storage, whether you need a washing line and where you need to store the bins. Plot these areas on tracing paper over your original garden layout plan to check the proportions and finalise your ideas.

5 Use hard materials

Paths, patios and terraces are a garden's bones - outlining how the garden is navigated and used. Although laying out heavy paving slabs is best left to a professional, there are several materials you can introduce in a weekend.
✱ Brick is easy to lay, repair or replace and can be laid in a variety of patterns.
✱ Decks are a great option for sunny gardens. Plus, they're easy to lay in a weekend.
✱ Gravel can be a good cover-up for an ageing patio. It should be laid thinly in order to keep it easy to walk on.
✱ Granite sets, cobbles and mosaics break up large areas of paving slabs.

Make a pebble mosaic

6 Get your planting right

Plant up framework plants first, such as trees and structural shrubs. These can be used to provide privacy, hide ugly buildings or views, and create shade. Next, consider perennials and smaller shrubs to provide year-round interest. Finally, choose ground cover to prevent weeds and fill gaps.

When considering plants, read the label before you buy, as it will tell you what soil type or aspect a plant prefers, and often a plant's size at full maturity. As I don't enjoy sitting in full summer sun, I plant borders in the sunniest part of the garden, and I can enjoy them from my dappled terrace. Borders can also be sited at the edge of patios, or cut across the garden to create areas of shady planting, invaluable for ferns and large-leaved architectural plants, which might get scorched in full sun.
How to plant a container-grown tree
Plants for south-facing gardens
Plants for north-facing gardens
Plants for west-facing gardens
Plants for east-facing gardens

7 Fit in some seating

A well-placed bench or chair will entice you to stop for a moment and enjoy the view. Here are a few ideas...

✱ Relax on a bench or tree seat under the dappled shade of a tree.
✱ A hammock strung between two trees promises lazy afternoons.
✱ A covered seat or arbour will allow you to enjoy your garden in all weathers, even rain.
✱ Rugs, cushions, beanbags and deckchairs are versatile and perfect for a picnic on your garden lawn.

Make a garden cushion
Make a beanbag
Update your garden chairs

✱ Furniture can add to the overall look of a space. Turf seats, railway sleeper benches and rustic hazel give a rural feel, while steel, teak and wicker add sophistication.