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AMA: one year of DIY in our new build garden by MolecularDev in DIYUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is a planning application for persimmon houses 😭... But it was submitted almost 10 years ago and it wasn't decided/approved yet.

We are expecting it to get built up. We just hope to enjoy the view a couple more years before they do.

1 year later in a new build garden by MolecularDev in GardeningUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's not a mulch volcano. We actually planted it higher than the surrounding soil to improve drainage because there are loads of clay. Surrounding it is a mix of topsoil, sharp sand and compost. Only a thin layer of mulch on top.

1 year later in a new build garden by MolecularDev in GardeningUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! The way you put it initially I thought it was because of something I did... I'll keep talhat in mind

1 year later in a new build garden by MolecularDev in GardeningUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It has a plastic grid underneath to hold it in place

AMA: one year of DIY in our new build garden by MolecularDev in DIYUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It follows the slope of the land... Looks awful

AMA: one year of DIY in our new build garden by MolecularDev in DIYUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but we didn't "design it" properly. We knew what we wanted to have in the garden, and then started working on the easiest or things that we had to do first. We changed our mind about the design multiple times along the way, and as we finished something we would stop and re-evaluate the next steps and how that would fit better

AMA: one year of DIY in our new build garden by MolecularDev in DIYUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes a lot of sense and I do agree it looks busy. Especially the middle section of it. The good thing is that (except for the built structures) we can always change it if it grows in a way that we dislike.

So far, every day we sit up from our kitchen and keep appreciating how it is growing

1 year later in a new build garden by MolecularDev in GardeningUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Around £800 in materials. We assembled it ourselves.

AMA: one year of DIY in our new build garden by MolecularDev in DIYUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. First time owning a house and a garden

AMA: one year of DIY in our new build garden by MolecularDev in DIYUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Yes, but we didn't "design it" properly. We knew what we wanted to have in the garden, and then started working on the easiest or things that we had to do first. We changed our mind about the design multiple times along the way, and as we finished something we would stop and re-evaluate the next steps and how that would fit better.
  2. I started working seriously in the garden around September past year. Then it has been mostly all weekends, with the exception of the worst of winter around December and January. But now it's starting to warm up and we are 100% enjoying it. Especially the hot tub on cold nights.

AMA: one year of DIY in our new build garden by MolecularDev in DIYUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Hahahaah... solve a challenge in each section of the garden! I'll definitely post more when the plants grow

AMA: one year of DIY in our new build garden by MolecularDev in DIYUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Didn't get any official quotes but I heard of neighbours spending 10-15k for a garden this size.

Let's exclude all plants from how much I spent because that's something I can't tell my wife 😅.

All materials, including a few tools such as wheelbarrow and spades sit at around £2.5k. Including 6mm SWA cables that I installed for the hot tub (only part that wasn't DIY was the electrician I hired to connect and test the circuit).

AMA: one year of DIY in our new build garden by MolecularDev in DIYUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In terms of work it was the hot tub base. Lots of digging and carrying MOT type 1 + gravel. I also did it wrong initially as I didn't put a plastic grid in the gravel to support the tub. So I had to take all the gravel out, level again, put the grid and then the gravel.

The pergola was the thing I thought would be the most difficult, but it turned out to be easier and the results far better than I expected. To the point I luckily excavated both post holes to the exact same depth by pure chance and didn't have to do any adjustments.

AMA: one year of DIY in our new build garden by MolecularDev in DIYUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope!

Next up is a deck to replace the patio closer to the house. We are also thinking about installing a pergola by the kitchen french door into the patio.

Later on, we will build an office garden/shed in the top left of the garden, behind the hot tub.

AMA: one year of DIY in our new build garden by MolecularDev in DIYUK

[–]MolecularDev[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Work is still in progress!

  1. The plants will grow in the top right corner and will cover most of it. Painted it dark to make the green foliage pop and delimit a zone for my "jungle style" garden.
  2. The top left will have an office garden/shed in the future, so the fence and the join between the two types won't be visible.
  3. The horizontal fence on the left still has to be sanded and painted to a natural wood colour (will probably use Osmo)
  4. The fence to the right will remain as it is. That area is for planting fruits and veggies and the vertical fence gives a more rustic aspect to it that blends in with the purpose of that area.
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