Hi all,
We recently bought our first home and we are finding it hard to come up with ways to make the garden look nice. I park my car out the back of my house so I walk through it everyday and at the moment it is making me feel a bit sad as it is so uninspiring and dull!

We don't have a huge budget so can't do anything too fancy. We are quite hands on so could have a go at making things ourselves. We will be keeping the patio/slabs where they are as it is too much work to get rid of these. Ideally I would like to do something to make the garage wall & window area look nicer and was thinking of putting a small water feature in the corner to drown out the noise of cars etc. I also have been donated some Hostas and a Forysthia from my nan which are in pots waiting to be planted either in the ground or nicer/bigger plant pots.

I have attached a few photos from different angles so if anyone has any ideas that would be great.

Thank you for your help!!

Don't know where you are but I check Kijiji for cheap plants often. Also sometimes plant swaps are available if you have too much of a good thing.

As for design, on a budget, I would see what you can get your hands on and experiment! My inclination would include removing the grass and packing in everything you find, and then moving it all around until it looks good.

What do you want to grow?

would suggest the same thing I just mentioned to another -

Along the fence, could do Cinder blocks & boards - with potted plants ....

all kinds of ideas for designs are online > search > Cinder blocks & boards ideas

Cinder blocks ($1- $4 each) + 12 inch wide boards ($ depends on type and length)

cinder block upright with board on top (between 2 blocks) is about 16" tall ~ or 2 tier, at 32"
cinder block on side, with board on top (between 2 blocks) is about 8-1/2" tall

think your fence would support a 2 tier, 32" high ...and in front, a 1 tier with blocks on the side ..... will look like 3 steps

try not to overload shelving with heavy potted plants ..

sorry for the repeat ....but it should work equally well

I would start with some potted plants that you can move around until you like where they are and grow well then you will know they have correct light conditions. Start small and have fun with it while making it your garden.