In our guide to transforming your garden from Mucky to Marvellous this month, we will be considering lawns! Really!? I hear you say. Well now just a minute. . . The lawn really is the green space at your back door and for most of us that is all there is. So how does it work in design terms and what can we do to create aspirational spaces with turf as a feature?

The shape of your lawn is a big indicator of your styling. A circular lawn for instance creates movement and flow through your space, taking your focus around your garden on the arc of its circumference. Angular lawns will throw your focus to important features and destinations. My favourite though are bridging lawns between plantings which make a space feel plant filled whilst marking distances. What do I mean? Well if you put your planting where you sit at the edge of your patio then you are within the planting scheme taking advantage of those valuable plants up close and giving you something to look through to a lawn which is then divided by another group of plants or trees marking the depth of the garden and then turf again. With a seat at the rear of your garden you can look back though the reverse scene to your home gaining a fresh perspective. This is enough to make a garden feel designed and inviting and can be done on a small or large scale and significantly reduces the cost as plants are more expensive per m2 and also require a different level of maintenance.

Although here comes the rub for a good lawn it does need water and regular weekly maintenance in the spring and summer. A mown lawn is like a made bed; it makes everything seem tidy and presentable. 

So you have designed your scheme now for practical installation: to sow your own or to turf? We as a design company only turf as the transformation is an instant wow factor and that final satisfaction of being able to enjoy the vision straight away is imperative for your new space.

We do recommend you stay off new turf for as long as possible. However, this is subject to the season and as long as the turf is rooted well and growing then we would recommend to get on and mow it. Cutting it will stimulate root growth and long grass encourages thatch within the swards which can reduce the performance of your new turf.

Remember too the joy of grass beneath your feet – connecting you to the earth’s value enough for you to take time to consider how and where your green carpet will be.

For more garden tips and info visit my Facebook page @mimosagardendesign 

CONTACT ME: E: info.mimosadesign@gmail.com 

M: 07737 286784