GREEN-FINGERED
My new build garden was a total mud pit when I moved in – now it’s a DIY oasis thanks to Facebook Marketplace freebies
Scroll down for expert gardening advice - from how to prune roses, and when to plant daffodil bulbs
A HOMEOWNER who transformed the garden of her new build has shared her dos and don’ts for creating your own oasis on a budget.
When Charlotte Hugh bought her home in 2020 her garden was a mud pit.
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Now, she regularly shares tips and tricks from her thriving plot in Bishop's Stortford to her 21,000 Instagram followers, where she posts under the username @.
Documenting her green-fingered accomplishments and inspiring others via social media, Charlotte has shared her advice for taking a blank canvas and turning it into her cottage garden of dreams.
She said: “The best way to design your perfect garden is to just start using the space. This will help inform any of the landscaping choices.
“Maybe you need a bigger patio because you realise yours isn't big enough to have the whole family round.
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“Or maybe you realise you're always dragging the chairs to the end of the garden to sit in the sun, so that's where you should put your seating area.”
Despite having clay foundations in her garden, Charlotte put effort into seeding her lawn to create a lush green space.
She added: “Don’t mistake artificial grass as a low maintenance option, because it really isn’t.
"Unless you take care of it, clean it and it’s of high-quality, it just won’t last.
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“Plus, the wildlife will thank you for keeping grass, too. New builds have a bad reputation for being built on green spaces, so I think it’s important to do our bit for nature.”
Wildlife can not only help with pollination but enhance biodiversity, a double-win for any gardener.
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Charlotte also insisted that social media was a game-changer when she took on her horticulture hobby for inspiration and cost-saving.
She explained: “Instagram is full of inspiration on how to transform your space - no matter how big or small. I find this particularly helpful in knowing what to plant and where.
I spend my evenings scrolling through what people are selling or even giving away
Charlotte Hugh
“I host a weekly recap on my Instagram called #NewBuildGardenShare where I will repost any new build garden content, to try to help others find accounts and inspiration for their gardens.”
The gardening enthusiast then explained that she often finds freebies on Facebook Marketplace, as she confirmed: “Make Facebook Marketplace your new social network of choice.
“I spend my evenings scrolling through what people are selling or even giving away.
“I’ve found loads of things like pots, planters, patio slabs, greenhouses, sheds, ornaments and even plants. So do keep an eye on what you can get.”
But achieving the garden of your dreams won’t happen overnight, as Charlotte advised taking your time and never seeing your project as complete.
Take your time, a garden is never ‘finished'
Charlotte Hugh
She recommended: “Patience is key. Plants take time to grow and there’s a temptation to try and cram them all together to avoid bare areas. But you need to give them plenty of room to grow.
“Also, remember your garden can change throughout the seasons so plants and your lawn will flourish at different times of the year.
“And don’t be disheartened if things start to die. The British weather can be unpredictable and can wreak havoc on your plants and grass.
“There’s opportunities to turn it around, re-plant your trees and keep feeding your lawn. All is not lost.
“Take your time, a garden is never ‘finished.’"
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Gardens in new development properties often have clay foundations which can lack efficient drainage, leading to lawns becoming muddy pits.
Timothy Greene from said: “Not only is growing your lawn from seed a rewarding task, it’s also much cheaper than installing an artificial lawn and maintaining it.
“Clay foundations are nutrient dense and hold moisture well but they need to be cared for properly. And with building machinery often running over them, new build gardens don’t have the best start.
“It’s the lack of drainage that can cause some gardens to become too soggy for grass to thrive on, unless it is managed correctly.
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“Perennial ryegrass, smooth stalked meadow grass and tall fescue creates a great to grow a great lawn in clay foundations.”
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