Dark New Build Garden Transformed — Ross-on-Wye

Stage 2: Back Garden Landscaping

When we first laid eyes on this new build back garden in Ross-on-Wye, the problems were obvious. The garden was closed in, leading to a dark and dingy feel for the outdoor area. The lawn had been laid directly on Hereford clay and was suffering badly — patchy, waterlogged in places, and nowhere near the standard our clients deserved. The new build patio could stay, but the rest had to go.

We were keen to get this new build garden landscaped in a way that our clients could genuinely enjoy for years to come. And that’s exactly what we did.

A Note on Stage 1

Before we got to the back garden, we’d already completed stage 1 for the same clients — a front garden refresh that involved relaying the lawn properly and introducing some star jasmine to add structure and fragrance to the front of the property. If you want to read about that project, you can find the full write-up here (internal link: link to Stage 1 blog post when published).

With the front looking sharp, it was time to turn our attention to the back.

Garden Design

We knew what the clients wanted: a low maintenance garden that still allowed for vibrant planting and a patch of proper green lawn. The existing garden had a few plants worth keeping, so the first thing we did was identify what was staying and make sure those were protected throughout the works.

For the layout, we proposed an oval lawn as the centrepiece — it softens the feel of a new build plot and gives the garden a more established, natural look than a standard rectangular patch. Around the lawn, we designed a gravel surround to keep maintenance low while still giving the space structure and finish.

On one side of the lawn, we incorporated a stepping stone pathway running through the gravel — practical for getting around the garden without stepping on the lawn or gravel, and a clean design feature in its own right.

New planting beds were built into the design to give the clients room to introduce colour and interest over time, without the garden becoming high maintenance. Our approach to planting areas and garden renovations is covered in more detail on our services page

The Works

New build gardens in Ross-on-Wye — and across Herefordshire generally — tend to share the same problem: the topsoil has often been stripped or compacted during construction, and builders tend to turf straight onto whatever’s left. It looks fine for a season, then falls apart. The Hereford clay underneath doesn’t help.

So before anything went in, the old lawn came out completely. We prepared the ground properly — something that often gets skipped but makes all the difference to how a lawn performs long term. Proper ground preparation is the foundation of any good turfing job.

The oval lawn was then laid to a clean finish, shaped into the space and surrounded by the gravel border. Stepping stones were set into the gravel on one side, giving the garden a clear, practical route without disrupting the look of the space.

Existing plants that were worth keeping were carefully worked around and incorporated into the new layout. The new planting beds were edged cleanly and left ready for the clients to plant up as they choose — we’d recommended some low maintenance options suited to the aspect and soil, and pointed them toward Beth Chatto’s online plant guides for inspiration.

The Result

What started as a dark, poorly laid new build garden in Ross-on-Wye ended up as a space the clients actually want to spend time in. The oval lawn sits well in the plot, the gravel keeps maintenance to a minimum, and the planting beds give the garden somewhere to grow into.

It’s a good example of what a bit of proper planning and preparation can do for a new build outdoor space. New builds in and around Ross-on-Wye and the wider Herefordshire area often come with gardens that are an afterthought — the plot is there but it hasn’t been thought through. That’s exactly the kind of project we enjoy getting our teeth into.

Thinking About Your New Build Garden?

If you’ve got a new build garden in Ross-on-Wye, Hereford or anywhere across Herefordshire that needs proper attention, we’d be happy to come out and take a look. We offer a free site visit and written quote with no obligation.

Get in touch here or give us a call on 07990 148186.