Beware of perennial weeds
I’m pretty relaxed about most weeds (within reason), and depending on the size of the garden, you can happily keep nettles, dock, dandelions and more as they feed on a whole host of insects and do no harm. But there are some harmful ones that I would be wary of. The biggest is Japanese knotweed, which by law must be declared at the point of sale if present – and must be when you go to sell the property in the future. Not quite deadly but just a tough bindweed. I’ve been at war with it in our garden for six years now, and it shows no signs of stopping. The top is notoriously difficult to reach, and if even the tiniest bit of root is left in the ground, it will come back. Look for it coming off the walls (which we have) as it is almost impossible to reach without using chemicals.
Consider the levels
Layers in the garden are a wonderful thing. Steps, slopes, dips, hollows – they give the garden interest and a sense of travel. It can be used to create zones and rooms, great views and quiet enclosures. But it’s an expensive thing to replace, so if you have an awkward slope and want a nice flat terrace to put the table on, set aside the budget for this. And doubly so if you don’t have side or rear access to the garden.
Think about the entrance to the garden
Which brings me to access and other boring but important practicalities. Can you ask a truck to dump a ton of manure without moving it through the house? Is there a place to park your car/bike/buggy/wheelie bin without being seen while having dinner? Where is the water source and are there buildings where you can collect rainwater runoff?
Trees clock
Think about what the natural gifts of this special garden could be. Gardens with beautiful establishment trees Get extra points – substantial trees are extremely expensive to buy but are essential in any garden. They provide shade, shelter, habitat, as well as scale, screening and maturation. Clock trees; Do they look healthy? Are they in the right place? Cutting down a bad tree (for example, an ugly conifer that blocks light, drains the soil of nutrients, and provides little in the way of ecological or aesthetic value) is not sinful, but it can be expensive—or impossible if the tree is subject to a preservation order. Other beautiful natural gifts would be a river or stream which I would rate highly, and views – a killer view never gets old.
