When Should You Start on Your Garden After Moving House?
By Ian Green, Pre-Registered Member of the Society of Garden & Landscape Designers
Once the keys are handed over and the last box is unpacked, most people find themselves standing at the back door, looking at the garden and wondering where on earth to start. It's one of the questions I'm asked most often, and my answer is always the same: it depends on what you've inherited. An established garden and a brand new plot ask very different things of you.
Moving into an older property: wait and watch
If you've moved into an older home with a garden that's been there for years, I'd encourage you to
resist the urge to clear it. Give it a couple of seasons first. I know that can feel like a long time, but gardens only reveal themselves slowly.
That's especially true if you move in during autumn. The borders can look tired and half empty, and many of the shrubs will be little more than bare twigs. It's easy to assume there's nothing worth saving. Then spring comes, bulbs start pushing through, hostas and ferns unfurl, and those twigs turn out to be something rather lovely. Some plants won't show themselves until well into the summer, and once they've been dug out, they're gone.
Living with the garden for a while helps you find what's worth keeping and, just as importantly, what you actually like. Plenty of established plants can be lifted and moved to a new spot in the design, so nothing good is wasted. A few photos each month on your phone will help you remember what appeared, and when.
Moving into a new build: start when you're ready
A new build is a different story. Most gardens are handed over as a rectangle of turf, or just bare
soil, with a small patio by the back door. There's nothing hidden waiting to appear, so there's no real reason to wait. You're starting with a blank canvas, and you can begin planning as soon as you're ready.
The thing I'd always check first is what's underneath. On a new build I worked on in Ordsall, Retford, the garden looked like straightforward bare soil with a few mature trees. On closer inspection during the survey, we found the soil was full of rubble and broken glass, and some of it had to come out for safety before we could even think about the design. It's a good reminder that what you see on handover day isn't always the whole story. You can see how that garden turned out in the Ordsall, Retford project in my portfolio.
What to look for, whichever home you've moved into
Whether you're waiting out the seasons or starting with a blank plot, the questions I ask at the start of every project are the same, and you can begin answering them yourself.
The first is simply how you want to live outside. A garden for long summer lunches with friends is a very different place from one where children need room to run, or one that just needs to look good with very little effort. It's tempting to start with plants, but the way you'll use the space should come first. Everything else follows from that.
Then I'd spend some time following the sun. Notice where it falls first thing, where it lingers in the evening, and how that shifts between summer and winter. Builders and previous owners tend to put the patio by the back door, but that isn't always where you'll want to be. Pay attention to where you find yourself drifting with a cup of tea, which views make you stop, and which you'd rather not look at. Those small habits often tell you exactly where a seating area belongs.
I've written more about this in why the patio outside your back door might not be the best idea.
Finally, get to know your soil. It's the step most people skip, and it's often the one that matters
most. Its condition, drainage and pH decide what will thrive, so it's worth a simple test and a note of which corners stay wet after rain. On a new build, it's also worth checking how compacted it is, as heavy machinery often leaves only a thin layer of topsoil over very hard ground.
If you'd like to go further, my article on right plant, right place explains how soil and light shape
what will grow well.
None of this needs to be rushed. Time spent looking and thinking is never wasted, and it's far
cheaper than undoing a decision made too quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait before changing an established garden?
I'd suggest waiting at least through spring and summer, so you can see what appears. Even longer if you can, as you'll get to know the garden through every season.
Can I do anything in the garden while I'm waiting?
Yes, but keep it gentle. Mow the lawn, sweep the paths and enjoy the space. I'd hold off pruning, cutting back or digging out anything until you know what it is, as it's surprisingly easy to lose a good plant by mistake. Instead, use the time to take photos and make notes as the garden changes.
Should I start straight away on a new build garden?
There's nothing stopping you, as a new build has no hidden plants waiting to appear. It's still worth a little preparation first, though. Get to know the conditions you're working with, like the light, the soil and what's beneath the surface. Think about how you want to live in the space before you start digging or designing.
What's under the turf in a new build garden?
It really depends on the builder. Some leave a good depth of decent topsoil, while others lay turf over compacted ground, or even rubble and debris. Either way, it's worth checking before you plant anything.
How can you help with the garden at my new home?
I'd begin by talking with you about how you see yourself using the garden with family and friends through the seasons, and what you'd most like it to give you. Then I'd look closely at the garden itself, its aspect, light and soil, so the design not only suits the way you live but gives every plant the best chance to thrive.
Thinking about your new garden?
If you've recently moved and aren't sure where to start, whether that's an established garden full of unknowns or a new build blank canvas, I'd be happy to help you think it through.
Get in touch to talk about the design and layout of your garden.
About the author
Ian Green is a garden and landscape designer with over 25 years’ experience, working with clients across Lincolnshire, East Midlands and beyond. He believes that the best gardens start with listening to the space, and to the people who’ll live in it.
