{"id":3295,"date":"2022-11-01T09:00:29","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T09:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardenbenches.com\/blog\/?p=3295"},"modified":"2024-11-11T08:37:50","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T08:37:50","slug":"create-a-sunken-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gardenbenches.com\/blog\/create-a-sunken-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Create A Sunken Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every garden is unique, especially to the person who owns or cultivated it. Few people in the world love their gardens more than those in the UK, with sprawling lawns, tree-lined fences and delicate flowers blooming in the warmer months. Then we have the sunken garden<\/span>[i]<\/span><\/a>. This is a thing of true beauty and charm that literally gives depth to a traditional garden.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You may think the sunken garden is a new concept in landscaping. However, they have been popular in the UK for centuries. So if you\u2019re looking to recreate a stunning new landscape in your existing garden or want to start your garden from scratch<\/a> and need something unique with lots of impacts, the sunken garden may be what you\u2019re looking for.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is A Sunken Garden?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The easiest way to explain a sunken garden is in the name itself. A part of a garden is about a foot lower than the main level of the garden. The sunken part of the garden can be a place to plant certain plants, or you can create a fantastic, almost hidden sitting area outdoors. There are many different types of sunken gardens, and all you need to do is decide which one is best for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How To Plan A Sunken Garden<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first step to creating a sunken garden is planning. You first need to decide the purpose of the sunken garden. For example, will it be a home to specific plants, or do you want a special outdoor area for sitting and relaxing? Once you decide what you want your sunken garden for and where you would like to position it, the rest involves a bit of digging and some extra tasks, depending on the type of sunken garden you hope to achieve. If you\u2019re unsure where to start, ask the experts at your local garden centre or hire a landscape designer for some sunken garden ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consider Drainage<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before you start digging the hole for your sunken garden, keep in mind that when it rains, the excess water runoff will naturally seek the lowest point in your yard and depending on how your garden slopes, this could very well be your sunken garden. This may not be a problem if you have decided your sunken garden will be home to plants that benefit from extra water, but it will be a problem if this area is full of garden furniture. Also, suppose you plan to use the sunken garden as an entertainment area. In that case, you need to consider installing adequate drainage, and you may be better off seeking professional advice on the best way to incorporate drainage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Build Robust Walls<\/span><\/h2>\n

Digging a hole for a sunken garden is only one step in creating this beautiful type of garden. However, when you dig a hole, the soil on the sides of the hole will inevitably fall or collapse inwards. Therefore, the deeper your sunken garden, the more importance you need to place on the walls. Solid, robust walls are essential to a sunken garden to prevent soil from falling into your garden and ruining your plants or burying your garden furniture. You can build a wall using bricks or wooden sleepers, or you can have a cement wall built in. It\u2019s also worth considering that if you have a deeper sunken garden, you will need to create stairs that allow you to comfortably enter the garden.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consider Your Seating<\/span><\/h2>\n

A sunken garden is the ideal setting for an outdoor entertainment area. For one, you will most likely need to create a nice pathway from your back door towards this sunken sitting area, giving you a place to walk towards with anticipation. Apart from considering the aesthetics and flow of your sunken garden, you should also consider what type of seating you want to place in this special place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Consider\u00a0<\/span>garden bench sets<\/span><\/a> to ensure you have a complete and fully functioning outdoor setting for comfort and style. These sets include two or more benches and a table to give you the perfect place to serve afternoon tea or entertain family and friends in the late afternoon or evening. Depending on the size of your sunken garden, you may prefer to have some teak Adirondack chairs<\/a> or simply a few comfy wooden garden benches<\/a> and a table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep It Simple<\/span><\/h2>\n

Planning a sunken garden is essential before you start. You need to know exactly where your sunken garden will be situated, the type of soil you will be digging into, the types of walls you will need to build and many more things to consider. You may also need planning permission before you start digging, so you must contact your local council to see if you require any permits. There may be pipes or phone lines running under your land, and you need to know if there is a possibility of causing damage to these.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you know where you want your sunken garden and whether or not you can build one in that space, you need to know which materials and equipment you need to get started. In most cases, you are better off hiring a landscape designer to help you plan your sunken garden and ensure you have all the permits you need and an estimate of the total cost of building this garden. You don\u2019t necessarily need to hire landscapers to complete the project for you. However, if you don\u2019t budget correctly, you may find your funds disappearing faster than you thought, leaving you without enough money to complete your sunken garden.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep your design simple and realistic. If it looks too plain, you can always add decorations and lighting to jazz up your sunken garden later.<\/span><\/p>\n

How To Build A Sunken Garden<\/span><\/h2>\n

Building a sunken garden isn\u2019t overly complicated, and if you plan on a DIY project, you need to have a definite plan, including any necessary permits. Once you have these, you can get started with these steps:<\/span><\/p>\n