EVERY garden has its own set of problems and unique hidden gems. I have recently been tackling one which I always thought had potential, but knew would take a lot of preparation and careful planning. I think that I have finally reached a stage in its development that is starting to point towards something quite promising.

The lighter evenings have helped greatly.

There isn't much inspiration to get out in the garden after a full working day during the winter months. Once you've changed into suitable clothing, dragged the tools out from under the stairs and refamiliarised yourself with the ongoing plan of action, it is just about time to pack up, take the boots off and start running the bath.

The evening sun, even though still relatively weak, changes all that. It gives you a glimpse of the warmth and good times to come, and inspires you to get out there and get the garden ready for entertaining and relaxing.

My new project is a small back garden that belongs to a row of terraced cottages. The total length of the space can be no more than ten yards, the width only six. Being a middle terrace, there has to be free access provided for the next door neighbour to cross by the back door on the way to or from the gated alleyway.

There are two 'outside toilet' sheds at the bottom of the garden. One belongs to the next door neighbour on the left, who owns a small strip of land to the side and across the bottom of the garden. There are no fences or dividing lines up at present to mark out the land, but the deeds to the house set out precise measurements. It's all very confusing and complicated.

The previous occupiers of the house had taken out the lawn, and gravelled the whole of the back garden. One small border, no bigger than one foot wide had been created on the right hand side, along the line of the dividing fence. The house on this side has been left unoccupied for several months (soon to be on the market), and the shrubs had grown so tall as to shade out half of my garden. A washing line runs diagonally across the garden, and appears to be the only activity that takes place in it.

The first thing I did, was to pounce on both neighbours at the first opportunity and ask them if they would mind if I did a bit of pruning and trimming back. They were actually quite delighted by the offer. It saved them having to do it, and smartened up all three gardens in one fell swoop.

Down came great lengths from the 15ft buddleia shrubs, the even higher elderberry tree, an enormous lavatera and several rambling roses. Dead branches were cut out of a neglected columnar flowering cherry.

I marked out a simple curved pathway leading from my back step, down two thirds of the length of the garden. Either side of the path would be big bountiful perennial borders. This would wind its way to a curved lawn and then, right outside back sheds, I would build a quirky patio and sun trap area.

I dug the gravel into the borders area. This would add aeration and drainage to the clay soil and form a very good planting and growing medium. I left the gravel on the pathway, but edged it with a small fence woven from the pruned buddleia and elderberry branches.

The gravel that lies on the lawn area will be used as a foundation layer for my bottom patio.

I shall dig the good soil out of that area first, so that I can really pack it in. The soil will be swapped for the base of a seeded lawn. The patio will be made from the many bricks that I dug out of the garden during its preparation.

These will be placed on a dry mixture of sand and cement, with the same brushed in over the top. Moisture and rain will slowly cause the cement to set and harden over time.

I will be recycling all the material in the garden and will end up, hopefully, not having to spend much on it at all (until I get to the planting up I guess). Getting rid of the small border and beefing it up has made the garden appear much wider. Placing the lawn further down the garden has made it look longer.

Creating the 'activity' area (the patio) right down the bottom will make it seem much more interesting and utilise all the space available. I have left the washing line where it is. It is high enough not to be distracting, and is actually quite functional.

The fun bit starts next. Choosing and installing the plants. Hopefully I should have the garden up and running by early summer.

All that remains from then on is a little spot weeding, a light yearly prune and plenty of sitting and watching everything knit together over a few bottles of wine.

JOBS THIS WEEK

It is the best time of the year to sow lawn seed. The ground and air are warming up, but there is still enough moisture around to aid germination and growth.

Pot on tomato seedlings into individual containers, or into place in grow bags.Remember to install a stake or line of string ready to keep the plant growing upwards.

April is one of the best months for planting or transplanting evergreens. Hollies, laurels, bamboos and similar shrubs need to be kept moist, especially around the roots.

POSTSCRIPT Tune in to 95FM, BBC Radio Cleveland's 'Ask about Gardening' every Sunday from 12-2pm, presented by Brigid Press, to hear more horticultural chat, tips and questions.

Questions for Brigid to answer in The Northern Echo should be sent to brigidpress@hotmail. com or to her c/o Nature's World, Ladgate Lane, Acklam, Middlesbrough.

Published: 17/04/2004