Garden Feature Ideas - Raised Beds And Children’s Play Area 

RAISED BEDS  

Raised beds are an integral part of any garden, particularly close to the house where they can be easily planned to fit in with the overall pattern of a terrace. If the bed is freestanding, within a patio area, then this effect can be achieved by linking it back to the house by courses or a bold panel of brickwork. Planting can be used to soften the appearance of the bed, while the height, if about 45cm (18in), makes the feature an ideal occasional seat.  

Personally, I see also no point in bending down to tend plants when they can be quite easily raised to a much more comfortable height. Raised beds can also be built against a garden wall where they will naturally help to break up the line, or else used as a device for giving young material a vertical boost, helping to give them an instant air of maturity. 

Such beds are also ideal for some of the more rampant plants, and herbs in particular which have an enthusiastic root run. Soil conditions can be varied too - here is an opportunity to grow plants that might not thrive in the soil type of your open garden. 

CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA 

The concept of a 'children's play area' is somewhat meaningless; they quite simply play everywhere and quite rightly so. The criteria for the sitting of various pieces of equipment largely depend on age. A toddler, for instance, will need to be in view of one or other parent for much of the time and so a sandpit is best sited close to the house, preferably in the sun, and within a paved area to enable spillage to be swept up easily. A raised pit is good fun and can be converted into a raised bed or pool in later years. Be sure to have a cover for your sandpit that can be fitted in the evening to discourage nocturnal visitors. 

Swings and slides are not the most attractive garden features and, if you can allocate space away from the main vista, then so much the better. If they are positioned on the lawn, the grass will quickly be worn away and the area will get very muddy in wet weather. A surface of chipped bark is ideal and makes for soft landings. The area can be contained with boards sunk into the ground just below the level of the surrounding turf. 

Wendy houses bought off the peg are usually pretty grim, most dog kennels look better. Kids, however, love to get away into their own 'place' and if you can build a suitable house they will love you for it. 

I'm often asked to include a children's growing plot into a design but I rarely do. I know from my own mob that the urge for gardening comes and goes - it's far easier and more practical to let them grow things in the main garden borders. Instant, or near instant results to maintain interest are essential so go for sun flowers, runner beans, annual plants and anything else that is fast-growing and vibrant in color.