Garden Problems and Solutions

Is there something about your garden that stops you enjoying it? It may be difficult to use, waterlogged, overlooked, steep or simply not working as you need it to.

Kirman Design works with homeowners across Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley to understand what is causing a problem and consider how it fits into the wider garden. Choose the issue below to explore further, or contact us to discuss your own garden.

Find help with a garden problem

Waterlogging and poor drainage

Standing water, a wet lawn or saturated planting beds can have several causes, including soil conditions, compaction, levels and runoff. The right response depends on where the water is coming from and how it moves across the site.

Read our guide to garden drainage or find out about garden drainage installation.

An overlooked garden or lack of privacy

A garden can feel exposed if neighbouring windows look directly onto the patio or seating area. Screening the whole boundary isn’t always necessary; the best approach depends on the views and the parts of the garden where privacy matters most.

Explore our advice on overlooked gardens and garden screening ideas.

A steep or sloping garden

A slope can make access, mowing, seating and maintenance more difficult. It can also create opportunities for terraces, steps, planted banks and different garden spaces.

See our guide to landscaping a steep garden.

Heavy clay or difficult soil

Clay soil can stay wet during prolonged rainfall, become compacted and affect how plants establish. It doesn’t prevent you having a successful garden, but the design needs to respond to the actual soil and site conditions.

Read more about clay soil gardens.

A garden affected by building work or a new extension

Building work can change levels, drainage, access and the connection between the house and garden. Reconsidering the layout can help make the outdoor space work with the finished property.

Explore garden levels after an extension or our advice on garden design for new-build homes.

A garden that feels disjointed or underused

Sometimes there isn’t one obvious problem. The patio, paths, planting and lawn may have been added at different times without an overall plan. Looking at how the whole garden relates to the house can help identify what to change and what can be kept.

Our garden landscaping ideas explain how layout, levels, planting and outdoor spaces can work together.

Start with the cause, not just the symptom

A wet patch, an exposed seating area or a difficult slope is often a visible sign of a wider issue. Before choosing a feature or making a change, it helps to understand the site, how you use the garden and what you want it to do better.

Kirman Design can discuss your priorities and whether you may need a consultation, a full design, planting advice or landscaping work. Find out about our garden design consultation and garden design and build service.

Garden design and landscaping across North West England

We work throughout much of North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley. If you’re not sure whether we cover your area, include your town or postcode when you contact us.

Discuss a problem with your garden

Tell us where your garden is, what isn’t working and what you’d like to change. Photos, approximate dimensions and any relevant plans can help us understand the situation.

Call 01942 604976 or email info@kirmandesign.com to discuss your garden.