Garden - suitable for toddler

[Amober]

First time posting, but would like some tips and ideas.
We have recently purchased our first house, the whole thing needs work but the garden is where we are stuck and complete novices. It's full of pebbles that my two year old loves to throw and is just too much work. We want something we can just sit in and he can run on the grass.
There is a large tree which we need to pay to remove, decking with underground water butts we want removed and filled and the rest is paving and pebbles and two water features. Where should we start? We are very cautious people and worry about doing something that would cause damage or doing something wrong

 

[Old Salt]

Get rid of the water and pebbles. Replace the water features with a bird bath so little one can see the wildlife. Replace the pebbles either with more turf or bark chippings, soft to land on but will need sweeping from time to time to keep them tidy.

If that is the big tree that is going make sure there are no birds nesting in it. It is illegal to disturb them. Other than that look for trip hazards and sharp corners/edges.

 

[just pumps]

I think I would keep the tree.

 

[Mottie]

With a toddler, I’d be concerned about the greenhouse.

 

[Amober]

We are getting rid of the tree, can't stand it and yes will be getting rid of the greenhouse

 

[Old Salt]

Greenhouse is easy, freeads, faceache, ebay, buyer dismantles and collects.

 

[sxturbo]

Whilst removing tree also remove the slabs and concrete, lay some grass or fake grass whichever is your preference, little ones will need somewhere where they can do lots of running.

Try and keep things which encourages nature to visit the garden, choose plants that encourages bees and butterflies etc

 

[Mottie]

I’d be careful about fake grass. The MIL has some nasty cheap fake grass. She got had right over by a so-called landscape gardener. It crackles when you walk on it, it’s too dangerous for us to take our dog round there in hot weather as it holds heat and can cause burns to her paws and you can cut yourself on it if you fall over!

 

[Old Salt]

Fake grass is not good for kids, my grandsons 4 & 6 love visiting and are always on my lawn rolling and tumbling. Has its place but not for kids playing on.

 

[Amober]

We were thinking mostly real grass, we aren't a fan of fake grass personally.

In relation to the pebbles can we just remove them and lay turf on top or would we have to do anything to the soil underneath.

Ideally we would like a whole garden of grass but not sure how to get rid of the brick patio.

 

[Mottie]

my grandsons 4 & 6 love visiting

Strange names for children……..

 

[Tigercubrider]

again the pebbles are easy.
bag them up, get the kid to help if they're old enough.
Free adds

The tree looks a bit lollipop like but would look 100% better if just allowed to grow out.
It might give decent shade depending on orientation?
I'd give any big change like that a year before doing it.

 

[Old Salt]

Strange names for children……..

I am not a number………

 

[Old Salt]

We have a recycling yard that takes clean hardcore free of charge. So lift and break up the slabs or again get rid of them on freeads etc. We had some stacked up at the front and a passerby asked if she could take some. Returned later with hubby and took about half of them.

Ground underneath slabs and pebbles will need digging or rotovating to produce a decent surface, dig in some rotted manure or compost or add topsoil to liven it up a bit. Rake, level and lay turf.

Worth watching programmes like garden rescue or even you tube to see how its done. Make a plan of what you want to achieve then work towards it tackling each job in turn, removing the bits to go then hard landscaping and then planting.

Google preparing for new lawn and loads of links will come up with instructions and pictures of how to do it.