Couple spend £4,000 transforming drab new build garden into a countryside oasis

Charlotte Owers, 34, and her husband Ben, 33, moved into their home in the middle of the pandemic. The garden was simply mud - a "blank space" she dreamed of transforming into a countryside cottage garden.

Charlotte said she "fell in love" with gardening and created different spaces including a vegetable garden, entertaining area and workshop area. She spent an estimated £4k transforming her garden - by getting things second hand and doing any building work themselves.

Plant pots came from Facebook - and she upcycled old sinks and dustbins - with a patio made from salvaged bricks. Charlotte, a senior creative, from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, said: "We had this blank space and because of lockdown we were spending so much time at home.

"I found newbuild gardens to be such a stereotype. I wanted to buy a cottage in the countryside but the reality of being a first time buyer was that new builds were the easiest way for me to get onto the ladder.

"We wanted to create cottage vibes rather than a sterile love island aesthetic. I wanted the garden to feel like it had been there forever."

The pair moved in into their new build home in June 2020 and started by adding a seating area at the end of the garden as it soaked up the sun in the evenings. Charlotte said: "Our garden is south facing so we get sun all day and in the evening we realised that the sun was at the end of the garden.

"We built the seating area at the end so during the day we can sit on the patio and then the evening we could sit at the end of the garden. Then we ripped off some turf and put down some gravel that would lead us to the seating area.

"Doing that, we were then inspired to do the rest." There is also a potting shed, entertainment area, greenhouse, vegetable garden and workshop area.

Charlotte said that her favourite part of the garden is the greenhouse and kitchen garden. She said: "Those are the parts of the garden that look the least like a new build garden.

"That is where I spend most of my time as I am growing seeds. I just love all the areas for planting - I think I have about 80 different pots in the garden for growing."

Charlotte said she it is a "shame" that some newbuild gardens are left untouched. She said she feels the responsibility to create a garden that is wildlife friendly.

Charlotte said: "One of the reason we transformed out garden is because new build developments are built on green spaces. I do think I have a responsibility to create a garden that is wildlife friendly.

"A big mission of mine is to make the garden thrive. When I look out my window and see the lack of trees and biodiversity it is a shame."