'I turned my dull new-build garden into a gorgeous countryside oasis for just £4k'

A woman has transformed her 'boring' new build garden into her dream countryside oasis - and it cost just £4,000. Charlotte Owers, 34, and her husband Ben, 33, moved into their new home in the middle of the pandemic.

The couple dreamt of buying a cottage in the countryside but as first-time buyers, they found that new builds were the easiest way to get onto the property ladder. When they moved in, their garden was a blank space with 'mud', which Charlotte envisioned she could turn into a countryside-like oasis.

Charlotte said she 'fell in love' with gardening and created various spaces such as a vegetable garden, entertaining area and workshop area. She was able to keep costs down by sourcing items second hand and doing the majority of construction work herself.

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She also bought bargain plant pots from Facebook Marketplace, while old sinks and dustbins were upcycled and a patio was constructed from salvaged bricks. Charlotte, a senior creative from Hertfordshire, said: "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 had this blank space and because of lockdown we were spending so much time at home. 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 couple moved into their new build home in June 2020 and began their transformation by adding a seating area at the end of the garden which soaked up the evening sun.

Charlotte explained: "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."

The garden boasts a potting shed, entertainment area, greenhouse, vegetable patch, and workshop space. Her favourite spot is the greenhouse and kitchen garden, Charlotte revealed.

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."

Commenting on the state of some new build gardens, Charlotte expressed it's a "shame" they are often neglected. She feels a duty to foster a wildlife-friendly environment, she added.

Charlotte explained: "One of the reasons we transformed our 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."

Charlotte's top tips include: "Don't rush - think about how you want to use the garden. Set a destination, think about what you want at the end of the garden and work backwards. Remember a garden is never finished - Think about what you would like to use the garden for and what you need the garden to do."

Speaking about her favourite garden items, Charlotte said: "All my pots are my fave - I get them from Facebook, or antique shops or car boot sales. I use old buckets, water tanks, sinks, dustbins etc. gives the garden more character & cheaper than buying pots from the garden centre.

"Greenhouses are thousands of pounds, and I wanted one to fit a specific space so Ben managed to build one for approx £700 saving us at least £1,000 and it's much better quality.

"I also love the reclaimed brick patio - an alternative to usual slabs. We got these second hand and laid them ourselves and it has added much more character to a once boggy corner of the garden."