New Build Gardens
New estates are going up across the North East, and nearly every one comes with a garden that needs work before it is a pleasure to use. This series covers the practical side and shares real stories from people who have done it.
In the series
Readers' gardens
The most useful advice about new-build gardens comes from people who have just been through it. We are gathering real stories and photos from estates across the region: the state of the garden at handover, the first job you tackled, what surprised you and what you would do differently.
Selected stories will appear here as part of the series, credited the way you choose. We only publish photos when the sender has told us they took them or have permission to share them.
What we would love to hear about
- What the ground was like when you moved in, and what you found when you dug
- Drainage, slopes, wind or shade you had not expected
- The order you did things in, and what you would change
- Fences, sheds, patios and lawns: what worked and what did not
- Before and after photos, even rough phone pictures
Questions readers ask
Do you pay for stories?
No. Stories are shared to help other people starting out, and you can ask for yours to be taken down at any time.
Can I stay anonymous?
Yes. Choose how you want to be credited on the form, including no name at all. We never publish your email address or street.
Which areas count?
Any new-build home in the North East, from Northumberland to Teesside.
