A new bed of young shrubs in bark mulch beside freshly laid turf at the front of a new-build house, with a landscaper and a tipper truck at the left

Gardener's SecretsUpdated 23 October 2026

Choosing plants for a new-build garden

New-build gardens usually start with poor, compacted subsoil and nothing else. Here's how we plan planting that takes hold.

A new-build back garden planted and turfed: spiky yuccas and red-leaved shrubs in dark mulch, a striped lawn and the brick house behind — A new-build back garden, planted and turfed.

Part 1

Why new-build soil is hard

Most new-build gardens share the same starting point: subsoil that's been compacted by construction traffic, with little or no topsoil, and boundaries that are only just going in. It's not the soil a plant would choose, and it changes what we recommend.

A new-build back garden with a mulched bed of yellow and green shrubs, a spiral topiary and a spiky yucca, turf behind and hedging along a close-boarded fence — Shrubs and topiary in a mulched bed, turf beyond.

Part 2

Tougher planting first

We start with tougher planting, such as hedging and shrubs that cope with poor drainage while the soil recovers. The fussier perennials go in once the beds have had a season to settle.

For a new garden, start with our trees and shrubs, then our perennials and bedding.

Freshly laid turf in the front garden of a new house beside a laurel hedge behind black railings, with a yellow dumper truck at the right — Fresh turf laid beside a laurel hedge.

Part 3

Turf goes down last

Turf goes down last, once beds and irrigation are in, so it isn't compacted again by follow-on trades walking across it.

Planning a new garden?

Tell us about the space and we'll come back with a quote.

Landscaping

Ask us at the nursery

196 Manchester Road, Rixton. Bring your questions about anything in the garden.

Winter hours, until April · Mon to Sat, 9:00am – 4:30pmSundays closed

Plan your visit Call 01925 821002