title: The Secret to Stunning Gardens
author: August Home Publishing
description: Imagine transforming your bare backyard or a weedy corner into a gorgeous getaway. We can help you design and create the garden of your dreams with this book from the editors of Garden Gate magazine. 
  <br /> 
  <br /> Have you found yourself standing in your yard wondering where to start? Well, it all begins with some inspiration, a few sketches on paper and a little perspiration. 
  <br /> 
  <br /> On the following pages well lead you through the process of deciding whats most important. Is it a place to share with family and friends or a getaway just for you? Once you know the spaces you want and your style of garden, then all you need to do is use a few tips and techniques that the pros know to design a garden that youll never want to leave. When youre done reading and looking at all of the photos and illustrations in this book, youll have all the tools you need whether starting from scratch or adding on to your existing garden. 
  <br /> 
  <br /> Next Ill share an overview of the design tips youll experience on a larger scale throughout the rest of the book. 
  <br /> 
  <br /> Lets get started.
zlib_text: **Secret Gardens**
  
   _by David Belbin_
  
  Published in 2011 by Five Leaves Publications
  
  PO Box 8786, Nottingham NG1 9AW
  
  www.fiveleaves.co.uk
  
  © David Belbin, 2011
  
  Illustrations © Brick (John Stuart Clark, www.brickbats.co.uk)
  
  Cover photography © Duncan Walker, Renee Keith & Florea Marius Catalin
  
  Cover Design: www.cohortsbydesign.
  
  ISBN: 978-1-907869-38-9
  
  Five Leaves acknowledges financial support from Arts Council England
  
  Five Leaves is represented by Turnaround and distributed by Central Books
  
  Typeset and design: Four Sheets Design and Print
  
   _For Patience Thomson_  
  
    
  
  With thanks to Alf, Bali, Barry, Bea, John, Katie, Pippa, Reuben,
  Ross,Terry,Vicki and, as always, my gardener, Sue
  
   **A Note From the Author**
  
  Hungerhill Gardens in St Ann’s, Nottingham are the oldest public allotments in
  the world. Sue and I rented one of them for a few years. When we went there,
  it felt like entering a secret, magical world. Most of the time, I make stuff
  up. But in the story that follows