Thats a really good idea thank you, id definitely rather see the camellias go to a new home rather than chop it down. the old summer house (not useable or safe) could be an option to store the waste in for now? Could be useful for wildlife also? Oh no I definitely wont be using a chainsaw myself, i hardly trust myself with a strimmer haha! My uncle is a dab hand and helped cut a load down at the front so would be asking him again haha. the main reason i am thinking of using a mini digger is because there seems to be so much hidden under the soil and theres alot of hard structures, i found a barn door under the soil while digging last year, the stone wall surrounding the raised bedding area has seen better days and is a bit of an eye sore. My neighbor has just got all their garden laid to lawn and her children spend hours just being able to play in a safe area which is somthing we really need. I reall want to make the space my own, i have so many ideas and where its so big its a very special space that currently the planting just does not appeal to me at all, its all very harsh (hardly any flowers) and dark, with it being south facing it could be very special. I remember when we viewed it saying ‘its so big i could have a white garden in that part’.
Apart from the ebay option, you could try and find someone more locally who'd be interested via other sites like Next Door, Freecycle, Freegle etc.
There might also be local gardening groups, or community gardens with volunteers who might be willing to help or at least might have contacts to put you in touch with people who might be interested.
And I'd agree with other people to urge caution, and make sure you're sure, before doing anything drastic. And do one thing at a time, not big over-ambitious plans that you end up wishing you'd never started. Especially as you say your vision keeps changing.
I agree with Redwing - think very carefully before drastic action, especially as you did fall in love with the 'secret garden' feel. As long as the garden is secure with nothing dangerous in it (glass/anything heavy that could fall etc.) the kids would love playing in a "wilder" garden especially as they get older as long as there is a clearer area for their garden toys. Like many of us they don't like to feel 'watched' all the time. I remember my son, after I'd cut down a branch, being very upset that I'd ruining his secret area.
My school had an area to play in known as 'the field' but it was really a long abandoned garden of a Victorian house , demolished years earlier. It had overgrown shrubberies and low walls and tree-hidden corners. It was paradise for little girls. We made dens, had adventures, fantastic. Children love a wild garden.
Everything seems to be very hardy and has grown back since last year when i cut it down to the stumps... the problem i have with hidden spaces in the garden now is i know a fox has set up home down the end of the garden, next door also has a german Shephard (seems lovely has an obvious problem with its hips but still its a german Shephard), the fencing towards the back is not secure at all and one panel is actually trellis haha. I love the idea of them having a space that feels like a hidden forrest which is why i want to keep the huge pine tree and conifer thats at the back. They cant escape anywhere dangerous its just next door’s dog that worrys me. I’m really not one for trends to be honest, im a very novice gardener I see things that I like and try to plan how to apply it to my space. I always loved the idea of a cottage garden and a really traditional garden but i saw a garden recently that is very tropical with a big decked area, sunken hot tub, bar etc and have fallen in love with that ‘feel’, as the garden is so big i feel i can create zones to encorperate the two vibes? I actually don’t know any of the names of the shrubs but I will look it up over the weekend. i know we have 2 camelia but they look different to each other, one has really green leaves that are wide, the other has darker leaves and seems less shapely. one of the ones ive not been able to get rid of is like a huge box of dark green leaves... its massive like a huge cube! Its horriblE.
Heavens! I think you would be best to settle down to drawing up a list of all the things that matter to you and getting them into some sort of order. Then you should make an honest assessment of how much time and money you want to invest: a cottage garden often has a relaxed and almost accidental look but is actually quite work intensive. Growing tropical style plants in England is a labour of love, you won't have much time for the hot tub.
For me, good boundaries are a first priority, Alsation or not. It is difficult to replace fencing once everything is planted up, too. If you are a novice it might be best to start with modest plans and build up, rather than biting off more than you can chew. Perhaps you should focus on one area and learn from that before moving on to another? The most important thing is that you and your family enjoy the garden but it is clear that you have much to learn at the moment. My mum used to sat, "Make haste slowly" and she had a point.
If you have any doubts or queries you can always post photos on this site and get advice - possibly conflicting(!), but it could help.
I know how you feel about trying to sort it out and just dumping it at the bottom of the garden, but my advice ( ) would be to concentrate on the most important area to you, i.e. where the children play and you can keep an eye on them, clear that and get rid of the rubbish. Otherwise you might find you feel overwhelmed trying to do a whole lot in one go.
Posts
Thats a really good idea thank you, id definitely rather see the camellias go to a new home rather than chop it down. the old summer house (not useable or safe) could be an option to store the waste in for now? Could be useful for wildlife also? Oh no I definitely wont be using a chainsaw myself, i hardly trust myself with a strimmer haha! My uncle is a dab hand and helped cut a load down at the front so would be asking him again haha. the main reason i am thinking of using a mini digger is because there seems to be so much hidden under the soil and theres alot of hard structures, i found a barn door under the soil while digging last year, the stone wall surrounding the raised bedding area has seen better days and is a bit of an eye sore. My neighbor has just got all their garden laid to lawn and her children spend hours just being able to play in a safe area which is somthing we really need. I reall want to make the space my own, i have so many ideas and where its so big its a very special space that currently the planting just does not appeal to me at all, its all very harsh (hardly any flowers) and dark, with it being south facing it could be very special. I remember when we viewed it saying ‘its so big i could have a white garden in that part’.
Apart from the ebay option, you could try and find someone more locally who'd be interested via other sites like Next Door, Freecycle, Freegle etc.
There might also be local gardening groups, or community gardens with volunteers who might be willing to help or at least might have contacts to put you in touch with people who might be interested.
And I'd agree with other people to urge caution, and make sure you're sure, before doing anything drastic. And do one thing at a time, not big over-ambitious plans that you end up wishing you'd never started. Especially as you say your vision keeps changing.
I agree with Redwing - think very carefully before drastic action, especially as you did fall in love with the 'secret garden' feel. As long as the garden is secure with nothing dangerous in it (glass/anything heavy that could fall etc.) the kids would love playing in a "wilder" garden especially as they get older as long as there is a clearer area for their garden toys. Like many of us they don't like to feel 'watched' all the time. I remember my son, after I'd cut down a branch, being very upset that I'd ruining his secret area.
My school had an area to play in known as 'the field' but it was really a long abandoned garden of a Victorian house , demolished years earlier. It had overgrown shrubberies and low walls and tree-hidden corners. It was paradise for little girls. We made dens, had adventures, fantastic. Children love a wild garden.
Everything seems to be very hardy and has grown back since last year when i cut it down to the stumps... the problem i have with hidden spaces in the garden now is i know a fox has set up home down the end of the garden, next door also has a german Shephard (seems lovely has an obvious problem with its hips but still its a german Shephard), the fencing towards the back is not secure at all and one panel is actually trellis haha. I love the idea of them having a space that feels like a hidden forrest which is why i want to keep the huge pine tree and conifer thats at the back. They cant escape anywhere dangerous its just next door’s dog that worrys me. I’m really not one for trends to be honest, im a very novice gardener I see things that I like and try to plan how to apply it to my space. I always loved the idea of a cottage garden and a really traditional garden but i saw a garden recently that is very tropical with a big decked area, sunken hot tub, bar etc and have fallen in love with that ‘feel’, as the garden is so big i feel i can create zones to encorperate the two vibes? I actually don’t know any of the names of the shrubs but I will look it up over the weekend. i know we have 2 camelia but they look different to each other, one has really green leaves that are wide, the other has darker leaves and seems less shapely. one of the ones ive not been able to get rid of is like a huge box of dark green leaves... its massive like a huge cube! Its horriblE.
Heavens! I think you would be best to settle down to drawing up a list of all the things that matter to you and getting them into some sort of order. Then you should make an honest assessment of how much time and money you want to invest: a cottage garden often has a relaxed and almost accidental look but is actually quite work intensive. Growing tropical style plants in England is a labour of love, you won't have much time for the hot tub.
For me, good boundaries are a first priority, Alsation or not. It is difficult to replace fencing once everything is planted up, too. If you are a novice it might be best to start with modest plans and build up, rather than biting off more than you can chew. Perhaps you should focus on one area and learn from that before moving on to another? The most important thing is that you and your family enjoy the garden but it is clear that you have much to learn at the moment. My mum used to sat, "Make haste slowly" and she had a point.
If you have any doubts or queries you can always post photos on this site and get advice - possibly conflicting(!), but it could help.
I know how you feel about trying to sort it out and just dumping it at the bottom of the garden, but my advice (
) would be to concentrate on the most important area to you, i.e. where the children play and you can keep an eye on them, clear that and get rid of the rubbish. Otherwise you might find you feel overwhelmed trying to do a whole lot in one go.