First, chopping back anything you don't want to keep.
Really really bad idea. I have seen so many nice gardens reduced to bare soil and all privacy and beauty gone as peope start hacking away and never stop.
Haha.. I suppose I am more of a 'blank canvas' sort of person.
There is that danger though, I agree, that some new gardeners take it too far too fast. I was suggesting that the OP chop back the half dead hedge they don't want and that tangle to the left that needs selectively cut back.
I have a friend also who recently moved into a longed for new house. She ripped out the lawn, whacked up an office and put in a hot tub. She the immediately realised the office was hugely hot for most of the year because it was south facing and all windows, the hot tub in the wrong place and the lawn would have been rather nice. She has also got in a great with mess with her neighbours because the shed has cast several gardens in shade. She didn't realise and has tried to apologise (whilst meeting her new neighbours) but it has gone very pear-shaped. I did advise her to wait and get to know the plot, but she was so desperate to get going on her first garden and trust her 'intuition' that she launched herself in before she put had put down the moving boxes. I suspect she will be trying to undo a lot of her initial mistakes for the next few years.
Wow, thanks for all the responses. Taking on board all the points I have a bit more confidence already...
Year 1 Will definitely start with fence repairs and clearing a dangerous rubbish mound ( hidden at back left corner). Will remove just 2 sets of plants initially - bamboo that's creating dead space in its vicinity ( and is serving no useful screening purpose) - and watch the rest develop.
ill then measure up and start some layout plans with the idea of segmenting spaces and coming up with a workable plan. Loved the link to the designer garden which has similarities in the 'before' to mine - and gave me hope! some great ideas for use of spaces - though I will probably be a bit less formal and more affordable. ( love the idea of a natural den for children, fruit and veg patches etc)
As was suggested, Will physically tackle the work in segments one by one according to my budget each year - and available time. A 5 year plan sounds manageable and will hold me back from starting too much that I can't finish - or being paralysed with choice. Good shout!
I started the suggested AT videos - brilliant as I really do need to go back to basics. Will be testing my soil this weekend so I can begin wider research and planning. And the plan for one day this weekend is to sit back and watch the sun's effect on each part of the plot. ( any excuse)
Sounds like a very good plan. Good luck with it. Remember to take your time, take photos and enjoy the process. Come back and ask questions as needed and let us know how you get on.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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There is that danger though, I agree, that some new gardeners take it too far too fast. I was suggesting that the OP chop back the half dead hedge they don't want and that tangle to the left that needs selectively cut back.
Year 1 Will definitely start with fence repairs and clearing a dangerous rubbish mound ( hidden at back left corner). Will remove just 2 sets of plants initially - bamboo that's creating dead space in its vicinity ( and is serving no useful screening purpose) - and watch the rest develop.
ill then measure up and start some layout plans with the idea of segmenting spaces and coming up with a workable plan. Loved the link to the designer garden which has similarities in the 'before' to mine - and gave me hope! some great ideas for use of spaces - though I will probably be a bit less formal and more affordable. ( love the idea of a natural den for children, fruit and veg patches etc)
As was suggested, Will physically tackle the work in segments one by one according to my budget each year - and available time. A 5 year plan sounds manageable and will hold me back from starting too much that I can't finish - or being paralysed with choice. Good shout!
I started the suggested AT videos - brilliant as I really do need to go back to basics. Will be testing my soil this weekend so I can begin wider research and planning. And the plan for one day this weekend is to sit back and watch the sun's effect on each part of the plot. ( any excuse)
thanks for all the comments.