Thank you everyone for your advice and idea's. I've taken everything on board and working from there. I have decided on a cottage garden which means a lot of research. I will however be asking for advice as I go along so I will apologise now if I become to much of a pain.
We enjoy answering questions ... otherwise we wouldn’t be here ... so don’t apologise and don’t forget you’re very welcome to pop in to Hello Forkers to say hello and some inconsequential chat ... garden or non-garden related
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
You have a good blank canvas, no its not bad, when I got together with my second hubby, we moved into a place where the garden hadnt been touched for years, we couldnt even walk down it for 6 weeks, there was an air raid shelter, most of a car! has anyone asked does it face north,south,east,west, type of soil, buy tester cheap as chips, cottage no problem. You have the winter (and us!!) to plan, seeds, again nice and cheap.You dont need a lot of research, its probably the easiest type of garden you can have, nice and relaxed planting, no fancy structuring. I have 2 dogs and young grandkids, I dont feed or weed my lawn, its there to be played on.Could we ask about you, age group, kids, work?
Personally I don't get precious about lawns I just mow them weeds and all. I like the occasional daisy or dandelion! I don't think the lawn should be a worry or your top priority.
Here are some basic ideas.
If you were to give a lick of paint to the shed and even the fences this would avoid that drab and dingy look of old fences. Use a paint suitable for a rough coat (important) and a decent fence brush (cheap). There are some really great shades available. It's not so hard and only needs one coat and drys in an hour. Cuprinol is the best IMO: http://www.cuprinol.co.uk/garden_shades/index.jsp?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItdjsrcG33QIVop3tCh0diwBmEAAYASAAEgKIG_D_BwE
This alone and a well mowed lawn will be a great start. You could preetty up that shed with two tones. Try to clean up any messy bits too. If you have weeds between paving you cannot shift, use a weedkiller with glyphospate if you must. Clear away all clutter. bin old bricks, bits of wood etc. If you want flowers there are three types approaches (which can of course be mixed). Perennials are any type of flower that grows up every year, annuals grow once and generally die in winter (occasionally they might peep their heads up again too). Thirdly you could go for shrubs - there are many flowering shrubs. There is of course the possibility of fruit trees too. DIY stores are generally cheaper than garden centres. a few seed packs in spring can get a whole garden singing.
Square lawns are dull and regimentalise the garden. You could shape the lawn by digging curves into it. Sit down with a sheet of A4, sketch out what you fancy. The areas that you dig over can become flower beds or shrub borders.
There are three things that plants need, good soil, light and water. If you have shade, then make sure you get a shade tolerant plant for that situation. Ask here. Good soil. When you dig over a flower patch, make sure you incorporate lots of manure or compost. These can be bought in large bags. Lots of beginner gardeners skip this step and just plant, its a big mistake, it leads to feeble flowers that wilt and die. If you want really cheap you can get horse rotted manure from a local farmer - this is not smelly, but it does take a bit of arranging and elbow grease. Buy it in nice clean sacks from your garden centre. Where you can't use organic materials you can use pellet fertilisers which are almost as good. A tub of Growmore (about £12) will last a season or two and chucking it over any flower bed will liven it up no end.
That hosepipe is useful, but lying in a heap is an eyesore. Having had many hosepipes i would suggest a Hoselock wall mounted one that recoils back, these are a bit pricy but this is the time of year to look out for big discounts. You can also get the concertina type which are light and pack away easily - but be warned that if they leak the leak explodes and renders the hose useless. They leak easily too. Don't ever tred on them. They are cheap. Third alternative would be a large hook to hang your present hose on, on the wall - these are cheap too.
Regarding the Fence and sheds you could run all sorts of climbers over them. Just nail a strong netting to the fence, plant, water and wait. It's that simple. You could have a clematis, a grape vine, a passion flower (my favourite and can be grown from seed with edible fruits), or a jasmine - so many choices!
As for the Patio it's seen better days (like mine). You have basically two options - redo it, or pretty it up. Presuming the first option is out because it is too expensive, give it a good clean and then get a small table and chair(s) as you need, a few large pots (ready for the summer) and place them strategically. Remember, one needs room to pull the chairs out and walk around the table as well. Now is the ideal time to buy as all the DIY stores are getting rid of them real cheap as the Xmas stock arrives. Often you can get half price or even less. This also applies to lawnmowers and other garden tools
Lastly I would mention bulbs. Apart from the ubiquitous daffodils there are so many other types beyond even tulips nad bluebells. Have you heard of Frittilia for example or Dog tooth violets? Check out Parkers or Thompson and Morgan for these. They are all easy to grow, dig a hole stick it in - viola!
As for planting a boarder with flowers, plant the tall stuff at the back and the smaller in front. Many flowers can be grow in seed (both annual and perennials). To take a packet of delphinium seed or marigold (both easy) in the spring, and nurse them through to flower, is a great joy and really not hard.
We are all envious of you here, you have a blank canvas and can design so many delightful gardens from where you are. Don't get daunted, no need to do it all in one go! Now is a great time to start on setting out the foundations ready for planting. You will find it such a rewarding thing to do.
This alone and a well mowed lawn will be a great start. Try to clean up any messy bits too. If you have weeds between paving you can shift, use a weedkiller with glyphospate if you must. If you want flowers there are three tpes approaches. Perennials are any type of flower that grwos up every year, annuals grow once and generally die in winter (occasionally they might peep their heads up again too). Thirdly you could go for shrubs - there are many flowering shrubs.
Square lawns are dull and sentimentalise the garden. You could shape the lawn by digging curves into it. Sit down with a sheet of A4, sketch out what you fancy. The areas that you dig over can become flower beds or shrub borders.
There are three things that plants need, good soil, light and water. If you have shade, then make sure you get a shade tolerant plant for that situation. Ask here.
I'm also someone not too fussed about a few weeds in the lawn! Especially clover, the bees love it and it looks beautiful.
Planning some more borders to break up the edges of the lawn is a good idea. I moved into a blank garden, just grass and patio, before Christmas and did that as soon as I could. I also ordered a load of shrubs from Thompson & Morgan, they have lots of choice and some good deals, and great customer service, refunding or replacing the few things that didn't take. You could plant a couple now to get established before winter if there are some types you know you want, otherwise take the time to do some research over winter so you can get going in spring.
In the meantime, definitely plant some bulbs! Even if you just buy a pack of daffodils from the garden centre, it'll give you some lovely colour next year.
Posts
and don’t forget you’re very welcome to pop in to Hello Forkers to say hello and some inconsequential chat ... garden or non-garden related
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I've done a YouTube video. Hopefully it might give you some ideas.
https://youtu.be/57PCLet7UIY
Here are some basic ideas.
If you were to give a lick of paint to the shed and even the fences this would avoid that drab and dingy look of old fences. Use a paint suitable for a rough coat (important) and a decent fence brush (cheap). There are some really great shades available. It's not so hard and only needs one coat and drys in an hour. Cuprinol is the best IMO:
http://www.cuprinol.co.uk/garden_shades/index.jsp?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItdjsrcG33QIVop3tCh0diwBmEAAYASAAEgKIG_D_BwE
This alone and a well mowed lawn will be a great start. You could preetty up that shed with two tones.
Try to clean up any messy bits too. If you have weeds between paving you cannot shift, use a weedkiller with glyphospate if you must. Clear away all clutter. bin old bricks, bits of wood etc.
If you want flowers there are three types approaches (which can of course be mixed). Perennials are any type of flower that grows up every year, annuals grow once and generally die in winter (occasionally they might peep their heads up again too). Thirdly you could go for shrubs - there are many flowering shrubs. There is of course the possibility of fruit trees too. DIY stores are generally cheaper than garden centres. a few seed packs in spring can get a whole garden singing.
Square lawns are dull and regimentalise the garden. You could shape the lawn by digging curves into it. Sit down with a sheet of A4, sketch out what you fancy. The areas that you dig over can become flower beds or shrub borders.
There are three things that plants need, good soil, light and water. If you have shade, then make sure you get a shade tolerant plant for that situation. Ask here.
Good soil. When you dig over a flower patch, make sure you incorporate lots of manure or compost. These can be bought in large bags. Lots of beginner gardeners skip this step and just plant, its a big mistake, it leads to feeble flowers that wilt and die. If you want really cheap you can get horse rotted manure from a local farmer - this is not smelly, but it does take a bit of arranging and elbow grease. Buy it in nice clean sacks from your garden centre.
Where you can't use organic materials you can use pellet fertilisers which are almost as good. A tub of Growmore (about £12) will last a season or two and chucking it over any flower bed will liven it up no end.
That hosepipe is useful, but lying in a heap is an eyesore. Having had many hosepipes i would suggest a Hoselock wall mounted one that recoils back, these are a bit pricy but this is the time of year to look out for big discounts. You can also get the concertina type which are light and pack away easily - but be warned that if they leak the leak explodes and renders the hose useless. They leak easily too. Don't ever tred on them. They are cheap. Third alternative would be a large hook to hang your present hose on, on the wall - these are cheap too.
Regarding the Fence and sheds you could run all sorts of climbers over them. Just nail a strong netting to the fence, plant, water and wait. It's that simple. You could have a clematis, a grape vine, a passion flower (my favourite and can be grown from seed with edible fruits), or a jasmine - so many choices!
As for the Patio it's seen better days (like mine). You have basically two options - redo it, or pretty it up. Presuming the first option is out because it is too expensive, give it a good clean and then get a small table and chair(s) as you need, a few large pots (ready for the summer) and place them strategically. Remember, one needs room to pull the chairs out and walk around the table as well.
Now is the ideal time to buy as all the DIY stores are getting rid of them real cheap as the Xmas stock arrives. Often you can get half price or even less. This also applies to lawnmowers and other garden tools
Lastly I would mention bulbs. Apart from the ubiquitous daffodils there are so many other types beyond even tulips nad bluebells. Have you heard of Frittilia for example or Dog tooth violets? Check out Parkers or Thompson and Morgan for these. They are all easy to grow, dig a hole stick it in - viola!
As for planting a boarder with flowers, plant the tall stuff at the back and the smaller in front. Many flowers can be grow in seed (both annual and perennials). To take a packet of delphinium seed or marigold (both easy) in the spring, and nurse them through to flower, is a great joy and really not hard.
https://www.secretgardeningclub.co.uk/products/1-x-delphinium-pacific-hybrids-mixed-9cm-pot?variant=36034223876&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjKGj88e33QIVw7TtCh2x1Q4sEAQYAiABEgL2xvD_BwE
We are all envious of you here, you have a blank canvas and can design so many delightful gardens from where you are. Don't get daunted, no need to do it all in one go! Now is a great time to start on setting out the foundations ready for planting. You will find it such a rewarding thing to do.
Hope this inspires you, you lucky person you!
Here are some basic ideas.
If you were to give a lick of paint to the shed and even the fences this would avoid that drab look of old fences. Use a paint suitable for a rough coat and a decent fence brush (cheap). It's not so hard and only needs one coat. Cuprinol is the best IMO:
http://www.cuprinol.co.uk/garden_shades/index.jsp?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItdjsrcG33QIVop3tCh0diwBmEAAYASAAEgKIG_D_BwE
This alone and a well mowed lawn will be a great start. Try to clean up any messy bits too. If you have weeds between paving you can shift, use a weedkiller with glyphospate if you must.
If you want flowers there are three tpes approaches. Perennials are any type of flower that grwos up every year, annuals grow once and generally die in winter (occasionally they might peep their heads up again too). Thirdly you could go for shrubs - there are many flowering shrubs.
Square lawns are dull and sentimentalise the garden. You could shape the lawn by digging curves into it. Sit down with a sheet of A4, sketch out what you fancy. The areas that you dig over can become flower beds or shrub borders.
There are three things that plants need, good soil, light and water. If you have shade, then make sure you get a shade tolerant plant for that situation. Ask here.
Planning some more borders to break up the edges of the lawn is a good idea. I moved into a blank garden, just grass and patio, before Christmas and did that as soon as I could. I also ordered a load of shrubs from Thompson & Morgan, they have lots of choice and some good deals, and great customer service, refunding or replacing the few things that didn't take. You could plant a couple now to get established before winter if there are some types you know you want, otherwise take the time to do some research over winter so you can get going in spring.
In the meantime, definitely plant some bulbs! Even if you just buy a pack of daffodils from the garden centre, it'll give you some lovely colour next year.