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My Blank Canvas

One thing I'm having to learn this year is patience.  With horticultural hormones at rocket levels I am chomping at the bit to start on our new garden.  It's like waiting for Christmas when it's only January.

Gardeners World and Amateur Gardening magazines arrive on the doorstop and are devoured and Amazon's profits are at rocket levels with the gardening books ordered. Gardens are visited and ideas stored to memory.  However, the monstrous asbestos garage has to be removed and an extension built.

It's a blank canvas now but this blank space is our future paradise.


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  • Pauline 7Pauline 7 Posts: 2,246
    Keep us updated with photos please,  we are a curious lot. ......well I am anyway. 
    West Yorkshire
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    So am I, when my slow Internet lets me see them! But I can see your photo, exciting prospect, good luck.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • First thing I would do is get rid of the grass.  But that's just me.  I hate lawns.
    I wish I was a glow worm
    A glow worm's never glum
    Cos how can you be grumpy
    When the sun shines out your bum!
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I like lawns, they set off the flower beds. I like green, restful.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • I just prefer the different greens of different plants.  Plus lawns aren't great for wildlife.  I prefer a more 'cottage garden' look.
    I wish I was a glow worm
    A glow worm's never glum
    Cos how can you be grumpy
    When the sun shines out your bum!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I like a lawn too, but it depends on the conditions as to whether it's suitable for the space. Lots of shade makes them difficult to maintain as a 'good' lawn, but you can always let them be a mossy space with daisies etc. I did that in a former garden.

    It depends on what the OP needs from the space. Have you got a list of requirements Kerweey? It's often easier to decide on what you don't need or want. Washing lines, swings/slides for children, storage, space for dogs running around,  are the things many people need, so rule out what you don't need, and then do a rough sketch of what you do need.
    Then it's a case of tailoring the garden round that.  Space for growing fruit and veg, shrub/trees for year round interest, colour with perennials and climbers, a pond,  ornamental borders etc.  Once you get to that point, we can help with suggestions,if you need it.  If not, crack on and show us the progress :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    Patience pills are in short supply. Horticultural hormones there is no easy fix either. I find a glass or two of something you like helps ease the condition. :D
    You are probably going to need something while having an extension built too.

    Do you do any plans with a computer? If you are good with computer stuff I am sure you will do it on that.
    But if you have trouble, what about a loose leaf ring binder or file  or a box, so you can put all your ideas in. I do that so if I have an idea or something I need to check or don't want to forget I can write it down quickly and stuff it in there. Rough plans.
    And garden magazines if you find only a page or two of interest, or an article you can remove it/ keep it.
    Mine is a right mess but keeps all the ideas and scraps together, and easy to throw notes away when you have changed your mind or done with them.
    I keep meaning to organize mine better, but at least I can find most gardening things quickly.

    Nosey here too, so look forward to seeing your progress.
  • KerweeyKerweey Posts: 16
    Thank you so much for your kind comments in inspirational ideas.

    I will definitely have a lawn.  The rear of the garden will be the location of the shed, greenhouse and a small compost heap.  Next section will be my raised vegetable beds leading through a gate to the lawn and flower boards and a large patio at the back of the house.

    We are just waiting for the extension to be finished - currently waiting for bi-fold doors which seem to be taking forever!   Patience is a skill I am learning fast!

    While we wait for the extension to be finished, we are in the process of moving the shed and ordering the greenhouse, compost bin, and sleepers for the raised beds and, not forgetting supports for the espalier fruit trees, which we are going to use a a boundary feature.  

    You will see in the photos a large evergreen tree which I can't decide whether to have removed or not.  It's so large and probably will take a lot of moisture from the ground.  It doesn't adversely affect the amount of sun in the garden but I just hate the thought of removing something which is growing healthily.  It does, however, take up quite a large area of the garden.  I would welcome your thoughts?

    Here are some progress photos.  Although we have now moved the shed towards the rear of the garden temporarily.

  • Great to see the progress. If your reluctant to get rid of the tree you could raise the crown (cut away the bottom branches) this would enable you to use the underneath. Good luck with all your plans.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’m afraid I disagree and I wouldn’t remove the lower branches of that conifer ... it would ruin its shape ... at thd moment if forms a great focal point in the distance.
    Also conifers usually have a lot of roots near the surface ... removing branches doesn’t get rid of those ... growing anything successfully under conifers is usually doomed to disappointment. 
    Evergreens provide a lot of winter shelter for small birds in harsh weather so if you have room for one or two in the garden they can earn the space they occupy. 
    But it’s your garden ... if you decide it’s taking up too much room then get rid of it totally and grind out the stump. That’s the only way to get useable space. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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