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SOS Gardening Newbie...

neilbartlett77neilbartlett77 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hello everyone

I’m just looking for any help and advice on what to do with my front garden. It’s a lovely little space but I don’t really know what I’m doing or what would be the best plan of attack to make the best of it. 

Currently there is a lawn area with what I guess is supposed to be flower beds around it. Unfortunately the flower bed was just over grown weeds with the occasional rouge flower peeping out. I’ve used lawn protecting weed killer on the lawn and on the weeds, then after a week pulled weeds up and last night strimmed the flower beds and mowed the lawn. 

Just wondered how I could cultivate a lovely flower bed and make the best with what I have. Any help will be greatly appreciated!



Posts

  • AchtungAchtung Posts: 159
    Hi Neil, welcome. These borders are far too narrow to be of any consequence. I think I saw on this site someone saying that they should be a minimum of 1.5 metres and they don't need to be straight I'd start by drawing up a plan and redigging some new borders. HTH. 
  • neilbartlett77neilbartlett77 Posts: 2
    Hi Achtung, thanks for your advice! Yeah I'm a long way of 1.5 metres for a bed. Would there be an alternative to flower beds? maybe perhaps just extend the lawn out with grass?
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Welcome to the jungle, Neil.
    How much work do you want to do? If you want a front garden that looks after itself (and they never do.....) then you would be best advised to go for small to medium sized shrubs. Does the garden get a lot of sun during the day? The amount of light will have an influence on your choice of plants. And bear in mind Achtung's sound advice about border width.....you will have a small lawn which could look cute.

    If you want flowers, then experiment. Some plants will self seed like crazy and you will never have to plant them again.....just pull them up at the end of the season. My own plot is covered in nepeta and opium poppies at present, all self sown. If you get a couple of seed catalogues (Chiltern Seeds and Kings Seeds are good) you will find yourself in a wonderland of colour and possibility.

    Stroll around your neighbourhood and see what grows well in your neighbours' gardens as that will give you some idea what to grow in your own plot. Don't worry if you haven't a clue what the plants are called. Just post photos on this site and people will tell you the names.

    Take a stroll around the garden centre and see what catches your eye. If you are unsure if a plant is suitable for your soil type, ask the staff.

    And just have fun with it all.
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    Not sure if you want to have a flower bed or not?
    If you do I would incorporate the tree into the bed, if it is staying. It is only one but if you keep it, it is easier to have it in the bed than have to be careful of cutting round it with the strimmer or mower. It is so easy to damage tree trunks.
    Or keep a large circle of soil around the trunk to make it easier.

    Also don't have a bed by the driveway if you like cleaning your car and use it for other things.  Sorry not clear from the photo but,  unless you have a nice wide drive and can do things away from the edge, plants get damaged or you or others end up standing or treading in soil. At least with a lawn to the  edge it is not so bad.
    Having to be careful and avoid hitting plants is a pain. 

    Ignore the above paragraph if you have a lovely wide driveway :)
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Hello Neil :)  If (and l stress if !) you want flowerbeds, l would take it from the edge of the driveway by the wall, sweep it right round so that it incorporates the tree, and then along the fence. That would also complement the curve of the driveway l can see in your photo. 
    You can get shrubs to give you year round interest and hopefully attract wildlife, and plants to give colour and attract bees.
    That would leave you grass of a reasonable size. If you have too small a lawn, it's a pain getting the lawnmower out, but a real lawn is environmentally friendly and again, good for wildlife. 
    It's always nice to see a front garden that isn't just used for parking cars  :)
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