I would advise going to the garden centre on a regular basis- jot down names of what is in bloom & when, then when you buy your colour is spread over a period of time rather than one month crazy & the rest a bit boring. Also if they have a sale or a bargain area you've a better idea of what is a bargain... Enjoy painting your canvas...
@robertharbinson I agree it is easy to have a lovely garden in May. Getting a garden to look good in the winter is a challenge for many gardeners. A strong skeletal shape throughout is important.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I've really loved reading all these posts and seeing the progress you've made on your garden @newprojectgarden
I'm also on a journey with my first garden and seeing the work you've done has been inspirational. Before we moved into our house in September last year I had a packed balcony garden in a rented flat, so getting to create my own garden from a blank canvas of just grass has been very exciting (if overwhelming at times).
It'd be great to see one bumper post with all the pics in from your starting point to now! Like the ultimate before and after.
@newprojectgarden I think if you continue with the deep curves you will be successful. I would be a little careful working in frosty conditions you can do long term damage to both a lawn and your soil structure. You obviously love your plants and I agree it would be good to make the border bigger, even much bigger. Then you will have an area of interest that cannot be seen from the house once the plants mature. As time goes on I do think you will be increasing your plant collection ,as you are obviously a very keen gardener. I would keep that in mind too. Your garden will certainly be moving on to the next level and there is nothing more rewarding than being able to say 'all my own work'. Just a thought is there an opportunity to plant nearer to the house that always works well I don't paint but it is somthing to do with the perspective? Light airy plants might work.
Hi, thanks for the comment, yes I'm planning on bringing the borders a bit closer to the house, I agree in regards to perspective, still playing around with the shape at the moment..but slowly getting there...
I would advise going to the garden centre on a regular basis- jot down names of what is in bloom & when, then when you buy your colour is spread over a period of time rather than one month crazy & the rest a bit boring. Also if they have a sale or a bargain area you've a better idea of what is a bargain... Enjoy painting your canvas...
I've really loved reading all these posts and seeing the progress you've made on your garden @newprojectgarden
I'm also on a journey with my first garden and seeing the work you've done has been inspirational. Before we moved into our house in September last year I had a packed balcony garden in a rented flat, so getting to create my own garden from a blank canvas of just grass has been very exciting (if overwhelming at times).
It'd be great to see one bumper post with all the pics in from your starting point to now! Like the ultimate before and after.
Thanks.! Yes that could be an idea. I have also started to make a timelapse video using the shots from my window, it's starting to come on now. Looking forward to sharing it once the patio and path are down
Well, it's been 3 years since I started this thread and 3 years next month since I started work on the garden.
I've been playing around with the design of the patio, and have started to dig out the path. Slow work on my own, having a 2 year old and work, but getting there...
I have a linemarker spray paint can and ill tie it to a piece of string to experiment with a circle for the area touching the lawn
Not sure If I'm being a bit naive thinking that it's going to be finished for spring...!
The sunken pit/seating area that I dug out at the back right.. has now been almost filled in.....It was a cheaper alternative than ordering a skip to get rid of soil plus....it was going to need some kind of retaining wall, and, well, I wasn't feeling it anymore. So I now have another area for planting..
My front garden is an awkward shape so a circle of block paving in the centre has worked well over the years. It will give a really strong shape. Sorry it is upside down, mature plants now soften the space.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
@Eustace Thankyou for taking time to turn it around. I only post the odd photo for that reason. @newprojectgarden No you won't be finished before spring your knowledge and interest will mean a new project is out there. You are obviously very busy but have you thought about sending a video to Gardener's World? I am sure they would love to see some really good garden design for their viewers to enjoy. Something they don't seem to have shown in the 'viewers gardens' videos. I am too far north to grow the tropical plants that you enjoy, my garden faces south and is hot in the summer. So I have opted for more grasses. The heuchera in the foreground had been happy until more recent years, it now grows elsewhere, in a more retentive soil. I have replaced it with Parahebe Perfoliata. I have made various subtle changes to this area mostly as a result of summers becoming increasingly dry.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Posts
Enjoy painting your canvas...
I'm also on a journey with my first garden and seeing the work you've done has been inspirational. Before we moved into our house in September last year I had a packed balcony garden in a rented flat, so getting to create my own garden from a blank canvas of just grass has been very exciting (if overwhelming at times).
It'd be great to see one bumper post with all the pics in from your starting point to now! Like the ultimate before and after.
Thanks, good tip..
Thanks.! Yes that could be an idea. I have also started to make a timelapse video using the shots from my window, it's starting to come on now. Looking forward to sharing it once the patio and path are down
I've been playing around with the design of the patio, and have started to dig out the path. Slow work on my own, having a 2 year old and work, but getting there...
I have a linemarker spray paint can and ill tie it to a piece of string to experiment with a circle for the area touching the lawn
Not sure If I'm being a bit naive thinking that it's going to be finished for spring...!
The sunken pit/seating area that I dug out at the back right.. has now been almost filled in.....It was a cheaper alternative than ordering a skip to get rid of soil
@newprojectgarden No you won't be finished before spring your knowledge and interest will mean a new project is out there. You are obviously very busy but have you thought about sending a video to Gardener's World? I am sure they would love to see some really good garden design for their viewers to enjoy. Something they don't seem to have shown in the 'viewers gardens' videos.
I am too far north to grow the tropical plants that you enjoy, my garden faces south and is hot in the summer. So I have opted for more grasses. The heuchera in the foreground had been happy until more recent years, it now grows elsewhere, in a more retentive soil. I have replaced it with Parahebe Perfoliata. I have made various subtle changes to this area mostly as a result of summers becoming increasingly dry.