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Where do I start...

bishop.cj87JIEEImBPbishop.cj87JIEEImBP Posts: 2
in Garden design
Hello everyone,

I am looking for advice on how to how to start from scratch on an abandoned garden please.

Over the years I have had some experience with gardening but they has mainly been to reinstate gardens that were already established.

This garden has been left for many years until I purchased it and I am struggling to 1) see a nice garden design so wondered if any good websites or apps to help or 2) where do I start? Do I just weed kill the entire area etc and what are the best methods/ products.

Thank you for looking and any advice is appreciated.

Chris


Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    more detail required otherwise you'll get folk telling you what THEY'D do if it was their garden. 
    Do you want it to be  a kids' playground, a full on fruit / veg production area, a total low maintenance chill out area. 
    It's a bit of a "how long is a bit of string" question I'm afraid. 


    Devon.
  • bishop.cj87JIEEImBPbishop.cj87JIEEImBP Posts: 2
    Good point! Well we have a young child so I would like a low maintenance chill out garden ideally. A mix of slabs and a grass section.

    My main problem is what to do with the actual grass. The ground is uneven, full of weeds and general mess? Suppose I am looking for advice on that (imagine it would be to just dig it up and start again..)


  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    More detail of your aspirations will help, Chris?  Veg?  Flowers?  Shrubs?  Pond?  You'll get lots of suggestions but, for me, I'd buy a roll of builders membrane (not too expensive) and cover the whole patch with it.  That will stifle any existing weed growth as spring begins to stimulate it.  As you formulate ideas on what you want, and where, each relevant part can be exposed for you to deal with it, while not being swamped with weeds.  The shadows suggest south is to the left of the plot, so the border to the right may be a good place to start as it'll be ideal for germinating seeds in the sun.  Your location might help, too.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    work out where the nicest place is sit, and aim to have the slabs there, 
    Give the grass a couple of cuts to see how it looks. I might not be as bad as you fear. 
    Kids tend not to worry if the grass they're playing on isn't a pristine bowling green
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Kids also wreck grass quite quickly, especially a small area like that, so it's rarely worth spending lots of time trying to make it look like the 19th green. 
    Grass will start growing well soon, or might be already if you're in a mild area, so at that point you can just give it a feed, cut it sensibly according to weather - ie don't scalp it, then use a weed and feed product a few weeks later. It works best if you do a feed only initially, as the weeds are in good growth for the weedkiller bit to work. I've done that in a couple of gardens after hearing Jim on Beechgrove recommend it many years ago. After a couple of years, the grass is pretty decent, and just gets cut regularly.
    Then just keep it tidy this year by cutting. If it's very uneven, you can add a bit of soil for the dips to level it out, and re seed, but it depends on whether you want to do that first, or leave it until later in the year. Any weed killing products you use can affect seed germination, or new growth though.  :)

    Other than that - yes, put your paving where it gets the sun most, according to your needs - ie  would you use it at night more, or during the day. You can always have two seating areas anyway.  Then sit out on it, with a cuppa or whatever you like, and decide where you would like some plants.
    The 'stuff' growing at the far end might not be up to much, so you may even want to take that out, and either create a new border there, or just leave it as grass for the time being until you decide what else you want  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited March 2023
    I will say what I think should be done with a garden @Hostafan1 No problem with that the poster then has the opportunity to filter out what they feel is unnecessary. There is always a practical need but it is also an opportunity for those new to gardening to be creative. We should all encourge that for many reasons.

    Yes it can be overwhelming when alot of information is given at once, especially if you are new to gardening. However put it in your book marks for future information is the best approach like I often do, always there to check back on at a later date.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • dangermousiedangermousie Posts: 356
    Grab the RHS garden design book, it's so nice to peruse over brekkie and is nice for beginners. It's more than enough to prevent future regrets! 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    As my dear late Mother would have said 
    " Act in haste: repent at leisure " 
    Take your time, decide what it is you want, then go for it. 
    Devon.
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