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Field to garden
lornalowden75828
Posts: 3
I have recently purchased a property which used to be part of a farm and has a field at the back which has now got garden status. I would like to turn it more into a garden but feel overwhelmed with the size where to start. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
2
Posts
https://ngs.org.uk/starting-a-garden-from-scratch/
Personally, I think one of the first things you need to do is think about where you would want paths. Walk the field and watch where you naturally walk to get around the plot. Note where the prevailing wind and rain come from. One of my first investments was having an 8ft slatted fence erected along my northern boundary which has been invaluable in protecting my garden from freezing winds, I was amazed when I walked down the garden on a windy day, to feel the difference the fence made. The fence is alternate slats on each side to filter rather than block the wind.
With the area you have, plant windbreaks would make sense but take longer to establish. What an exciting project to begin, hopefully an enjoyable but probably tiring experience.
Keep us up to date.
Fire's post is great with some brilliant examples - I'd bet all the information you need is contained within.
Dan Pearsons garden at Hillside is a gem...Couldn't be more the opposite of Montys, who's basically copied Sissinghurst (excluding Delos garden of course!) Two very different approaches.
In the meantime get to know the characteristics of your land and location such as soil type, exposure to weather etc and what sort of plants would suit your new garden and your own taste. This will help you decide on a larger plan, making sure to preserve that fantastic view! In the meantime the rest of the area can be used as playground for your children and any pets they may have or want!
Then next winter start with things like hedges or fences, and an area close to your house where you will sit outside, then work your way out. Letting some of it just go wild is option if you don't have time to manage all of it. I've had to do that with large parts of mine and, although it wasn't the original plan, it's turned out to be a lot less overwhelming and the wildlife is loving the long grass and wild flowers
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I sowed seeds and took cuttings also bought a pack of perennial plugs cheap the year before so I had small plants ready to go in and just took it steady, making a new bed each year.
You're in a good position soil wise, probably like ours, if you look at other local gardens you’ll see what grows best, blue hydrangeas, camelias, magnolias, one think, don’t try to change your soil to suit the plants, find the plants to suit the soil.
Ours is only about three quarter acre, yours looks a bit bigger, but take it steady, concentrate on one bit at a time.
You’re young, you’ve got time to do it , I’m getting rid of some of the beds now and grassing them over, getting too old to manage it.