To test drainage soak a patch and see how quickly it drains away. If it stays you are on clay, but from the sound of it, its not. A soil test kit will give you the soil ph, which you can use as a guide for further planting. The Rhoddy doesnt seem to fit as it flowers normally in early spring. I would get a good gardening book and do some homework over the winter, there will be plenty to choose from, but go for something basic at first and progress from there.
Thanks fort he advice guys. It may seem very basic to you all but this is great information for someone like me. I didn't realise there was so much to gardening but excited to see what results i can achieve. This weeks job....PH Test !
Hi Gareth, a word of caution about the ph test. It may be worth shopping around for a reliable one. I did a test recently but the results were not at all reliable. I haven't come across anyone else having this problem but I have planted without knowing my soil ph fir many years and don't feel the need. Do your research about which plants grow in certain soil types, have a look what grows I surrounding gardens to get some further clues as well . Enjoy.
If sedum Autumn Joy is growing well then the soil's probably well draining so you'll have plenty of plants to choose from. If the lady wants all year round colour then you'll need a framework of evergreens. You mentioned a Rhodie so you could also have Pieris which has bunches of small creamy white flowers in spring followed by bright pinky/red new growth. They like a bit of shade same as the rhodo so that's one which would probably work for you. As Verd says, the soil sounds good and rich but wait and see what else is there in late winter/spring. There might be lots of bulbs waiting to erupt! If you can get pix on of different aspects of the plot you'll get lots of suggestions here from everyone.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
What I would do to get you started is go to Homebase or B&Q and but buy some winter pansies and viola's. I noticed they were quite resonable price last week. Buy some containers, plasitic will survive the frost and ice. Use a good multi-purpose compost, like 'Miracle-Gro'. You can then place them outside near a window for the lady to look at. Just keep them moist if the compost looks dry. To see if they do need watering, just stick your whole finger in the compost, if it feels damp no need to water.
When the flowers fade, you will see a little seed pod. Pick those off for continue flowering. You can keep those pods, dry them out and the seeds will burst out for sowing next time, but that's if you want to when you are up to speed.
Hope that helps for now, don't hesitate to get back to the forum. We are here to help
Posts
To test drainage soak a patch and see how quickly it drains away. If it stays you are on clay, but from the sound of it, its not. A soil test kit will give you the soil ph, which you can use as a guide for further planting. The Rhoddy doesnt seem to fit as it flowers normally in early spring. I would get a good gardening book and do some homework over the winter, there will be plenty to choose from, but go for something basic at first and progress from there.
If sedum Autumn Joy is growing well then the soil's probably well draining so you'll have plenty of plants to choose from. If the lady wants all year round colour then you'll need a framework of evergreens. You mentioned a Rhodie so you could also have Pieris which has bunches of small creamy white flowers in spring followed by bright pinky/red new growth. They like a bit of shade same as the rhodo so that's one which would probably work for you. As Verd says, the soil sounds good and rich but wait and see what else is there in late winter/spring. There might be lots of bulbs waiting to erupt! If you can get pix on of different aspects of the plot you'll get lots of suggestions here from everyone.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi Gareth
What I would do to get you started is go to Homebase or B&Q and but buy some winter pansies and viola's. I noticed they were quite resonable price last week. Buy some containers, plasitic will survive the frost and ice. Use a good multi-purpose compost, like 'Miracle-Gro'. You can then place them outside near a window for the lady to look at. Just keep them moist if the compost looks dry. To see if they do need watering, just stick your whole finger in the compost, if it feels damp no need to water.
When the flowers fade, you will see a little seed pod. Pick those off for continue flowering. You can keep those pods, dry them out and the seeds will burst out for sowing next time, but that's if you want to when you are up to speed.
Hope that helps for now, don't hesitate to get back to the forum. We are here to help