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New house, blank garden

We had to move recently and we have moved to a house with a much smaller garden than we had previously. I'm currently unsure where to start with planning it all! We have three chickens and they are semi free range at the moment (locked away whilst we are out). I want to be able to plant veg and fruit and my son wants a wildlife pond. The garden was half grass and half stones/paving slabs. The lawned area has been turned over by the chickens - I move their run once a week, they destroy it, I move it again, it grows back in the time it has been moved!

I just feel a bit overwhelmed at how much we want to do/need to do and don't know where to start. Although got my priorities and got my compost pile going straight away!

Would really appreciate some tips on where to start with it all image

Posts

  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    Hi Minosgardener, you are obviously an experienced gardener if you have moved from a garden.

    we have been in your position, we rotavated, mulched and planted some bulbs so there was something in the Spring but we took the winter to plan, check wind directions, light etc.  watch for the coldest spots then made a list of plants that would look after themselves.  

    There were lots of mistakes but I am glad we didn't rush at it.  Take your time and enjoy all the catalogues during the winter nights. Good luck!

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • Good point! Thank you. I guess I am trying to rush things because I miss our garden and no fruit and veg this year. You have genuinely hit the nail on the head image I think I'll get some bulbs in at least and then take my time this winter with it.

  • Good advice above. You may have some nice surprises come spring in the form of snowdrops, crocus etc I'd check out your soil ph, have a good look around the area and see what other people have planted and what is doing well.

    Lay an old hose pipe on the ground where you think you may like your pond and see what light/shade it gets - if its too awkward a site - too close/too far away from house etc.

    Cut out pics from magazines of what you think you'd like over the winter and do all  your research - encourage wildlife by feeding the birds, hedgehogs etc to see what's in the area and keep a list of all you see. My wildlife list continues to grow having been in my house 19 years - I still get surprises!!

  • There won't be any pleasant surprises - the garden wasn't a place of life sadly image

    I had to dump a load of ivy and moss in the corner of the garden as there was too much to go straight into the compost pile and we had a hedgehog move in fairly quickly! I'm unsure if he is still there now as there isn't regular poo in the garden from him.

    Could you explain the old hose pipe idea a bit more, I don't quite understand why? Thank you image

  • https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=hose+pipe+for+pond+shape&espv=2&biw=1415&bih=790&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=k3hPVObQKKit7Aav-IHAAg&ved=0CD8QsAQ

    By laying the hose pipe on the ground you learn which shape would work, wouldn't work - can you walk around it easily, does its position means all the leaves from a nearby tree are going to foul it etc - check it out before you dig...

  • Ahhh - so obvious when I see a picture and understand what you mean image Fab idea thank you.

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