Your missing an amazing resource which is free. The wonderful Gardeners World website!! Post a description of the size, layout, aspect etc.. then add some pictures and describe what type of plants or colours you like. Do you want minimal maintenance or do you want to get more involved?
Youll be bre surprised at the knowledge base on here.
It is specifically the hard features I am concerned about, where an eating/seating area is going to go, where paths are going to be situated, gates etc. If I get these wrong it's hard to change. I am really enjoying learning about my garden and the plants in it though, finding out what thrives where and I've made mistakes but I'm learning!
I do almost feel like I'm cheating a bit by getting a professional in but I really don't want to make expensive mistakes.
You are not cheating. You have an awkward shaped garden, you are inexperienced and do not want to make mistakes. There is nothing wrong in getting advice. Even if you have to pay for it! You will still have fun doing the work, picking the plants etc etc. We cannot all afford to or want to, learn from our own mistakes. You will still have ample opportunities to come on here and ask for advice! Good luck!
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Of course you're not cheating - any more than you cheat when you get a builder in to point your chimney or a garage to repair your car brakes!
Get some recommendations, get some idea of price, look stuff up and get some ideas of what you want, maybe create a folder of magazine pictures etc so that you can tell your chosen designer what you want - and tell the designer what you can afford - the designer's job is to find out what you want and put it all together so that it works - he or she has (or should have) done a comprehensive training and gained qualifications and will help you to achieve a lovely garden without making too many expensive mistakes.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Totally agree about living with it for a year. As well as learning the sunniest/shadiest/driest/wettest areas you will also discover what is growing that is worth keeping and what horrors you need to tackle before replanting. It's pointless spending a lot of money on plants only to discover the area you planted them in is rife with ground elder. Having said that, I suggest a good gardening designer should do that anyway.
I was in the same position as you and went on a garden design course at West Dean. I left with the basic skills and an outline plan for my garden, along with the knowledge on how to do a planting plan etc. Possibly most importantly, I left with the desire to take my time and enjoy the process. A year on and I've had the patio done by professionals, have put in a few key trees and shrubs and pegged out string to confirm where I want my paths to be. I've just designed and planted out one bed and will work on the others in stages. I've also had a tree surgeon shape the trees which are a lot happier as a result.
One really good tip is to take photos of your garden every hour/half hour (on a sunny day) so you can see where the sun goes and which spots get sun/shade. I thought I could work it out but it wasn't as I'd thought, which really helps when planning for seating areas and plants.
I still have my moments of feeling slightly overwhelmed by it all but then I go back to my notebook and the basics I've taken on and work though it step by step again.
Posts
Your missing an amazing resource which is free. The wonderful Gardeners World website!! Post a description of the size, layout, aspect etc.. then add some pictures and describe what type of plants or colours you like. Do you want minimal maintenance or do you want to get more involved?
Youll be bre surprised at the knowledge base on here.
It's worth a punt as it will cost you nothing
It is specifically the hard features I am concerned about, where an eating/seating area is going to go, where paths are going to be situated, gates etc. If I get these wrong it's hard to change. I am really enjoying learning about my garden and the plants in it though, finding out what thrives where and I've made mistakes but I'm learning!
I do almost feel like I'm cheating a bit by getting a professional in but I really don't want to make expensive mistakes.
Wise words from everyone, thank you.
You are not cheating. You have an awkward shaped garden, you are inexperienced and do not want to make mistakes. There is nothing wrong in getting advice. Even if you have to pay for it! You will still have fun doing the work, picking the plants etc etc. We cannot all afford to or want to, learn from our own mistakes. You will still have ample opportunities to come on here and ask for advice! Good luck!
Of course you're not cheating - any more than you cheat when you get a builder in to point your chimney or a garage to repair your car brakes!
Get some recommendations, get some idea of price, look stuff up and get some ideas of what you want, maybe create a folder of magazine pictures etc so that you can tell your chosen designer what you want - and tell the designer what you can afford - the designer's job is to find out what you want and put it all together so that it works - he or she has (or should have) done a comprehensive training and gained qualifications and will help you to achieve a lovely garden without making too many expensive mistakes.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Totally agree about living with it for a year. As well as learning the sunniest/shadiest/driest/wettest areas you will also discover what is growing that is worth keeping and what horrors you need to tackle before replanting. It's pointless spending a lot of money on plants only to discover the area you planted them in is rife with ground elder. Having said that, I suggest a good gardening designer should do that anyway.
I was in the same position as you and went on a garden design course at West Dean. I left with the basic skills and an outline plan for my garden, along with the knowledge on how to do a planting plan etc. Possibly most importantly, I left with the desire to take my time and enjoy the process. A year on and I've had the patio done by professionals, have put in a few key trees and shrubs and pegged out string to confirm where I want my paths to be. I've just designed and planted out one bed and will work on the others in stages. I've also had a tree surgeon shape the trees which are a lot happier as a result.
One really good tip is to take photos of your garden every hour/half hour (on a sunny day) so you can see where the sun goes and which spots get sun/shade. I thought I could work it out but it wasn't as I'd thought, which really helps when planning for seating areas and plants.
I still have my moments of feeling slightly overwhelmed by it all but then I go back to my notebook and the basics I've taken on and work though it step by step again.
Take your time and enjoy. Good luck.