Lots of scope to go wild there, give it some careful thought and planing, look in books for designs, and which plants grow to which height etc. Looking forward to seeing this progressing.
Which county are you in?
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
If you have children I'd make sure you take that into account when you plan various areas as you'll want a space that has some robust shrubs and planting for a while
Tackle the main things first - you're doing a great job getting the fence done and laying some turf. Keep things tidy for now and once the dust settles you can decide on what you want to achieve. Looking at magazines, books, internet and tv programmes will give you lots of ideas but decide what you like and dislike before spending too much money! Getting the soil in good order is always a good start - the manure in bags is a great way to get it healthy.
Loads of helpful people here who will offer advice as you go along.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
go to a charity shop and see if they have any gardening books! I have a big collection, and some of the really old ones that are very cheap have some great advice.
I have an addiction to these, especially as where I go there is a 50p book barn!!
I think as you start to garden, it will become your own . an old chap in my village always used to say its the soil that counts "do you compost me duck?" he used to say.
Thanks very much for your advise. I have done a LOT of clearing and lots of pruning back, trying to work out what things are as I go along. It seems from what you say that while I'm doing some learning and planning I can be doing the most I can to improve the soil. It is so hard it's very tiring to do much with. Even once turned over it seems to "set" again quickly! The few things I have planted I've kind of lined the hole with compost first and mixed some leftover compost in in the worst patches! I'll definately invest in some manure!
Just a pointer, I recently found out (from a local old boy that grows plants and whatnot to sell from home) that the local waste sites offer a free soil improver.
Not the tip / dump places but the place they tale that stuff to ( if that makes sense) I've had around 3 tonnes of the stuff and it hasn't cost me a penny!
Not sure how viable it is but if you can get a pick axe or a mattock and bash the soil with that first, it might make It easier to fork over.
I'm in the same boat as you, garden was obviously loved by the previous old boy, he got poorly and the garden paid the price. We've been here 3 months now and I'm kind of addicted to getting out there and doing stuff. It never seems to end and always looks worse before it looks better.
Posts
Lots of scope to go wild there, give it some careful thought and planing, look in books for designs, and which plants grow to which height etc. Looking forward to seeing this progressing.
Which county are you in?
Welcome Kirstin - what a great project for you
If you have children I'd make sure you take that into account when you plan various areas as you'll want a space that has some robust shrubs and planting for a while
Tackle the main things first - you're doing a great job getting the fence done and laying some turf. Keep things tidy for now and once the dust settles you can decide on what you want to achieve. Looking at magazines, books, internet and tv programmes will give you lots of ideas but decide what you like and dislike before spending too much money! Getting the soil in good order is always a good start - the manure in bags is a great way to get it healthy.
Loads of helpful people here who will offer advice as you go along.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
go to a charity shop and see if they have any gardening books! I have a big collection, and some of the really old ones that are very cheap have some great advice.
I have an addiction to these, especially as where I go there is a 50p book barn!!
I think as you start to garden, it will become your own . an old chap in my village always used to say its the soil that counts "do you compost me duck?" he used to say.
yes I still do.
Thanks very much for your advise. I have done a LOT of clearing and lots of pruning back, trying to work out what things are as I go along. It seems from what you say that while I'm doing some learning and planning I can be doing the most I can to improve the soil. It is so hard it's very tiring to do much with. Even once turned over it seems to "set" again quickly! The few things I have planted I've kind of lined the hole with compost first and mixed some leftover compost in in the worst patches! I'll definately invest in some manure!
great idea to look at charity shops for books.
I've bumped the thread up for you GGrass - should be on the first page of latest posts
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have heavy clay soil. Do most digging and weeding after rain. It's much more manageable then.
Not the tip / dump places but the place they tale that stuff to ( if that makes sense) I've had around 3 tonnes of the stuff and it hasn't cost me a penny!
Not sure how viable it is but if you can get a pick axe or a mattock and bash the soil with that first, it might make It easier to fork over.
I'm in the same boat as you, garden was obviously loved by the previous old boy, he got poorly and the garden paid the price. We've been here 3 months now and I'm kind of addicted to getting out there and doing stuff. It never seems to end and always looks worse before it looks better.
Good luck