Fantastic advice, thank you everyone. You make me feel rather better about it all Rosie31, there is so much to do!
I don't think I need to put in a shelter as we already have a line of leylandii that stop a lot of the wind on the seaward side. We'd get rid of them but it's not possible (it's a shared border) so we're looking on the bright side - and we have been able to chop them down a lot so they are not ridiculously tall.
I will go and peer into other people's gardens, I hadn't thought of that.
We've already started to get better tools. Our last garden was the size of a pocket handkerchief and we're realising the tools we had for that won't do the job. It's nice to hear from another source that we shouldn't stint on tools - the temptation is to make do.
I had pots lying around doing nothing, so I'll quarantine my herbs in those - and replace the soil in the herb patch. Good idea nutcutlet!
Verdun, we're definitely going to have a veg patch (or two). In fact we had a very small area where we grew sweetcorn two years ago. It's relatively weed free and I bought some seed to try that again this year. There's a flattish bit where we're going to plant fruit bushes too. Just have to decide what to do first.
I'll get out in the garden now and take some pictures - then formulate some focussed questions to post.
Thank you all for your interest, advice and encouragement!
BTW, I will post a proper avatar when I can - the editor doesn't seem to be working properly.
Here are some views of the back garden. Behind the house there is a terrace and flower bed. Below that is a steep lawn, a row of trees/ big shrubs, then the jungle and the sea beyond.
This is my first time loading pictures and they look sort of squished - I hope that's just the editor window
Blueboots-the photo editor isn't working too well just now so don't worry!
It's a big project you have and I know only too well how daunting that can sometimes be so I'd suggest tackling the bits you see most of the time-ie the areas nearest the house. That way, even when the weather's bad, you can view your plot from indoors and enjoy what bits you've already improved! Staying motivated can sometimes be an issue so a few small changes are useful. At my last house,we cleared all the weeds along the front terrace, redid all the stone edging on the front borders , and we pressure washed the big retaining wall, weeded it all and replanted the holes. It cost very little but made a huge difference. A few pots for instant effect as well will give you a lift!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
We're very lucky to be here, and the possibilities are huge The jungle is in pics 2,3 and 4. 2 is looking down from the lawn on the left of the garden. 3 is looking back up from a little further down, 4 is looking up from a spot on the RH side.
I thought I was good at photography, but taking pics of the garden that actually mean something was very difficult.
I didn't post pictures of the front Fairygirl - that isn't so outrageous, and it is looking better now. I know what you mean about tackling the stuff you can see. Luckily the jungle is out of sight - but we want to keep it under some sort of control so it doesnt't annoy the neighbours (or frighten us into not going back).
A couple of weeks ago we took out some 30ft high privet from the front. It was so big we got some sizeable logs for the woodburner out of it! My herb patch was nice, but couch grass has taken over and I'm all set to dig the whole thing out.
This is part of the wall I mentioned Blueboots. I don't have a more recent one but this was taken soon after it was planted and by the end of the summer all the geraniums and white dianthus were in full bloom. We had a 'wild area' too -infested with willow herb (like the garden) and we had to battle it constantly, but we couldn't see the worst of it from the house so we concentrated on the bits nearest the pond and conservatory.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Good luck. I was in a similar position, but my garden was less jungle, more shady bare patches from so many trees. I spent some time researching what would grow in shady, dry areas and did a bit of experimenting. As you are near the coast, I am sure there will be specific plants that will thrive in your area and soil. Check out the RHS book of plants, it lists this sort of thing. As many others have said, divide you garden into plots /areas and work on one or two at a time, you can always go back and change or develop it in the future, thats the fun part!!
Posts
Fantastic advice, thank you everyone. You make me feel rather better about it all Rosie31, there is so much to do!
I don't think I need to put in a shelter as we already have a line of leylandii that stop a lot of the wind on the seaward side. We'd get rid of them but it's not possible (it's a shared border) so we're looking on the bright side - and we have been able to chop them down a lot so they are not ridiculously tall.
I will go and peer into other people's gardens, I hadn't thought of that.
We've already started to get better tools. Our last garden was the size of a pocket handkerchief and we're realising the tools we had for that won't do the job. It's nice to hear from another source that we shouldn't stint on tools - the temptation is to make do.
I had pots lying around doing nothing, so I'll quarantine my herbs in those - and replace the soil in the herb patch. Good idea nutcutlet!
Verdun, we're definitely going to have a veg patch (or two). In fact we had a very small area where we grew sweetcorn two years ago. It's relatively weed free and I bought some seed to try that again this year. There's a flattish bit where we're going to plant fruit bushes too. Just have to decide what to do first.
I'll get out in the garden now and take some pictures - then formulate some focussed questions to post.
Thank you all for your interest, advice and encouragement!
BTW, I will post a proper avatar when I can - the editor doesn't seem to be working properly.
Here are some views of the back garden. Behind the house there is a terrace and flower bed. Below that is a steep lawn, a row of trees/ big shrubs, then the jungle and the sea beyond.
This is my first time loading pictures and they look sort of squished - I hope that's just the editor window
So. Much. Fun.
Enjoy it - a little bit at a time!
R
Blueboots-the photo editor isn't working too well just now so don't worry!
It's a big project you have and I know only too well how daunting that can sometimes be so I'd suggest tackling the bits you see most of the time-ie the areas nearest the house. That way, even when the weather's bad, you can view your plot from indoors and enjoy what bits you've already improved! Staying motivated can sometimes be an issue so a few small changes are useful. At my last house,we cleared all the weeds along the front terrace, redid all the stone edging on the front borders , and we pressure washed the big retaining wall, weeded it all and replanted the holes. It cost very little but made a huge difference. A few pots for instant effect as well will give you a lift!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
We're very lucky to be here, and the possibilities are huge
The jungle is in pics 2,3 and 4. 2 is looking down from the lawn on the left of the garden. 3 is looking back up from a little further down, 4 is looking up from a spot on the RH side.
I thought I was good at photography, but taking pics of the garden that actually mean something was very difficult.
I didn't post pictures of the front Fairygirl - that isn't so outrageous, and it is looking better now. I know what you mean about tackling the stuff you can see. Luckily the jungle is out of sight - but we want to keep it under some sort of control so it doesnt't annoy the neighbours (or frighten us into not going back).
A couple of weeks ago we took out some 30ft high privet from the front. It was so big we got some sizeable logs for the woodburner out of it! My herb patch was nice, but couch grass has taken over and I'm all set to dig the whole thing out.
Wow....my main emotion now is envy
This is part of the wall I mentioned Blueboots. I don't have a more recent one but this was taken soon after it was planted and by the end of the summer all the geraniums and white dianthus were in full bloom. We had a 'wild area' too -infested with willow herb (like the garden) and we had to battle it constantly, but we couldn't see the worst of it from the house so we concentrated on the bits nearest the pond and conservatory.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Good luck. I was in a similar position, but my garden was less jungle, more shady bare patches from so many trees. I spent some time researching what would grow in shady, dry areas and did a bit of experimenting. As you are near the coast, I am sure there will be specific plants that will thrive in your area and soil. Check out the RHS book of plants, it lists this sort of thing. As many others have said, divide you garden into plots /areas and work on one or two at a time, you can always go back and change or develop it in the future, thats the fun part!!