New Overgrown Garden
nongreenfingersbutwant
Posts: 19
Hi all
i am new to this forum and to the world of gardening having now found myself owning one. YaY! 
Quite a mean feat finding a London flat with a garden and cant wait to use it.
however it hasn't been touched in what looks like a few years and is seriously overgrown.
first pic is looking down into the type of weed (assuming it is) that is covering the garden
second pic is at the bottom of stairs looking to the back of the garden where there is a shed through the opening.
there is no grass as it is covered in white pebbles/stones whci is fine for me as could be easier to maintain (im a single chap looking to host a few BBQ's and beer nights so needs to be easy 
)
the garden is made of mainly trees and bushes along the sides and through the middle as i can see very few flowers however it is messy. i have read on other posts here that i should first clean out the rubbish and there is a load which i will do but the question i have is what is the best way to scale this back and when is the best time?
i'm thinking as weeds they will probably start to die now and a lot will be revealed as the trees and bushes prepare for Autumn? is now a good time to get stuck in or wait till spring (or any other time)?
how about cutting back the bushes and trees?
my plan is to have a clean slate so i can then start to decide what will be planted and where and importantly where the fire pit will go 
i know i can get someone in to do this for a few hundred quid but wanted to give a try myself, as long as i dont destroy any trees/bushes and plants (which i am sure there are none)
thanks in advance for any guidance and advice
Kos
Posts
Hi Kos and welcome to the forum. You are very lucky! I THINK that the low growing weed is ground elder but I would like a confirmation from someone else. This is a picture of ground elder:
If it is, it is a horror to eradicate and you have to keep on top of it. Any tiny bit left behind will re-grow. A good weed killer containing glyphosate should begin to control it but be prepared to do ths several times. Hopefully it isn't that! Don't do anything to the shrubs yet until Autumn. Then you will know which are evergreen and which lose their leaves and you can do some cutting back then.
Last edited: 23 August 2016 15:50:12
Id go along with ladybird, it looks like ground elder id use SBK on the elder, and remove any dead shrubs cut out any dead branches to open the site with out doing too much damage, then take your time before cutting back, once it's gone it's gone for good.
Thanks Ladybird4 and Tall tress. Fair to say i wasn't expecting that but now i know
A quote from a BBC page:
Ground elder is a weed that strikes fear into the heart of any gardener. Merely mentioning the fact that this nasty little plant has taken up residence in your garden is enough to make those in the know turn pale.
by the sounds of things it seems i definitively i have a job on my hands so it will keep me busy this bank holiday weekend (and the next few seasons by the looks of it)
will keep you guys posted as i uncover more in my urban jungle
Kos
You have a nice bay tree, and some other shrubs there. You can shape/clip bay, and it will provide winter interest. Pause before you remove.
In full sun (if it arrives), you'll be glad of shady spots, and shrubs can also provide privacy.
Removing everything also may impact on others privacy. Just bear that in mind.