Absolute beginners with a huge garden

Hello everyone.
I stumbled across this forum today while looking for winter gardening tips. My wife and I moved into a our new home before Christmas, inheriting a huge well established garden / mini-woodland. With limited knowledge I can identify Wisteria, Climbing Roses, Laurel and a number of trees including Oak and Acer. We first saw the garden in late August, so have 'some' idea of how nice it looks, but have not yet seen it in full bloom. We have a lot to learn as our previous home only had a court yard garden with a few herbs and pot plants… help.

General answers about the garden:

• The garden is west facing (photo shows north edge)
  
• I’m not yet sure what type of soil we have - but it certainly isn’t sandy.
• We hope to learn to manage the garden and keep it looking stunning.

This is the most unruly part of the garden.
(Photo taken today)

 

DevonPhil. You're past 'beginner' stage already if you can identify some of your shrubs and trees and appreciate the significance of soil and compass points Looking forward to seeing the garden unfold over the coming months!
Traditionally, January or February is the time to winter-prune Wisteria.....

 

Thanks @JWK and @noisette47. We feel very lucky to have this garden and definitely don't want to let it grow out of control. The Wisteria seems to need the most urgent attention. Not sure it was pruned at all in 2020? And seems to have grown very dense and in all directions.

I'll soon make a post about this elsewhere in the forum. I literally have no clue where to start, what to do and which equipment is best to invest in.

FYI - The photo is showing the north edge of the garden, but the main aspect faces west.

 

@DevonPhil this might help with pinning down the soil type Soilscapes soil types viewer - National Soil Resources Institute. Cranfield University

 

Would just add do not be in a rush to dig around too much this winter as you might get some nice surprises as to what comes up in Spring.

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner Phil. Looking at your image above your first investments would be a good lawnmower, pruners, secateurs and a hedge trimmer. Our friends here generally recommend not to take on too much at once, it's easier and less daunting to work on one area at a time. Enjoy your garden!

 

Hi @DevonPhil and ...

 

Welcome @DevonPhil to the forum! You'll find all the helpful and friendly advice you need here.

 

Thanks @Loofah - I'm beginning to understand the level of attention this garden is going to need to look great. The garden was much loved and cared for by a now elderly previous owner. We would like to continue their work and over time add some of our own touches. Sadly I can barely identify most of the plants and shrubs throughout the garden, but I will learn. As you say, there are 'all sorts' already pushing up, and I know our neighbours have enjoy watching this garden grow along with all the wildflife.

 

FYI - I made another thread specifically about the Wisteria (Click Here) .
I uploaded a photo the estate agent took back in August.