I've got an itch and don't know how to scratch it!

Need some ideas/inspiration, please

I really, *really* want to get some planting/gardening done but (!) I don't want to plant anything until all the bigger jobs are done e.g buy and erect a shed (change it's position a couple of times ... like I do! ); put posts up, add trellis; lay turf (once I've finally decided the place/shape I want it). You know, all the backbone bits.

All this year I've been held back on the gardening front due to moving/jury service/work/life and now I'm here and the fencing is done I just want to ... DO something.

Last weekend we put up some trellis (tick!)
This week I finished planting my bulbs in pots (tick!)

Now .... ... there must be *something* I could get on with?

 

What about indoor planting? I made a a couple of nice windowsill gardens this year, and got a cheese plant on the go in the living room.

 

I tried picking up a couple of houseplants when we were tile hunting for the bathroom ... ooh, if you could have seen the look on Mr "M"'s face and mine

Think I might have to do some smuggling ....

 

Sow some;
Fritillary seeds
Allium seeds
Brimeura seeds

Or any other seed that needs autumn sowing for spring germination.

 

I've just planted up a viola and ivy hanging basket for "out front " @"M" and though you can hardly see them trying to peer over the top of the rim, I know they'll be viewing the world soon,
Jenny

 

I know they're a bit over used, but I love my spider plants. They look brilliant, require very little looking after, and you get millions of babies off them.

 

Are there any areas of your garden where you definitely know that shed etc. are a non-starter? If there are beds in those areas, unwanted plants can be removed and soil prepared for planting.

With winter dormancy starting and leaves dying back pruning could be started.

 

Could you start a compostor or small compost heap that you could move on if it's not in its final position.
Maybe plant some green manure like winter field bean?
Not very glamorous lol!

 

Good thinking ... the shed won't be going on the concrete patio (unlike one of the neighbours!) but I've been dealing with the patio tubs.
There are only two original plants in the garden: one is a yellow rose (I'm reliably informed is a hybrid T ) and the other is a choisya "Aztec Pearl" ... but, I think they are for Spring pruning?

I *could* begin an area where I know for sure the shed isn't going ... but, I haven't fully committed to where the (new) path is going to go (that depends on where the shed goes) or the shape of the lawn

Following on from Jenny's post ... ... I do have a patch of front garden where there will be no shed/trellis/lawn/path ...

... any suggestions for that? Here is how it looked after I had cleared out *everything*!


Haven't done anything with that part (yet) and it hogs all the sun that the rear garden doesn't get So, it's going to get quite hot in the summer time in that spot. I was considering gravelling the whole area and then putting converted butler sinks in each corner as alpine beds and then filling that gorgeous trough with something-I-haven't-thought-of-yet.

But I would love to hear any ideas fellow GC'ers may have for that area

 

Already done ... however, the green manure idea is worth giving some thought to, thank you!

 

Lavender would be perfect in the front garden"M", I can smell it's perfume already!

 

Nice one, Sheal

 

This is a crazy idea probably, but here goes. I think it would be really nice if you took the wall next to the steps and extended it along to meet the wall at the top of the pic. Then make it all nice and watertight, chuck some cobbles and pebbles all over the floor, and fill it with water just to a depth of a couple of inches. A little decking (or stone) island for you to stick a deck chair on, and some nice tall but airy plants in containers around the edges, stood in the very shallow water so you never have to water them (would need to be either plants that like soggy feet, or containers with those maybe polystyrene inserts or somet to keep the compost out of direct contact with the water or something. Then have a little water feature so as to keep the water aerated so it doesn't go stagnant or attract mozzies. It would be brill. The sun would shimmer off the water, the plants would reflect in it, and on a hot summer's evening when you're sitting out with a nice glass of red, you could stick your feet in the water to keep cool

Well there you are. I said it was a crazy idea, but now its out there

 

Oooo I can see your front area with a neatly clipped small Buxus hedge on all four sides with a small topiary in the centre then a top dressing of pea gravel...

Forgot about the trough..I'll keep thinking

 

My thoughts...................



I would be aiming at a Mediterranean style roof garden with alpine/succulent planting. So Sempervivum, Lewisia, Mesembryanthemum, Aloe, Agave, hardier Echeveria and so on. It would be even better if that photo is taken facing south because you could also consider a Bougainvillea up a trellis on this near wall ( @pete is the man for advice on this).
Then invest in a good quality clear placcy winter cover to clip over the area for the worst of winter.