Hello All

Hello All

Thought I'd best introduce myself I'm Ian and I'm in Slough total beginner So I have lots of questions you have been warned lol , I'm currently working hard on my garden witch I'm ashamed to say has been a total mess for years , But I've decided that enough is enough

So I'm putting some fake grass down Sorry I know some people don't like it but I'm trying to have a low maintenance garden as I travel for work and one half will be a nice patio, Planning to use a lot of pots and containers with some hanging baskets

I'll post some pictures when it finished , Sorry but I've gone on a bit , All the best Ian

 

Hello Ian, Welcome to the forum.

Do you have a kind neighbour who will water your pots and baskets for you? They definitely aren’t low maintenance. (Pots and baskets, not neighbours). Well, maybe neighbours too.

 

Thank you for you're kind words my partner would do the watering when I'm away
Thanks again , Ian

 

I'd not worry too much about the fake grass - not many like it really but better than concrete Apart from anything else, if you are limited in both experience and maintenance time, it makes far more sense to garden according to your lifestyle. What you choose to grow will depend to an extent on what you like to see and how much time you have to look after stuff. Given time, you should be able to get a good idea of what works well for you and go on from there.
Plenty of knowledgeable people on here to ask. You've made a start so best of luck

 

Hi @Ian Clive White , welcome to the forum!

Your approach sounds great, fitting your garden into the life and the space you have rather than the other way around is very sensible.

Ask away, all of us benefit from reading the discussions and from learning from others' stories and advise.

A great help is to add your approximate location into your profile so that we know if you are near tundra zone or costal or southern and sheltered, this makes a big difference on what you can grow.

Looking forward to see your garden developing, please do share photos too. Happy New Season!

 

Thank you all

I've attached a picture lot to do but it will be worth it when I'm sat with nice cup of tea in the sunshine

 

There are lots of very creative and knowledgeable members on this forum who can and will offer great advice and we all welcome opportunities to meet new gardeners.

Potted plants need constant watering so may not be a good option unless you have a neighbour who can help you. Ive found that local tweens are enthusiastic helpers for a little money.

Have fun here and welcome!

 

and welcome.Ian. You have made a great start. Besides pots (large ones would be nice) you could also plant some climbers to hide the fence, to give colour and scent.

 

Welcome to GC. Watch out re fences make sure you own it or get permission from the fence owner before growing anything up it or painting it. I have had problems with neighbours in the past about a common fence that was theirs even to the extent of being banned from painting preservative paint on to it.
If unsure grow climbing plants up a trellis set back slightly from the fence like I did. Good luck with your garden project.

 

Welcome to GC Ian.

 

Thank you all for your kind words I've attached a picture of the garden now it's finished , It stays that shady until 12 ish then the sun comes around , Looking for some plants that don't mind shade

Ian

 

That is beautiful! And what a blank canvas! Big pots not only make more impact but need less watering. Depending where you live make sure that they're frost proof and have plenty of big drainage holes. Some ideas for plants which look good for most of the year: Heucheras and Hostas have good foliage and flower too. Ferns, Lily of the Valley ( Convallaria), ornamental grasses, Liriope 'Big Blue', Ophiopogon nigrescens, Vinca minor and Ivy 'Glacier' to trail. Oriental lily bulbs do well in acidic (ericaceous) compost. Choose the double-flowered types without pollen if you have children or pets or want to avoid yellow stains ;-) Plants in pots will need a liquid feed say once a fortnight as well as daily watering in summer. Hope this is of some help....:-)

 

I like your choice of large paving @Ian Clive White, it certainly makes the area look more spacious . I agree with @noisette47 about using large pots, just make sure that they are elevated on pot feet or similar to drain well and avoid marking your paving. I'd choose medium sized shade loving or shade tolerant shrubs for more impact, like a Hydrangea Limelight, Phormium Cream Delight or Mahonia Charity which you could underplant with some of the smaller plants mentioned above. The Phormium and Mahonia are evergreen so will give you winter interest too. If your area is sheltered, a Japanese Acer is another option to consider.