Some Inspiration, some tips, advice needed and gratefully received ☺

Wow.....maybe I'll just live with a clump of pampas I have to trim to the ground every now and then....that or build a fence around it so my kids don't shred themselves [emoji16] I look at my garden with disdain at the moment-I've been ill and now my kids are systematically getting ill-I feel like life is more important than my garden and I'm not happy about it [emoji23] [emoji23] [emoji15] well....I will keep all updated.

I have noticed the back half gets sun around midday for a couple-ish hours....its just the shadow the house creates that doesn't seem to get any direct light. That should help with planting.

I'm going to start off some veggie seeds soon in the house (at the tight time) I figure what I don't end up planting I can give away [emoji4]

down in sunny Dorset/Somerset border

 

It does smell sulphurous....as I was digging it smelled like I was unearthing a drain....

down in sunny Dorset/Somerset border

 

Have you thought about having a couple of mirrors in the garden to reflect light to the darker areas? Not everybody's 'cup of tea' I know but it's worth thinking about. If your children are young then they could be mounted fairly high out of harms way.

 

Hmmm....will Google to investigate [emoji4]

down in sunny Dorset/Somerset border

 

I know money is tight but rather than going for a hedge I think an arbour of sorts would be a better option with a honeysuckle growing over? Especially if that's the sunniest part of the garden... Nice seating area in dappled shade next to the veggies

 

How exciting, a blank canvas

I'd get rid of the Pampas because it looks like it's going to be blocking your view up the garden. I got rid of one a few years ago by sawing it all off near the bottom (tie the leaves together in several places so they don't attack you while you're doing it), then pouring tree stump killer over it and leaving for a week. Put a bucket or tarp/plastic over it so a) it doesn't get wet and b) kids/dogs/cats keep off it. After a week or so I dug the roots up in sections.

 

Hello again ☺ well, I've done some weeding!! I borrowed a rotavator and by heck, don't they go some! I felt like my arms were going to fall off after I had finished, and I only did half the garden! But what a way to weed. Then I broke a new rake whilst I was raking up the weeds.
There are a lot of massive stones-I know they will be useful for alot of things but right know they are a PITA.
My grandparents very very generously got me some turf to kit out an area for the kids right away! It was delivered on Monday, me and the kids got out there on Tuesday which was when I rotavated, and today we went out there for and few hours and attempted to level off a bit of the slope so I could lay the turf.
It was the hardest job I've ever done in my life! I never knew rolled up turf could be so heavy. I was practically in tears by the end!!
But it's done and I think it looks Ok.
Will be getting some seed to do a bit more grassed area, but now I can plan out where I want my vegetable patch to be, and some flower beds.
The pampas will be going-I've decided it's completely in the wrong place. If it was at the back I wouldn't be fussed, and I'm not going to attempt to move it.


down in sunny Dorset/Somerset border

 

I'll do this to get rid of it

down in sunny Dorset/Somerset border

 

Not entirely sure what an arbour is....but I do love honeysuckle! I smelled something lovely which reminded me of honeysuckle or jasmine in my kids school grounds....its a very bushy plant with small yellow flowers in clusters...I don't know what it was but it was lush.

down in sunny Dorset/Somerset border

 

Up the slope!


From the top


Tried to get the whole turfed area in


My kids hard at work [emoji19]

down in sunny Dorset/Somerset border

 

This is the best before shot....as I can't seem to see any other photos of mine on this thread anymore [emoji53]

down in sunny Dorset/Somerset border

 

A link to arbours for you stink.foot, take your pick!

https://www.google.com/search?q=arb...univ&sa=X&ei=JQblVLiENsSvUfPLgSg&ved=0CBwQsAQ

 

Stinkfoot, you should be very proud of yourself you have made really good progress already , it was very kind of your grandparents to buy you some turf .
I don't know if you still have the rotivator or if you can borrow it again but it will be a godsend for your veggie patch , hubby rotivates my veggie patch every year, I dig manure in as many times as I can then he finishes it off for me!
Best of luck with the garden & I shall very much look forward to seeing some more photos when you have time.

 

My turf is arriving tomorrow, hopefully early afternoon so I get chance to lay it after work. Will post pics.

 

Turf and Patio done