Where do I start with this mess? :)

Hi,

I've just moved into a house with a very messy front garden. I've attached a couple of pictures.

I'd like to get started on tidying up the garden. I haven't decided what to grow yet but I just want to start clearing it up and working on the soil etc. I'd welcome any advice on where to start.

I don't know much about gardening but the ground seems to be in poor condition (very dry and hard), and I don't think it's had much light (as those big green leafy plants had been blocking out the sun before they were cut back a while ago). So digging will be hard work unless I can soften up the ground somehow...

Specifically, I would like to dig up those big green plants. They're not very attractive, and with their tough roots, I suspect they are sapping all the life from the garden. What are they? And what might be the most effective way to get rid of them?

After I have done that I will trim down the hedge to clear some space and let some light in. I think it's going to be a bit of a slog

Thanks,

Andy

 

Lots of potential there. At least it isn't totally overrun with weeds! I'd take out anything you don't want, trim back anything you're keeping and start working the soil. It looks quite compacted. You could dig in grit, compost or well rotted manure as required and then plan a planting scheme!

 

Hi Andy,

Welcome to GC.

If it were me I would dig everything up, and anything that you think you want to keep, either put in bags with some soil/ compost or pot into big pots.

I would then dig over the whole thing and start adding organic material ( manure and compost). You can buy the compost in bulk, not sure where you live, but if there are stables local you will probably be able to get it cheap or even free. Search freecycle and the like.
Whilst doing this have a think about what you would like in there and the look you are after.

How big is it?

Rusty

 

The "big green plants" are Acanthus mollis. A really nice plant but as you will have seen it suckers prolifically!




I think that it's a terrific plant and as you can see it makes quite an impact but I would reduce it to one clump, probably the one on the left of the photo near the edge of the bed.

 

Thank you very much for your helpful replies and apologies for the delay in responding.

longk - Thanks for the advice. On further reflection I might keep one or two of the Acanthus mollis. That said I do need to tame the rest of them as they are sprouting everywhere!

rustyroots - The garden is about 1.6m by 3m so it's big enough to do something but small enough to manage. There is also a back garden with a small lawn and flower bed (0.75m x 2.8m) which I think I might use for a few vegetables!

charliebot - Yes, that sounds like a good plan. I've bought a book (The Complete Garden Expert by Dr Hessayon) which for a newbie like me is something of a revelation.

 

The suckers are easily removed as they pop up.

 

I think the key is to start. I know that when I first started clearing my mess of a garden I was too scared that I was going to mess up, it really is a learning curve but one that I feel you have to take on your own to an extent. Get started and be creative :D

 

Very, very true and something I think most of us can relate to