Hello all, I'm new to here... and the garden.

HI everyone,

My name is Patrick and I'm new to both the site and gardening.

We've recently had our garden landscaped and it has given us long narrow borders, bare beds, decks and patios to plant and decorate. Unfortunately I have no idea where to start, other than picking something pretty from the garden centre that may not survive the car journey far less a season or two under my care.

I'm looking forward to hearing your advice and learning from your tips.

I'm happy to post a few pics of the blank canvas. Just point me to the right place....

 

Welcome to GC @NewBhoy

You have certainly come to the right place for friendly help and advise ... like you I am a novice and probably felt like you some months ago.... but with all the help and advice I've been given from all the members... has given me more confidence....

Photos are always good click on Upload a File and choose your from your photo library simples!

Looking forward to catching up with you in the forums..

 

Welcome to GC Patrick Enjoy...

 

Hi...welcome to GC.

 

Hello and welcome! We look forward to seeing your garden, and hearing what you would like to achieve. Do you want to grow fruit or vegetables, some fresh herbs for the kitchen, have restful green throughout the year, a riot of colour in the summer, lots of wildlife, etc! (And yes, apart from the obvious clash of "restful green" v "riot of colour", it is possible to do all of that!!)

 

Hi Patrick,



Welcome to Gardeners Corner, just remember we all had to start somewhere, so we were all in your shoes at one time

 

Hello Patrick. A very warm from me too.
Your garden sounds very exciting, a blank canvas is always good.
You have definately come to the right place for help, we are all really friendy, we were all in your shoes once, so don't be afraid to ask anything your not sure about
I wish you lots of luck & look forward to seeing your garden flourish

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner Patrick.

 

Thank you so much everyone for the warm welcome. It'll be great having a bit of advice and support heading into the garden, hopefully you'll all keep me from falling into the "buying whatever is next to the checkout trap"!!.

You're right Apple Blossom, I think the first thing I need is a bit of confidence to go for it, at the moment I swither and google more than I garden.

Sian, I think you have sold me on most of the list!! I've got a few different areas so hopefully I'll be able to get a bit of variation.

Anthony and Beckie, I have the shiniest pair of wellies at the moment, how long did yours stay that way???

I've posted a couple of pictures to give a flavour of where I'm starting from, but I'm thinking that maybe starting a post in "projects" is the way??

 

Patrick you have a lovely sized garden, you will be able to do so much with that .
Ah wellies, I washed mine off the first time I wore them, that didn't last long I can tell you! I soon learnt the more dirt splashed up your wellies the harder it looks like you've been working!
I have to say I'm most impressed with picture 4, your shelves of flowers & your hanging baskets are looking super, well done
Oh yes do post a thread in projects, that way we can see what you are doing & it will be great for you to look back

 

Thanks Beckie, it's maybe the size that has made gardening so daunting till now, the garden was a terrible mess when we first moved and it has taken a good few years to get it cleared to where it is. Here is a shot of some of the early clearing a couple of years ago.
Sitting pots on the shelves is pretty much all I've done so far though!! The thought of actual planting has me terrified.

 

Wow, you have already done so much already , well done.

You can plant & grow anything, we will all help you, before long you will be growing from seed & posting more fantastic photos of your plants
Break the garden down into sections, don't try to do the whole lot at once & it won't feel so daunting for you.
If I may I'd like to suggest planting some lavender in the beds in front of the patio, they will smell lovely in the summer when you sit on the patio admiring your work I'd plant them 'along the edge near the grass. Also do remember that 'bulb' time is almost upon us, prehaps some tulips, daffodils, crocus & snowdrops would look nice in your boarders

 

Thanks, I like the idea of the lavender. I'm glad you've suggested something without too much height, I don't want to cut off the patio from the rest of the garden with something that will grow too tall.
You've also touched on a question I started in the new gardner thread. Is it too late in the season to start planting out the borders? I'm keen to get some colour and life around the garden but wasn't sure if I had missed the boat this year.