Major deja vu. Updates and questions! :D

What a tip!

Start with one half say the front and clear it of the wortst debris and vegetaion, not a lot of point using weedkiller now as most plants are not growing.

Dig out the brambles

Perhaps think about a shed for the toys etc.

Plant some tubs up with bulbs for spring colur. In the spring spray emerging weeds, dig the beds over and plant.

[ 13. November 2007, 09:15 PM: Message edited by: Pro Gard ]

 

Plant wise in the front it looks to be largly campanula and popy no point in keeping dig up for now and spray with roundup in the spring prior to a final dig over and planting.

 

Hi Whiley

I agree with Pro Gard that the spreading blue flowered plant is a campanula, it makes lovely ground cover but a right pain if it's allowed to spread everywhere!

I don't think your garden is a 'right mess' at all a little bit of clearing and throwing away of items no longer required and you will soon have an idea what your garden can become.

At this time of year most things look like they could be dead but don't be too hasty in throwing some plants out....my sister-in-law always 'saves' plants even if they could well be a weed until I come around to let her know whats what.

I would suggest just doing a clear up and no real digging as yet as you never know what spring or summer might bring up next year in your new plot....wait now to save later!

Good luck and keep us posted with your progress in pictures stage by stage if you can as I just love watching a new garden rise from the ashes of an old one!
Helen.xxx.

 

Totally agree Helen. David.

 

Thank you so much guys! Some fantastic advice there, i'll have a read through and a second look at the garden and come up with a plan of action and run it through with you all before i action anything.

Tools wise, what am i picking up at homebase tomorrow? Plus some Round Up obviously :D

Any bulbs or things i could be preparing for the sping at this point too?

 

Re bulbs, for starters

Tulips

late daffs some garden centres will be shifting the last of the stock so some real bargains.

You could also think about over planting the bulbs with winter pansys for some colur now.

In the spring think about summer colur eg lilies, dahlias bedding plants or perhaps agapanthas or cannas.

 

Whiley there's still time to bring a bit of spring colour into your garden, may I suggest that you plant up some containers with bulbs etc?


Not only can you move the planters around to the best places in your garden for a really good effect but once you have dug your garden you can then plant the used bulbs in your borders.

Only last autumn I planted the little border along the path of our new house and come spring I was rewarded with a lovely display.



The border was planted with lavender along with rows of red tulips and grape hyacinth.

I have now planted a new colour scheme but have kept the grape hyacinth which I can't stress enough just how much value for money these bulbs are...plant a bulb one year and get triple or more flowers next!
Helen.xxx.

 

Planning my trip to the little local garden centre in the morning- its literally around the corner!

Yellow tulips are my favourite plants, so i'm hoping to get a variety of tulips bulbs including that colour, plus some more spring plants, and deffinately some overwintering pansies!!! I adore pansies and violas so grabbing loads.

Should i just plant up some plastic pots for them for now while i'm still working on the garden and then transfer them in once i'm done with the garden?

I have plans! I'm going to draw up a plan of the front garden, my first mission and post it, as i have some questions and would love suggestions.

 

Okie dokie!!

Here is a rough plan of the front garden!

Baring in mind that i am **** at drawing to scale i've filled in where needed with dimensions.

Hope it makes sense!




So this is basically what i'd be looking at once i've superweeded, and pulled out whats already there.
Theres bit an enormous amount of planting room, but the pathway in front of the house i am seriously thinking about doing something funky with containers?

Also, the slabbing inbetween the bedding areas, i'd love to do something with those, either more diddy container, decorative polished pebbles, etc.

Its a shame that things will be hidden by the car, and the beauty interrupted by the trailer and bin in the way, but at least i can see it from the kitchen window i guess!

Any suggestions? I'm getting so excited i'd love more help!

 

Also just thought i'd add, according to my partner theres nothing really special in the front garden bar what you can see, so we're certainly not expecting any little gems to pop up as such.

 

Hi Whiley looks like you're in for a fun filled gardening experience!

Great idea to make out a plan of what you have got to play about with and as far as I can tell you have a fair bit to have a go at.

A word of warning Whiley I'm not sure if you know this but some weed killers are so strong that the ground needs a 'resting period' before you can re-plant the area that has been treated with it......if you're too hasty all your lovely new plants will curl up and die then you're back right where you started! :(

Dig over the borders to break up the soil over and over again, weed kill any areas you wish and get ready for spring planting if a rest period is required for the treatment you use on the soil, at least that way you will have a stunning garden for those cool summer evenings to sit,eat or just relax in.

Fill up your plastic containers with spring bulbs, ivys, winter flowering pansys and violas and just have a ball moving them around for the best effect, you will be amazed how silly one can get over a couple of garden pots.

I for one like to have loads of colours in the garden so much so that I have even painted my garden chimney pots and chairs purple and gold!

If your other half say's there's nothing of merit to come up in the front garden go overboard be daring and do something really eye catching for the passer by to be amazed by,I'm sure it will give you a buzz to see them goggle your garden! :D
Helen.xxx.

 

Ee Helen you've made me so excited!!

So would you say while the soil is resting to get planting anyway in tubs, etc and then transfer them over once the soil is happy soil again?
I intend having some nice big jammy containers as well obviously!

Would i have any problems transfering semi grown plants into the happy soil now we're getting colder?

 

Looks a good plan, id stick to tubs for now until your sure youve cleared the borders of weed, you can transplant the tub contents when your ready.

incidently I often start tulip bulbs in pots prior to transplanting in the spring. Especialy usefull if the border is packed with other bulbs, this allows me to get more of a picture of whats already there and target gaps.

round up does not linger in the soil.

 

Thanks Pro Gard for that information regarding 'Round up'.

Whiley it appears you may not have to wait after all if you use that weed killer but it's always best to read what it says on the bottle before going ahead and planting in a treated area, better to be safe than sorry.

I have always grown quite a few plants in containers when I have brought them on impulse and had no idea where to put them, I know that's naughty of me but plants are like chocolate to me I just can't seem to get enough of them!

When transfering the plants from the containers to their proper place in the garden there should be no problems as long as their root balls are intact.

It has never be a problem what time of year I put them into the garden although most books etc. will tell you the best time to do this is in the plants dormant period i.e.winter early spring.

Don't worry how long your plants are in the containers I had some perennials that were dug up from our old house waiting to 'move on' for nearly a year and half....boy did they grow like crazy once I planted them into our new house's border! :D

I can't wait to 'see' how you get on with your garden Whiley just remember to take things nice and easy.....when your back says 'that's enough for now' take heed otherwise you could be in the same state as me and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. :(
Helen.xxx.

 

Hey Helen looks like our conditions have gotten us both up at stupid am! That and my significant other is a postie, and a noisy getter upper!

Thank you both so much for your advice, please please continue to watch the thread, i feel so much better planning and buying once i've run drafts past some 'experts'!

Okay, i have a rough plan of what i'd like out the front, but i have a few questions i'd like answering before i pick up the bits for it.

1: I'm a little concerned that car exhaust fumes from the parking area might simply wilt anything behind it, whats strong enough to sit behnd that area and not be too bothered?

2: The front garden is very much semi sunlit, if i stick to hardy bedding plants should i be ok? Any examples?

3: What the heck is this? Its really lovely in the summer, but looking skanky now. How can i make the most of him?



While i'm at it, whats this guy?

He was planted as a memorial for Darrens grandfather when he passed away, but neither Darren nor his sister can seem to remember what he is.

Planning my shopping list for later, or at least investigating!

First and foremost - Round Up. Thats a biggy.
Then i will also be looking for soils, bulbs, tubs to get the bulbs going, tools, slug repellant? gravel?

I've been given a nice budget to snaz up the front, I'll have a much bigger budget for more extravegance out the back, but i have to say, i'm so looking forward to all this!

Its a shame really, i really wanted a potted cane wigwam for a climber to go mental over, but Darren doesn't think it'll survive with the local children being into pinching and destruction. :(
I'll save that for the back garden.