Neglected Garden + Novice Gardener

Hello everyone,
I've posted here in the past and everyone has been very helpful!

I have little to no gardening experience but now have a garden. We have moved into a new build house that has a sizeable garden space which is mostly turf. Last year we dug a simple border in and planted a few things which have died back over the winter.

The drainage in the garden is not great. Where we have dug the borders standing water will often accumulate after rain. The garden slopes off a little (toward the compost bin/bags of top soil) and garden tends to be more waterlogged here.

I wonder if anyone here could offer some advice on how to spruce the place up a little! I plan on painting the fences shortly and hopefully installing a shed by the compost bin (ground will need levelling).

Any good ideas on how to add colour and height to the flower beds etc. Any other ideas how to nicely break up the lawn?

I've attached a few photos.

Many thanks in advance!

 

Hiya Phoozle
Exactly the same situation at my niece's new build. Grass very wet, doesnt seem to drain well and it could be a carbon copy of your own plot.
I have spiked the grass....she moved in last October....and this has helped it drain better..... I have kept mowing (grass tends to grow all year round down here) and reseeded bare patches and I will feed in a couple of weeks.
I have planted a couple of clematis montana varieties against the fence.
I have suggested she take her time with planting etc....she wants a minimalistic look there and has a few ideas so we will plant according to the spring and summer and what she would like there. I suggest you do the same thing....take stock, take your time and plant exactly what you want as time goes on . Decide if you want lawn or lawn and borders?
Get your shed sorted first

 

Hello @Phoozzle

What a lovely sized plot. Looking at your photos my first thought would be to widen your existing flowerbeds and add new ones. Maybe some raised ones around the edges - you could use railway sleepers or similar to build up, which would immediately give you a bit of height and variation, and may also help reduce recurrent problems with waterlogged beds (though don't take my word on that, I have no experience or knowledge with drainage issues).

What would you like to use the garden for - socialising, cooking/eating, playing (children?), growing veg/flowers etc? A blank canvas is great, but also a bit scary, so it's good to have an idea of what you're working towards!

Last question - where abouts are you, and how does the plot far with regards to sun/shade?

 

Hi Verdun,

Many thanks for your message.

By spiking the grass do you mean just taking a garden fork to it?

We reseeded last year and after I mow I think the lawn will look ok.

I'll do some planning and get some ideas together.

Thanks again

 

Hi 2nd Bassoon,

I can certainly agree that a blank canvas is a bit daunting!

It would be nice to have a garden we can socialise in. I wondered about doing some raised beds for growing some veg. Raised beds would be easier as the soil isn't great once you get more than a few inches down.

No Kids - but we do have a new pup!

The plot is South East facing!

Thanks!

 

Yes Snoozle, using a garden fork to spike lawn surface. Its hard work but does make a difference.
I still feel getting shed in is first job to do.
Ha ha, when I compared your plot to my niece's she has just had a new puppy too
The summer, being warmer and drier.....hopefully...will give you a better idea of how well the soil drains