No clue where to start

Hi all, I am totally new to gardening. I'm lucky enough to have a well established garden that pretty much looks after itself, but I also have a small courtyard that has a raised bed in it. Over the years it has become completely overrun with grass and other weeds, but there are a few things that pop up over the course of a year. My question is, how can I begin to manage this. Is it best to just start again? If so, how...?

 

I like that, it has real potential, I think you do need to start again and maybe not expect it to look amazing from day one, a lot of work required, but it could look like the Mediterranean if you wanted it to.
I think you need to get an idea of what you want it to look like.

 

Thank you, I'm definitely happy to start again, there's a couple of rose bushes I'd like to keep. So is it a case of getting rid of all the current soil?
In terms of what I want, realistically, fairly low maintenance - although I am hoping now my children are no longer babies I can get out here a bit more. Lots of colours and most importantly, attractive to bees!

 

I agree with @pete - it has great potential as a Mediterranean/patio/dry garden area. Many of such plants don't need nor want rich soil and are low maintenance. Also, think pots and containers, Mediterranean style. This forum is rammed with experts on all of these themes. It'll be a brilliant garden for you!

 

Sounds a bit of drudgery, but I'd clear the walls of anything you dont want and repaint them first.
So take out anything you dont like, but depending on your experience, dont dump it before getting it IDed, it could be a good plant but just struggling.
I agree you dont need to get rid of the soil, if its really bad it can be improved.

 

Thanks so much for your replies everyone. I've been looking into Mediterranean style courtyards and definitely going down that route! One more question though.. how do I deal with the established weeds? Pulling them out doesn't seem to work, can I take out the plants I want to keep, then put cardboard over? Sorry if that's a stupid question, I really don't have a clue!

 

Well you are going to need to dig all the raised beds over so dig the weeds out as you go.
It could be hard work, best if you can get a small fork in there.

 

Mediterranean/dry garden will be great because it will be quite low maintenance as Chris said, you could also include some butterfly-friendly plants as that courtyard looks absolutely perfect for butterflies, a proper suntrap! Hard to tell from a photo but that soil looks quite clayey to me, it'll be good in terms of moisture retention which will also help keep maintenance low. Things like dwarf buddleia, marjoram, scabiouses, salvias, hyssop, lychnis, cistus, eryngiums, rosemary would all fit in to that raised bed and be harmonious with your cool colour palate if you intend to keep the pink and blue flowers already in there.

2-3 large blue glazed terracotta pots would look great in that courtyard when planted up!

Nick

 

Thank you!

 

Thank you, we get a lot of bees and butterflies so I am keen to keep these. I know the plants they like so can just replant these when I dig all the weeks out. Thank you for your suggestions for what to plant. I'm looking forward to getting started now