Where to start???

I agree. I moved into a not too bad garden but the borders were totally empty. Last summer it felt like everything got eaten! I thought I had made no progress but I looked at pictures of last years garden and things have really moved on.

My lawn is still pretty disgusting but it's a rented property so there's a limit to how much landscaping I will invest in. If I had my way I'd dig up most of the lawn and turn it into flower beds but I can live with it as is, just about. Maybe have a look at the photos you posted when you started?

You also have the advantage of being able to make nice stuff like those window boxes.

 

Thanks, from when we moved in its alot better but I just tend to lack the motivation. After an 8-9 hour shift doing building and construction work it is hard to get the motivation going but I'm determined now so hopefully that will change.

What would people recommend for the lawn, I think I'm going to turf over it after chatting to a few friends and family who are much more experienced but should I turn everything over before doing so or lay straight on top of the current weedy mess?

 

I'm not the best to advise on lawns but I did want to say don't stress if you do things in fits and starts. I suppose a garden is a bit different to construction in that it takes a longer time for your efforts to show.

My aunt used to do garden design and maintenance. She called the garden at the house she lived in her 'gardener's day off' garden. It was well planned and had a number of interesting plants...but after a long physical day the last thing she wanted to do was more hauling! So it was a bit left to it's own devices, not a fussy garden but very pleasant.

When you're planning yours you might want to think long term about what will need lots of upkeep - plus what you like. If you're set on a lawn then it's worth putting the effort in but they do need a little bit of looking after. Personally I'd focus on making sure things are where I want them, like borders, before I do the lawn. But if it's driving you crazy then it's probably best to start with that, as you are only going to have the energy for one main job at a time I imagine. I think it's better to work with what you can do realistically, mixed with what you can put up with visually!

 

It does gradually become addictive. For me it started off as a chore that had to be done. You give it a quick tidy and its 10 times better, then you step back and think, "that lawn could do with sorting" or "could do with a bit of colour", so you have a go at the lawn and you plant some flowers and its 10 times better again. Then you look at again and think "I like that patch of colour, but I wish it was bigger", so you plant more, then realise you didn't actually like the first lot where they were, so you move them about and replace things. Before you know it you've bought a spade that cost more than £6.99 and you know what secateurs are called.

I'd be tempted to kill it off with round up before doing anything. It looks pretty weed infested as you say. Preparation is paramount. Remember, once your lawn is there, you'll never ever get a chance to get to the soil under the grass again without harming the lawn, so its important to get it right up front. If you can hire a small turf cutter, I'd take the whole lawn off after its dead (a couple of weeks after applying round up). Then stack it upside down in a corner somewhere where it will turn into good soil. Then I'd feed the soil underneath, give it a coating with a mix of compost and sharp sand (not deep, just enough to coat the surface and iron out any imperfections). Then I'd seed it. I've never seen the point of turf in a long term project. Turf, in my opinion, is for temporary gardens that need to be built in, and look good for a day or two. Seed produces good results almost as quickly at a fraction of the cost, and no real difference in terms of maintenance effort.

 

Omg clueless that has what has happened to me!

 

Well after another period of zero interest I had a moment of divine inspiration today. Went out and tidied the garden which in itself made a massive difference. I then bought a grow bag or 2 to top up my window boxes and also to fill a chimney pot I've put ontop of the manhole.

I also bought some pansies, violas and petunias for the window boxes and some Aubrecia to put in the chimney pot.

Hopefully this will be the time I finally sort the lawn too, I've bought some 'weed and feed' so will see how that works.

Really hoping I can retain interest this time!!


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BIG UP out Stephen.... You'll be amazed at how quickly your plants spread and bulk up. In a few weeks it will make a stunning display...
Jenny

 

A few pictures, think I may have left the window boxes too bare?








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Good to see you back Stephenj...You'll be surprised how quick those plants will fill out once they get settled in...Looking good

 

No Stephen, -not too bare at all. Make sure they don't dry out ( but don't drown them either) and snip off the curled up dead pansy flowers regularly. This will prompt the plant to produce even more as its aim in life is to produce seed to produce offspring. As long as the plant is watered and given nutrition, it will go on for months trying to achieve this.
Please,will you take another photo in a months time to show us their progress?
Jenny

 

Thanks for the advice Jenny, the window boxes look a bit empty now but I guess when things start to bloom and grow they will fill in nicely.

Will go out this morning and apply some of my weed and feed to see if I can nurse the 'lawn' into a state where I'm happy with it.



The little patch of ground on the left hand side of my door (can be seen in earlier photos) has had to have a change of use, it now needs to be somewhere to keep 2 bicycles so I think I may re-lay the 3 slabs at the bottom and just keep the top area for planting.


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Looking good, those planters will be just fine in a few weeks.

Keep an eye out for Jack, as those petunias may need a little protection.

Good luck with the lawn.

 

Finally just got my outside tap working after promising myself I'd do it for the last 2 years, this will make things a lot easier and cleaner as I won't have to get water from inside all the time

Also has this thread been moved as I kinda feel I put it in a more suitable section originally?


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