Aaargh where to start!?

[BlackLetterDay]

Hi all and sorry if there are numerous threads like this, I have already noted the newbies thread and will be joining shortly lol.

We have just moved into our lovely council house which comes attached with decent sized front and back gardens. The thing is there are already loads of plants in the garden, and we haven't the slightest clue. Dp is very keen for a veg patch and we have a greenhouse and loads of container thingies with plants in them, we don't even know what the plants are never mind what to do with them. we also have loads of rose bushes 2 apple trees and 2 other trees of unknown origin (the trees are quite small not huge).

Where would be the best place to start, I want to clear dead plants etc but is every plant dead if it looks all brown? Do some just look like that in the winter. I also want to get rid of the roses as this was obviously a house belonging to people without children, the garden looks nice but not enough stretches of grass to house play equipment etc.

God I feel so thick, dp grew up in a flat and I grew up in a house that had a garden but it was just grass lol.

I have pics of the garden on my profile incase anyone has any ideas

[BlackLetterDay]

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[Wizzska]

Lots of plants will look dead at this time of year. In a month or so they will grow again. If you want to start growing veg I'd choose a site that gets plenty of sun, dig it over and clear it of previous plants and weeds and add some compost to the soil or well rotted farm manure to the soil.

Otherwise, it looks like you have a lovely garden and very tidy. I'd leave it and see what comes up in the spring/summer. You might have some lovely plants there. Regarding clearing dead plants, you can chop the brown bits off for tidyness rather than dig the plants up, the new growth will come from the roots.

The garden looks lovely by the way.

[Wizzska]

PS put the manure in the soil before you plant stuff, gives it chance to settle in to the soil and it won't be too strong for the new seedlings or plugs of whatever you plant. That's why it is a good time to do it now before sowing and planting time.

[Buda]

Looks like a nice garden but would agree that with children you will want more playing space. For starters if I were you I would concentrate on creating those and leave the sides of the garden alone this year until you have been through one complete year and know what you have.

So I would decided where I wanted to put a veg plot and where I wanted to have the children's playing space and get those done. It is a bit early yet but you can get planning. I would suggest you buy a book or two or borrow from the library to get some ideas and advice.

[throckenholt]

live with it for a year and see what comes up.

Just weed, and cut back anything obviously dead. Obviously dead mean it hasn't come back to life by say June - and has no sign of greenness when you scratch the bark. Take photos every few weeks so you have a record of what was where.

After a year - next autumn - decide which bit to change.

Dig up the roses now if you don't like them.

[Earthymama]

If any of your neighbours look approachable and have decent gardens, ie not perfect lawns but lots of plants and veg ask them for some advice.

Buy a good book, Carole Klein is great this one

Ooh i've seen she's written Grow your Own Fruit....off to buy it now!

[Lancelot]

That's a fab size for a family garden! First thing I'd do is to fence off round the greenhouse (not too high or close, so you don't block all the light). Make it football/toddler proof. That way you can release the children without worrying about broken glass.

It does look good, but I'd probably turf some of those nice, sculptured flower beds so the lawn is an easier shape to mow (and muck about on). Keep the fruit trees and the others, at least till you can see what they are. No need to change lots all at once.
Have fun!

[Lancelot]

That's a fab size for a family garden! First thing I'd do is to fence off round the greenhouse (not too high or close, so you don't block all the light). Make it football/toddler proof. That way you can release the children without worrying about broken glass.

It does look good, but I'd probably turf some of those nice, sculptured flower beds so the lawn is an easier shape to mow (and muck about on). Keep the fruit trees and the others, at least till you can see what they are. No need to change lots all at once.
Have fun!