I need the idiot's guide to making a border please!

[twinky]

My garden is mainly scruffy lawn and there is a really sunny patch that I would like to make into a border. I can dig up the turf but then what? Is it just a case of dig over the ground underneath or do I need to do anything else? Advice from more knowledgable mumsnetters would be appreciated.

[girlscout]

I think you have it theretwinky.
Dig up a bit of the lawn, leave a little "gulley" between the soilborder level and the turf, enrich the soil according to what you want to put in (manure for a goodfeed, compost for drainage and delicate newplants,). Is it clay ,sandy soil?
Are you putting in acid loving plants, then put in the appropriate conditions.

[twinky]

Thankyou girlscout. I think the soil is fairly peaty. I have some nice compost waiting to be used so could maybe use some of that. I will have a go when the weather improves!

[queenmaeve]

Try buying something in bloom every month or so for a year. That way you'll always have a bit of colour in your border

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

I've just done this. There was a border before but it was filled with overgrown shrubs. I paid for it to be cleared and dug over and it was in remarkably good nick underneath. If you can get hold of wholesale compost or well-rotted manure that's worth digging in. I've also been sprinkling around and digging in some all purpose fertilizer granules.

Having had some expensive disasters planting new things in dry summers I would always wait for autumn to start planting in earnest. My best tip is - aside from any structural shrubs and climbers - avoid planting ones and twos of things. If you go for perennials, they look best if planted in a larger group... threes and sixes. And, while things are establishing, fill any gaps with easy growing annuals or bedding.

[twinky]

Thanks everyone for all the advice and suggestions. The weather is glorious today so am going to make a start. Maybe this time next year I'll have a beautiful flower border to admire!