Doe anyone else hate their garden?

[nigelslaterfan]

We don't have any grass, just a big deck.

The summer really depresses me with all the paddling pools in all the gardens.... it would cost too much to put down grass at the moment.

[dementedma]

I have lots of weeds.......
Can't you put the paddling pool on the deck?

[shovetheholly]

What's the ground like under the deck - is it possible to tell? You can do grass quite easily and cheaply if you are prepared to sow it and wait. Tis a bit of work, but worth it if your garden is getting you down that much!

[nigelslaterfan]

It's hard to explain but we can't do it at the moment, too expensive.

What i need to do is make the best of what we have and hear from someone who is happy without any grass! Is there anyone out there with children who doesn't have any grass?

[Artandco]

Just put a paddling pool the decking!

We have only a small roof terrace (London), it's decked. We have paddling pool out there now ( and have done the last 5 years). You just don't get a huge pool as empty it by hand ( we just use paddling pool water to water the plants in pots). A fair bit gets sloshed out straight onto deck whilst they at but its fine, it dries up like it would after rain

We also have a sandpit, play trays filled with stones and shells and mini fossils- play with small diggers and cars in there. Put picnic blanket, pile of cushions and books omit and put sun umbrella up as a book corner. We painted one wall with outdoor chalk paint so they can draw out there lots.

Duplicate Lego and brio train sets get taken out also. Perfect on decking

[nigelslaterfan]

Yes, I just have to get more positive..... this is the third garden I've compromised on, I really never learn! But also I am lucky to have a garden at all I know.

[Qwebec]

Potted plants would make your deck look nice.

[nigelslaterfan]

thanks that's true

[netty7070]

Just treat it like you would a 'normal' garden - lots of containers, maybe even a small tree in a container (there are loads of dwarf varieties).

[AnulTheMagnificent]

I will probably get flamed for this, but how about a small area of astro turf until you can get the real thing?

[echt]

I am an ardent gardener and would not turn my nose up to astroturf.

I'm currently killing off the seasonal grass/weeds on my nature strip - the ones that frazzle to nothing in the heat - to be replaced by native clumping grasses in mulch and and two astroturf paths for car drivers to walk across.

Back to you OP, have a think about plants you can put in containers - and here's the thing - retain them in their pots if/when you ditch the deck.

[funnyperson]

Like netty I think lots of containers with flowers vegetables and trees and paddling pool on the deck
You can plant climbers in containers if you want, such as clematis and roses and plants such as hydrangeas and late summer bulbs such as lilies and bedding plants like petunias and trailing lobelia. You can plant azaleas and rhodedendrons and figs and fruit trees from dwarf root stock: you can get them cheap at lidl. You can plant tomatoes and strawberries and blueberries in your containers if you want.
Containers can be expensive but you can salvage old sinks and troughs and buckets and upcycle pallets and stuff to be nice containers- echt has some lovely ones.
You can paint them colours of your own choosing using paints from sample pots.
Containers are the in thing at the moment due to the rise of urban living.
There are also lots of nice pictures on pinterest
Lawn isnt essential and many people who have lawns want to get rid of them! uk.pinterest.com/birdsblooms/garden-creative-containers/

[funnyperson]

Much as I hate 'love your garden' the latest episode had a bit where the gardener goes to the outdoor seating area at the Ritz and looks at their containers and imitates the planting with white hydrangeas and standard bay trees in white wooden containers.

[Davros]

We have a fairly small garden that is all paved but with raised beds on two sides. The beds give a nice green background and stop overlooking. We decided to find things that work in a small garden so we have a fold up table tennis table, dart board, swing ball. It's like outdoor pub night quite often! It sounds like your DCs may be younger, but we had numerous paddling pools over the years, and small can be good as quicker to fill, foam hopscotch, deck coits etc. I've always wished we had a bigger garden as DH and I both grew up in homes with big gardens but, to be honest, I struggle to keep on top of the jobs in our little patch. Going to buy a badminton set this year and play without the net, see how that goes. Good luck, just try to make it work for you

[nigelslaterfan]

ooh thank you for all these ideas! I feel cheered up!
There are actually good things about it but it's got out of control, there is a load of bloody massive bamboo on one side, and some trees which are huge and cutting out too much light, the quote for reducing them is horrendous.
But I think I am just daunted by a lack of confidence. I think I need to do one pot at a time.
My dream garden would be a large area of grass and then lavender, lavender, lavender, lavender. Herbs and veg too would be lovely but I adore lavender.

[shovetheholly]

Well, lavender loves being in a pot with some grit, so maybe that part of your dream isn't so far off!

[colleysmill]

The best lavender plants I've ever bought were in a pack if 3 from Lidl last year for about 2 quid. They have thrived (and I've planted them in pots too)

[afreshstartplease]

I hate my garden

It doesn't have grass

It has wonky paving and very overgrown flowerbeds

But it serves a purpose in that I can hang out my washing, store my bins and the dc can play out there

Its full of toys atm, we have a paddling pool I put it on those big foam squares, a slide and sandpit

Dc all have bikes although not much room to ride them

And we have a table and chairs

To be honest if I had the time or effort to dig the weeds etc it could be quite nice, but I don't

[shovetheholly]

Jaded - your pots are terrific! And to your view. Stunning!

I honestly think it's easy to be overwhelmed by a garden, freshstart especially if you haven't done one before. However, dividing it into small, manageable pieces and tackling one at a time can really work and grow your confidence as well as new plants!

[Mini05]

Wow Jade amazing view! Is that UK

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

Morrisons has a lovely lavender stoechas as 'plant of the week' this week for £3. Definitely grow lots of lavender in pots!

[funnyperson]

jaded thats fantastic!
OP I'm with you on the lavender. Lavedner Hidcote is my favourite!

[nigelslaterfan]

But which is wrong and which is right lavender? I bought the wrongun last time because it was in flower, I think the French one is the wrongun?
at my the vast expanse of my ignorance

[funnyperson]

There isnt any right or wrong Lavender really, just different types. Early and late flowering, purple and white, English and French. My neighbour has 10 different types of Lavender growing in his south facing mediterranean style front garden