Recommendations for books or websites for a complete novice

[Firstaidnovice]

We've recently moved into our first ever house (flat dwellers), and I have no idea where to even start with the garden, which is just a rectangle of lawn at the moment. I will be doing it myself (I'm pretty DIY handy in the house), but gardening is totally new to me.

Obviously I am sure that you lovely mumsnetters will be able to help with any specific questions, but can anyone recommend any books for total novices to get started? And/or websites. I've spent some time on Pinterest getting ideas of what I like the look of, but need to know how to actually achieve it.

Thanks!

[iammeegan]

Hi firstaidnovice, I don't have any adive but I'm in the same position as you so placemarking and bumping for you

One started with window herb planters and have been really successful.

I'm creating raised beds in our garden just waiting for some decent weather to get started

[Firstaidnovice]

Ooh, how are you creating raised beds? That's one of the things on my (ridiculously long) wishlist. I'm planning on building them myself to save money.
I think my first step though is planting a tree, as it seems to be the right time of year for that. Just need to find something that's not going to be too big.

[iammeegan]

I've already sort of got beds but there's out of control and surround by really awful looking bricks so like you I want to build hem myself hopefully about 1.5ft tall if not more. I've got steps leading up to my garden in a very light decking wood so would love to make them out of that so it all matches. I've got loads of very old walls to paint to. Our lists sound as long as each other's

That's the decking wood we've got now

[aircooled]

The Complete Gardener by Monty Don is excellent. There are more practical `what you should be doing in the 3rd week in May' type books out there but Monty helps you get the bigger picture. I still refer to Geoff Hamilton's Successful Organic Gardening - great advice whether you decide to go organic or not. But actually it's the only sensible way...

[Firstaidnovice]

I've also got walls to paint iammeegan, going back and forth on colours.
And thanks aircooled, that's useful. I think I'm going to head to the library, but it's definitely big picture I'm after. I'm about as novice as it's possible to be.

[langlandgirl2]

I'm just embarking on quote a large project so we can share experiences too.

I've recently bought Tom Ogrens Allergy Fighting Garden as we've got pollen issues in our family. I'm about to order Susan Morrison www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1604697911/_encoding=UTF8?psc=0&coliid=I3TJY4QA8DNPWR&colid=2LBYW81D8PCZS&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21


I also love gardenista for ideas (which is where I found the link for the Susan Morrison book)

I find lots of forums very helpful and amongst my top are gardeners world, this one but there are loads of resources depending on your style and what you are looking for eg:
www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/10-online-gardening-communities-you-should-join.html

[SeaRabbit]

For establishing more knowledge, I recommend buying the Daily Telegraph on a Saturday: they have a whole section on gardening and some very good writers. Over time you will pick up so much information. DH used to laugh at me as he read his Guardian but I found it invaluable.

[Clankboing]

Monty Don The Weekend Gardener.