Our first garden in December - what to do?

[cityangel]

We are moving to North London for our first garden. We had hoped to find our 10 year family home be in by Summer but are now renting a place with a medium sized established garden for a couple of years. We'd like to try and grow herbs, vegetables & compost & make it fun for a 2 year ol

What are the keen gardeners doing right now and what do you advise overkeen newbie gardeners to try or avoid... I know its a trial by effort/ error thing but really don't want dh to be disappointed, ir waste money is there anything that grows right now?

:( bump

Not doing much at the mo as the plot is tidy.

HOWEVER, if it wasn't I would clear weeds off a section you want to use next year. THen maybe cover with a sheet ofplatic or weed suppressant membrane, anything to stop the weeds growing in spring next year.

THen in spring you will have a space to plant stuff.

This winter, work out on a sheet of paper what you are going to plant and when (and where on the plot) and buythe seeds. YOu can then fondle the packets until Feb MArch when you need to make a start.

thanks cat :) am wondering what the owners will think when they discover half their garden is planted with spring onions!

We are mostly sitting indoors lusting over Sarah Raven dahlias and trying to find the same varieties cheaper online somewhere; or trying to get all the varieties of tomato seed we want from a single website.

Quite a few of us are (i suspect) thinking 'i really should have got that compost out and on the beds last month - oh well, never mind, will do it in the spring'.

And many of us are thinking 'i wish i'd taken a photo of that bed before the frost got it, then i could remember what I wanted to move around and where it would look better'.

Some of us are occasionally doing some tidying up - raking leaves off grass, cutting back really manky stuff.

Those of us who are a bit smug are stroking our brussel sprouts and harvesting salads.

And we are planning planning planning for the spring

You could break up an org. garlic bulb and plant the single bulbs, they like winter (if you like them!)Start a compost heap or container . You can then bag it up to take to yr permanent home.

One of the things I did when I moved in September was to plant up containers of bulbs and plants. Then in the spring, as hidden things started growing, I shifted them around.
When I had the effect I wanted, I made a plan and notes, then I planted the contents of the containers into the garden as and where I wanted them to appear next year.

Thank you I am very excited on Sunday I will wake up with a garden so great thoughts.... I think we're going to need our wintry coats though!

WAIT and watch

• you want to see what comes up, where the light is at different times of year, where the damp and dry bits are, where bulbs might spring up, etc.

For the first year do as meltedmarsbars says.

Then, I think the first thing I'd do is dig it over. If there's a lawn already then you'll be able to ignore it until spring when you'll have to mow it, but I'm sure you know that!

Decide which herbs you would like best, then find out whether they like shade, part shade or full sun. During the winter you will be able to tell which parts of the garden drain well and which become swamps.

If you're really anal (like me) you can then draw a plan of your garden and decide what would go where.

Some herbs are very hardy and can be planted out in the winter (I think) but check with your garden centre.

You will need tools like a spade, fork, trowel, pots etc.

Well Sunday we'll be exploring the shed to see what tools they had to play garden detectives! Thsnk you for all the ideas :)

Have fun