new to gardening, after advice

[Doodlekitty]

Hi all. We have finally reclaimed our garden and have created a blank slate. So I had 2 empty borders and LOADS of empty pots. I want it looking nice but am very lazy. I also have a vision of a garden where all tge plants are edible (have had some success growing veg in the past).

So, I decided to go for plants that would spread out and fill the borders. I planted mint last week. Now some friends have pretty much screamed at me that this is a crap idea. So it looks like I need to take it out but I have no idea what to plant instead.

Also, is a composter best put on soil, or can I put it on the patio?

Noticed no one has responded. As it was a few weeks ago that you posted, have you made any progress yourself?

Sounds like you need easy care plants - try googling for some. If you are lazy, then mulch the soil to cut down on the need to weed, etc. Have a look at what your neighbours have. You usually find that plants that do well in an area will be common to many of the gardens.

Why would anyone think planting mint was not on? It can go mad - sometimes better to restrict it by growing it in pots. Actually, I like it when herbs are planted amongst other things - thyme, marjoram, rosemary and sage could all do well. Softer herbs like tarragon might not survive over winter so you'd have to re-plant.

Also at this time of year, stick some annuals in for colour over the summer - you can buy them pretty cheaply from supermarkets, garden centres, etc.

Always worth checking out the RHS, OP. Lots of ideas on there for things to grow, plus a plant finder.

Crocus is also worth a browse for general ideas..... you don't have to buy from them!

I definitely second wowfudge's suggestion about checking out the neighbourhood and seeing what grows well/what you like. Plants that do well will suit your soil type and generally thrive if you have them too.

Good luck, it's exciting having a clean slate

Mint will spread and fill the borders alright. Dig it up and corral it in a big pot or be prepared to spend the next five years weeding it out. Quite satisfying though.

Good fillers off the top of my head include cranesbill (buy it in flower so you can choose a colour you like), rhubarb (edible of course), ladies mantle, all the various daisy type things including helenium, leucanthemum, rock rose, perennial poppies. Also sprinkle forget me not seeds around, they cover a multitude of sins at this time of year.

Compost bin on soil.

Ah, this might be a thread for me.

I am trying to turn over my Dad's (and once family) garden but of course all the nice plants have died decades ago and weeds are de rigeur. All I do is de-weed it, then they come back again, not very rewarding.

Now I can of course bung in a few hardy plants and seeds to keep things going, but first, really, should I be changing the soil so all the weed seeds are not there? How would I do that? I mean, I can buy some nice topsoil which stresses that it is 'immune' or something to weeds, but do I have to chuck out or remove most of the previous soil there? And where do I take that, the skip?

Otherwise I can see myself planting loads of nice stuff only to see it overwhelmed again through lack or forethought.

BTW the area I live is quite clay-ish.

Hi there - try planting some shrubs, etc and putting mulch down around them on top of the soil to reduce weed growth. If it's really bad you could put a weed suppressing membrane down.