What can I plant in my garden?

[theaveragebear1983]

I'm a terrible gardener and I have a small garden that's either east or west facing (I think) so it gets a bit of sun either morning or afternoon depending on where in the garden you are. I have a 1m x 6m raised bed that has been well planted over the years but was destroyed by our puppy (who is now no longer with us) so it's totally empty. There's also a small border with a productive apple tree and again, some empty soil. I don't know what to plant for a bit of colour and variety, not too much work involved, that will last and develop over the years. I've been to garden centres but everything says full sun, especially it seems, anything that flowers. Any suggestions?

I'll come back sometime.

How much light does it get? Not necessarily full sun but when the sun is off it is it gloomy or light?

It seems to be quite a bright garden, even without the sun on it, especially as we've hacked down a few of next doors overhanging climbers. We have a deck area that's in the only area that gets full sun so I am planning a few pots on there to get some flowers. It's just these beds that need something- at the moment they're just a mud bath for my toddler! Also, does it really matter what type of soil you have for example? When I've done any reading, it blows my mind with soil types and acidity and I don't know where to start!

I'm not going to get around to much gardening this year sadly as am 38 weeks pregnant and anticipating a low productivity year due to sleep deprivation!

So, I have just bought lots of hardy or true geraniums, I have a couple already and they bush out and provide masses of lovely colour all summer long, very low maintenance. When they finish flowering, you cut them right back and they start all over again! They die back over winter and then should come back every year.

I don't know much about soil types really, most things are done by trial and error in my garden as it feels like the easiest way to learn without getting overwhelmed with science.

I don't spend much on plants in the first place though, so I don't mind if some things don't make it. If anyone in your family or friends circle is interested in gardening, ask their advice as it is invaluable having someone who can actually see the space and what areas you need to fill. Also, they may be able to help with cuttings and some odd plants here and there,I generally try to avoid garden centres as they are expensive. I do swaps with people, buy from my lovely man on the market (the hardy geraniums were £3 which is fine to me, my mum told me off as they are so easy to propagate but I don't have the time or inclination to do that at the moment!) and keep an eye out at plant sales, car boot sales etc where people are getting rid of extra plants they have very cheaply.

I also try mainly to plant perennials which will come back every year. Bedding plants (which will die after the summer) produce a good show of colour but just last for the season so I don't feel they represent good value compared with one's that come back each year.

If you just planting out a raised bed try to plan a bit with height and spread, don't overfill it now. My raised beds are filled with strawberry plants which we got a huge crop from last year, dd absolutely loved picking them! Maybe part of the bed could be fruit or veg and then your toddler could help pick when ready?

1st. On a sunny morning face where the sun rises, the bed behind you is east facing so will get sun in the morning. Most plants will grow there. The fence you are facing is west facing so any plants that require full sun will do well there and also on the south of the garden.

If you can say where you are Someone. Might be able to make a rough guess at soil type. Generally if your soil feels heavy and sticks together is is clay.

Don't get too hung up on soil type. When you buy plants, dig hole larger than you need and part fill it with multi purpose compost, this will give the plant a good start while it is young. Garden centres at the moment don't have a massive variety of plants but if you wait a few weeks, loads will appear and then you can choose the ones you like.

For a new gardener, I would advise ordering some garden catalogues, parkers, Spaldings, T&M , these will give you an idea of what plant look like, soil conditions and sun or shade tolerant. Also will tell you eventual height and whether they are poisonous to small children.

There's a thread on here asking about soil types - think the second post had a really excellent website which showed what sort of soil everyone in the UK has. Can't link to it as am on phone.

I often look at crocus.co.uk as they have a website that shows what sort of things you can grow in what conditions (full sun, East facing, sandy soil, attractive to bees etc). They are quite expensive though (especially with the Isle of Wight delivery surcharge) so I also browse my local garden centre first to see what they have.