an old dog new tricks?

[mycarisabakedbeancan]

very briefly i have always let DH do the gardening. this has really just amounted to cutting the grass really.
now i've retired Infeel i should try and make an effort to make the garden nice.
But starting where?
We have no tools other than the lawnmower.
so please tell what do I need to start with ?
we have a typical suburban long thin garden . at the moment only acers x3
silver birch x2 and some roses
I love hydrangea s but they look very sad .
we also have a trrrible patch at the back of the garden with tall trees from the neighbours garden casting shade .
Any pointers please i'll be so grateful

so please tell what do I need to start with ?
First of all, make a plan / design i.e think about paths, borders, seating area, points of interest, water features, etc, etc. Give the garden a focus, a heart. Don't forget to design the boring bits, too, like the compost heap and where the washing line goes.
Think about designing across the garden. Just following down the long, thin sides will make it feel even longer and thinner!
Find out where the sun strikes and put your favourite bit (?flowers, ?seating) there.
Plants come later.

Have a look at what your neighbours have done and copy the good ideas!

A full redesign is one idea but if you're wanting to start smaller than that or just learn how to garden the garden you have: I'd pick one thing and learn about it and do it well. Then I'd add another. Then another.

So, if you like your hydrangea then focus on that. There is such a joy in seeing a well loved plant come back to full health.

Some good info here: www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-hydrangeas/

Check your hydrangea is on the right spot. Then think about what it needs at each point of the year and make yourself a note to do those jobs at the right time.

e.g. they like dappled shade. Does yours get that? if it does = great. If it doesn't, do you want to move it somewhere better? If so, then make a plan to move it at the end of the growing year (around Oct/Nov).

e.g. they like moist soil. Does yours have that? if not, then make a note to water it deeply every other week.

e.g. they like fertile soil. Does yours have that? if not, then grab some hydrangea feed and make a note to feed at least twice during the growing season (maybe once in April and once again in July).

e.g. Does it have a nice shape? If not, make a note to prune it at during spring next year (around Ap/May).

Once you feel you understand your hydrangea, then look to learn about something else. Maybe your roses?

Maybe then focus on problem areas, such as your shady area at the end which could easily become a fernery. Ferns are beautiful and need little care in the right spot.

Piece by peice it'll all get better and you'll learn more and more...

Buy a couple of gardening books. I suggest some from the 'Expert' series by DG Hessayon. There's one on lawns, one for flowering plants, one for trees and shrubs, one for containers, the list goes on, there's loads. All basic info on how to garden, and about each plant variety.

Websites and online blogs are all very well, but you need to ask the right questions in the first place. You can't beat an actual book you can read from start to finish and learn as you go.

You will need some secateurs, some shears, a watering can, a fork or spade and maybe some gardening gloves. Get thee down to B&M, Wilko or similar, they have reasonably priced tools in there.

ah yes that all sounds like great advice
i'm off to buy stuff tomorrow and see what I can do!!
thankyou all as always

A good idea for seeing what plants will thrive in your garden is to look at what the neighbours have.

Also a trowel.

I have a small plastic trug in which I keep the basics, trowel, secateurs, folding pruning saw (I have a lot of trees, you probably won’t need this), ball of hemp twine, scissors, and it goes with me round the garden.

You’ll also need something to carry weeds or soil around in.

Doh - yes, I forgot a trowel.

feeling proud removed loads of ivy from next door growing into our garden

getting the implements to morrow aiming to do do one hour per day hope this will make a difference