venusmist wrote:
Hi everyone - this is my second attempt at posting this - my first
timed out - oops!

Well I am a total newbie to gardening (think greener than the greenest
thing you have ever seen).

I live in the uk, and am a single parent to my 2 beautiful young
children. Both of my kids are under 5, and my youngest (2) is
disabled.He suffers from GDD and cerebral palsy - which means his
moility is limited and he appears very clumsy. I have an small dog
(affenpinscher), and i am looking to create a garden that we can all
enjoy safely!

I have absoloutly no idea where to start - i know nothing about
plants, lawn care, planting, garden design, pet and chlid friendly
planting, etc etc etc

My garden is a complete blank canvas, and i have the time and
wilingness to put in all the labour, i just need the advice and
encouragement! I do though (well being a single mammy) have the
smallest of small small budgets, so i know this isnt going to be one
of those miricle overnight garden makeovers.

my garden is:

* 4m wide x 10m long
* north facing
* house is on south "wall" with small patio in front
* fenced (panel fencing) on 3 remaining sides to 4ft high
* behind north fence is mature hedgerow - 12ft high
* clay soil (solid lol)
* laid to lawn - very patchy, weak and unhealthy looking
* access to garden is only through the house.
* very shady


I want:

* child and pet friendly design

I don't often suggest lawn but it is one of the few natural surfaces that
are good for children to play on and have some chance of not turning into
dust/mud. You will have a challenge on solid clay, shaded, facing the pole.
I suggest getting in a lawn person to have a look at it to see if it is
salvageable. I know you said the budget is limited but somebody who knows
their stuff here will save you lots in the long run. Maybe a family friend
or somebody from the local garden club? If it's just too shady it may be
impossible to keep covered.

* child and pet friendly planting

Tough non-toxic non-spiky shrubs. Annuals don't take to being run over so
well.

* help on selecting shrubs, and all planting

Can't help, don't know your region, you need somebody who does.

* help and ideas for a design

Get some books from the library and write down in detail all the things you
want, then start drafting plans. Try to wait until you have seen all the
seasons and know where is wet/dry, some sun/no sun etc, before making the
final decision.

* not too many annual plants (i'm a single mum and cant afford to
replant the garden each spring)

Good idea. Maybe a few for colour in beds out of the flight path that can
self-seed each year and save you replanting.

* as much colour and scent as is possible (being child and pet
friendly too)


Select the right shrubs, grasses and groundcovers.

not asking to much am i? I have absoloutly no idea where to start, and
need you all to kind of hold my hand through it all, please please
please can you help?


Sally xxx

This will be quite difficult but very rewarding if you pull it off. Good
luck.

David