venusmist wrote:
Thanks people,

I have been out and borrowed a couple of design books from the
library, but as to plants, i have absoloutly no idea.

Looking through garden centres etc, it seems every plant "is best
planted in full sun", on "well drained soil".


Tell me about it!

so - what can i plant in my crappy patch? Also none of the lables in
the garden centre said whether they were toxic to people or pets.

The soil will need to be improved, this is mainly to change the texture and
hydrolic properties, not so much to add nutrients. Put simply the more
organic matter you add the better. Find a local garden club for species
recomendations. Don't worry about the labels.

David