13-02-2010, 07:40 AM
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Registered User
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spider[_2_]
"Nutty_Nick" wrote in message
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Nutty_Nick;877019 Wrote:
Hello,
I have just joined this site, and I have to say I am a complete
novice when it comes to my garden. I am going to be planting flower
seeds for the first time and will need all the advise that i can get!
Let me expand a bit. my garden in a blank canvass, so i am starting from
scratch, I have got a large flower bed at the top of my garden and a
flower bed at the bottom and in between its laid to lawn. I would like
to put flower beds all around the lawn and maybe a couple of small
trees.
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Nutty_Nick
Welcome, Nick.
It is always worthwhile waiting with a new plot to see what comes up over
the year. Also have a chat with gardening neighbours and friends; they may
be able to identify existing plants for you. A soil test, to tell you the
ph of your soil is a good idea, although some plants 'tell' you themselves:
Rhododendrons love acid soil; pinks and carnations love alkaline soil. If
you look at local Hydrangeas you will learn a lot: blue flowers indicate
acid soil; pink flowers, alkaline; purplish flowers indicate neutral soil.
Look at plants in local gardens and see what grows well. If it's not
familiar, then the proud owner may be able to tell you.
As well as browsing in the library, it is worth starting an inexpensive book
collection of your own so you have basic information at your fingertips, and
I would recommend the 'Expert' series of books by Dr. Hessayon.
New-to-gardening friends of mine also find Alan Titchmarshe's "How to be a
Gardener" very useful. It will explain soil types, ph variation, essential
feeds and nutrients ... and a great deal more.
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Spider
from high ground in SE London,
gardening on clay. |
thanks for all your advise,
i am looking forward to getting my hands dirty,
i will keep you updated.
nutty_nick
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