On Jul 10, 6:21*pm, classixuk
wrote:
Hi everyone,

After denying it for some considerable years I have come to the
conclusion this year that I absolutely detest gardening. These past 2
summers have been the worst and where there was once a lawn (if you
could ever call it that) is now just a bed of weeds and nettles.

Out of pure consideration for both my dog who needs to toilet there, and
my poor neighbours who have to look at the sorry state everytime they
open their bedroom curtains I have decided that this year I really need
to sort it out once and for all.

I'm looking for ideas from people who love gardening. Half the reason
being that I am a hairdresser who can cut many styles and invent many
colours, but when a client tells me they want 'low maintence - wash and
leave' I try to still use some creative thought into making something
suited to them than simply utilitarian.

My non gardening loving friends have so far suggested 2 things - "flag
it over" or "get that false grass stuff", neither of which appeals to me
(or my neighbours I imagine) so could I possibly draw on your experience
and creativity to help me with a very low maintence plan?

My garden is typically suburban. Rectangular - 30ft wide by 70ft long. A
full width shed sits at the bottom of the garden and a full width decked
patio sits at the top which is accessed by 2 patio doors.

It's the 'sea of green' that lies in the middle of those 2 areas that
gives me such a headache every year (totally embarrassed here admitting
this).

Here's what I like to use my garden for: Letting my dog out to go wee or
poo at night or through the day, Having 2-3 intimate barbeques per year
on the decked area, Storing stuff, burning stuff (just occasional
paperwork from work that contains private information such as client
addresses or contact details etc. - I tried shredding and it takes AGES
- much faster to burn), and I guess if it was tidy without risk of being
stung by nettles I would love to have a covered hammock or swing to sit
in occasionally to read my kindle.

Oh, and I am not keen at all on any bees or wasps coming anywhere near
me hence me not ever wanting to mow the lawn in the summer!

Many thanks in advance if you can help me out with some ideas that will
work long-term.

Chris

--
classixuk

It says UK in your .sig, right? Anyone who tries to help you needs to
know your climate, as well as your mini-climate. How much sunshine?
How much rain? How long is growing season? You don't necessarily
have to have a grass lawn. Depending on your climate (that's why the
info is SO important), you could cover the area with wood chips, even
gravel, and leave yourself a tiny grass area to park your chaise long
and kindle. The rest could be occupied by handsome, low-maintenance
shrubs, interspersed with the wood chips/gravel/tough, low-maintenance
ground cove, or a combination of all. Do you have any artistic
friends who could develop a plan for you? Or break down and hire a
landscape architect (or less expensive assistant). Sometimes spending
a few bux saves problems down the line.

BTW: My city hosts free shredding parties every quarter. People can
bring umpty boxes or bags of documents to feed the maw of the mighty
civic shredder.
Maybe yours does as well? Or should...

HB