"Dave Hill" wrote
I would get out and walk your neighbourhood looking at other peoples
gardens to see what is growing well, also your local parks, where you
can see trees and shrubs in a more mature state.
Your local library is a good place to brows gardening books to get
ideas for design and plants, and when you come across a book you don't
want to hand back then is the time to buy it.
After this preperation then visit one or two of your local Nurseries,
you will generaly get better help and advise than at B&Q or many
garden centres.

Welcome back Dave.

I'll add another vote re the library. They're an excellent resource for
books (and sometimes videos or dvds) on all aspects of gardening and
garden planning, which would otherwise cost a fortune to buy. If you're
not already a member, find out about separate shelf locations, as the
Dewey numbering system, if they use that, can separate garden planning
from the books about plants and growing, and there are also some really
good 'oversize' ones that might be kept on other shelves as well.

Also don't rush anything, because you'll probably change your mind
several times before you know what you really want!

A good way to have an enjoyable day out once the season gets going, plus
get information, ideas and sometimes bargain plants at the same time, is
to look out for local garden open days. The owners are often very
knowledgeable and pleased to be asked about their star plants.

Lastly, good luck and keep reading the ng because as I've found out
you'll get some great tips and info here too!

--
Sue

I'm in Coventry, the garden faces south west.

At the moment with the sun in the sky the left fence (easterly one)
casts a big shadow over most of the garden and certainly that border.
The garden is meduim sized (sorry I'm not good at sizes...)

I would like a nice green lawn with shrubs/flowers in all 3 borders
(left right and back) but not to be too thick or it will take up too
much garden! Also a water feature and maybe a herb garden would be
nice.

I think looking at books in the lirbary is a good idea and maybe some
sketches...

On 2 Mar, 12:31, "405 TD Estate" wrote:
I'm in Coventry, the garden faces south west.

At the moment with the sun in the sky the left fence (easterly one)
casts a big shadow over most of the garden and certainly that border.
The garden is meduim sized (sorry I'm not good at sizes...)

I would like a nice green lawn with shrubs/flowers in all 3 borders
(left right and back) but not to be too thick or it will take up too
much garden! Also a water feature and maybe a herb garden would be
nice.

I think looking at books in the lirbary is a good idea and maybe some
sketches...

I know it sounds pedantic but medium size tells us nothing, Try pacing
out its length and width that will give us a much better idea.
If you live on a new estate your garden could be 7 paces wide and 10
paces long. On an older estate it could be 10 paces by15., and with
old housing a medium size garden could be 10 paces by 30 paces.
An old country cottage could well have ar4ound half an acre as a
medium sized garden.
David Hill
Abacus Nurseries

"405 TD Estate" wrote in message
ps.com...
I'm in Coventry, the garden faces south west.

At the moment with the sun in the sky the left fence (easterly one)
casts a big shadow over most of the garden and certainly that border.
The garden is meduim sized (sorry I'm not good at sizes...)

I would like a nice green lawn with shrubs/flowers in all 3 borders
(left right and back) but not to be too thick or it will take up too
much garden! Also a water feature and maybe a herb garden would be
nice.

I think looking at books in the lirbary is a good idea and maybe some
sketches...

There is LOADS of stuff on the web to inspire you :~)
A few links on my garden pages:
http://www.ljconline.nl/garden/gardenlinks.htm
Jenny