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I am a beginner gardener and my garden has no flowers or shrubs in at
all. Is there a good guide to what I can plant, how much it costs and what conditions suit it? Is the best garden one where you plant different plants etc so that something is flowering all year round? Would a BnQ have an advisor (or perhaps better a proper garden centre if I could find one?) that would be able to plan what to plant and when? I'm assuming now(ish) coming out of winter is a good time to plant stuff? |
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Sacha wrote:
If things are container grown, you can put them in at any time of year. Yes and no! Yes: You can plant containerised at any time. No: I you plant containerised in late spring/summer you need to commit to a much more intensive watering programme than if you planted in the winter/early spring, or better still in the Autumn pk |
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"405 TD Estate" (shame) wrote .. I am a beginner gardener and my garden has no flowers or shrubs in at all. Is there a good guide to what I can plant, how much it costs and what conditions suit it? Is the best garden one where you plant different plants etc so that something is flowering all year round? Would a BnQ have an advisor (or perhaps better a proper garden centre if I could find one?) that would be able to plan what to plant and when? I'm assuming now(ish) coming out of winter is a good time to plant stuff? First you need to decide what sort of garden you want by looking at magazines, visiting gardens etc to get some ideas about hard landscaping, paths, walls, patios, sheds, pergolas, ponds, water features, etc. Of course a patio should get the evening sun if possible so you can use it when home from work, a shed tucked away out of site, a pond needs sun to make lilies flower etc. These have to be made first. By then, by looking at the pictures of gardens you will have some idea of the type of planting you like, plain with a lawn and lots of summer bedding, overgrown tropical, herbaceous borders etc. from that point you ask again here and go to a very good GC every couple of weeks and buy plants that are in flower naturally at that time. Then you will have a garden that always has something of interest to you. Please ignore these instant makeover programs, unless you have limitless pockets and superb knowledge it cannot be done and even then they always plant too close so it looks good instantly, but I bet they have problems within a year. -- Regards Bob H 17mls W. of London.UK |
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On 1/3/07 16:54, in article , "p.k."
wrote: Sacha wrote: If things are container grown, you can put them in at any time of year. Yes and no! Yes: You can plant containerised at any time. No: I you plant containerised in late spring/summer you need to commit to a much more intensive watering programme than if you planted in the winter/early spring, or better still in the Autumn Yes, that's true but you can still plant them if you're prepared to do that. I certainly agree it's not a good idea to plant and then go off on holiday during August! Spring is good because once the soil warms up the plants get their feet down and off they go. However, this winter I'm not sure anything has stopped doing that! -- Sacha http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/ (remove weeds from address) |
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"405 TD Estate" wrote in message ups.com... I am a beginner gardener and my garden has no flowers or shrubs in at all. Is there a good guide to what I can plant, how much it costs and what conditions suit it? Is the best garden one where you plant different plants etc so that something is flowering all year round? This might be useful :~) http://www.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantselector/default.aspx Would a BnQ have an advisor (or perhaps better a proper garden centre if I could find one?) that would be able to plan what to plant and when? I'm assuming now(ish) coming out of winter is a good time to plant stuff? Yes Jenny |
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"Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... "405 TD Estate" (shame) wrote .. I am a beginner gardener and my garden has no flowers or shrubs in at all. Is there a good guide to what I can plant, how much it costs and what conditions suit it? Is the best garden one where you plant different plants etc so that something is flowering all year round? Would a BnQ have an advisor (or perhaps better a proper garden centre if I could find one?) that would be able to plan what to plant and when? I'm assuming now(ish) coming out of winter is a good time to plant stuff? First you need to decide what sort of garden you want by looking at magazines, visiting gardens etc to get some ideas about hard landscaping, paths, walls, patios, sheds, pergolas, ponds, water features, etc. Of course a patio should get the evening sun if possible so you can use it when home from work, a shed tucked away out of site, a pond needs sun to make lilies flower etc. These have to be made first. By then, by looking at the pictures of gardens you will have some idea of the type of planting you like, plain with a lawn and lots of summer bedding, overgrown tropical, herbaceous borders etc. from that point you ask again here and go to a very good GC every couple of weeks and buy plants that are in flower naturally at that time. Then you will have a garden that always has something of interest to you. Please ignore these instant makeover programs, unless you have limitless pockets and superb knowledge it cannot be done and even then they always plant too close so it looks good instantly, but I bet they have problems within a year. Regards Bob H Good advice from Bob. How big is the garden....sunny, shady, etc What do you want to do out there? Children , pets, washingline etc... Jenny |
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On 1 Mar, 14:59, "405 TD Estate" wrote:
I am a beginner gardener and my garden has no flowers or shrubs in at all. Is there a good guide to what I can plant, how much it costs and what conditions suit it? Is the best garden one where you plant different plants etc so that something is flowering all year round? Would a BnQ have an advisor (or perhaps better a proper garden centre if I could find one?) that would be able to plan what to plant and when? I'm assuming now(ish) coming out of winter is a good time to plant stuff? 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. David Hill Abacus Nurseries |
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On 1 Mar, 14:59, "405 TD Estate" wrote:
I am a beginner gardener and my garden has no flowers or shrubs in at all. Is there a good guide to what I can plant, how much it costs and what conditions suit it? Is the best garden one where you plant different plants etc so that something is flowering all year round? Would a BnQ have an advisor (or perhaps better a proper garden centre if I could find one?) that would be able to plan what to plant and when? I'm assuming now(ish) coming out of winter is a good time to plant stuff? Everybody has asked you the right questions, though like with every thing in life you need to plan what you want to do, what you want to grow and write down a list of things you'd like to see in your garden. There's lots of guides around and from all I think the link below is the best one for you. It's not too difficult and if you don't understand then go back to us and ask us questions more specifically. Read through it - it will give you an idea of the tasks and what to do. You won't need to do it all, but sit in your garden and write down the ideas and where you think you'd like to see a plant, a climber, even a vegetable patch. There's lots of help around you, more than you can realise. I'm helping lots of people doing their gardens - from mothers with far too much to do, to elderly people who cannot do the harder work, to community gardens and allotments where we turn up en masse and get cracking at week ends! It has to be enjoyable first - so don't hurry and worry. Start slowly and little by little. It takes a long time to do a great garden :o) Where do you live? http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/lib2/howgardn.htm |
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Sacha wrote:
On 1/3/07 16:54, in article , "p.k." wrote: Sacha wrote: If things are container grown, you can put them in at any time of year. Yes and no! Yes: You can plant containerised at any time. No: I you plant containerised in late spring/summer you need to commit to a much more intensive watering programme than if you planted in the winter/early spring, or better still in the Autumn Yes, that's true but you can still plant them if you're prepared to do that. Hose pipe bans! I had a client who wanted around £15k worth of planting done just at the point the hose pipe ban was imposed in SW London. Despite his protestations, I walked away from the contract. pk |
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On 1/3/07 22:11, in article , "p.k."
wrote: Sacha wrote: On 1/3/07 16:54, in article , "p.k." wrote: Sacha wrote: If things are container grown, you can put them in at any time of year. Yes and no! Yes: You can plant containerised at any time. No: I you plant containerised in late spring/summer you need to commit to a much more intensive watering programme than if you planted in the winter/early spring, or better still in the Autumn Yes, that's true but you can still plant them if you're prepared to do that. Hose pipe bans! I had a client who wanted around £15k worth of planting done just at the point the hose pipe ban was imposed in SW London. Despite his protestations, I walked away from the contract. The last one was lifted today, I think. But yes, a serious waste of money and I hope the client lives to thank you once he's seen the damage that could have been done. And I hope, too, he realises how lucky he was to have someone so honest! -- Sacha http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/ (remove weeds from address) |
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"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 |
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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... |
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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 |
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