I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

Hello, I'm the type of person who doesn't mind the graft involved with
gardening but I just have no idea when it comes to design. I intend to
have my house on the market by july this year although that may get
delayed. So can anyone help with books, websites etc. that can show me
how to get a good looking (probably low maintenance) garden by july if
I start now? Oh, and like everyone (I imagine) I want to keep the cost
as low a possible.

TIA

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On 28 Jan, 12:06, wrote:
Hello, I'm the type of person who doesn't mind the graft involved with
gardening but I just have no idea when it comes to design. I intend to
have my house on the market by july this year although that may get
delayed. So can anyone help with books, websites etc. that can show me
how to get a good looking (probably low maintenance) garden by july if
I start now? Oh, and like everyone (I imagine) I want to keep the cost
as low a possible.

Ha! A prospective client dream ....

You need to explore so many things - dimensions, exsisting large trees/
shrubs, soil ph, orientation, materials etc. There's lots of books
which could guide you (I don't have them at hand so I'll have to post
them to you again later this evening - but costly).

Alternatively, you could take a 1 day or 3 days class with KLC in
Chelsea London. They are brilliant. I've been to a few now as I'm
doing a Dip in Garden Design and they're really good.
http://www.klc.co.uk/Part-Time/default.asp The introduction to garden
design is very well thought off and that would be perfect for you -
I've attended it and it decided me into doing a Dip. However they were
lots of people attending interested in making their own garden up
only. The beauty of this is that you can share your ideas, ask
questions with instants answers, and go through a well thought off
process for doing your garden. It is not rigid on making you a great
designer, certainly not in 1 or 3 days ... but it will turn your
thoughts in order and you'll action them to your benefit without
wasting time and money.

Then you can come to us and ask questions - or alternatively, we could
all do it if you give us all the details I mentioned above. HTH

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

In article 1e352929-bbb0-480e-a3be-
,
says...
Hello, I'm the type of person who doesn't mind the graft involved with
gardening but I just have no idea when it comes to design. I intend to
have my house on the market by july this year although that may get
delayed. So can anyone help with books, websites etc. that can show me
how to get a good looking (probably low maintenance) garden by july if
I start now? Oh, and like everyone (I imagine) I want to keep the cost
as low a possible.

TIA

Look for packets of Annuals (climbers for the trellice as well) get
sowing now in a windowsill propagator (some seed can go straight in the
ground) I do well with stuff like Nigella, Clary, Lavatera should be able
to fill your garden for under £20
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On 28/1/08 12:06, in article
,
" wrote:

Hello, I'm the type of person who doesn't mind the graft involved with
gardening but I just have no idea when it comes to design. I intend to
have my house on the market by july this year although that may get
delayed. So can anyone help with books, websites etc. that can show me
how to get a good looking (probably low maintenance) garden by july if
I start now? Oh, and like everyone (I imagine) I want to keep the cost
as low a possible.

TIA

Cut the grass and tidy lawn edges. Weed flower borders and then plant
brightly coloured annuals in pots. Many people like a blank canvas, so if
the flower beds are empty or non-existent, I wouldn't worry, as long as
they're clean if they do exist. The front garden is the first impression,
so again, keep it clean and tidy, removing any dustbins or cycles that might
be lolling around and which you don't notice because you're used to them.
Put a tub of something bright by the front door and clean the windows!
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On Jan 28, 3:03 pm, Sacha wrote:
On 28/1/08 12:06, in article
,

" wrote:
Hello, I'm the type of person who doesn't mind the graft involved with
gardening but I just have no idea when it comes to design. I intend to
have my house on the market by july this year although that may get
delayed. So can anyone help with books, websites etc. that can show me
how to get a good looking (probably low maintenance) garden by july if
I start now? Oh, and like everyone (I imagine) I want to keep the cost
as low a possible.

TIA

Cut the grass and tidy lawn edges. Weed flower borders and then plant
brightly coloured annuals in pots. Many people like a blank canvas, so if
the flower beds are empty or non-existent, I wouldn't worry, as long as
they're clean if they do exist. The front garden is the first impression,
so again, keep it clean and tidy, removing any dustbins or cycles that might
be lolling around and which you don't notice because you're used to them.
Put a tub of something bright by the front door and clean the windows!
--
Sachahttp://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

Having moved between 8 houses in 3 countries over past 15 years, this
is all good advice. If you design something, it is almost guaranteed
that people will not like it anyway. Just make it look like it is
easy to maintain. If you already have beds with perennials, mulch
them (bark or cocoa shells or something that looks nice) about a month
before hand and keep it tidy. If you have so little experience and
so little time, it is almost guaranteed that whatever you do will look
shite.

Des

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On 28 Jan, 16:05, Des Higgins wrote:
Having moved between 8 houses in 3 countries over past 15 years, this
is all good advice. *If you design something, it is almost guaranteed
that people will not like it anyway. *Just make it look like it is
easy to maintain. *If you already have beds with perennials, mulch
them (bark or cocoa shells or something that looks nice) about a month
before hand and keep it tidy. * If you have so little experience and
so little time, it is almost guaranteed that whatever you do will look
shite.

splutter Well you don't mince your words! And if the poster's only
got a back yard full of rubbles? I think envisaging a path, leading to
existing areas with different planting would be a start. From the post
one feels that he/she knows about gardening, also wants to put his/her
hands on a project, and it doesn't have to be anything resembling a
transformation a la Tichmarsh and Dimmock. Some thoughts on what the
poster has, on what he/she can build with is good. Then adding extras
- which doesn't necesarrily means building a pond and decking the
whole area, but identifying herbaceous and structural plants which
could lift the garden's profile and add money onto the sale of the
house. Hence my suggestion with help at setting up a process rather
than adding some bark mulch and a couple of petunia pots.

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On Jan 28, 4:25 pm, wrote:
On 28 Jan, 16:05, Des Higgins wrote:

Having moved between 8 houses in 3 countries over past 15 years, this
is all good advice. If you design something, it is almost guaranteed
that people will not like it anyway. Just make it look like it is
easy to maintain. If you already have beds with perennials, mulch
them (bark or cocoa shells or something that looks nice) about a month
before hand and keep it tidy. If you have so little experience and
so little time, it is almost guaranteed that whatever you do will look
shite.

splutter Well you don't mince your words! And if the poster's only
got a back yard full of rubbles? I think envisaging a path, leading to
existing areas with different planting would be a start. From the post
one feels that he/she knows about gardening, also wants to put his/her
hands on a project, and it doesn't have to be anything resembling a
transformation a la Tichmarsh and Dimmock. Some thoughts on what the
poster has, on what he/she can build with is good. Then adding extras
- which doesn't necesarrily means building a pond and decking the
whole area, but identifying herbaceous and structural plants which
could lift the garden's profile and add money onto the sale of the
house. Hence my suggestion with help at setting up a process rather
than adding some bark mulch and a couple of petunia pots.

I meant if he had no training in garden design and tried to do it
himself, it would be unlikely to work unless he was inspired or lucky.
All he has to do is keep it neat for it to look saleable. If he has
no experience in garden design, he risks a huge expenditure of effort
for no gain or even to make it look worse.

Every time I have gone house hunting, the worst gardens were either
neglected or badly designed (naff and made you wonder how much effort
it would take and how many skips to remove the whole lot and start
again).

Getting a qualified designer and landscaper in (whose work you like
and therefore whose taste you agree with) is more likely to work.

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

wrote in message
...
Hello, I'm the type of person who doesn't mind the graft involved with
gardening but I just have no idea when it comes to design. I intend to
have my house on the market by july this year although that may get
delayed. So can anyone help with books, websites etc. that can show me
how to get a good looking (probably low maintenance) garden by july if
I start now? Oh, and like everyone (I imagine) I want to keep the cost
as low a possible.

TIA

I have lots of links on my homepages...... mostly for roof gardens, but they
might be of help:
http://www.ljconline.nl/garden/gardenlinks.htm

Jenny

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On 28 Jan, 16:33, Des Higgins wrote:
I meant if he had no training in garden design and tried to do it
himself, it would be unlikely to work unless he was inspired or lucky.
All he has to do is keep it neat for it to look saleable. *If he has
no experience in garden design, he risks a huge expenditure of effort
for no gain or even to make it look worse.

You're right, off course.

Every time I have gone house hunting, the worst gardens were either
neglected or badly designed (naff and made you wonder how much effort
it would take and how many skips to remove the whole lot and start
again).

There's some matter of taste in there somewhere too. Naff is perhaps
70% of the gardens I see, in my opinion ;o) I love neglected gardens
because then nobody seem to mind about what you are going to do.
Anything is an improvement! Deck and concrete urban designed garden is
frankly a costly affair in skips hire, I agree!

Getting a qualified designer and landscaper in (whose work you like
and therefore whose taste you agree with) is more likely to work.

This is costly (I know, I've just done an hypothetical business plan -
my goodness, see you all on the Riviera next year!). All in all I
think the poster must find a balance. A course which will gain him/her
some knowledge which he/she will keep for ever (cost the same as a
handfull of gardening books). Then a small project to keep her/him
busy till July. C'mon, don't be a spoilt sport. Everybody wants to
potter in the garden!! You never know, that garden might not end up in
my 70% ...!

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

C'mon, don't be a spoilt sport. Everybody wants to
potter in the garden!!

Wrong.

'Her out doors' might and that is why I am here; passing on information.

Me? Cover it in concrete and paint it green. (Or stick a house on it and
make some money for the next cruise)

Kindest regards

Mike


--
www.rneba.org.uk. The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association.
'THE' Association to find your ex-Greenie mess mates.
www.iowtours.com for all ex-Service Reunions. More being added regularly
After a lot of trouble www.nsrafa.org is now up and running for the National
Service RAF man

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On Jan 28, 12:06*pm, wrote:
Hello, I'm the type of person who doesn't mind the graft involved with
gardening but I just have no idea when it comes to design. I intend to
have my house on the market by july this year although that may get
delayed. So can anyone help with books, websites etc. that can show me
how to get a good looking (probably low maintenance) garden by july if
I start now? Oh, and like everyone (I imagine) I want to keep the cost
as low a possible.

TIA

Rather than risk a new and expensive redesign, work with what you
have. Tidy it all up, make sure you keep the lawn well cut when you
start cutting it later on. Keep beds weed free, plant annuals in
early May, cram them in to get a blanket effect. Introduce colour
with pots and hanging baskets. A pot each side of the front door with
yellow flowers and trailing ivy will brighten up even a dull day.
Ensure your paintwork on the outside is fresh. Many people will not
come in to see your house, which may be outstanding if they see that
the outside has not been maintained. HTH

Judith

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On 28/1/08 16:25, in article
,
" wrote:

On 28 Jan, 16:05, Des Higgins wrote:
Having moved between 8 houses in 3 countries over past 15 years, this
is all good advice. *If you design something, it is almost guaranteed
that people will not like it anyway. *Just make it look like it is
easy to maintain. *If you already have beds with perennials, mulch
them (bark or cocoa shells or something that looks nice) about a month
before hand and keep it tidy. * If you have so little experience and
so little time, it is almost guaranteed that whatever you do will look
shite.

splutter Well you don't mince your words! And if the poster's only
got a back yard full of rubbles? I think envisaging a path, leading to
existing areas with different planting would be a start. From the post
one feels that he/she knows about gardening, also wants to put his/her
hands on a project, and it doesn't have to be anything resembling a
transformation a la Tichmarsh and Dimmock. Some thoughts on what the
poster has, on what he/she can build with is good. Then adding extras
- which doesn't necesarrily means building a pond and decking the
whole area, but identifying herbaceous and structural plants which
could lift the garden's profile and add money onto the sale of the
house. Hence my suggestion with help at setting up a process rather
than adding some bark mulch and a couple of petunia pots.

The OP said he has no experience in garden design which does not argue a
knowledge of plants and planting or how to use them. He said he didn't want
to spend much money and hopes to sell the house in July, which does not
argue money to spare for any design fees or hard landscaping, such as paths
or 'different planting' that these paths lead to. Paving stones or bricks
cost and laying them takes time.
*Nothing* is more ugly than some hastily thrown together bits of tat which
try to establish a 'garden'. You propose to make a mature, attractive,
established, weed-smothering garden in 7 months, starting in January, on a
low budget? Sorry, no.
Clean and tidy and some spots of colour via tubs is the only way to go for
someone who is selling a house and has no money to spare to 'lift the
garden's profile'. He's spending his own money.
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

'Mike' wrote:

C'mon, don't be a spoilt sport. Everybody wants to
potter in the garden!!

Wrong.

'Her out doors' might and that is why I am here; passing on information.

Me? Cover it in concrete and paint it green. (Or stick a house on it and
make some money for the next cruise)

Kindest regards

Mike

Mike, you're clearly not interested in gardening, so why do you post here?

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

"johannes" wrote in message
.. .


'Mike' wrote:

C'mon, don't be a spoilt sport. Everybody wants to
potter in the garden!!

Wrong.

'Her out doors' might and that is why I am here; passing on information.

Me? Cover it in concrete and paint it green. (Or stick a house on it and
make some money for the next cruise)

Kindest regards

Mike

Mike, you're clearly not interested in gardening, so why do you post here?


What part of "" 'Her out doors' might and that is why I am here; passing
on information."" do you NOT understand?

Should I be able to help you please do not hesitate to let me know.

Kindest possible regards.

Mike


--
www.rneba.org.uk. The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association.
'THE' Association to find your ex-Greenie mess mates.
www.iowtours.com for all ex-Service Reunions. More being added regularly
After a lot of trouble www.nsrafa.org is now up and running for the National
Service RAF man

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiot.../dp/0028610962

hahaha idiot Ed haha

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

'Mike' wrote:

"johannes" wrote in message
.. .


'Mike' wrote:

C'mon, don't be a spoilt sport. Everybody wants to
potter in the garden!!

Wrong.

'Her out doors' might and that is why I am here; passing on information.

Me? Cover it in concrete and paint it green. (Or stick a house on it and
make some money for the next cruise)

Kindest regards

Mike

Mike, you're clearly not interested in gardening, so why do you post here?

What part of "" 'Her out doors' might and that is why I am here; passing
on information."" do you NOT understand?

Should I be able to help you please do not hesitate to let me know.

Kindest possible regards.

Mike

Mike, it was a rhetorical question. I know why you post here...

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On 28 Jan, 18:50, Sacha wrote:
The OP said he has no experience in garden design which does not argue a
knowledge of plants and planting or how to use them.

Indeed - he likes, as he said, 'crafting' around the garden.

*He said he didn't want
to spend much money and hopes to sell the house in July, which does not
argue money to spare for any design fees or hard landscaping, such as paths
or 'different planting' that these paths lead to. *Paving stones or bricks
cost and laying them takes time.

Never suggested to employ a garden designer. I suggested a 1 or 3 days
workshop which is less costly than books, to which I can recommend as
having myself done it. I wouldn't suggest something I haven't
experienced nor done. Laying a path doesn't take 7 month either. And
there's more to understanding your garden to give it a new look than
path, cobbles and 'different planting'. Understanding what you have to
start with and building upon this - which is what we all seem to agree
with.

*Nothing* is more ugly than some hastily thrown together bits of tat which
try to establish a 'garden'. *

I never 'hastily throw together bits of tat'. Maybe you do but I
don't. I am a professional with years of experience in working with
other horticulture/design/environmental skilled people. How one would
deduct from me saying that a bit of 'lifting' would make the garden
look better is bizarre to say the least.

You propose to make a mature, attractive,
established, weed-smothering garden in 7 months, starting in January, on a
low budget? * Sorry, no.

I have never suggested this. Again, you're not reading anything I
write.

Whilst it seems that you are preocupied with hearing your own voice
and opinion, I would take this opportunity to raise my own voice. It
is usually a bad idea to 'liberally fertilize' pumpkins as it split
them or crack them. You stop once they mature and perhaps start on a
doze of potash to make them heavier (if for competition). I just
wanted to make sure you didn't mislead any more people since you don't
have experience in growing pumpkins but still responded with an advice
which wasn't entirely sound on the 'Giant Pumpkin' thread.

Clean and tidy and some spots of colour via tubs is the only way to go for
someone who is selling a house and has no money to spare to 'lift the
garden's profile'. *He's spending his own money.

The poster has asked for design, he didn't say what petunias can I put
around my garden to make it look colourful, he/she asked for design. I
answered in a designer's capacity. If he/she had asked about hanging
baskets, I would have left this to you.

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On 29/1/08 12:30, in article
,
" wrote:

On 28 Jan, 18:50, Sacha wrote:
The OP said he has no experience in garden design which does not argue a
knowledge of plants and planting or how to use them.

Indeed - he likes, as he said, 'crafting' around the garden.

I think he *might* have meant 'grafting'= working.


*He said he didn't want
to spend much money and hopes to sell the house in July, which does not
argue money to spare for any design fees or hard landscaping, such as paths
or 'different planting' that these paths lead to. *Paving stones or bricks
cost and laying them takes time.

Never suggested to employ a garden designer. I suggested a 1 or 3 days
workshop which is less costly than books, to which I can recommend as
having myself done it. I wouldn't suggest something I haven't
experienced nor done. Laying a path doesn't take 7 month either. And
there's more to understanding your garden to give it a new look than
path, cobbles and 'different planting'. Understanding what you have to
start with and building upon this - which is what we all seem to agree
with.

*Nothing* is more ugly than some hastily thrown together bits of tat which
try to establish a 'garden'. *

I never 'hastily throw together bits of tat'. Maybe you do but I
don't. I am a professional with years of experience in working with
other horticulture/design/environmental skilled people. How one would
deduct from me saying that a bit of 'lifting' would make the garden
look better is bizarre to say the least.

You propose to make a mature, attractive,
established, weed-smothering garden in 7 months, starting in January, on a
low budget? * Sorry, no.

I have never suggested this. Again, you're not reading anything I
write.

This poster wants to know how to make his garden look good as cheaply as
possible before he sells it in July. As you will see from the suggestions
of others - which you are at liberty to reply to when you're not tryin to
pick a fight with me - my suggestions coincide with those who have rather
more experience than you of this type of enquiry. Here, at the nursery, we
hear this pretty often and the queries come from those willing to spend
several hundred pounds to enhance the garden of a high-end property and from
those who have just a few pounds to stretch as far as possible. As I say,
they're spending their own money, not using a public purse.

Whilst it seems that you are preocupied with hearing your own voice
and opinion, I would take this opportunity to raise my own voice. It
is usually a bad idea to 'liberally fertilize' pumpkins as it split
them or crack them. You stop once they mature and perhaps start on a
doze of potash to make them heavier (if for competition). I just
wanted to make sure you didn't mislead any more people since you don't
have experience in growing pumpkins but still responded with an advice
which wasn't entirely sound on the 'Giant Pumpkin' thread.

I think I'll take the advice of others who answered this query, if I ever
grow pumpkins. Yours does NOT seem to be the agreed upon method. It has
nothing to do with this topic, either.

Clean and tidy and some spots of colour via tubs is the only way to go for
someone who is selling a house and has no money to spare to 'lift the
garden's profile'. *He's spending his own money.

The poster has asked for design, he didn't say what petunias can I put
around my garden to make it look colourful, he/she asked for design. I
answered in a designer's capacity. If he/she had asked about hanging
baskets, I would have left this to you.


Never one to miss a chance of a swipe, Helene, are you? Some of the ideas
you come up with on here make us all wonder if you know a Pelargonium from a
Peach!

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On 29 Jan, 12:40, Sacha wrote:
Never one to miss a chance of a swipe, Helene, are you? *Some of the ideas
you come up with on here make us all wonder if you know a Pelargonium from a
Peach!

You're a bitch Sacha. I do not know of this 'we' you speak off and I
want you to just leave me alone.

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

On 29/1/08 12:56, in article
,
" wrote:

On 29 Jan, 12:40, Sacha wrote:
Never one to miss a chance of a swipe, Helene, are you? *Some of the ideas
you come up with on here make us all wonder if you know a Pelargonium from a
Peach!

You're a bitch Sacha. I do not know of this 'we' you speak off and I
want you to just leave me alone.

There are two answers to that: the 'we' of whom I speak are all those who
have you kill-filed and who lined up to tell you what they think of you last
time you started on me and the second answer is, if you don't want my
answers to your nonsense, push off. Don't make silly digs at me without
actually naming me, as you did in the pumpkin thread. You're itching for a
fight. You said you were leaving this group until spring. Shame you can't
keep your word.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

I just can't design gardens - can you help?
 

Sacha wrote:
On 29/1/08 12:56, in article
,
" wrote:

On 29 Jan, 12:40, Sacha wrote:
Never one to miss a chance of a swipe, Helene, are you? Some of the ideas
you come up with on here make us all wonder if you know a Pelargonium from a
Peach!
You're a bitch Sacha. I do not know of this 'we' you speak off and I
want you to just leave me alone.

There are two answers to that: the 'we' of whom I speak are all those who
have you kill-filed and who lined up to tell you what they think of you last
time you started on me and the second answer is, if you don't want my
answers to your nonsense, push off. Don't make silly digs at me without
actually naming me, as you did in the pumpkin thread. You're itching for a
fight. You said you were leaving this group until spring. Shame you can't
keep your word.


I think in a lot of town gardens you have to think about where the
shed's going to be, and what you're going to do about hanging washing
out. Both areas need to be accessible in carpet slippers without getting
your feet wet

Ping Jenny - was 'help design garden'
 

On 28 Jan, 16:50, "JennyC" wrote:
I have lots of links on my homepages...... mostly for roof gardens, but they
might be of help:http://www.ljconline.nl/garden/gardenlinks.htm

Sitting in our rooftop garden
looking down below
Sitting in our rooftop garden
waiting for the sun

Isn't it lovely watching
a plane go by
What a lovely couple
are you and I

Sitting in our rooftop garden
a few drops of rain
The lights in the city blinking on
just the same

No sugar in my coffee
how's your tea
In our rooftop garden
above the city

Let's not see any letters
let's not answer the phone
Let's just pretend that
there's no one at home

In our rooftop garden
in our rooftop garden
In our rooftop garden
up on the roof

:o) x

Ping Jenny - was 'help design garden'
 

wrote in message
...
On 28 Jan, 16:50, "JennyC" wrote:
I have lots of links on my homepages...... mostly for roof gardens, but
they
might be of help:http://www.ljconline.nl/garden/gardenlinks.htm

Sitting in our rooftop garden
looking down below
Sitting in our rooftop garden
waiting for the sun

Isn't it lovely watching
a plane go by
What a lovely couple
are you and I

Sitting in our rooftop garden
a few drops of rain
The lights in the city blinking on
just the same

No sugar in my coffee
how's your tea
In our rooftop garden
above the city

Let's not see any letters
let's not answer the phone
Let's just pretend that
there's no one at home

In our rooftop garden
in our rooftop garden
In our rooftop garden
up on the roof

:o) x

LOL !!
Will put it on the site when I have a moment :~)
Jenny