Garden Help!
harmonyjoanHp-0QOgY
Posts: 3
Hi All,
I have spent the last two years working on my garden and it still looks terrible! The grass is always so patchy. If anyone has any advice please pass on before I give up!
I have spent the last two years working on my garden and it still looks terrible! The grass is always so patchy. If anyone has any advice please pass on before I give up!
0
Posts
You do have a lot of potential there but its very disjointed.
A lot also depends on your budget.
I would sit down with pen and paper and list what you have already and what you would like and what might be necessary, place for washing line, bins, seating area, children's play equipment.
Do you want a pond or water feature later on?
Don't worry about the grass yet.
I think I would tackle the fencing first paint it all one colour, dark grey or black akways looks good.
Mark out planting areas in sunny spots if possible but plenty of shade loving plants about,
Mark out seating area, more than one is nice, one in more shade, Mark where your washing will hang.
Then decide how you will access these areas paths or stepping stones through grass.
After that you can address your grass.
The ground could be compacted, inhibiting the grass' roots. You could try to aerate and feed the lawn, then prep the bare patches and over sow with grass seed.
Perhaps create a path so you don't wear out the grass when going up and down the garden.
If you're not wedded to having grass you could replace it with gravel and allow the planting to be the focus.
This is the garden of nurserywoman Anne Godfrey (Daisy Roots).
https://www.mariannemajerus.com/stock-photo/mosaic-table-and-chairs-on-patio-overlooking-prairie-style-urban-garden/gallery-2768-3512-2801-0/detailmodal-0_00067744.html?dvx=1280
The gravel allows clean access to the garden all year whilst the paving creates a seating area surrounded by plants. Why not do something similar, laying a gravel path from your house to the far patio, move your table and chairs up there, and use the rest of the ground for planting. I realise her garden is probably too labour intensive for most people but opting for carefully chosen shrubs partnered with key perennials will give your plot plenty of interest.
https://carpentersnursery.co.uk/simple-tricks-keep-lawn-tip-top-condition/
You could do a lot, then, with the remaining space. Some of it will need to be given a surface you can walk on, but if your budget is tight, you could go with chipped bark and edge with logs, for example. Any area you don't need for access or sitting out, you can use for planting. Depending on how much time you can put into it, you could opt for shrubs and groundcover, or perennials, or even grow your own from seed and cuttings. Either way, though, the key thing is that you'll need to work on your soil before you even think about planting. It looks as if your soil has not been fed and has no organic matter added to it. Once you edge the planting area properly (again, this could be bricks or rocks or just plants--it doesn't have to cost the earth), then dig over the soil within it, remove weeds and add plenty of organic matter. It's often possible to find a local stables or even your council may deliver compost.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/htbg/module4/improving_your_soil1.shtml
Once you've done these preparatory stages, which are slow and hard work, you will start to find your efforts will actually make a real difference and your garden will begin to transform.
If you're going to have fence panels replaced though and various people walking all over it, l would wait until the work has been carried out before carrying out any lawn improvement.
I think your best bet would be to start with a plan and work out exactly what you want and where. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, but it helps to get your ideas and thoughts in order.
When those things are done you could focus on the lawn.