Rather than straight narrow boarders I would add some curved sweeping borders that include the tree, possibly replacing the dead one, and perhaps with the lawn going in-between them as a path. A border on the left up against the hedge would be nice, but with a paved path in-between running along the hedge for cutting it and sweeping up the cuttings. Narrow borders around the perimeter of a lawn can look like the planting was an after thought, but obviously its your choice.
I could happily spend days and days doodling with pen & paper drawing designs for a garden like yours, there is so much potential. Id definitely keep a good size lawn, but also increase the borders to get more plants in.
Thanks everyone. Now discussing a sweeping curved border at the far side and a raised border at the back, partly because at the back the grass slopes up anyway, so in a way it is already raised, if that's makes sense!!
Verdun, my problem is because I don't know that much about plants I'm not sure what I like enough to fill it, hence my questions re begonias etc. I am planning lots of annual bedding plants this year, for the garden and pots but at least if we do it April/May time I will have something to fill it with this year that won't cost too much. Son #1 suggested a wildflower border on the far side (where I am planning the sweeping bit now), I think that would look lovely and would give the garden different sections.
Tracie, I may be wrong but I'm guessing your garden is south facing? The area at the far end is in shade from the hedge, if its a south facing garden then it may be in shade all the time which will impact on which plants can be grown well in that area. However if your garden is east/west facing then this area of shade will move through the day letting in light.
You are right lead farmer, it is south facing and does get shade all day! also the hedge I am presuming will take moisture although the grass doesn't brown. I will definitely need to give consideration to shade loving plants.
Thought so. It looked like the photo was taken later in the day judging by the shadows, indicating the sun setting in the west.
Don't be put off by the shade, there are lots of plants that thrive in shade, such as hosts etc. But they may be competing with moisture with the privet hedge. Dig the border well, add lots of compost/soil improver etc as this will help preserve moisture.
Next, do you know what soil you have? Is it acidic or alkaline, sandy or clay?
Not a clue lead farmer, never checked it and also never fed my plants, except the greenhouse grown ones, which the lady in the GC today said I would be tiding, apparently I should feed them all even the primroses.....oops!! On the other hand, the lawn gets a fortune spent on food!!!
I guess that is my next task, test my soil. Is it possible to have different soil I the veg patch to the border/grads area or should it all be the same?
It should be the same, unless you've added soil/compost that you've bought in from elsewhere to the borders.
You can buy soil testing kits in garden centres for just a few quid. Or look at what plants grow well in your neighbours gardens, if they have healthy Rhododendrons etc then it suggests its acidic soil. Hydrangea plants can indicate the soil type, they can develop blue flowers if the soil is acidic, otherwise they may be pink.
My neighbour over the road has blue hydrangeas, mine in a pot is pink. That is another plant I love and will definitely have some in my borders when we expand them. Rhodedendrums too, but I haven't seen any at all round here, maybe alkaline soil then? I think I will test it, it may help me grow better flowers, plants and veg
I wouldn't worry too much about it. Its more relevant if lets say you were dead set on growing specific plants like rhododendrons/azaleas/magnolias etc then you ideally need acidic soil. But for most plants I'm sure you will be fine.
But whilst your at the early stages of planning your garden then it makes sense to test your soil.
If you do create some borders, you can save yourself the effort of disposing of the dug out turf by laying it grass side down in the bottom of the border, then put the soil back on top. Or pile it in the corner of your garden (grass side to grass side) and it will turn into lovely soil by next year, that you can add back to the borders.
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Tracie, thats a lovely garden and a great size
.
Rather than straight narrow boarders I would add some curved sweeping borders that include the tree, possibly replacing the dead one, and perhaps with the lawn going in-between them as a path. A border on the left up against the hedge would be nice, but with a paved path in-between running along the hedge for cutting it and sweeping up the cuttings. Narrow borders around the perimeter of a lawn can look like the planting was an after thought, but obviously its your choice.
I could happily spend days and days doodling with pen & paper drawing designs for a garden like yours, there is so much potential. Id definitely keep a good size lawn, but also increase the borders to get more plants in.
Verdun, my problem is because I don't know that much about plants I'm not sure what I like enough to fill it, hence my questions re begonias etc. I am planning lots of annual bedding plants this year, for the garden and pots but at least if we do it April/May time I will have something to fill it with this year that won't cost too much. Son #1 suggested a wildflower border on the far side (where I am planning the sweeping bit now), I think that would look lovely and would give the garden different sections.
Loads of ideas
Tracie, I may be wrong but I'm guessing your garden is south facing? The area at the far end is in shade from the hedge, if its a south facing garden then it may be in shade all the time which will impact on which plants can be grown well in that area. However if your garden is east/west facing then this area of shade will move through the day letting in light.
Thought so
. It looked like the photo was taken later in the day judging by the shadows, indicating the sun setting in the west.
Don't be put off by the shade, there are lots of plants that thrive in shade, such as hosts etc. But they may be competing with moisture with the privet hedge. Dig the border well, add lots of compost/soil improver etc as this will help preserve moisture.
Next, do you know what soil you have? Is it acidic or alkaline, sandy or clay?
I guess that is my next task, test my soil. Is it possible to have different soil I the veg patch to the border/grads area or should it all be the same?
It should be the same, unless you've added soil/compost that you've bought in from elsewhere to the borders.
You can buy soil testing kits in garden centres for just a few quid. Or look at what plants grow well in your neighbours gardens, if they have healthy Rhododendrons etc then it suggests its acidic soil. Hydrangea plants can indicate the soil type, they can develop blue flowers if the soil is acidic, otherwise they may be pink.
I wouldn't worry too much about it. Its more relevant if lets say you were dead set on growing specific plants like rhododendrons/azaleas/magnolias etc then you ideally need acidic soil. But for most plants I'm sure you will be fine.
But whilst your at the early stages of planning your garden then it makes sense to test your soil.
If you do create some borders, you can save yourself the effort of disposing of the dug out turf by laying it grass side down in the bottom of the border, then put the soil back on top. Or pile it in the corner of your garden (grass side to grass side) and it will turn into lovely soil by next year, that you can add back to the borders.