Forum home› Problem solving

Clearing a garden

MrToastMrToast Posts: 169
in Problem solving

Hi All, First post here so please be gentle.

We have recently bought a new home everything is perfect for us except for the garden, the only was I can describe the garden is that it is a garden that would suit someone who loves gardening, that is not us.

I have come up with a plan to strip bare the entire garden area of all life, and lay turf, we are in no rush to complete this and we will be doing as much as possible at weekends.

 

My plan is...

 

Strip the garden of ALL plant life.

Remove all the stones

Remove the existing turf

Turn oven and remove as many roots and weeds as possible (twice)

Rack over and level off

Lay some top soil, level off again and firm up a little

Feed the topsoil and lay new turf

Here is a pic of the garden

http://lc.zoocdn.com/c5b49d1f69d349ea1bc25f38a225bd10eb8ce9f0.jpg

 I have power washed the flags and they have come up well, they are all well seated and just need re-pointing.

I also plan to either make some raised sleeper beds alone the edge of the lawn/patio.

 

Have I missed anything? Do you think this will be achievable by a non gardener ( I do not mind hard work)

Any advice hints and tips?

 

Thanks for looking.

«134567…32

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,052

    I couldn't possibly recommend removing ALL plant life, but each to his own. It is, after all, your garden.

    What you suggest is perfectly achievable, but as my dear late mother would have said " act in haste: repent at leisure" 

    Why not let the summer get under way and see if any of those plants are to your liking and perhaps save some ?

    Devon.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,158

    I agree, with the exception of that browned off conifer.

    If you remove the tree back right it will be a while before you have that height again. When was the photo taken?



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,695

    I think you will end up with a slab of grass that still has to be mown  (unless you put down astroturf) and some awful fence panels.

    I would mow the lawn as is, and replace any shrubs or trees that you dont like with something you do like. Most shrubs respond to once a year maintenance and look a lot better than bare fence panels.

  • MrToastMrToast Posts: 169

    The photo was taken awhile ago, that pic was taken from the estate agents site, the garden is more over grown now.

    the tree will be staying.

  • DaisyheadcaseDaisyheadcase Posts: 315

    This is a joke, right? 

  • MrToastMrToast Posts: 169

    Here are a couple of photos I just took

     

    image

     

    image

     

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,158

    Glad about the tree, go gently. real gardening isn't demolition and replant. Some of the shrubs will need pruning and rejuvenating. I'm glad to hear the oic isn't now, I thought the leafless ones might be deadimage

    If you post some pics so we can ID the shrubs someone will tell you the best way to deal with them.

    It looks like a nice garden to play with. I look forward to seeing how you get on



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • MrToastMrToast Posts: 169

    Thanks, we are a young family with 3 young children and want to maximise the space in the garden.

    I will get out over the weekend and take some more pics.

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,695

    I'd remove the tall conifer with all the brown patches, but other than that, it looks fairly low maintenance to me.

  • Victoria SpongeVictoria Sponge Posts: 3,501

    You could ask your neighbours if they want any of the plants, Mr Toast, if you are not planning on keeping them.

    I acquired a lot of my plants that way, is allimage

    Wearside, England.
Sign In or Register to comment.