Terrible Garden, Low Budget

CraigH2

 

Hi guys n gals, 

Im new here, I have seen a few posts about people on a low budget asking for advice how best to tackle their gardens.

Thanks

pansyface

Is that a sycamore tree at the back? Is the ground full of tree roots? Is the site shaded and dry?

CraigH2

 The front garden gets quite a bit of light, its recently had all of the rubbish removed and overgrown plants removed, I have no idea what tree it is im afraid.

pansyface

Those stumps look like they belonged to a couple of cupressus trees maybe. The roots will stop you doing much digging unless you grub them up. I'm guessing that the soil is very dry, what with the tree roots and the slope.I'm afraid I can't think of much that will want to grow there.

GillianBC

I don't think it's terrible, just a bit of a challenge. The retaining walls look good and you won't have a problem with poor drainage. You'll be able to see all the plants from your windows.  I'd add some terracing with scaffolding boards as these are economical and you then get a series of flat tiers to plant in.

Forrestgrump

I would not worry to much about getting the roots out at this time I would treat these by drilling four or five holes about two inches deep in the tops and then fill them with roundup weed killer every few weeks for a couple of months this will soak down into the root system and kill it then in time the stump will start to rot and you will find the roots much easier to dig out, I have done exactly this on a number of occasions and its worked fine.

 If your on a budget and want to get some cover I would go for periwinkles, geraniums and maybe some variegated ivy's all ground cover and fairly cheap and tough plants. Then in time as you get the old tree roots out you can start to fill the space with better plants / shrubs.

GillianBC

Good idea, G.Boy.  Epsom salts in the holes also works and is even cheaper.  Vinca is a great ground cover.  Like the geraniums you suggested, it isn't fussy even if it's competing with the tree roots to begin with.

Dovefromabove

I'd just point out that when Gardeners Boy and Gillian refer to geraniums, they mean the hardy geraniums that will grow and spread from year to year, not the tender pelargoniums that some garden centres are still selling as geraniums - they are for potting and bedding and have to be taken indoors in the winter as the frost kills them.

http://www.vernonplants.com/hardy-geraniums/hardy-singles

Good luck

Forrestgrump

CH2 Dove is correct and apologies for any confusion.

Looking at the pictures if you can afford it and the grounds not to bad along the fence line again Ives are good and evergreen the small birds like it and its flowers a good food source for insects, also maybe the native honey suckle.

Getting some cover on the fences will make a difference and depending on weather the next few months is ideal planting time.

Dovefromabove

Not your fault Gardeners Boy - it's the fault of the garden centres who label plants wrongly   How are beginners supposed to know?

Wintersong

Lovely aspect with retaining wall plus terracing down those stairs 

Good luck