Need help to solve my overgrown garden problem
WilsonB
Posts: 2
Hi There,
I am new to gardening and just moved in to a house where the garden is more than overgrown, and I would like to know where to start or what to do, to make it nice and have a green and beautiful grass.
This is how it looks now and I will mown the land tomorrow. What should I do after? I want to plant some vegetables at one side of the garden as well.
Would appreciate some help 
0
Posts
Hehe that's not overgrown, I was expecting brambles
the absolute first thing I would do is get rid of that horrible dying thing in the last picture and any of the other trees you don't want. If you want to keep them then they desperately need pruning. If you have the pennies then get a tree surgeon in, trees are a pig to put right or remove and the clear up is even worse.
once that's done you will have more of an idea of what space and light you have to work with.
Hi, Thank you for the message.
Haha...it is big for me, sorry. I think it is because I am a newbie in this. But I am getting read of that tree and some others as well soon.
What about the grass? Should I cut it all and leave only the land so it grows back as "normal" grass?
Hello Wilson, welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new home (and garden)
Yes, you should cut all the grass. Not too short for now, I'd set your mower to it's highest setting for the first cut. Rake out the thatch (the dead brown grass) and read up on a lawn renovation programme.
I'm no lawn expert but it would probably benefit from a weed & feed lawn treatment, others here may be able to advise better.
If you have any plants, shrubs or weeds you are unsure of, post a pic, and hopefully we can help to identify what they are and how to care for them or kill them off
.
Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your progress in your new garden
You have the makings of a fab garden there. Those fences look very smart for starters.
If you can budget for a tree surgeon, they can give some advice about what you already have - suggest what can be pruned, what could be removed and whether there is any disease or issues.
Cutting all the grass is an obvious start. The paving will look lovely once you remove all the grass growing between. Be mindful that if you use any chemicals to remove, this may spill onto grass or plants that you want to keep.
A garden usually takes years to develop into what you want (and even then - it's constantly evolving and maturing!) so if you can be patient, you will be rewarded.
Make a list of what you would like e.g. wildlife-friendly, mostly flowers, a lawn (or just grass!) etc. plus how you will use the space - relaxing, child-friendly, etc. Also consider how much time you can spend tending to your new favourite part of your home.
I am sure you will gain many ideas on here...
Congratulations on your new house...and garden. The one thing I would suggest is patience. Rome wasn't built in a day or one growing season. I agree with AuntyRach and others about having a good think about what you want from your garden. Personally I would get rid of the trees especially that ugly thing in the last pic. There are just too many for such a space. That along with sorting the grass and weeding between the paving will make a huge difference. If you want some colour over the summer plant up a few pots.
Then sit back and observe.
Where do I want my coffee in the morning or my glass of wine in the evening. Choose a nice spot with plenty of light for your veg. Take notes of what gets the sun in the morning/afternoon/evening/all day. This makes things so much easier when deciding what to do with a particular space. Maybe knock up a couple of raised beds for the veg over the winter.
Taking your time, planning and thinking about what you want avoids what can be expensive mistakes.
Good luck, enjoy and let us know how it goes
1) your trees will dictate the light the rest of your plants (veg or flowers) will get so look carefully at where shade is at various times of day and consider trimming or removing
2) it will take years to get where you want it, but if you don't start now it's be years plus 1! Grass in particular can take a few seasons to sort out, especially if - as with yours - it's been left to its own devices. Mow, scarify, feed with a controlled/slow release fertiliser, dig out any weeds, put seed down where there are bare patches, repeat!