Hello - blank canvas calling
Hi,
I moved into my first house, a new build, about a year ago. I've done quite a bit of "landscaping" to the South West facing garden but it's virtually plant free. I filled the beds with reasonable soil. Sadly the grass is on clay and doesn't drain.
I'm totally green when it comes to gardening and I'm joining to hopefully get some help figuring out what to plant and then sharing how it all goes.
The C shaped bed 430x280cm is intended for vegetables and things to interest my 3 yr old. I grew green beans against the wall last year. Those are strawberry plants in there now.
The small raised bed 63x120 is for herbs - that's oregano.
The large bed is 120x146cm and the unfilled bit is going to be a sandpit.
Finally, I need to do something against the stark garage wall.
Oh and I want a tree by the decking
Thanks all



I moved into my first house, a new build, about a year ago. I've done quite a bit of "landscaping" to the South West facing garden but it's virtually plant free. I filled the beds with reasonable soil. Sadly the grass is on clay and doesn't drain.
I'm totally green when it comes to gardening and I'm joining to hopefully get some help figuring out what to plant and then sharing how it all goes.
The C shaped bed 430x280cm is intended for vegetables and things to interest my 3 yr old. I grew green beans against the wall last year. Those are strawberry plants in there now.
The small raised bed 63x120 is for herbs - that's oregano.
The large bed is 120x146cm and the unfilled bit is going to be a sandpit.
Finally, I need to do something against the stark garage wall.
Oh and I want a tree by the decking

Thanks all




1
Posts
For your tree, please don’t do what I did and plant something too big because someday if you’re still there you’ll have to bite the bullet and cut it down which can be quite traumatic if like me you form attachments for your trees.
There are many very nice patio Magnolias on the market these days that won’t take over and will provide a talking point when they flower. You will need slightly acid soil for these though.
you could instead of a tree try a bit of topiary. This puts you in control of the size and shape and is good for wildlife depending on what you grow. I’m not talking about hedges shaped like chickens necessarily but if that’s what you want, go for it. I have a hawthorn I keep to shape (see pic) and it’s very easy to manage. I use a machete to trim it but hedge trimmers will do. It’s not in leaf yet so the pic doesn’t do it justice but you get the idea. I was going for the African Savannah Acacia look in miniature. It’s simplicity itself but much commented on. Folk might say hawthorns jaggy for kids but none of my 7 grandchildren have ever pricked themselves on it. They’re not as daft as we sometimes think.
Good luck, starting a new gardens great fun and it’s also an opportunity to make a positive contribution to the wildlife in your area.
It's worth mentioning this place isn't our 'forever home', I think perhaps 5 years, 7 max. It's over 3 floors and the downstairs space is a bit cramped + the trek to the top is getting old quickly.
I do like the idea of a trained tree or even a vine against the neighbour's garage wall in the veggie patch. He's fine with me drilling holes for eyelets. I'm a bit worried about the time they'd take to grow.
Bought a thyme and lavender today. The oregano is getting pretty big and between you and me isn't anywhere near as good as the dried stuff.
P.S. Saw some magnolia trees/bushes just coming into flower today at the garden centre. Def on my wishlist but not for this house. They weren't exactly giving them away either.
Is there such a thing as a miniature acer? They had really nice ones about 1m tall at the garden centre in three colours. I thought a 'spine' of 2 of those in the rectangular 1.2x1.4m bed could be a good start but not if they're going to grow.
Any other ideas for the centre to give a bit (but not too much) height please?
https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/lonicera--heckrottii-gold-flame/classid.1689/?affiliate=googleproductfeed&gclid=Cj0KCQjwg73kBRDVARIsAF-kEH8eiD8aJKEbKiksO1OjbE_eHM46mfN74YPGa5XvuzgoRPQukz82pRsaAqjLEALw_wcB