moneysaving garden makeover!!!

tankgirl1

hi all

i moved into a council flat 6 months ago, and the garden out the front is a total tip. its only small, and its 'sunken' ie the level of the grass is about 5" below the level of the path. the 'lawn' itself has just been left to go to meadow, and there are weeds all over the place. i am absolutely skint, but would like to try and sort the garden for baby to play in.

ive been advised by family to fill the lawn in with topsoil until it is level with the path, and then lay turf...... however 1) im not convinced that would be the best way to do it, and 2) it sounds pricey!! :eek:

so i would really appriciate any ideas/advice. i am a total newbie to gardening, and dont even own a spade or anything, so please be gentle with me

singlehouseholder

Congrats on the new flat, and well done for getting a garden!! Can you not just fence the sunken area-to make sure little un doesn't have a tumble.Then you could just borrow a strimmer and get the grass/weeds cut down to size. I know it isn't an ideal solution but its cheap, also you've just moved! You could maybe find freebie garden implements off Freecycle? I just borrow my dads lawnmower, he only lives a short walk away, cheaper than buying my own also I dont need to worry about storage!!
Plus point on having the level sunken is at least, when the grass is cut, you can put little 1 in there with a few books or toys, you know they aren't going to escape out of the garden.
Have a look in your local poundshop, this time of year they stock big bright swirly windmill type thinhs, and butterflies and ladybirds you can stick to your fence. Try and get by with a tidy and cheap polish. Once its cleared you'll get a better idea what it is you really want to do.
Good luck with you new flat- and your new garden!!
ps, try and pick up some cheap seeds from poundland too, make the most of your outdoor space, you can grow grub in planters- purely organic and practically free!!