garden design help

meames_2

What would you do with this garden. I have some pots around the edges (more than on the photos), the grass is dreadful and full of buttercups. I do fancy growing a bit of veg.

The bottom of the garden gets the sun in an afternoon.

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/meechye/house/Photo-0161_1.jpg

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/meechye/house/Photo-0160.jpg

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/meechye/house/Photo-0159_1.jpg

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae28/meechye/house/200809211108_173.jpg

I am gutted the people behind cut down the beautiful tree!:(

ERICS_MUM

Well, it's long and narrow so you could divide it width wise with a trellis or a pergola. The half near the house could be a pretty flower garden with wider flower beds than you have now. A few trellis on the fence and you could plant some flowering climbers. In this smaller area you would have more chance or keeping a small lawn looking nice - fed, weeded, mowed and trimmed.

Oh, you could have a wide patio or decking in front of your back door, which would lead onto the bit I've mentioned above.

The second half of the garden (slightly hidden by trellis etc) could be a veggie patch, perhaps with a couple of small apples trees. Against the fence you could plant some raspberry and blackberry canes. You could build a couple of raised beds for herbs, strawberries and maybe blueberry plants.

Beyond the veggie patch you could have a shed, washing line, recycling bin or compost heap etc, which would not be visible from the patio.

You could have a look at the BBC's gardening website for some ideas.

If you want something easier, I would just make all the flower beds wider to reduce the amount of grass (I find grass too much hard work !). You could then put gravel down on parts of the flower beds and place a bench or bird table/birdbath. Grow veggies/fruit in parts of the widened flower beds.

Planting wise, a mix of "permanent" shrubs, things that come up every year, and things you plant just for the summer such as geraniums and busy lizzies, and bulbs.

Hope this helps. Sorry it's so long.

Linda xx