Can anyone give me advice on where to start with this:

icklejulez

This is really usefull. My plan is to have either a paved or decking area at the front of the picture probably up to where the garage ends. This is so kids have somewhere to ride bikes even when garden may not be ideal whether conditions. I would then like a path around the garden to make it a little more interesting and hopefully somewhere the kids will ride(sort of an adventure). Is there much difference in price between flags and decking?

icklejulez

Any idea of a quote for basic flags approx 30foot x 30foot in total? Do you think it is possible for a complete novice to attempt it?

Jnelhams

All ways wait 1 full year from the time you move into the time you start digging up stuff. That way you will know what is yet to grow, where the shade is where the sun is and where from frost pockets are.

For now I'd fix the fences and plant up some tubs.

fleur

are sometimes available in the classifieds in the newspaper,as long as you have suitable transport.
Plants can sometimes be picked up cheap at car boots or summer fetes.
If you are going to lay slabs yourself make sure you take your time, don't rush it or you could end up with a permanent bad back like my brother.

nodwah

I think I'd keep the trees at the right hand corner, the cover there would make a great den for the kids, and It'd be one less bit of the garden to work on!

Jayar

Can I make a couple of suggestions?

Train climbers up the garage wall to help hide it. I'm thinking honeysuckle, clematis, virginia creeper

What about some sort of division across your garden at the end of the garage, just to break it up and create interest. Maybe some sort of hedge or trellis, again with climbers.

Your garden has a lot of potential though, Im sure it's going to look great

icklejulez

Yes one of things we saw in the house was the garden. We have a 3 and a 1 year old so hopefully it will last through their childhood. After that we wouldnt mind a small garden. Anyway the suggestions here really do mean a lot to me. Im only 24 so its all new to me. Was house at the moment is a ew build so pretty much nothing to do. I know it will take a lot of work but Ive always been a hard worker and know it will be something to be proud of.

Thanks for the advice re slabs I will keep my eyes out. Also the suggestion of waiting a year is a very good one except I was born impatient(I am 24 buying my second property, been to uni, got 2 kids and married for 2 years)

Jayar, I certainly have plans for the future when money allows to put archways etc in to add interest, mainly for the children. When I was a child we had a hideaway at the end of my parents big garden which you got to via an archway and inside was a wooden house, built in sandpit, climbing frame etc. Is love that for my children. Plus the shade from the trees will be good for the children and privacy.

Problem is first we have 5.5k to throw at the house when purchased. Unfortunatly rhe ghastly extension on the front needs tackling along with new windows, soffits, fascia's etc to the front. Also their is a new bathroom suite but badly organised and 2 seperate rooms. Their is also no shower and the bath position makes it impossible to add a shower on the wall. So as you can imagine we'll be lucky to have any change left over from this...

blackcateddie

If I were you I would leave it till Autumn, that way you'll be able to see if there is anything in the garden worth keeping and if you decide to go the grass seed root you won't be driving the kids off it all summer and having to water it through any droughts.

Grass grown from seed in autumn tends to have stronger roots because most of the growth can take place in the root formation rather than above in the blade of grass when it turns colder and the grass would visibly start to slow in growth.

We had a similar garden some ten years ago and it needed lots of concrete removed and weeding before planting anything. I paid someone to pull up the concrete and got in some top soil because I couldn't face doing it my self, although everything else, the patio, fencing and planting I've now finished. That way the kids didn't keep falling in any holes I'd made and the garden wasn't a boggy mess for weeks whilst I tried to finish it, work and look after the kids at the same time.

Good luck with your new hobby!

Jayar

Completely agree with Eddie, leave it until late autumn before you start digging it over. You never know what gems may come up in the summer that you would otherwise have lost.

Oh, and a word of warning Julez. After this year you will be hooked on gardening for life. MwaaHaaaHaaa - another gardener to add to our number

icklejulez

I have always been creative and love the thought of understanding gardening but as Ive never had much hands on experience its all pretty scary. So I will probably every few weeks pop up asking silly questions that you all understand , so please bear with me... As you can see for my signiture I need to pay off my debts so working hard in a garden all summer will keep me pre-occupied from going shopping. I think following your advice and the speed I will probably work at start digging up the concrete etc, laying paving, flower beds, etc and save the turf till autumn. Luckily the house is a ten minute walk from a lovely large beach and promenade and also a big green area with trampolines, pitch and putt, playground, assault course so the kids can easily wear off a lot of energy!!!