I Have A Gardener But It's Expensive

Kimberley

topsales wrote: »

Seriously though - i would put grass seed down on the bottom part (in the spring) - your grandchild could then play there and you could have a seat on the gravelled part at the top with maybe a few tubs of flowers? Would take about an hour or so a week to maintain in the summer - nothing in the winter.

Bottom part as where the little amount of grass is now you mean yes or where the dark patch of soil is up the top of the garden? How much seed and what make and do I just sprinkle it on or mix it in the ground? So I should do it late March? What sort of flowers? Sorry I told you I don't know anything about gardening lol x

DaftyDuck

I would sack your gardeners - albeit politely. There's not much for them to do at this time of year anyway. (And I'd phone 'em up and cancel, not wait for their next visit).

I would then buy a couple of very simple gardening books, and start to learn, alongside grandson. I think I might explain to him that I didn't know anything about gardening, and that it might be fun to learn together.

For a garden that size you'll need a small fork and spade, a hand fork and trowel, a small (and I do mean small) lawnmower and a bucket. You may need a pair of secateurs later, but that's not needed in the first six months. The cheapest from Argos, Tesco, Aldi or Lidl will do. For free versions of these, look on Freecycle. Also, look round your neighbours' gardens... find the lovely gardens, and ask for advice.

The outlay on equipment will be much less than two months fees as you are currently paying, and there will be considerable enjoyment for you both. Instilling some of the basics of growing in your grandchild will be worth a fortune.

As for grass seed, pretty much any will do for a start. It does look a little shady, and you can get mixes especially for that. No need to do anything until March - and by then Aldi & Lidl will stock boxes of seed - it'd cost about £3 to get enough to turn that into a lovely small play lawn and, if the two of you do it together, so much the better.

As to not knowing anything about gardening... none of us did either some years back - and I still don't know much compared to many. This forum is always full of good advice.

Mojisola

The neighbours' lawns don't look very good - are the gardens in shade most of the summer, is the ground very wet?

As you know so little about gardening, I would find someone to lay good quality, shade-resistant turf from the end of the path to the bottom of the garden. I'd also take down the tree at the bottom of the gravel area. That will allow a lot more light into the garden.

The area to the left of the path could be planted up with easy-to-look after shrubs. You could take your time choosing these and, in the mean time, let your grandson experiment with growing some flowers from seed.

Kimberley

I just cancelled. They asked why and I just said I no longer need them. I will in the summer hopefully be able to post a photo of an improved garden. I can't thank you all enough, you have saved me a lot of money that can go towards my Australia fund.

I need advice on what flowers and plants to get that don't require much sun.

:beer:

Mojisola

Kimberley wrote: »

I need advice on what flowers and plants to get that don't require much sun.

Here's a start - https://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=100

It's worth browsing a few sites to see what catches your eye.

As your border isn't very wide, check the future spread of your choices as well as the height.

Kimberley

I shall buy some from a Nursery late March then and thanks for the link I will also look up a book for gardening for beginners lol

Mojisola

Be aware that there's rarely one answer to any gardening problem so listen to any suggestions but choose the one that seems best for you.

The advice about looking at local gardens is very good. Most gardeners love to be told how nice their garden is and will usually share their knowledge.

duchy

Try and take your walks out with your grandson past any local allotments -People love to talk about their lotties and will often offer advice or even free plants or cuttings. Even just seeing what others are growing will give you ideas. Also if you are on facebook check to see if your local buying and selling site has a specialist garden page both for cheap equipment or plants etc.....although no doubt Aldi will be doing cheap garden tools in a month or two.

Mojisola

Our Freegle group has a chat area where you can ask other members for referrals for tradesmen they have used (as well as other things). I've found some really good workmen that way. If you do decide to get some help in - even if it's for one-off jobs - that would be a good place to try.

DaftyDuck

Mojisola wrote: »

Be aware that there's rarely one answer to any gardening problem so listen to any suggestions but choose the one that seems best for you.

The advice about looking at local gardens is very good. Most gardeners love to be told how nice their garden is and will usually share their knowledge.

... and their plants!!! I'm occasionally complimented by a few neighbours on one of my plants, and am always happy (if possible) to give 'em a cutting or three.

Seriously, if you are just getting started, and there's a nearby keen gardener, ask for advice, ask what they'd grow in your plot, and you may well not need to ask them for bits of plants.


That's also good advice above - there is always more than one answer. But, gardening is all about learning, and rarely instant results, so one answer this year, a more ambitious one in a couple of years!