I Have A Gardener But It's Expensive

azzabazza

Glad you have dispensed with the garden maintenance people - you were definitely being ripped off!

Do you have a garden centre near you? Sometimes jobbing gardeners put their cards in looking for work. Perhaps you could get someone who would do the initial heavy work, ie laying turf etc. This would then leave you will the maintenance which should be relatively straightforward. Long term savings I would say.

RAS

Kimberley wrote: »

Thanks guys, I'm keeping the Tree, I like Trees and want to put a bird house/feeder on it. I've also ordered a hoe and other tools from Argos ready for spring. Will get some grass seeds late March. Would like some tips on what flowers and plants to get though. The plants will go in planters and flowers probably up the top where the dark soil is maybe? I will also be getting a couple of benches for the summer. I hope they have an expert advisor at the Nursery.

I suggest you go for really easy annuals the first year; that gives you time to work out what you like in the future.

Surprisingly LIDl do a decent selection of basics.

Strongly recommend marigolds (not french or african ones) and nasturiums as they both grow enthusiatically.

For the following year think about foxgloves (they grow into plants this year and flower next year). Ditto Nigella and evening primrose. Avoid larkspur with a small child; it is poisonous. Actually think twice about foxglove if he eats stuff.

If you can put a few strings or a net on any of the fences, then grow peas, beans (runners are very pretty and edible) or sweetpeas.

PlymouthMaid

Glad you have got rid of the rip off gardeners and that you are going to have a go yourself. Be careful not to plant anything which could be harmful to your grandchild - such as foxgloves as picked up above. You could get a casual gardener occasionally perhaps if you find it hard to maintain but at least you will have a nice garden not a weedy patch I am very jealous of your 100 foot garden as I have only ever had a back yard and I love gardening.

Mojisola

Kimberley wrote: »

Thanks guys, I'm keeping the Tree

You will struggle to get a lawn established in such a shady garden - http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=416

Perhaps it would be better to put your energy into planting lots of shade-tolerant plants with bark or gravel areas for sitting out in.

sobie

Pleased to read you've got rid of the "gardeners".

I agree with others, ditch the lawn its going to take too much maintence which you do not have the time to give it.

Go for a woven membrane (not the fabric as stones will pierce it when you walk on it) and gravel of your choosing. I'd gently curve an s shape gravel or bark path right down to the end for a cottage/ woodland look (get rid of the existing path) or zig-zag straight paths for a modern look. I'd put a tall trellis fence, one near to the shed, and then another on the other side of the gravel path, put and archway between the trellis. Getting some height in the garden will bring your eyes up rather than looking at the narrowness (another good reason to keep the trees). Like this: http://cdn.shoutvelocity.net/design/www.linseysgardens.com/images/richards/richardsAfter2_full.jpg (picture from searching for narrow garden design).


Or bark the lot, put a few stepping stones in and use just a few statement plants:
http://gardenwright.typepad.com/.a/6a010535b05631970c0133f4a4cc32970b-500wi (picture from googling bark garden path).

You need a feature at the bottom to make you go to the bottom of the garden, Maybe a mirror hanging off the fence to reflect light?

Dense planting in the borders, along with a good mulch of bark will cut down weeding.

Any good nursery/ garden centre will have a qualified/ experienced plantsperson on hand to give you all the advice you need.

My favourite for woodland style are:

Perennials:
Hostas (watch for slugs)
Ferns
Hakonechloa (japanese woodland grass)
Ophiopogon (black lily grass)
Foxgloves (poisonous)
Alchemilla Mollis
Heuchera
Bergenia
Brunnera
Euphorbia (some) - poisionous
hardy geraniums
Japanese Anemone
Helleborus - poisonous
Dicentra (bleeding heart)
it is worth remembering that most perennials are deciduous, they will completely die in winter, leaving bare soil before re-emerging in spring

Shrubs:
Fatsia Japonica
Aucuba Japonica
Spirea
Buxus
Euonomus
Acer Palmatum

Climbers:
Lonicera (honeysuckle)
Climbing hydrangea
a few clematis varieties are happy with their heads in shade (most like roots in shade, head in the sun) such as Nelly Moser

It really won't cost a lot to get this look, other than a bit of weeding theres not a lot to do for many years to come. Say you spend £300 (£200 for landscaping materials/ £100 for plants) you'll have a really nice looking garden for half the yearly price of your gardener. Work out a sensible budget, draw out your garden on a piece of paper and get planning.

You can get some really good bargains in early spring and if you go for perennials they will grow quickly so they may look small when you buy them but they will bulk out in one season. Plant in odd nos of the same plant, threes, fives, sevens etc. and three small perennials will grow faster, and look more natural than one large perennial. You'll probably pick up 60 perennials for £100. Budget £20-£50 for a really special feature plant such as a decent sized Acer.

Take the photo (and the measurements of the garden) to your local nursery pr garden centre if they are anything like me they'll relish the idea of planning your garden. (My favourite part of my job!)

Farway

RAS wrote: »

For the following year think about foxgloves (they grow into plants this year and flower next year). Ditto Nigella and evening primrose. Avoid larkspur with a small child; it is poisonous. Actually think twice about foxglove if he eats stuff.

Avoid foxgloves with young child they contain digitalis, which can kill you because it affects the heart. The Latin name for foxglove is also Digitalis

Farway

If you have a poundland near, no doubt other pound shops also, they have packs of ready mixed seed, in various colour schemes, like red, purple / white orange etc

Only need to prepare soil, rake it, sprinkle from box, rake again and sit back

Could be handy for a quick fix

I did same last year on the border I look after at my local Age Concern, it was a picture & a talking point. I got my mixed box from Lild

Kimberley

Thanks everyone for your help and advice, sorry it's late but had long shifts and was too tired to log on.

I do know a Nursery near me so will visit end of March.