My garden needs a makeover

Jemma01 · 6 April at 2:06PM

Update 2: Fence
The fence in the after pic needs a rinse before painting (I only scrubbed), don't have my pressure washer to rinse it off gently. Don't lend your tools to idiots.

Image: https://us-noi.v-cdn.net/6031891/uploads/editor/dt/l61ekr62ss02.png

stuart45 said:

Jemma01 said:

Thanks @stuart45 I'd take an advice how to avoid falling into typical errors, and how long I should wait (or better the signs I should look for to know if it is ready to be churn!) and the type to mortar to buy, looks like there are lots and my fence needs to be hardwearing. The wall to my right has fallen bricks, it doesn't look like the same quality, will take a pic tomorrow.

There's a lot of different mixes and pointing styles. The mix you need would be similar just a touch weaker than the mix the wall is built with. For example if it was built with a 5/1 sand/cement mix, you'd repoint using a 5.5/1 mix.
If it's built with a lime mortar use lime to repoint.
When using lime with a flush joint, you hit it with the churn brush when it's green hard. The brush should stay clean when using it. If there's mortar on it the joints are too wet.

ugh think that's when the professionals are needed, not sure I'd know what the current mortars are (it looks like it's been patched many times with different things), I just want it to match my house to be honest 🙈. Is there anything I should look for that would indicate what I need? Or can I still to something that is known to be strong and durable? I think that wall is a retaining wall.
This is the right side, it is 5 meters long roughly, the responsibility of my neighbour.

Image: https://us-noi.v-cdn.net/6031891/uploads/editor/ic/dq6vml9htxw1.jpg

Jemma01 · 6 April at 2:24PM

vic_sf49 said:

If you do want to edge the grass/border...

I've used 6ft x 3in x 3in fence posts, painted in black Ducksback. Dig a channel, then lay them down, so they sit just below the edge of your grass.

Then when you're mowing, one wheel of the mower can run along the wood, rather than falling off the edge. I had quite a difference in height between grass and soil, so needed something.

Posts were cheap from my local fencing place, rather than the big orange diy place.

But I went for an easier option in my back garden, as there was more undulation, and used pavoir bricks / block paving bricks (20cm x 10cm x 5cm). Also from a local place, that were 20p each, but that was 5 years ago.

Dug a straight line channel, and stuck the bricks in, following the contours of the lawn. I have clay soil, so they're held pretty firm.

Once you've dug most of the channel, an old firm paint scraper, slices a nice straight edge. But dig it slightly wide, and you can fill along the edge with soil or compost.

Fence posts held up well, and got re-used for project number two after seven years.

Thanks lovely, mind sharing a picture of what yours looks like?
The only problem with the fence posts is that on the left side I have little trees so would need something to follow the contour, so the brick approach would probably do (or the one WIAWSNB posted few posts back when I'm rich 😭).

twopenny said:

Next quick trick for the lawn

Use a half moon lawn edger.
https://www.diy.com/departments/aamen-heavy-duty-lawn-half-moon-lawn-edging-tool/7436415147109_BQ.prd?srsltid=AfmBOoqKDInaDsBdsRGApi2RojgzElhQTPD6sPzC0JtM07XDVSf5-J9Obno

Slide between the bricks and the grass. It tucks the grass down and leaves a lovely neat edge for hardly any effort.
On the fence side it will cut a neat edge into the grass and look smart.

Love the garden with the wall and brick edging.
And yes, if there's a tree in that corner the roots will keep it dry and not so great. Stick a pot/sculpture,seat on that part and forget it

lol there is a lonely branch of white flowers sitting there, seemed to survive well until this heat wave came about and it hasn't rained for few weeks, so they're dying peacefully🤨. Neighbours cut half of their trees, why didn't they finish the job 😭

Thanks for the tool! I was walking past the bricks thinking of what I'm going to do, because my shovel is rounded, I also realised it wouldln't make the straight cuts moneysaver's video showed. I didn't see something like that before despite visiting many place. Thanks again for sharing.

WIAWSNB · 6 April at 3:05PM

Jemma01 said:

Update 2: Fence
The fence in the after pic needs a rinse before painting (I only scrubbed), don't have my pressure washer to rinse it off gently. Don't lend your tools to idiots.

Nice job with the fence :-)

All it needs now is a nice colour... :-p

DO look at Pinterest and similar. Don't be afraid to try something you hadn't thought of, provided you've seen evidence it's ok! A few years back I did a fence in dark charcoal with black posts - greenery looks stunning against it. I wouldn't have considered it from my own head.

MarriedtoFinn · 9 April at 1:33PM

Oooh! Please, no paint sprayers on fences that adjoin other people's properties!!! We once lived in a house where BOTH the people at the back, and the people at one side used paint sprayers to do their sides of OUR fences - no consultation! The fences are made with gaps to let the wind blow through without blowing the fences down. We ended up with stripy plants and lawn all along the back and down one side. They even got my car on the drive. Fortunately, it was water-based paint, and the lady at the side could wash it off the car and didn't have to pay for a respray.
However, I did have to get her to do it, and she did complain to me that she had better things to do than wash my car for me! There's nowt so queer as folk. Just think things through and be prepared to change methods as necessary. Be a good neighbour - put right any mistakes with respect to damage and hurt feelings.
Re- gardening in general, you're the boss and it's trial and error, but the bits that go right are really worth the effort, and it's relaxing.

twopenny · 9 April at 11:45PM

That lonely bunch of white flowers look to me like Wild Garlic.

Yes they are pretty and would survive a nuclear blast and still spread!

Keep an eye on them because they will spread into the lawn at an alarming rate.

You can use them for pesto.

If you like the smell you can leave them in the lawn and mow them...............should help keep the bugs at bay

Spikeygran · 10 April at 12:31AM

@Jemma01

You are doing a grand job. You are lucky having an old garden with a new build, most just have a basic fenced patch. .

Jemma01 · 12 April at 9:19PM

Update 3 (in progress)
Today's update on edging the left side of the bricks, and it was edging from hell 😭 still have double the area behind little Jonny

WIAWSNB said:
Jemma01 said:
Update 2: Fence
The fence in the after pic needs a rinse before painting (I only scrubbed), don't have my pressure washer to rinse it off gently. Don't lend your tools to idiots.

Nice job with the fence :-)
All it needs now is a nice colour... :-p
DO look at Pinterest and similar. Don't be afraid to try something you hadn't thought of, provided you've seen evidence it's ok! A few years back I did a fence in dark charcoal with black posts - greenery looks stunning against it. I wouldn't have considered it from my own head.

Thank you 🥰
😂 Surely you've seen that I'm planning on a yellow fence on the drive way, which part of this says I'm afraid 😁 (well turned out I can't afford yellow so going for gold 😁, will probably be an eyesore for the neighbours but hey my house lol)
Besides, maybe.... deep down ... you're missing the courage for red and yellow? 🤣

MarriedtoFinn said:
Oooh! Please, no paint sprayers on fences that adjoin other people's properties!!! We once lived in a house where BOTH the people at the back, and the people at one side used paint sprayers to do their sides of OUR fences - no consultation! The fences are made with gaps to let the wind blow through without blowing the fences down. We ended up with stripy plants and lawn all along the back and down one side. They even got my car on the drive. Fortunately, it was water-based paint, and the lady at the side could wash it off the car and didn't have to pay for a respray.
However, I did have to get her to do it, and she did complain to me that she had better things to do than wash my car for me! There's nowt so queer as folk. Just think things through and be prepared to change methods as necessary. Be a good neighbour - put right any mistakes with respect to damage and hurt feelings.
Re- gardening in general, you're the boss and it's trial and error, but the bits that go right are really worth the effort, and it's relaxing.

The audacity of this lady 😂 I'm sorry you had to deal with this; my dad will come running on foot from his city if he hears my neighbours complained about me 🤣 we couldn't BBQ ever in our house until we got really old and did it while he was out because he didn't want to bother the neighbours 😅.
I got both paint and brushes to manage areas I can't spray, so I'll be extra cautious not to bother them, thanks for sharing your experience. Insightful 💐.

twopenny said:
That lonely bunch of white flowers look to me like Wild Garlic.
Yes they are pretty and would survive a nuclear blast and still spread!
Keep an eye on them because they will spread into the lawn at an alarming rate.

You can use them for pesto.
If you like the smell you can leave them in the lawn and mow them...............should help keep the bugs at bay

It's this one unfortunately nothing exciting 😅 staying still in its location

Image: https://us-noi.v-cdn.net/6031891/uploads/editor/un/fw2e7r2x6wzj.jpg

Thanks for the tool suggestion, found it on ebay for £8.5, it was the right one for the job, but it drove me nuts to start with, I was swinging on it with all my weight like a kid in a recreational park, and it wouldn't budge! Realised I'm trying to do what 6ft/85kg person is doing (from watching videos), and I wasn't made for that, changed strategies and it went better afterwards 😅

Spikeygran said:
@Jemma01

You are doing a grand job. You are lucky having an old garden with a new build, most just have a basic fenced patch. .

Thanks lovely 🥰💐 much appreciated. It is built in an old neighbourhood. I've been very lucky, aside from the location, the previous owners left the house painted and spotless clean, even steamed the carpet, and left me a gift! What lovely lovely people.