Cheapest and easiest way to sort out garden?

skintchick

A few years ago I had my garden landscaped so it is two levels of patio with deep beds around. THing is I never had enough money to finish the planting, and then I got depression and it is all quite overgrown and full of nettles and other weeds.

I am going to be selling up later this year and I need to get the garden sorted! I do like gardening but I need it to be cheap. I was thinking rose bushes with an underplanting of something like elephant's ears, but would welcome any other ideas.

The top level has edging of lavender but it is quite woody now. There is a mallow at the back and a big rosemary bush. The lower level has some grasses, bamboos, day lilies and other plants.

I don't mind digging everything out and starting again (it might be easiest) but i cannot spend more than about £300 really as I am not going to be staying here. Ideally I need stuff that is low maintenance and that will look good after only about six months.

Thanks!

Suzy_M

Any shrubs or perennials cut back hard as soon as the current frosts are over. - It's the right time of year for them to recover in time for house sale later in year. It will also give you room to dig round and tackle the weeds.

Once the weeds have gone have a look at what's left - by this time you may be able to see what shrubs and perennials have recovered and what needs replacing.

Give the ground a good feed before planting.

Decide when the garden will be on show and choose your new plants accordingly. I think the BBC Gardening web pages have a plant selector to help you with this. - It's getting too late for Elephants Ears so save your time and energy.

Also ASAP get yourself to Lidl and Aldii and stock up on their shrubs and perennials. They are a little on the small side but very cheap. As soon as you get them home repot them and keep feeding and nurturing for a couple of months to bring them on to a reasonable size. - If you don't need them later you can always car boot them - and of course you can buy plants.

Once you've cleaned the ground keep it clear of weeds (on a weekly basis).

A good thick bark mulch on a border really smartens things up - and "shows you care". Once you've got rid of the pernicious weeds and finished planting up and put a good thick bark mulch on the borders to keep the weeds down and water in. Be prepared to top the mulch up nearer sale time to keep it looking good and apply liquid feed regularly.

mardatha

Suzy, is it ok for me to feed now?- I have things like lilac and rosemary and various shrubs. We are high up and our daffs are just budding now.

Suzy_M

Personally I wouldn't waste my time, energy or money on feeding at this time of year - and in these weather conditions. I'd give it at least a couple of weeks then see if anything is actively growing before applying a feed. And certainly don't feed until the weeds have gone.

It would be a very good time to get the weeding done though because the soil should be nice and friable. - Making for easier digging and less root breakage.

Easter being so early this year is very misleading - We've been conditioned by years of starting our gardening season over the long holiday weekend and completely forget about the season and the weather not being quite there yet.

V_Chic_Chick

Dig up all the weeds, and then cover in some of that weed-suppressant material (£4 a roll from Lidl) topped with some bark or gravel. Put in some shrubs (but don't overdo it, bear in mind that the growing season has only just begun). Low maintenance gardens are a plus to the vast majority of potential buyers. Good luck!

skintchick

Thanks people! I really need to get out there and the tip about the weed suppressing material is great. Think there is a Lidl in the next town to me.

So just a few shrubs then? Not roses?

V_Chic_Chick

Roses can be quite a personal thing (I hate em, others love em) but shrubs can be more inoffensive. Hebes (lots of different varieties) are good as well. Lidl also do some fruit trees - or at least they did a couple of weeks ago, although these will still look like saplings in 6 months time (obviously)