[JulieSh]

Hi everyone,
I'm Julie, have been in Ireland since last October from the UK - why, oh why didn't we move here years ago?

Anyhow, we have 3/4 acre of lawn garden - a totally blank canvas!
And now I start to develop a garden - a bit daunting, but I'd like to do it myself rather than have someone design it for me.

I think a garden should grow & develop - also, the memories of putting the garden together can be lovely - I had a town house in the UK, so only room for pots - but there were lots of them! Sadly, I had to leave them behind, including my beloved Laburnum tree in a huge pot - but I am buying a new one this week to start again!

So, it's a pleasure to 'meet' you all - I'm looking forward to gardening in Ireland - and hope to gain lots of tips along the way!
Julie x
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To be interesting to others, you need to have interests of your own........

[crosseyedsheep]

Hello and welcome, This is a good place for tips and advice. Start with some sort of a rough plan and take it from there, you'll find that it evolves as you go.
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Xeyedsheep

[Joaney]

Welcome to Ireland and your new garden. The first thing you should do is make a list of everything you want in it, everything you need in it, and what you intend using the space for . That will give you a start. You can then see where you can put all these things. also make a wish list. Happy planning.
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You are closer to God in the garden then anywhere else on earth

[Sive]

Welcome, Julie. I have also moved out of the city (Dublin) and am similarly facing a very blank canvas of about an acre in a beautiful, but very windy, spot in Wexford. It will be fun to exchange experiences! I think a garden lets you know what way you should plant it, if you are prepared to be patient and let it evolve. Good luck!

[JulieSh]

Thank you all for the welcome!

OK, so I made a start... without any sort of plan!
But that's just the way I do gardening....and usually it all looks ok in the end!

I bought 2 large Ceanothus bushes & a curly willow... that took care of the left front side... then I made a small rockery at the base of a large tree... yeah, I know it shouldn't be under a tree, but it gets sun all day & I think it will be fine once the plants have established.

On the right front side, I made 4 circles in the lawn, each one slightly larger, and filled them with a mixture of small Ceanothus, Lillies, Poppies, Fuschias, Hebes, Stock, Phlox & Lobelia.... oh, a right mish-mash, but actually looks really nice so far!
Down by the front wall are 3 yellow Brooms (Cytisus), which should grow like mad & help block out the breeze-block wall!

At the back, I have planted 3 Rhubarbs - I don't much like eating it, but the leaves look great once it's taken hold... and I have dug out a further 2 circles and planted various herbs.....

Hubby has spent all day today in the wind digging out the lawn at the side of the house for a patio area, & he says it should be finished tomorrow - woohoo!

Just along from there, I am planning a tomato & runner bean area.....

And so far, that's it.... until further into the season! Like I said, gardens evolve.... and if I buy & plant bit-by-bit, hubby doesn't notice how much I spend at the garden centres!

I shall post some pix later in the week & am really looking forward to seeing everything start to grow.... hopefully!
Julie.
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To be interesting to others, you need to have interests of your own........