Hi all - from a gardening novice in Kerry

yellow fingers · Hazel Tree Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Hi there,

Just moved to Kerry from Dublin and have a nice half acre site which is a blank canvass. Always loved gardening so it is a dream to move to the countryside to pursue this passion. Have only tended to a small garden in an estate prior to this so myself and my husband have all the passion for gardening but none of the skills...yet!

Don't know where to start with garden. It is laid to lawn with mature hedging and mature planting to the front. Our task is the back garden which is a large square of pure grass.

We have a lot of demands to make of the garden as we want it not only to be a pleasure to look at but also to be a fun place for our toddler, an area to socialise and productive in terms of herbs and veg. We also have 2 dogs and a cat to throw in on top of that.

I know I should be planning but I lost control in a garden centre last week and went a bit mad on climbers and rose bushes with no plan in mind for them. They are still sitting in pots out the back patiently waiting to be planted.

Any suggestions what or where to start with?

cooler · Silver Birch Tree Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 174

Welcome to IG, yellow fingers. Don't worry if you plant those plants in an incorrect location as they can be moved again while still young. there are plenty of informative articles about transplanting on this site. Just use the search box to show them. Very Happy

Sugar_Ape · Rowan Tree Joined: 06 Jul 2006 Posts: 121

Welcome the IG yellow fingers. You will really like it here.

Maybe you could start by determining how good your soil is and what pH value it has. Also it would be useful to take a day to monitor how sunlight falls upon your garden throughout the day. These steps will help you to choose correct plants and where to place them.

Hope this helps Maybe start a new topic with something like "Steps to start a new garden".

- Sugar_Ape

inishindie · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:47 am Post subject: Garden design

Hi Yellow fingers

I have a few tips and ideas on the topic 'Steps to start a new garden" here http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=960

It sounds a bit flighty but I do believe that if you live with the garden for a while (a year maybe) it will let you know what needs to be done. In that time you will assess where your washing line needs to go, compost area,patio, play area and veggie patch etc. If you plan carefully on paper first then this will save costly mistakes later.

Here is a rockery plan that I did. And a plan for a garden. I decided to colour mine in but if you just had a pencil sketch it would do the job. The first plan was designed especially to keep the dog off of the garden. The pooch has it's own hard area with the kennel which is seperate from the grass.

Having a plan written down will be an invaluable reference for the garden over the years and you can alter it as your circumstances change

Cheers

Ian

Ps
If you don't feel that you have a place for the plants that you have already bought, they would look good in containers for now.
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inishindie · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject: New topic

Hi

I was inspired!

I have started a new topic in the Garden Planning,Prep and Landscape design section.

The title, not too surprisingly is 'Steps to crate a new garden'

Cheers!
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yellow fingers · Hazel Tree Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks a million for the response. I think you are right about getting to know the garden first. I am going to take your advice and plant the roses in containers for now. Today I am going to take a good walk around the garden to take note of what plants are there, how the sun falls and also take some measurements to start thinking of a basic plan. I'll move over to the new topic and keep in touch. Be prepared for some very silly questions from me while I learn!