Hi all, from the reluctant gardener!

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for welcoming me to the forum I live in Derbyshire and have decided it's time to bite the bullet and sort out the front and back gardens of my semi.

Three years ago, both gardens were so overgrown that it was impossible to leave the path that runs round the house to the front, back and patio doors. In fact, even the path was hard to navigate and, if I'm honest, the back door was completely blocked with a random shrub. There were brambles everywhere, 2'-5' high grasses, rosebay willowherb gone rampant, and possibly a tiger or two.

I used a loan to have both gardens cleared with a mini digger, which helped in that it 'cleared the canvas' but didn't help in that the top soil was all gone leaving me with two sunken gardens. Not knowing much about gardening then (and only a little more now) I thought nothing could grow without topsoil... ha ha. Yes, there's been some regrowth.

So three years later, I'm minus my partner (maybe he accidentally left the path?) and need to renovate a project house and the project gardens on my own. I much prefer gardening theory to gardening practice, as the theory involves a warm living room, a mug of strong tea and cuddles with my two dogs, while the practice involves rain, gale force winds, spiders, bugs and occasionally stabbing my own toe with the edge of a spade.

You proper gardeners probably want proper gardening details though, right? NE facing back garden, SW facing front garden. Acid clay soil. Overlooked on all sides by neighbours, so privacy will be tricky but important to get right. The fun definitely starts here...

See you all around the forum!

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner

Sounds like you got your work cut out there

 

Hi...welcome to GC I'm a bit reluctant and the moment, the weather's 'orrible!

 

Welcome Anzia. It's a great forum - really friendly and with lots of advice and more than a few laughs to help you along. Looking forward to seeing some pics of your garden (hint, hint)

 

Hi all, thanks for the encouragement! I'll try to get some pics up soon. I have to keep reminding myself of bitesize steps, as it could get very overwhelming otherwise!

 

Hello and welcome :-)

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner Anzia. I think everyone here has just about covered all areas for you, so I'll say good luck and look forward to seeing your progress.

 

Hi Anzia I'm new to GC too and I'm totally hooked... It's brilliant and everyone is so helpful and friendly I 'wasn't' a gardener and 'still trying to be one' ...having moved took on a large garden and had the same feelings as you, I have just taken on section by section.... Been out in the drizzle, wind, cold and sunshine and yes with all the bugs, mice, ants etc etc and the satisfaction you get looking at all the hard work you've put in is amazing and the more little bits you do....the more satisfaction you get .. im only on my fourth little bit with loads more to do! Good luck and look forward to catching up with you as your project grows

 

Thanks again everyone! Yes, bitesize and evolving is hard for me (as a detail-loving forward-planner)... but necessary, I know. I did make a start on the front garden in March but the clay was so heavy and waterlogged it was like trying to work with concrete. I got some cleared and covered with black plastic though. It's a start.

Apple Blossom... wow! Good luck with yours too. I hope I can post before and after pics of my first section soon (how I envy you being on the fourth!!)

 

welcome to GC, I'm new too. Take on your garden as 'one small challenge at a time', and enjoy your successes.
...oh and don't take over-much notice of all the theory you've learnt. I have lots of gardening books which are in really good condition, coz I don't bother to use them.

 

A very warm welcome from me too , it sounds like you have plenty to do, but just think how nice it will be to sit out in your garden with the dogs in a sunny day! .As the others have said do a bit at a time that way you won't get overwhelmed! It sounds like you have already cleared the worst, so its onwards & upwards from here!
Anything you aren't sure about please just ask, we will all help you, I shall look forward to updates & perhaps some photos of your garden