Can anyone help with my garden please

Hi
I was wondering if any friendly gardeners out there might be able to offer me some advice please.
I am a complete novice and bought my very first house 2 years ago. The first year I spent doing all the decorating indoors, and in spring 2011 I couldn’t wait to get started on sorting out the back garden. I am lucky enough to have a decent sized back garden, 15metres long by about 7 metres wide and at the time it was a completely grassed area with no plants at all. I saw this as a blank canvas and was so excited by the prospect of designing something beautiful.
The first thing I did was to cut away the turf to make borders which was absolutely back breaking as the soil was a heavy clay. Once the turf was removed, I hired a rotavator and nipped down to my local farm who had lots of manure to give away – it wasn’t rotted but it was my only option at the time as I just didn’t have much money to spend on compost. I then spent a good weekend rotavating the borders and throwing in as much organic matter as I could get my hands on.
I also tried to note where the sun was rising and falling so that I could buy the right types of plant. I then spent alot of money buying many plants from the local garden centre as I thought that I would be able to enjoy them for many years to come.
I take a look out of my window now and see that only a few plants have survived – sorry if I get these wrong - afew hebes, black sambuca, forsinthya, buddleia and a twisted willow and a couple of roses.
On such a beautiful day, I was determined to start again with the garden. I decided just to work over a small area each week, buy some compost each week and try to work my way around the borders. I have just dug a small hole approx 50cm by 50cm and the soil is horrible – all claggy, sticky and lumpy. However what is worse is that past a spades depth, I am hitting a lighter brown layer of soil which seems to be solid clay/sandy? I am trying my very best to loosen it and dig through it with my garden fork but I just don’t have the strength. I have no idea what to do now. It seems to be present around half of my garden when testing areas with my spade.
I know its stupid but I so wanted a beautiful garden as it took my ages to save for my first house and instead I am sat here with tears in my eyes not knowing what to do or where to start. Should I hire another rotavator and start from square one? I live on my own and don’t have much spare cash so I don’t know if there is anything I can do.
Thank you in advance for any words of advice. They are greatly appreciated - Jo

 

I agree...some photos would be good. Don't despair though. Even with a layer of sand or clay below a spit deep - this doesn't mean you can't make a beautiful garden! Don't rotovate again yet...rotavators only chop up the surface stuff anyway, which isn't necessarily needed.

You've added some organic matter, which is a good start.

Breaking up the clay/sand in planting holes might be all you need to do now for any shrubs or trees you plant. Unless you have a real drainage problem with standing water, don't start worrying about altering things yet.

Are you sure your plants are dead by the way? If they are perennials, they will regrow from the crowns. If they are deciduous shrubs, scrape a bit of woody stem. If you see fresh moist wood below the bark, it's not dead...give it a bit of time.
April is the time to worry if still nothing has happened.

Post a few pics, tell us what sort of look you are after and I'm sure you will succeed!

Remember, nobody goes round digging up wild places and you never see anywhere that plants don't grow!! It's a case of doing what you have to and maybe choosing the right plants.

 

dont let this get you down "no need"

Hi jostar,
My first question is are you male or female?
The reason im asking is because of the work that is needed and the different ways of dealing with it, ie a lot of manual work is'nt always best for the ladies but a man may think different.

Now i'll wait for your reply so i'll nkow the best way to deal with this problem,
But i can assure you, together we'll have both smell and colour this summer in your garden, and next year will be even better.

So let have your reply and as an after thought "is it a flower garden your after or veg or a bit of both ?

 

It sounds as if you are heartbroken about your plants dying - you did your research and a lot of hard work, which is a lot more than most people do :grouphug:

To me that proves you have a passion for your garden, which means you have the determination to succeed :WINK1:

It may take a bit of patience but you WILL have a beautiful garden. If some plants have survived, then it's just a matter of choosing other suitable companion plants.

If the problem is only on half of the garden, then you have the other half to play with in the meantime. It doesn't all have to be done at once, so you can get parts of it looking beautiful which will keep you motivated.

Have you thought about growing things in containers in the meantime? Then when you do get the soil how you want it, you can either plant them out or else keep them in planters? They would certainly brighten the place up and give you something to focus on which isn't as back-breaking. You could fasten some trellis to the fence and have some beautiful containerised climbers growing across the top half of the fencing, so at least you'll have some colour and greenery.

Last word of advice - if you look at the complete picture, it will get you down because it seems like such a mammoth task. Take one square meter at a time (literally) and say to yourself that you are going to get that square sorted this weekend. You'll get a real sense of achievement once you've done it and before you know it, big chunks will be done. It will also even out the costs so you are not having to shell out tons of money up front.

Also, see what else is growing in your neighbours gardens and ask them if you can have cuttings - not only will that be cheaper but chances are it will grow in your soil as well if it's growing in theirs.

They're a pretty friendly and helpful bunch on here, so do ask if there's any advice you need

 

There are many Perennials that are as tough as old boots - Crocosmia, Old Fashioned Geranium etc - that will grow almost anywhere.
There are others that require little in the way of soil depth - Aquiligia, Polyanthers etc.
Many annual grow in little soil to give quick colour which can last through the Summer.

There are more knowledgable people here that can provide lists for any soil situation. You provide the information - they will supply the wisdom.

Do what you can in preparation and listen to advice given. You will be enjoying your garden THIS YEAR.

Good luck to you

 

Jostar37 You admit budget is tight, Then someone mentions plant in containers

Well, If you visit the run of the mill public garden centres BNQ HOMEBASE etc
Look around the reduced section Ideally on a Monday after the weekend wreckers have been in
They usually have several "damaged" containers or compost bags going cheap

You can always face the chipped or damaged bit to the back, fill it with the damaged bags of compost (someone has opened the bag to see what the contents feel like) better still, half fill the container with your second depth spit then top up half and half with the compost and some of your top soil, put the remainder of the compost bag onto your borders, and so on

Plant wise, you will find many friends on this GC forum who may assist
Just now we do not know much about you Never mind but it would help if we knew where ie what county you are in Thus we then know the weather and soil conditions
You will get the same attention whether a man or lady, the reason asked by Moonraker is just that, so we know what you may be capable of doing and how to do it, not to decide wether to help or to stalk you
Having said that, some ladies can work a lot harder than I so it is not meant to be derogatory implying ladies can not do heavy work

Welcome to GC and enjoy your many happy years stay

Regards Jack McHammocklashing

 

In addition to pics it would also help if you told us which part of the UK you live (assuming it's the UK) so we can advise which plants would be hardy, plus what sorts of plants do you want to grow - shrubs (evergreen or deciduous?); perennials, small trees, etc? How much maintenance are you prepared to do (ie do you want low maintenance or would you enjoy spending time nurturing your plants)?