Help, please!

Hi all! Thanks for the add

I need help, desperately, please!

We moved into our new house last month and the pics are the back garden. The previous tenant (we are council tenants, and the council won't do anything to sort it out) was a keen gardener in terms of having it as an allotment, there's a lot of felt and plastic under the grass, old decomposed doors in another part, ect.

We intend to sort all this and bring it up to the best standard we can without spending thousands (which sadly I can see happening)

I've never gardened before in my life, I have always avoided it. But with the state of this, I'm not leaving it like this, we have two kids and they deserve to have a garden they can play in.

Can anyone recommend what to do first? A friend has suggested a rotorvator but I suspect there's a lot to do before we can do that.

 

First thing I would do is a good tidy up so that you know what is where, what can be removed, what has to be left where it is etc.

Then have a look at the soil. Is it it clay or loam or sandy? That will help with putting in the right plants and stop you wasting money on something that won't grow.

Then see where the sun comes up and goes down. Is the garden south-facing?

Then think about what you actually want to do with the space. Do you want a lawn for the kids? Do you want to grow flowers or veg? Decking, patio space? A plan before you start work will also help avoid expensive mistakes. You don't need to spend thousands on getting the garden you want. It just depends on how patient you are and how much work you can do yourself.

 

Ive seen a lot worse.

The up side is that you have a blank canvas to do with as you please.

Id remove the path down the right hand side, then clear out any plants that you don't want. Save the slabs for re-use to save a few quid.

Id then collect all of the doors / other rubbish and either skip it or burn it

Youre at the wrong time of year for planting but you can use the time until spring to clear up the rubbish and wander around the garden, deciding what you want from it. mark out where you want any flower beds / patio etc. Pay attention to the areas that get sun or shade - this will help when deciding what to plant and where to sit out.

I would imagine that a lot will be grassed for the kids.

 

Wow what a lovely size!!!
Everything has already been said so won't add too much more except to reiterate to take your time, clearance first then work at manageable sizes with a rough vision of an end result in mind.

Perhaps starting with a safe play space for your children ( that will make then happy next summer!!) and clear a little family seating area ( BBQ??....everyones happy)

Then spend your first summer enjoying and getting to know what you have to work on, throwing ideas around and involving your children in exchanging their thoughts/ ideas too......great way to encouraging budding gardeners
Ours was a totally overgrown and out of control mess when we moved in many years ago, as an elderly lady lived here alone. We cleared the whole area and gradually began working on our ideas....gardening is always ( I think) a work in progress even after 36 years we still alter or tweak things!!

 

Forgot to add.......


to the forum!

 

All good advice.

Make a long term plan.

After clearing the rubbish.
Start with the bit nearest the house, You'll be ale to see your efforts from the window, which will encourage you to carry on with it.