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Post by Geranium on Jan 22, 2011 20:13:16 GMT
Decide what you want in your garden and then do some planning. Also - very importantly, wait and see what's already in there. You might get some nice surprises. ;D
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Post by esther on Jan 22, 2011 20:16:18 GMT
Oh my word floydie - you do have a lot of work ahead of you It will be worth it
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Post by Geranium on Jan 22, 2011 20:18:13 GMT
Oh, and start making a compost heap or bin. Vital! ;D
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Post by floydie on Jan 22, 2011 20:19:28 GMT
I dont know what the dead looking shrub/flowery things are called lol but i have clusters of bulbs coming through underneath :-). the front garden has more plant wise but i am yet to tidy that one up to see what else there is (tons of slates around the front ) I have a rough idea i want to work around whats already there to a point, im also keeping the wall at the back (if it doesnt fall down when we start moving slabs :S) It would be intersting to know what an experianced (spl sorry i know its bad) gardener would do . Im bidding on a compost bin .
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Post by esther on Jan 22, 2011 20:25:36 GMT
The big brown shrub is a Hydrangea - it looks quite a nice plant Don't cut it back just yet as the old growth is protecting the new growth for now
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Post by Geranium on Jan 22, 2011 20:28:48 GMT
The ones with the brown flowerheads are Hydrangeas. Don't cut them off yet - they give some winter protection. You should find nice fat buds soon, and in about end Feb/March, you can cut back to healthy pairs of buds. I wonder what colour they are?
Oh - I'd do a soil test. You can buy a cheap kit from a Garden Centre, and find out if you have acid or alkaline soil. You'll need to know that, as some plants prefer acid soil - like Camellias, Pieris, Rhododendrons and Azaleas.
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Post by Cherry on Jan 22, 2011 20:29:16 GMT
Just of of interst what would you guys do if this was your garden (apart from scream)? This is not a case of what plants we advise, but helping you to get started. I can't believe that the previous owner put so many paving stones in. Those bricks look like pavers too and will be lovely made into a path or seating area. I would use the flat side. There is a slab of concrete across in front of what could have been a sand pit. You need help really. I would be looking at a small digger which could lift that concrete. I don't want to make girly mistakes, so perhaps Sweetpea (He is a fella don't worry), Tel, Steve or Ron can help. That hydrangea will fall into rooted pieces when you lift it. it may need to be shifted into a couple of big pots to give you a clear space to work. It is a good flowerer.
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Post by floydie on Jan 22, 2011 20:31:37 GMT
Oh i cut them back today they have buds already. The big one is white/blue the others are red (one in the front too). Yes thats what they are i remember now im rubish at remembering names of some plants, im the same with coral and ive been keeping Marine fish/coral for 3 years now. (My memory can only get worse with age )
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Post by floydie on Jan 22, 2011 20:37:03 GMT
Do you mean the photo (coming up from the yard?) there used to be an old rottern shed stood in there, we moved some sleepers to close it off so it could be filled and used as a veggy patch or large border? ? not sure really. The ex owners were an old couple so they must have done it to make garden care easy, (you should see the state of the house too while we are on it thats had a lot of work and its still not finishhed its never ending .)
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Post by floydie on Jan 22, 2011 20:40:20 GMT
Oh forgot to say. I was thinking of moving the biggest hydrangea to the top of the garden as its blocking the view from my kitchen window were it is. Its an old plant i think and very woody im scared i'll kill it off .
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Post by Cherry on Jan 22, 2011 20:54:05 GMT
I moved hydrangeas in the winter and they were fine. Your pruning is a bit worrying though. There are flowering buds immediately below the old flowerheads. They were being protected by the old flowers and these don't get cut off until the severe frosts are over. You can do this next year. Don't be afraid to move it and condition the soil in the new position if it needs it. I think chicken pellets from the garden centre are one of the cheapest feeds.
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Post by floydie on Jan 22, 2011 21:27:13 GMT
Its shealted by the house the frost seams to be at the top of the garden (were 2 smaller ones are i also cut them back). As for chicken pellets my mum has chickens so i could pinch some or ask her to get some. I think im alitte too eager to sort this garden .
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Post by Geranium on Jan 22, 2011 21:44:39 GMT
Well, if you've pruned them, then keep an eye on them, as any more frost might damage the new buds.
It'll be a risk moving such a mature shrub, but get the planting hole prepared ready to take it, and get out as much of the root ball as you can. Water it well once you've planted it.
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Post by floydie on Jan 22, 2011 21:51:27 GMT
The best place for it i think is on the back (rockery area) as you can see from the photos theres a mass of over grown hedges. The garden faces east. Do they requre alot of light? Im going to beg OH to chop the hedges back but i'll end up doing it. Oh a question we covered the right hand side of the rockery area do i leave the lineing down or take it up, it went down in november.
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Post by Geranium on Jan 22, 2011 21:57:00 GMT
They'll grow in sun or part shade.
What was the lining for? Was it to suppress weeds? If so - leave it down. The weeds are starting to appear at the moment, so if you take it off, up they'll come.
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