What would you do? Lots of garden design space

*dreamy look* I'd make an area with lots of flower bushes, like rhododendron and azalea, with primula, trilliums, hostas, meconopsis and heathers scattered here and there. Since blueberries also like the same conditions, I would grow them there as well. Then I'd make an English cottage garden with overflowing borders filled with easy-to-grow, airy perennials, and have a centerpiece of strawberries, lettuce, salads and other fast-growing veggies, close to the house for easy access. I'd probably make myself a dry stone wall in that area too, and create a herb heaven next to it, using lots of stone around and in the borders. A semi-circle would be nice. And some flowering plants and shrubs that would like dry and warm conditions.

Then I'd create a pond a bit away from the house, but within sight, and I'd try to slope it in order to have a small, sandy beach that I could sit on. I'd plant ferns near the pond, and some deciduous trees, but not too near it. A weeping willow would be perfect fairly close to the pond, if I could make it big enough.

I think I would put the greenhouse fairly close to the house, to one of the sides, and I would make borders around it for peas, beans, onions, carrots, potatoes and whatever else I fancied growing. This is where I'd put flowers meant for cutting as well, like sweet peas, asters, daffs, lilies and more. And of course Calendula, chamomile and nasturtiums for medicine and salads.

All this from the top of my head of course, but I would definately divide the big space up into smaller "rooms" by means of plants.

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The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
-Bertrand Russell

Hi Pete, just a little bit of information that might help you out.

You said you wanted a wildlife pond with some fish in it? Well I'm afraid that goldfish or any ornamental fish and wildlife ponds just don't mix. However, there's no reason why you shouldn't consider having both types of ponds in your garden (as long as they are at least 15 metres apart to prevent contamination of the natural pond.)

It's simply untrue that fish keep down the algae in ponds. In fact fish generate excessive amounts of body waste, which causes a build up of sludge and other toxic based problems for other pond-life, plants and water. By laying out a fish-free wildlife pond in the right mix of shade and sunlight, your pond water will naturally manage itself throughout a yearly cycle. I have a wildlife pond in my own garden and it requires virtually no upkeep other than keeping the planting in check.
Also goldfish eat dragonfly and damselfly, newt, toad and frog eggs eggs and many other pond insect eggs and larvae. Fish are simply an alien species when added to a wildlife pond and they destroy the ecology of the mini bio-system you have in a purely wildlife pond. To enjoy a really natural pond you need a little patience at first before you begin to see signs of underwater life, but when it eventually kicks in, the diversity of creatures large and small will soon fullfill your wildest expectations. It will prove far more interesting than a few ornamental fish and at the same time you will be playing your part in encouraging the re-establishment of natural pond ecosystems. Sounds good doesn't it!! Mr. Green

Fish ponds can require a lot of upkeep compared to a wildlife pond so be prepared for quite a bit of work in maintaining one.

Here are some links from here in the UK that may help you out. You would build your ponds in exactly the same way but with your own native plants.

Making a wildlife pond:

http://www.bto.org/gbw/PUBLICATIONS/BIRDTABLE/BT42_10-11LR.pdf

Making a fish pond:

http://www.steveonline.info/stevespond.html

Good luck with your pond building whether it be one or two ponds you decide on.

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