Hi - I'm new here (and new to gardening) and didn't know where I should put this post. Anyway, I am JUST starting to work on a untouched yard...but I don't know where to begin. Droopy has suggested that I start by drawing a plan of my future garden, which seems like a great idea, but I'm wondering if there are any other opinions on the subject. For example, my soil seems to have lots of little pebbles in it - is that normal or should we have a layer of soil removed before beginning? Should I start with a small corner of my yard first? What's the best way to figure out which flowers and plants are best for my yard (besides peeping in the neighbors' yards, which I've already done) Help!! Thanks so much in advance! (By the way - before you ask - I've tried to post pictures of my yard, but they're all too large - I have to figure out how to downsize them and then post).
Pebbles in the soil is normal for a lot of parts of the world, not where I am tho so I can't say whether they will greatly hinder your gardening or not. I think most would recommend creating raised beds tho instead of removing soil. In any case, before planting anything you need to find out what kind of soil you have....acidic, alkaline, clay, loam, sand, etc and amend the soil if needed to correct the pH or provide proper drainage, etc. A good garden center in your area can help you find a soil test kit and get the proper amendments. You need to figure out how much shade and sun light your yard gets to determine which areas will grow sun lovers and which will be for shade or part shade lovers. This is where a plan will be very handy, you can mark the sunny and shady areas, take measurements and make lists of plants that will grow in each and in your soil type. Do you want to create theme areas...i.e. a Butterfly garden (which should include the host plant for their larvae/caterpillar), a Hummingbird garden, a Xeriscape garden in an area where it is difficult to get sufficient water to, a bog garden in an area where rain accumulates. Do you want a wide expanse of lawn grass with your flowers in a border around the perimeter or do you want the whole yard nothing but plants, paths, garden features etc. Instead of peeking at your neighbors garden, start up a conversation with the gardener next door. Most gardeners love to offer help and share extra plants they have with new gardeners. See if you can find gardening magazines for your area, almost all publications have many of their articles online. You can get wonderful ideas there, garden styles you can incorporate into your yard, which are the best plants for each season for your area. What plants have you seen locally that you really like and what colors do you prefer? When you know what kind of soil you have to work with, grab a big cup of tea or coffee, draw out your yard with the sun and shade patterns and make a list of plants you have seen that you like. That's the backbone, then you can determine which plants will grow where. Then the fun begins, buying plants, putting them in the ground and watching them grow. :-D
Thanks so much, Toni! Those are wonderful ideas - very practical and helpful. I don't think I want any theme areas for now unless you count "playground" as a theme! One part will definitely have to be reserved for my son, who is 19-months old. The rest is for me. Oh, and I guess my husband. As for the gardener next door - there actually is a professional gardener next door! He's the sweetest guy in the world, but he's pushing 90 and has an accent thicker than fog. We understand each other enough for me to accept the delicious salad from his vegetable garden, and for him to accept my compliments on his gorgeous roses, but beyond that, whew... But I get your point. There are English neighbors down the road and I'll have a chat with them.
You might want to have lots of plants that attract Butterflies, you son will love seeing them flitting around the yard and if you have caterpillars you can teach him about that cycle of life. Great way to get a young one interested in gardens and wildlife.
Good point! I've also been doing some reading up on medieval gardens which tended to be highly fragrant -I think that might be the theme for me...
