Trying to start off in the garden and need advice

Padjo1981

I am trying to get into the garden but it is like going into the jungle. CAn any one tell me where to start or know any good books that can help me get the ball rolling??

bmaxi

I'd start with a bottle of "Roundup" and a watering can/sprayer. Then try your local library where they will have a selection of gardening books. Look for "How to be a Gardener" by Alan Titchmarsh but there should be several good books on offer. Then relax and read for about a month while the Roundup does it's work and you'll be ready and full of ideas. Good luck.

crosstownk

Lots of good advice and tips from friendly folk here.

artieanna

If you don't fancy using weed killers....get some black plastic or carpet and cover the area and you'll be ready to start digging in about 1-2 months..

Its a good idea to draw up a rough plan, to organise the lay out your finished garden.

The garden expert by Dr D.G Hessayon is a good book, which will get you started nicely....

magicbastarder

i bought monty don's 'the complete gardener' which is excellent, but a lot of it is devoted to growing food crops, which may not be on your radar (yet).

Padjo1981

to be honest if I get grass in grow in it, it will be a victory

Padjo1981

thanks guys for the tips, if you come up with any other advice it will be accepted gratefully

magicbastarder

is it overgrown with weeds and level, or completely overgrown with anything and everything, and bumpy?

NextSteps

Once it's dug over, pick out as many roots and stones as you can at that stage, easier than having them annoy you later.

artieanna

Padjo1981 wrote:

to be honest if I get grass in grow in it, it will be a victory

, You might surprise yourself with what you can grow when you get started.

paulocon

First job is to clear the garden - as someone already said, spray it and give it a few weeks.

When the weeds have died, hire yourself a rotavator (not too expensive to hire for a weekend from any plant hire store). You'll then be faced with a few evenings of stone-picking before it is ready to seed.

April is a good time of year to sow grass-seed. Once you have established your lawn, you can get more adventurous.

You can see an article on sowing grass-seed at:
http://www.homeandgardenireland.com/article.php?start=0&articleId=11

Padjo1981

It is over grown with everything, there is even a single rose bush in the middle of it, where it came from I have no clue. It is fairly level but not going to be playing bowls on it.

magicbastarder

you could kill weeds by pouring boiling water on them. cheaper than buying weedkiller, and probably more environmentally friendly.