New Year gardening plans.

Happy New Year to all.
When we first moved to Wales 12 years ago we were thrilled to have 1/3rd acre to play with and went mostly self-sufficient in fruit and veg. Even considered getting a bit more land to space the fruit trees out better but that didn't, fortunately, happen.
Now we are finding all the care needed to maintain the produce side of things (I have done reasonably well in one of the local shows over the years) and trying to keep on top of the flowerbed side of things is getting to be too much. So this autumn we have abandoned the topmost section, hidden behind a shed, to another gigantic compost heap area and moved all the fruits that were up there, and their cage, down into the main part of the back garden. No more homegrown spuds for us, not worth the effort.Fruit is much more self sufficient we've found.
Out the front will be more 'lawn' (easier to mow than to weed) and fewer beds. More shrubs and fewer fiddly flowers (except in the myriad of tubs and pots that keep me busy every spring and autumn.
Ah, the joys of getting older.

Up to now my trailing geraniums are flourishing. Wall to wall sunshine here in Wirral a fine day for tidying the garden and stripping the brown spears from the agapanthus.

I am getting a "grow table" as a late Xmas present, although at this stage, in my novice state, I know not quite what to do with them! I am hoping I might be able to cultivate my own seeds for plants for the garden this year - especially sweet peas. I have no idea when or how to proceed with this, but I am hoping to learn as I go along.

Any brilliant suggestions very gratefully received!!!

Perhaps one of your new year resolutions could be to get Lucky growing some plants from seed for the first time!

My garden is only 3.5 years old! Looking out at it this winter l have plans to remove and replant a lacklustre clematis and take out a bamboo to give my acer more room!

Changed what looked like a prison yard when I first rented this flat into a chequerboard planting with gold/green foliage (evergreen) and 120 crocus/bluebells, fritillaria now planted (and coming up already!). In the tiny border that can only be seen from the back and not from indoors, removed all the horrible slate, introduced some worms (!), liriope muscari, jap anemones, echinacea and lots of ferns and grasses. Look forward to it all coming to fruition this year! Can't wait! (And made a 'seat' from the spare paving slabs and three lengths of decking timber!

littleflo
Would you kindly tell me the name of the acer in the photo and can it be planted in a tin?
Thank you.

dirgni
It looks much more settled than one just 3.5 years old and I like the curved path. Also, seeing the allium reminds me that I could use them as height in a small corner bed.

Lisagran
It looks lovely. I could see myself sitting on that chair, bees humming and the sun warming my face...and a nice cuppa to drink whilst I relax.

I’m a nurturer, and striver after the cottage garden effect. But we moved in Aug and ‘new’ garden had many thuggish overgrown shrubs in borders together with spindly old lilac and laburnum. Hard heartedly got rid of the lot so now have a clean canvas to fill. Great pleasure to find the beginnings of a carpet of snowdrops revealed Lily of the valley will never grow for me, hard as I try.

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There’s an article in “the simple things” magazine, which I’ve been reading at my daughters, by Lucy Bellamy / editor of “Gardens Illustrated” magazine and author of a new book “A garden from scratch in a year”. Some good ideas for a new garden.

This is such a lovely thread, I’m reading it as I get over the lurgy and it’s making me want to be out in the garden!
Soon be seed sowing time. Hurrah!
I’m hoping my last year’s cuttings and seedlings from perennials will get through the next bit of winter. They’re in a cold frame and tucked into corners, but often the bad weather arrives in January and February.
I will definitely post a picture of the Begonia cascade! I’m now challenged to make it happen. ?

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Got me rootling through last years pics of the garden now

Oh what lovely pics, Lisa

I'm also enjoying this thread. What luxury to read and see your beautiful gardens while I recline on my sofa nursing my sciatica.
I'm now going to spoil the effect by posting the plot I need help/advice with.
Last spring I waited for the crocus/fritillary/tiny narcissis and other bulbs, which I'd planted, to appear. They didn't. I think squirrels ate the bulbs.
Can you suggest anything I could do to create a flowery bank this year?
It is not brilliant soil, under a yew tree, so it is dry but I thought Spring bulbs at least, would thrive.

A Happy New Year to all GN s.
Yesterday I went to look inside the greenhouse, which is tidy and waiting for spring, but I soon closed the door again and decided to look again in March, I live in Sweden,no gardening until late March or April, but I can still look forward to it.

I'm by no means an expert Grammaretto but would shade-lovers like woodland plants be happy there? Maybe violets, bluebells, little daffodils, bugloss, ajuga are some of my suggestions.

lovebeigecardigans1955 yes I think they would. I looked at it today while I took the photo and noticed a valerian coming up through the grass. They are thugs in my garden.
There were perhaps 2 lonely tulips and a daffodil earlier this year.
I thought I should put netting over the bulbs to prevent squirrel attack.
I'll prepare the ground and keep you updated.

Try Hellebores, Granmaretto? They like the shade. You can get beautiful double ones now.

Ooh yes hellebores are beautiful. Should I wait a while before planting. I think so. I may have to water the bank until they get established. There's lots of ivy too to pull out.

Your garden looks gorgeous Lisagran . Well done.

Grammaretto, hardy geraniums do well in my garden under a huge beech tree, as do cyclamen and the hellebores already mentioned.

'This thread has reminded me that I have a Chiltern seeds catalogue, 'something new from seed' somewhere. Put aside until after Christmas. I wonder where I stashed it before the family arrived.

KirbyGirl thanks. I've just sent for the catalogue.
I am determined that the bank is going to bloom. Cowslips?

I'm going to make a second pond, made a tiny but very successful one two years ago, I get a lot of pleasure at looking at the frogs and various insects. I had a huge pond at my last house and really miss it but it is surprising what a little patch of water will support. The birds love it too.

Lisagran your style of gardening is similar to mine

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We try for the cottage garden effect in one area of the garden, but overall find shrubbery trees and lawn easier, with lots of pots for colour.Lovely to see other pics of gardens, gives us all ideas, so yes, roll on Spring!

I'm just thankful that it won't be warm enough to do any gardening until at least the middle of April.

We're looking forward to be able to afford paving the front garden when DH gets his pension.