Starting From Scratch

We've moved house, woo! We now have a garden I am so excited about and constantly have thoughts running around my head as to what we can do with it. Certainly beats the nine paving slabs and the thin raised bed in the last house.

The plan is to use the lower two levels for the majority of our time and will probably go wild with pots on the sleepers at the top of the garden. I'd like to make sure I can still get up to the top sleeper because I discovered with a bit of stretching its possible to stroke the horses in the field behind.

We have been desperate to get out into the garden and start as it is quite a mess, the shrubs haven't be pruned for at least a year, probably two and it's weed galore out there. Lots to get started on. Here is a before pic... those pink pots on the left trellis will be first to go.

To no surprise and in typical English fashion it was pouring on Saturday when the time came around to get outside. So we stood at the back door and in an equally English fashion decided it was time for the wellies. We kitted up and went out in full waterproofs. Our plan was to start by removing what we didn't want.

Whilst Ryan cut the shrubs, I began "weeding". Weeds are defined as any plant growing somewhere that it is unwanted. Therefore, I believe, subjective. I pulled out many common weeds amongst which was my least favourite. The Bramble. They grow so fast and they hurt so badly when they prick you, for days sometimes. The brambles had to go. When it came to the Ivy however, I cut it back but did not remove it all. For me Ivy is a not a weed. I am aware it grows prolifically, but that just takes managing. I think Ivy is beautiful, I love the way it winds and cascades, I love the veins on the leaves and I love the variety of colours. It fills any areas where many plants cannot grow and can make the most boring walls or fences look whimsical. So whilst Ivy lands on many gardeners most hated list, it's on my most wanted.

While clearing an old pot I found a plant label for a Dahlia 'Mystery Day', a plant I desperately want to grow this year. The prospect of there already being one in the garden is exciting. I am going to hold my breath and keep all my fingers and toes crossed that they have been over wintered properly in the past, and therefore may come up. None the less I'm not going to kid myself and begin to think I probably won't still buy another. 'Cafe au Lait' has been a long standing favourite of mine, however 'Arabian night' is too a strong contender. Dahlia Dilemma.

After two hours of working hard and becoming rather soggy we decided to start packing away, a monster task. We collected up the mess from three large shrubs, on both sides of the fence. Ryan has some 'leaf grabbers' - our new best friend. In half an hour we were picking up the final bits and packing up the van.

Back into the warm for a cold beer and a long hard thing about what to do next. With a colour pallet, shapes, heights, pots, and furniture to be considered, a trip to the garden centre soon for some inspiration.