Can you keep a secret?

[piskieinboots]

if so....

In March I am starting a Garden Design course - boring I know, but stay with me....
....my project during the course will be to re-design my (a) garden - I have no wish to re-design mine but I would like to 'do' a pal's, as a surprise. This pal is based in North Yorks and I would like to keep it a secret until it is finished.

So how do I:
- get dimensions
- aspect
- soil type
- etc
....without asking her?

[lynda66]

you go and visit and take a tape measure

[piskieinboots]

not an option, she would 'know'

[Capsid]

Google earth/maps? Not sure how to find out soil type though.

[piskieinboots]

yep good call Capsid, Snowdrop has grabbed a fuzzy GE shot for me, but not sure how to relate that (at the moment) to the information that I need - but it's a start - thanks

[bubblewrap]

If you visit your friends local council they should have large scale maps of the area.
when you next visit your friend surly you can get a small sample of soil.

[Capsid]

yep good call Capsid, Snowdrop has grabbed a fuzzy GE shot for me, but not sure how to relate that (at the moment) to the information that I need - but it's a start - thanks

You should be able to work out the dimensions and aspect.

[piskieinboots]

If you visit your friends local council they should have large scale maps of the area.
when you next visit your friend surly you can get a small sample of soil.

Good thinking on the council BW, thanks
Re the soil sample, I don't even want to visit before I have done it - there must be another way of getting a rough idea?

You should be able to work out the dimensions and aspect.

Hopefully yes, I will get the man on to it - men are better at dimensons aren't they

[Capsid]

Good thinking on the council BW, thanks
Re the soil sample, I don't even want to visit before I have done it - there must be another way of getting a rough idea?


Hopefully yes, I will get the man on to it - men are better at dimensons aren't they

It may be smaller than stated.

[Rocketron]

Hopefully yes, I will get the man on to it - men are better at dimensions aren't they?
First time I've ever heard a woman say that ! Normally it's "that's never x inches!"

[bubblewrap]

Good thinking on the council BW, thanks
Re the soil sample, I don't even want to visit before I have done it - there must be another way of getting a rough idea?


Hopefully yes, I will get the man on to it - men are better at dimensons aren't they

As long as he is not a fisherman!

[Capsid]

This site says the North Yorkshire wolds are chalky (alkaline).

The Topography, Geology and Soils of The Yorkshire Wolds.

Is that near enough?

[Izi]

I'm in Yorkshire on the coast and myself and most of my freinds are on soil that is mostly clay and good loam.

Maybe you could choose a range of plants that will tolerate most conditions.
Izi.

[zazen999]

Call the geotechnical dept of the local council, they should be able to tell you what sort of soil is around and about.

[smallblueplanet]

I guess if you look on the 'environmental agency' web site it'll show you the likiehood of it flooding. That should give you an idea of the lie of the land? But I guess you know that anyway....hmmm, it seemed a good idea when I started typing!