what do you wish you'd known...

[gardendancer]

Hi all,
I'm so exited, we've just got the whole chain in order to buy a new house, and now I'll get my own garden.

It is already in good condition, but there is no vegetable or fruit garden - so I'm going to get that going.

So since there are so many knowlegdeable and eperienced ppl here I htought I'd ask you all for your advice and experience, so that I don't end up doing anything silly, or go i wish i had known that 6 months down the line.

The garden is 140foot by 30 foot, which is a good size where we are.

[Nicos]

Don't stick plants in as soon as you've got a space...prepare the ground.
The crops can only be as good as the earth they grow in!

[rustylady]

Don't start changing things straight away. Live there a while and get a real feel for it.

[Flummery]

Don't try and do it all at once!

[teakdesk]

Light, light, light !!!!!

Check hedges, trees, distant houses.... anything that will disrupt light levels and select your plot accordingly.

Also wind, wind, wind!!! I have a prevailing wind that checks the growth of the plants "first-in-line".

Greenhouse? If I had the opportunity/space I would buy a greenhouse that was double the size of my anticipated needs and even then I'd get one a bit bigger!!!

[gojiberry]

It makes no difference how well you plan and think about your goals. In six months time your views and goals will have probably changed and you will have to rearrange things to plan B or C or ??? That's how we gardeners are, or am I the exception.

Ian

[rogesse]

Definately not the exception - I moved house about a year and a half ago and have changed things around twice in the last 6 months!

I'd say go with the old advice of living with your new garden for a while (year if super patient) so you can see what is already there. If you've got an area ear marked for home produce, prepare this year for next

Only grow stuff you really like that is expensive or unavailable in the shops

Enjoy - I went from no garden to more than I know what to do with and both me and the cat will sit out there all night and refuse to come in when called!

[gardendancer]

Thank you all for the advice. I think the main one I'm going to have to remember is sit on your hands for a bit and watch it.

Fortunately, we've done a fair amount of gardening in our current garden over the last 8 years (which is shared) and had 300 square feet of veg beds this summer so should be somewhat prepared on that front, but this is the first time we can design something ourselves. I jut love being outside there, and can't wait until it's just me and the husband to consider when I want to put a plant in or move it.

right now though I'm in a conundrum about my winter brassicas ( savoy, pbs and sweetheart cabbage), do you think they will survive in my potato bags I've jsut cleared? that way I can take them with me.

[Glutton4...]

If you have an idea about something, mark it out with canes or a hosepipe along the ground. That way you can live with it for a week or so, before digging or building anything.

If planning a Lawn, don't leave odd corners that you can't mow; you'll soon get fed up and start leaving them to get wispy and untidy.

Greenhouse/Polytunnel/Shed - as big as you can possibly fit in, it helps you keep all your gear tidy.

Think how many Compost bins you want, then double it!

Put guttering everywhere you can, and harvest rainwater - you won't regret it.

Make sure you can comfortably fit yourself in! Sounds daft, but it's very difficult tending plants if you can't actually get at them. (Ask my Dad who built his raised beds too close together!)

However much you plan - you'll change your mind, and it'll end up completely different in the end!