Garden Help - New Build

gavlar · 07-09-2008, 05:33 PM

Hello all,

We have just moved into a new build (dont ask) and one thing we are stuck with is a monstrosity of a garden. The criminals, no sorry builders, that finished it have left us with a nice big mud patch.

We are putting half to lawn and want to have a little veggie patch for the little'uns so we basically have a blank canvas to work with. I saw in another thread that someone mentions not leaving it bear, which is exactly what we have! what should we do?

cheers all

MikeBoxwell · 26-09-2008, 08:45 AM

Been there, done that, won't be doing that one again!

The mudbath you have in your back garden is probably made up of a mixture of top-soil and sub-soil. Nothing much grows in sub-soil, so one of your first tasks will be to rejuvinate the soil.

Earlier this year we lifted a patio and path that had been down for years to make into a vegetable patch. We dug in lots of manure and compost and sand (to break up the clay soil) before we planted. It paid off: the catapillars had a lovely selection of vegetables to munch their way through this summer.

Green Beginnings · 28-09-2008, 10:10 PM

If you're quick you could get your lawn down now.

Another alternative would be organic manure where you plant the manure and then just dig it over next spring before you want to plant and this 'manures' the land. No smell either!

Andy · 01-10-2008, 09:02 PM

Excellent advice there, id second the mulch layer, get something on there, leaving it bald is the worst thing you could do over the winter.

How is the house Gavlar? hope you are settling in nicely :)

Mike · 07-10-2008, 07:09 PM

Thanks for some great advice there guys!

Green Beginnings · 08-03-2009, 08:31 PM

Hello Gavlar,
how did you get on? are you ready for planting now?

gavlar · 09-03-2009, 01:47 PM

yeah we got a local firm in to help us landscape it a bit as it was a rubble pile.

Its mostly lawn now which is now fairly well established, just waiting for the summer so we can actually use it!

07-09-2008, 05:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
gavlar Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 78 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Garden Help - New Build Hello all, We have just moved into a new build (dont ask) and one thing we are stuck with is a monstrosity of a garden. The criminals, no sorry builders, that finished it have left us with a nice big mud patch. We are putting half to lawn and want to have a little veggie patch for the little'uns so we basically have a blank canvas to work with. I saw in another thread that someone mentions not leaving it bear, which is exactly what we have! what should we do? cheers all

28-09-2008, 10:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
Green Beginnings Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oh I do love to be beside the seaside, oh I do love to be beside the sea........ Posts: 284 Thanks: 6 Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts	If you're quick you could get your lawn down now. Another alternative would be organic manure where you plant the manure and then just dig it over next spring before you want to plant and this 'manures' the land. No smell either! __________________ Organic, natural and eco-friendly products for baby, family and home. For all your organic needs including aluminium free deodorants, organic shampoo & conditioner :thumbup: Primary School Garden Blog

07-10-2008, 07:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mike Big Boss Man! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Swindon Posts: 810 Thanks: 76 Thanked 35 Times in 30 Posts	Thanks for some great advice there guys! __________________ Cheers Mike Do your bit, invite your friends here! Follow us on Twitter - Organiclinker Have you tried our: Veggie Trumps \| Food Miles Calculator \| Egg Tracker \| Book Store ...no? why not?

08-03-2009, 08:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Green Beginnings Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oh I do love to be beside the seaside, oh I do love to be beside the sea........ Posts: 284 Thanks: 6 Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts	Hello Gavlar, how did you get on? are you ready for planting now? __________________ Organic, natural and eco-friendly products for baby, family and home. For all your organic needs including aluminium free deodorants, organic shampoo & conditioner :thumbup: Primary School Garden Blog

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26-09-2008, 08:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
MikeBoxwell Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom Posts: 36 Thanks: 11 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Been there, done that, won't be doing that one again! The mudbath you have in your back garden is probably made up of a mixture of top-soil and sub-soil. Nothing much grows in sub-soil, so one of your first tasks will be to rejuvinate the soil. Earlier this year we lifted a patio and path that had been down for years to make into a vegetable patch. We dug in lots of manure and compost and sand (to break up the clay soil) before we planted. It paid off: the catapillars had a lovely selection of vegetables to munch their way through this summer.

01-10-2008, 09:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 240 Thanks: 24 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Excellent advice there, id second the mulch layer, get something on there, leaving it bald is the worst thing you could do over the winter. How is the house Gavlar? hope you are settling in nicely :)

09-03-2009, 01:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
gavlar Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 78 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	yeah we got a local firm in to help us landscape it a bit as it was a rubble pile. Its mostly lawn now which is now fairly well established, just waiting for the summer so we can actually use it!