Last updated on November 16th, 2023 at 05:40 pm
After moving in to our house, almost three years ago, we finally want something done with our backyard garden. We had been looking at doing it up with decking, pathways, indian stone, and gorgeous trees and shrubs. But after getting a quote for over £10,000 pounds we decided we would rather go on a million vacations and attempt to do it simple and on a way cheaper budget. So as I have no clue what I am doing and don’t know the difference between a petunia and an azalea this should be an interesting adventure. I will be taking you all with me from start to finish.
Welcome to my garden mini series!
So I revamped my drawing to accommodate a more simple plan and a cheaper budget, then I was ready to get started. The first thing I did was go to YouTube and watch as many tutorials as I could to keep in my head what steps to take first and where to even start.
We live on an estate so the front yard garden was done for us. Thankfully but after three years we needed to give it some TLC. I decided to start there first. Tackle the little projects than the big projects. I planted hanging baskets and had a handy man come hang them on each side of the garage to give it some color. They are not in full bloom yet but I think they will look gorgeous when they do bloom.
I then cut out a little circle around the tree and planted white and pink petunias, recommended by the local garden center to put around trees. I am waiting for stone to be delivered for the backyard garden and was thinking I might use any spares to border this circle at a later time.
Our entry way is sunken in giving a little hallway like space at the front of the house so I planted some flowers in a pot to match those in my hanging baskets. Creating a more welcoming look when people visit.
Next I took on the fence. It was dull grey and weathered and needed a lick of stain or two! This took me absolutely forever. It’s a big fence and unfortunately for me I got the inside which means I had poles and cross sections to paint all the way around. Only one side do I have the front panels which are easy to stain and its the shortest side. After four days of staining and two coats as that weathered wood was ever so thirsty it is done. It dried a lot darker than I expected but it’s already growing on me.
It was now time to tackle the backyard garden, my nemesis. It is swampy, the grass is rolly and full of worm piles. I have hated staring out at it knowing it will take me weeks to do what I want to do with it. I am grateful for the space for the kids to run around in but at the same time its a mud pit so there isn’t much good space for them without sinking in and getting stuck.
So I decided to cut around the entire perimeter three foot at the sides and four foot at the back to get rid of the swampy bits that don’t see the sun enough to dry out. I am then going to cut half circles at each far corner and a half circle directly in the middle of the back fence to give it dimension. This is my plan anyways how it will turn out I don’t know. I have bought croft stone for the half circle sections which I will make two levels high and edging stone to match for the sides and in between the half circles. I did this to create different flower bed levels.
Thus far I have cut both sides out, three foot from the fence all the way across. I still have the back wall and the half circles to cut out but they are all measured and outlined out for me. It is harder to cut chunks of grass out then I ever thought. Great workout but I am stiff from the staining and digging. There is something to be said for the price the gardeners charge you it’s hard work.
Taking a break I decided to got to the garden center for a nosy at plants I might want to have in my backyard garden. I need plants that won’t die easy, I have a black thumb, that won’t die in sun all day or die without sun all day. Many parts of my flower beds will get sun all day pounding down on it and others will only get it for a few hours. So I am researching and shopping around. It was like a new found shopping addiction when I left the garden center with these three beauties. Since I don’t know anything about gardening the names have already slipped my mind but I have nicknamed the green one Willow and the two red ones I know are red robins. I am in love with them. Never thought I would like choosing plants and flowers but I do. My momma will be so proud. I even came home with a gorgeous rhondodendron which I can’t wait to bloom and a lovely plant that I call fire flame but have no clue what it really is called. See I really have so much to learn. But nevertheless they are both beautiful and in their new homes in pots on my back patios.
There you have it phase one of my garden series. I can’t wait until it’s all done and I can begin to sit out back and enjoy the scene. Have any advice on what trees, shrubs and plants I should use? Any advice if it sounds like I am doing something not right I am all ears. It’s a learning process for me.
It’s looking so good Jenny!! I have no idea what your plants are called, but they look great anyway! 🙂 Excited to see your progress – oh, and your edging stone! That’s the bit we are deciding on at the moment! Xx
It’s so hard to choose stone. I still can’t find the ones I really want. Glad you like it thus far. It’s a long process. I ache in every muscle imaginable. Good workout though.
Wow girl, you really don’t do things by halves! What a lot of hard work has gone into this already! I think it’s going to be amazing and you can say very proudly that you did it all by yourself….make you link up to #loudnproud when it’s finished!
Haha I will thank you for the heads up. It is a lot of work. I can barely move at the moment and I still can’t find the edging stone I like yet. The croft stone I ordered for the corners said up to 28 days deliver so I am hoping thats not true as I really want to finish this in a timely manner.
Hey good for you for getting stuck in and doing it on a budget – garden renovations are so much more expensive than you would think hey? I’m no gardener either but I am starting to learn the names of plants that I like! It’s actually quite fun! Looks like you are making great progress 🙂 xx #whatsthestory
I still don’t know the names of any of my favorites so I have been nicknaming them. Hahaha but it’s a fun journey. Exhausting but fun.
Wow, it looks great already. The fencing does look better in the darker colour. Have you considered planting a bay tree? Ours has lasted for years–which is amazing as we tend to let our plants die. 🙂 #whatsthestory
That’s what I am worrying about I kill everything. Lol I am so stupid at all this what’s a bay tree are they expensive?
Wow you really get your hands dirty when you put your mind to it don’t you?! I’m very impressed – love the little circle around the tree and the plants are all going to look so nice. I would never have enough time to do something like this with my kids around the vast majority of the time! I shall look forward to seeing your garden grow and develop. X #whatsthestory
Yes I do get a thought and then I jump. Hahaha thank goodness my two still take two hour naps. I get a lot done during that and after bedtime. Hahaha only just sat down now.
Oh my word Jenny you’ve been a busy bean! The hanging baskets look amazing and your fence is looking mighty fine after 4 days of TLC!
Well done digging those borders, it will make such a difference to your garden and what your bought it lovely. Phase 1 is well and truly finished, well done you #whatsthestory
Thanks Charly. I am exhausted but proud!!! Lol can’t wait to see the final product.
Oh looking good (i haven’t really any clue in no good at gardening) i also hate insects so scream i mean get scared and give up! Looking forward to seeing the finished job
I am the same on insects and bees. I will be picking non bee friendly plants. lol I can’t stand trying to sit and relax outside and things flying at me or buzzing around me. lol And those pesky spiders. Eeek
Wow Jenny, you did all that yourself? I’m very impressed 😉 looks great and you must have felt very satisfied to see your efforts afterwards!
I’m no gardener at all, but got all fired up a couple of weeks back and gave all our massive plants a huge haircut. This weekend we planted a load of herbs, salad leaves, strawberries and sunflowers. I’m determined to grow some food this year 🙂
Lovely post xx
It looks great you busy bee!! I really do crave a garden, don’t have one currently. But at least I can gather all your tips! #sharewithme
You can come share mine. It’s not finished yet and because the stone is on back order I might be sitting with a half finished garden for a really long time. Leave to me to pick stone that isn’t in stock and I don’t like any others. GRRR
Good luck with it! It looks live you’ve made a really good start. We’ve got a garden project too – having moved house a few months ago. Our garden is big and overgrown. Like you, I know nothing about plants, but I see you have bought my favourite sort of tree for your garden – the willow! I had a mature one of those at my old house and I promised myself I would get one for my new garden.
Ahhh I would love to see your project. I am so lost on what to buy but always knew I wanted a willow. They are beautiful and something so magical about them. I wish mine was a big bigger to start but they are expensive. I have no patience.
It’s looking lovely already, great fence painting (something quite relaxing about painting fences, don’t you think?)
Your plants look lovely xx
Thank you it was peaceful until I had to do a second coat the pain in my neck and back took over the peace. Hahah I am loving plant shopping though. Never thought I would say that. LMAO
I love Gardens but urghhhhhhh dont like doing them haha… Ive also got a blank canvas and im at a total loss with what to do with it :(. I love lavender, had it in my garden last year and it smelt beautiful, the bees also love it 🙂
Eeek then I will stay away from lavender as I am allergic to bees. lol Oh a blank canvas is always amazing. I have drawn up about six different designs for our back yard each with a different budget and then obviously went with the one I could afford. lol I do have a dream drawing though too. A someday back yard!
such a lovely big space, looking fab #sharewithme
Thank you Chantelle. It’s coming along but now has slowed as we are waiting for stone delivery. Boo
I love gardening but curse my soil everyday as I can’t grow much successfully in it at all. Which is why I prefer container gardening as i have more control over the environment! I’m quite envious of having a blank canvas like this. It looks like you’re making a great start 🙂
I think I might be the same our dirt is more clay and we had to dig quite deep to get rid of it and fill it with topsoil. Hoping this will help my plants and flowers grow nicely but only time will tell. Might have to go to containers too. lol
It looks like you have made a great start, I’m sure it will be looking lovely just in time for summer. I love the garden just to have somewhere safe for the kids to play. And somewhere for you to relax after they go to bed!
It looks lovely. I have just been gazing out at mine and wondering if a) tackle it myself b) get some quotes from gardeners c) wait for hubby to have a spare minute. I think it is c ha. Well done you x
No A then you do it your way, get exercise and feel proud lol B is VERY EXPENSIVE even for a small idea. Do it !!!
Well done hun, it’s looking fabulous already. Here’s hoping we have a great summer & you get to spend lots of time outside enjoying all your hard work x
I hope so, although I am leaving for two months in June. So I bet I will finish it the week before I leave and then when I return in Sept it will rain the whole time. hahahah Always the way isn’t it.
thats a proper challenge, it normally takes me ages (2-3 hours) to do a weeding in our small front garden and every time i think how much i hate doing it, i hope you wont have such a problem in the future
Me too as I hate weeded. Might play the whole I saved us thousands by doing it myself higher a gardener to take care of it. hahaha
Looks great already. You’ve got a lovely size garden. Can’t wait to see phase two hun x
Thanks MIchelle. Me too. Just waiting on back ordered stone. Doh
Wow what a cracking start you’ve made. I feel a little inspired as ours needs some love, Perhaps I can do it. Another great post Jenny! Zx
Thanks Zena. Do it. YOu will be so much more appreciative of it. And its cheaper yourself. lol
Wow! You’ve made such a difference, that’s fantastic! x
Thanks Alex yes its already a vast improvement. I can’t believe it. I can’t wait to finish it and get it full of flowers and plants .
So impressive lovely, it looks amazing. Well done xx
Thank you. Its a work in progress. lol
Grace says – it’s looking awesome. Looking forward to seeing what you do next.
Lucas says – you NEED a trampoline in the middle of the garden – all gardens should have one!!
#sharewithme
I think Lucas is right and I also think buba would highly agree with that comment. lol Thanks Grace. I am very excited to finish it as soon as the stone is delivered. lol
I love starting a garden project and mine is on going every year. We’re getting there and looking forward to seeing how yours develops x #sharewithme
Thank you I have no clue what I am doing or if I am even doing it right. It might completely blow up in my face but it’s all about learning and trial and error in life right?
Wow such a lot of hard work you have done already! It’s looking fab. It always takes a lot of imagination at the start of these projects but it soon takes shape and spurs you on to do more!
Thank you for joining in x
Thanks for hosting. and your lovely kind words. I really am flying at the seat of my pants here. So much to learn in the process and make sure I do it right. I am excited to see it done too though. Love your linky getting lots of inspiring ideas of plants and flowers I want.
Wow, I’m impressed you’re doing all of it on your own. I’d like someone to come and do ours, as I know nothing.
Emma I have no clue what I am doing I just refused to pay that much money. Garden labor is so very expensive. I wish to save time and my back that I could pay someone to come make it beautiful and perfect. For now I will have to attempt it on my own and hope for the best. lol Just want it finished now so I can enjoy it.
How lovely to have somewhere to let the kids play safely and somewhere for you to relax before bed. It looks great already x
Thank you. A long way to go still. The stone I want is on back order not happy about that as the weather seems to be turning to rain again and I wanted to finish it all by next week!!! lol
You have done such a great job with your garden! I love before/after shots. We did the same when we started on our garden (tiny courtyard), three years after moving in x Mel #Sharewithme
Ya it has taken us awhile to get it started and going but we are in full mode now. Just waiting for the stone that I ordered to be delivered and I can finish it off. I can’t wait.
It’s looking fab Jenny 🙂 I’ve given up for the moment and I am so desperate to move house, and I will enjoy making something of the garden wherever we end up! Look forward to seeing what you do next x
Thanks Sara. I can’t wait to finish. On hold for stone delivery now which is a pain but it’s raining so guess it’s fate. Oh move into a house already down so you can instantly enjoy it without the labor and cost of it all. lol
Wow, what a difference a bit of wood stain makes to a fence! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the garden- I have a feeling it will be a lot more orderly than my efforts! 😀
x x
Well so far I am waiting in stones to be delivered and just put all the top soil down today so I am hurting pretty bad. Lol it’s hard work.
No advice from me (a wanna be gardener!) except relax when it’s done and enjoy!
I can’t wait until it’s done already. My back is killing me today after three hours of shovelling top soil and raking. Lol working on phase 2.
This looks like a great project and some hard work already, can’t wait to see it all planted up.
I know me too. I just need my deliveries to start coming in so I can finish it all in the next phase and enjoy it. Start shopping for patio furniture instead. lol
Visiting from your update post July 2015 and loving seeing the transformation taking place! X
Oh thanks hunny, it was a huge job but we got it done finally and this year the flowers and shrubs really have come a long way from phase one. It’s finally looking like an oasis.