What to plant?

jaybro

To all you experienced gardeners and green aficionados,

We have a lovely big graden with loads of space, and we are dying to get it growing. As we're all fairly inexperienced when it comes to gardening, I was wondering whether people could share their gardening experiences and tips, and suggest what's good to grow, considering time of year etc. We're interested in growing some veggies, open to any suggestions. Also would like to plant flowers to make the place look lovely, so some suggestions on nice looking things welcome too.

Thanks.

jaybro

Also if you have any good online resources, like good gardening websites etc. please share!

byhookorbycrook

Is your garden sunny, in part shade or shaded?

Onions are easy and give a good return. Herbs like rosemary, sage,thyme,chives,fennell are all easy too. If you plant mint, best plant in in a container as it will take over the place if put in the ground.A small bay plant is good too, standard bay trees (the ones you see at front doors) are wildly expensive.Bayleaves are lovely in soups etc.

Do you want annual flowers (will only live one year)or perennials (will last many years)?
Lavender is good,has to be pruned back each year, but will give you a few years of scented pleasure

jaybro

Thanks byhookorbycrook.

Garden gets the sun pretty much all day, on the few lucky days that happens

Yeah, we have most herbs going, one of the few things we managed, sage, basil, rosemary etc.

Onions sound good, potentially potatoes, courgettes, and some more veggies.

As for flowers I think perennials, nice to see them popping up again in following years...

Ophiopogon

I think first have an idea where you want things within your garden. So, square off the areas where you may want to have your seatings etc, where you would want to keep your veg too, where you keep your tools.

Than in a way just have fun, as in with regards to plants go out and buy things you like the look of, keeping in mind space/height requirements but don't get to bogged down as to whether you are doing it right. Gardening IMO is all a learning curve, if it doesn't work you can just take it up and move it or throw it out.

Its hard to know if it works till your sitting in your garden actually looking at what you've done. Same goes for Veg, some years things work, some years they don't, the fun is in figuring it out I think.

If you want to get to talk to people than most areas have monthly grow your own meetings where you can chat to people and get some great advice. Another is start going to gardens such as the botanic's and have a look around around at what you like and talk to the gardeners. RHS books are great but pricey so maybe check if your library stock thems.

Lastly, try if you can to get year round interest going so its not just in the summer with the colour.