Looking for Suggestions...

[FatGit_UK]

Hi

I'm looking to convert my small back garden from it's current shabby state (see pic below), into a wildlife friendly/attracting garden this year and I'm after a few suggestions.

The garden is approx 45ft long by 24ft wide, has a gradual downward slope with roughly a 2ft drop and faces southwest-ish.



On the right there's a small Ribes, three three Budelia with what I think is a small Hazel in amongst the Budelia and a log pile underneath. There's a small ornamental cherry next to the compost bin and a Choisya on the left. Apart from that, all I have are a few various trees in pots.

At the top of the garden I'm having some decking, but happy to dedicate the rest to attracting wildlife. I'd like a pond somewhere and would like to plant the small apple tree I have, along with a small pear tree, but other than that, I'm open to suggestions. Most, if not all, of the kids toys will be removed as they only stay alternate weekends now and there's a park five minutes away and they're more than happy going there to play instead.

Looking at it now, it's clear I need to get some winter plants for next year, but what else would you suggest?

Not sure on budget yet, but initially I'll probably be able to spend about £200.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Shaun

[Geoff F]

Depends a bit on where in this country you live and type of soil. To start with have a read through some of the many similar questions which have appeared here over the past couple of months. Several people have been in a similar dilemma.

However, subject to unexpected problems, you should be spoilt for choice. One thing to think about is that if you start with smaller plants you will get a lot more for your money and they will catch up within a year. Some smaller plants even root quicker. And don't forget those annuals and perennials which can be grown from seed.

You mention an apple and pear tree but to get fruit you will probably have to get another one of each which flower at the same time to ensure pollination. This can be a bit tricky and some varieties even need 3 trees to get good pollination. Any idea what varieties? Don't ask me to advise on this; but I'm sure there are a few fruit tree experts here.

With regard to plants, and you mention something for the winter, so my must have plant is a Mahonia. Large decorative leaves with yellow scented flowers during the winter/early spring which is essential for those early bumblebees.

More suggestions will come quickly, I'm sure.

[FatGit_UK]

Thanks for the quick reply Geoff.

I'm in North Wilts, about five miles from Bath. No idea on the soil type though - is that something I need to find out before planting anything new? No idea what type of apple I've got, but it has produced a couple fruit already - can you get self-pollinating varieties? Will try and remember to check tomorrow.

[Tursiops2]

Hi fatgit, welcome to WAB.

I know your part of the world - my father lives in Bradford-on-Avon - I would expect your underlying geology to be limestone, and your soil is probably neutral/alkaline. You should be able to grow most things except plants that require acid soil (Heathers, Rhododendrons etc.)

A few thoughts to be going on with:

1. Your buddleias are getting very leggy. To keep them as shrubs, rather than letting them grow into "mini trees", cut them back to near ground level in early spring (i.e. now! ). Repeat annually.

2. Is that trellis to the left of the pic redundant? Put it, or another piece, up the wall of your shed and grow Ivy or Honeysuckle up it. Put more trellis up along your fencing for Honeysuckle, Clematis etc.

3. Fruit trees - consider growing these as cordons to save space: Royal Horticultural Society | Advice Search | Apples and pears: growing and training as cordons

4. Are you planning a pond? I hope so, nothing improves the wildlife value of a garden like a pond. I think I'd put one in roughly where that slide is, to get the maximum benefit of the sun.

5. Put a "nectar bank" (a bed planted with species that provide nectar for butterflies, bees etc) in a sunny spot. Red Valerian is an excellent nectar plant and widely naturalised in the BoA area, it should do well in your garden but will need to be controlled.

6. You could naturalise bulbs (native Daffodil, Bluebell, Crocus, Snowdrop etc.) in your lawn.

7. The raised bed to the left (with the Choisya), looks like it's infested with Couch grass. This is a pig to get rid of, but you will have to get rid of it if you want to use the bed (herb bed perhaps?)

8. I think you should have a proper surfaced path leading down to the shed, for practical and aesthetic reasons - bark chip over membrane is the cheapest and simplest option.

Hope this helps
T2

[Geoff F]

Just a thought about your apple trees. Are there any others nearby? I suspect that is how you have managed to get some fruit. If there are trees in a nearby garden which flower at the same time as yours everything will be fine. If the nearest tree is say 1/2 mile away it would be better to get another tree to be sure of pollination.

If you aren't sure when yours flowers try a mid season variety; but best of all wait to see when yours flowers then go to a garden centre which understands fruit trees.

ps. The bulbs in the grass idea is perfect for lazy gardeners. You can't cut your grass untill the bulb foliage has died down - the perfect excuse for inaction!

[FatGit_UK]

Thanks for all the suggestions T2 and Geoff - they've definitely given me something to think about this weekend.

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

1. Your buddleias are getting very leggy. To keep them as shrubs, rather than letting them grow into "mini trees", cut them back to near ground level in early spring (i.e. now! ). Repeat annually.

The following picture gives a better view of the buddleia - the front one is already mini-tree like - about 10/11ft tall and probably about the same width. The lower branches were kept trimmed back to give the kids more room to play and the ladder almost completely fits underneath the lower ones now. As long as it doesn't cause any problems to the plants being that size, i'm quite happy to leave them be, but maybe plant something smaller underneath?

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

2. Is that trellis to the left of the pic redundant? Put it, or another piece, up the wall of your shed and grow Ivy or Honeysuckle up it. Put more trellis up along your fencing for Honeysuckle, Clematis etc.

Yes, it is redundant so will probably take you advice and use it to hide the unsightly shed.

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

4. Are you planning a pond? I hope so, nothing improves the wildlife value of a garden like a pond. I think I'd put one in roughly where that slide is, to get the maximum benefit of the sun.

Just in front of the ladder, there's actually a small wall (about 10in), so I might have a two-tier pond with a small waterfall. I've always been under the impression that having ponds in full sun will result in masses of pond algae - is that not the case or are there eco-friendly ways of preventing it now?

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Just a thought about your apple trees. Are there any others nearby? I suspect that is how you have managed to get some fruit. If there are trees in a nearby garden which flower at the same time as yours everything will be fine. If the nearest tree is say 1/2 mile away it would be better to get another tree to be sure of pollination.

If you aren't sure when yours flowers try a mid season variety; but best of all wait to see when yours flowers then go to a garden centre which understands fruit trees.

Not sure if there are any others nearby, but think I'll take your advice and will wait and see when it flowers then decide what to do. It might even still have the label on (it's still in a large pot at the moment) so will check that this weekend to see if that helps.

The existing grass is in a pretty awful state, so I was considering replacing it all this year. I would like to keep part of it as a 'normal' lawn, but happy to have a nice sized chunk of it left long - probably the last 12ft or so down by the shed. Is there a better grass to use rather than the usual lawn turf from garden centres?

Thanks again for the help!