1st time gardener needs help..!!!

[JoAnnMul]

I have just cleared my(larger than i thought)garden of weeds & brambles(27 sacks & 8 bales of twigs) I also managed to cut down 1 of 4 large conifers..Which i have now shredded thanks 2 a kind neighbour loaning me his shredder...But what do i do next..?The garden is 3/4 slabbed (unevenly thanks 2 the afore mentioned conifers)& 1/4 soil..Can i use the chippings from the conifer 2 cover the soil part in the hope this will stop the weeds..? I've been told that plenty of salt water will get them at bay but this just seems 2 simple 2 be true I have NEVER gardened before so would be grateful of any advise..

[woofgang]

Clear the soil as best you can.Buy weed suppressing membrane from b and q and lay this over the soil, then weigh it down with the bark chippings, rocks, anything you have. Leave it a year (two is better) then lift the membrane. This should have dealt with quite a lot of the weed regrowth and then you can decide what to do. If you are doing it on a budget, then old lino, carpet, underlay or black bin bags can be used instead of the membrane. If you want to start to garden sooner then you will need to dig out as much weed and bramble root as you can, let the so and so's start to shoot again and treat with a glyphosate weed killer. Its a long business, good luck !!!

[quibblingmed]

for a start, i would avoid carpet and lino, it will rot!
if you use a membrane such as terram, you can cut holes in it to plant your plants through.
Dont put your conifer chippings down, all they will do is form a mulch and again, rot!
Your best best at weed suppression is bark chippings, available from most good garden centres but cheaper if you go to a wood yard or sawmill,. they look good, let your plants breathe and suppress weeds in the bargain!
I would avoid salt water, although it will fight off the slugs and snails! but if you have too much salt content in your soil, lots of the plants you buy and lovingly plant will...im afraid...die! have a good look through some gardening mags too, up until a year ago i knew nothing about the garden, but now my garden is a possitive haven!!p.s dont use anything in the garden that doesnt breathe...ie carpet or lino! good luck, and green fingers!!

[Tim Baxter]

Try "Roundup" to kill all plants where you don't want them.  It decays within a fortnight and kills most weeds.  Green cuttings from conifers are bad for your garden as they take years to convert to nutrion for the garden.  Make a plan on paper of your garden, decide what eventual shape, horizontal and vertical,  you need and pencil in accordingly.  If you are undecided on certain parts mulch or cover as advised until you have decided.  Take your time, most gardens evolve rather that are made instantaneously.

Good luck.

[maggie01]

If I could afford it I would get someone in the give it a bit of a landscape and then keep it up after that. Can be a bit expensive but well worth it I enjoy gardening but it can be hard work. Good Luck.

[JoAnnMul]

Thank you all 4 your advice..Thought i would give a quick up date...The soil part of my garden turned out to be about 6 inches of soil over more slabs,so i removed the soil i have taken up 40 large slabs (less than 1/2 my garden)I'm letting the rain get at it today then my plan is to give it a good dig put back the soil i removed,give it time to settle than decide where to go from there..Just a week ago i couldn't get in there now its a wonderful blank canvas..It is council property & neighbours have told me that my garden had not been touched or cleared 4 over 20 years..!!!Everyone has been really encouraging & i never thought i would ever say this.."but i am really enjoying it" 'The gardening bug has bitten'

[woofgang]

Oh JoAnnMul, you are a lost soul....the bug bit me as a child and I have been happily infected ever since. May you fingers be as green as your newbiename!!

[mozski]

all that work you did and no help...can you come and trim my conifers seeing as you are such a keen gardener now..? good luck finishing your garden would offer to help but you seem to have everything coverd so i guess will leave you to it..good luck...!!! 40 slabs im`e impressed..!!!