I KNOW I HAVE ASKED THIS BEFORE

[suzie1]

But............. When is the best time to start sorting my garden, its a right mess, needs a good clear out, levelling up and turfing..also need to pull up the paving slabs that are creating a small walkway, they are completely cracked..and is it better to do the garden first or put in the conservatory first? also does anyone know of a good established turfing company that will do this work for me at a satisfactory cost..thanks

[rosyrussell]

The time to do this sort of job is nowish, really - though I would probably recommend doing the conservatory first and then the garden can take shape around it, and also stops any damage being done to the new garden by the conservatory builders materials. Turfing can be done in spring or autumn; which part of the country are you based? Try not to just pick a turfing company at random from Yellow pages, you are better off getting a recommendation from someone else - look out for someone having turfing work done and ask their opinion! Failing that, try online some of the gardening networks - I use www.landscapejuicenetwork.co.uk for advice of this nature, and have found the members really helpful.

[woofgang]

conservatory first, better to leave the garden till the ground is drier if you are on heavy soil. One of the best things we ever did was made the acquaintance of a local landscape gardener. He loves his job, is very helpful and knows when things should be done. try and get a local recommendation, which part of the country are you in?

[landscaper2]

Nice post Woofgang. If only everyone would take their time and find a good, trustworthy local landscaper and stick with him/her, the trade wouldnt have such a bad name. We have been going for 35 years now, do not have to advertise and are now working for the sons and daughters of some of our first clients. Wnot gett too rich but it's a great job - apart from when its peeing down such as this morning - but at least I get some office work done!

Anyway, conservatory first, paving then lawn.

[suzie1]

Thank you, rosy, woof and land, they are all very helpful views and i will be going next week to get my conservatory sorted, landscapers charge alot thats why i havent consulted one and nobody in my neighbourhood can recomend anyone, i live in sheffield. If you have an recomendations that wud be greatly appreciated. thanks again x

[Whoever]

suzie - if you live in Sheffield, try enquiring of your Sheffield Council Parks & Recreation Department. They may have useful contacts for landscape gardening, or you may even find that there are some employees with a lot of horticultural knowledge there who are prepared to take on some extra curricular work at a reasonable cost.