My garden - where to start

[Pickle]

My garden is completely overgrown, the grass has all gone to seed and it's covered in dandelions. How do I go about sorting it out? I'm considering giving in and getting a professional to do it. Can anyone save me money by telling me in easy stages how to make it look like a proper garden?

[cupra]

Have you tried the BBC gardening website.... there is a garden design section (a la Titchmarsh) that takes you through some of the basics;
Once target=_blank>http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/htbg/index.shtml <
BR>
Once you've got a design, I'd probably start by using a weedkiller on the garden (if the lawn's bad then that as well - it'll be easier to lay a new one!), leave it a couple of weeks to die down and then start from there (use a systemic weedkiller that attacks the weed but breaks down in soil - I use 'Roundup') But, if you have any good specimen plants that you'd like to keep, be careful!!

[quattro]

Before you start its worth considering what sort of garden you want at the end of it if you have time to spare to work in the garden each week or if youre the sort who just wants to sit out in the sun with a few beers and the smell of burning meat wafting around . Gardening can be enjoyable especially if you have a job where you are cooped up inside all day and would appreciate the fresh air and long summer evenings . Its also one of those DIY jobs that is'nt difficult to master and you don't have to be practically minded to do it .I'd say look around at other gardens to see what you like and then get stuck in if you make a b***s up you can always try again next year and spend the money you save by not employing a professional on stella then after a few of them everything will be alright