Bit of a 2nd year update from an amature’s perspective:
First year was a bit overwhelming but just about kept everything alive and under control. Was really beneficial watching the different seasons and learning what was what and how cutting back (or not as the case may be) impacts on the following year.
The plant identifier apps were a godsend, so went through the garden identifying everything, then YouTubing each plant specifically to learn about its care. Learned very quickly the importance of both pruning and feed, something bar a bit of random reckless hacking away when things looked a bit out of control and wandering about with a watering can when it got very hot I’d never really done before.
Had a couple of very close calls - the new roses the foxes repeatedly dug up survived, but were very limp and looking sorry for themselves. Thought they were dying altogether at one stage but cut them right back as per YT instructions and have been feeding them lots. There’s very strong new growth now and I think they’re on the way but looks like it will be next year before we start to see proper results.
Thought I’d really fucked up with the box hedges. Had been warned by the previous owners that they have to be sprayed religiously or the box hedge moth/caterpillar would destroy them in an instant. Sprayed last year but got lazy this, then suddenly noticed they were devouring the hedge and it was turning brown very quickly. Thought I’d lost the lot. Quickly sprayed and fed them, and miraculously they’ve fully recovered. Just in the nick of time I think. Won’t trim them to shape this year as want them to get strong again but got away with one there so have now set a calendar alarm to spray 3 times per year as per YT recommendations.
Biggest success was a bamboo that was planted last year to block out an overlooking window. It didn’t really do too much last year and any growth was yellow and spindly, but YT says the growth in the spring/summer is determined by the feed and preparation the previous autumn. Was quite brave and got stuck in, thinned it right out, fed it well and this year it’s been going nuts.
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Buoyed by the success of that got into feeding everything which has seen some lovely results. There’s some Jasmine out the front which is in direct sunlight and was looking a bit dry and sorry for itself, which is now has rich leaves and bursting into blossom. Amazing scent from it too. Same with the border plants and a few pots too.
Did get carried away with the feed though and overdid it on the lawn. Did some fairly sizeable re sowing patches and cut in a few bits of turf last year where it was really bad and the results were… ‘ok’ by the spring, so used some lawn care treatment a couple of times and wow, suddenly had a lush green lawn. Got sucked into the bad habit of using it too regularly (or perhaps just laying too much down at a time?) and now there are what looks like scorched patches. Hoping that’ll recover but a lesson learned.
Overall very happy so far. Have gone from feeling overwhelmed and seeing it as a little bit of a chore, to really quite enjoying it and thinking I can do this. Never going to be a natural but for the basic desired outcomes probably don’t need to be.
One things for sure though, would never be achievable without the internet, thank goodness for that. Quite looking forward to autumn and getting prepped for next year now too. Never thought I’d find myself saying that.