Does anyone know anything about gardening?

Ohhh no? Worth a watch? Do you have a link to the specific episode?

I've not really been impressed by any of the big makeovers on that show so far. Although, to be fair, the ginormous swimming pool one was a tricky one to deal with.

I watched one where the couple spent 20k to get their old patio taken up and a new patio put in. The new patio was nicer, but Christ.

I guess a lot of the money goes on doing things quickly/buying established and mature plants?

We are considering a new patio and I expect it will cost something like 20k. It is split level, will have 4 or 5 steps between them and unlike the current one I want some decent foundations that don't shift and. Since access isn't great I expect it to cost loads to move all the hardcore etc by hand.

Some natty annotations but you get the idea I suppose

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That's an awful lot for a patio! Whereabouts are you? What are the dimensions? I might well be tempted to give you an estimate.....

I'm happy to offer a positive reference for Mr Bald.

My OH was more scathing about that than anything else I can ever think of.

TBH I didn't think it was that bad.

What is interesting is that only ~10% of the budgets are ever plants.

It's basically just paying for builders.

Your Garden Made Perfect, Series 1: Episode 2: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000s66m via @bbciplayer

yeah, I thought it would look pretty good once the garden had matured a little and everything filled out. as it was though, it looked pretty muddy and unfinished to me. I didn't like the material they chose for the pathing - thought they have been better to use the sandy coloured compacted gravel that the rich brothers seem very fond of. the VR version of the garden looked good

not really been impressed with any of the gardens so far either but do enjoy the show

Keep us updated on the pergola.

My OH loves them. I can take them or leave them, but I'm trying to work out the use-case for one in our garden. It's either;
A. at the back to act as a visual draw to the corner, but would need to be designed to hide some practical shit behind.
B. On the terrace to give some dappled shade. But then will it give enough shade to eat under? And will it block light into the dining room?

Personally I'd go for a rose you like from https://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/
Maybe call them and ask for advice. I won't bang on about the one we have, cause I know I always do.

garden had matured

The fundamental problem with the show vs the interior design one is that the moment when a newly decorated place is staged and no one has lived there is when it looks best. For a garden it's the opposite.

not really been impressed with any of the gardens so far either but do enjoy the show

That summaries everyone's, including my, view of the show that I've spoken to.

We don't have any estimates yet so it might be less (which would be lovely), I don't really know yet.

We are EN5. Very roughly L shaped. 11m x 4m with a 2m X 3m bit stuck on. An estimate would be very welcome if you are interested.

The swimming pool guys were so happy though, which makes it for me. In fact I think that's what I like about it most how buzzing they all are. I also really like the presenter, think she's great.

They won't be so happy when their approx £1k worth of tree ferns die from baking in the sun

You're a long way from me, as far away in London as is possible from the South Coast! Unless you go mad on the surfacing, materials shouldn't exceed £5k, labour is impossible to calculate without looking at the site. PM me if you get a couple of quotes, if I think they're taking the proverbial, I will come and have a look.

I thought they had a north facing garden so would be ok

but yeah that would be a bummer if an award winning garden designer bought totally incorrect plants for the garden!!

presenter

After seeing her on 8 out of 10 cats, I look at her in a totally different light.

The only thing with the winning pool design is it felt very much what I would have thought up. Whereas the other one seemed a lot less obvious and smarter use of space.

Cheers, will do.

small shrubs and flowers that appreciate shade

I haven't been able to work out the name of the plant that does best. And it's only just starting after winter. It's a tubular(?) with tall single stem flowers. And big leaves.

Anyway the other suggestions from our garden are;

• seedum (loads of variety so pick what you like/suitable)
  
• Lemon balm
  
• chives (left field I know, but they look nice throughout the growing season and are practical)
  
• fuchsia (if you think they look a bit old fashioned, have a look at the more tree like ones rather than bushes as they look more oriental and elegant )
  

Anyone seen cranked metal posts like these before? Wondering if they're custom. I might want to replicate similar on the other side of the garden.

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Well, I for one would have turned it into a skate bowl.

And on the subject of Gardening programmes, I find Monty Dons series Big Dreams, Small Spaces is full of better advice/actionable tips. VR stuff on a gardening show leaves me a bit cold tbh.

been tooling around in the gardena garden planner app tonight. stolen chris' gravel boards path idea - anyone got tips for things to plant in the large border at the top to give it a full/tropical/bushy look? I like grasses but ideally the planting is going to be 6 foot plus towards the back (to screen the fence and add additional privacy)

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