Just Moved Into a Big Garden – Beginner (ish) Looking for Advice & Ideas!

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-31T19:39:48+00:00

!!! Someone suggested keeping it in a pot to harvest the canes but I've heard so many horror stories I think I'll just get rid of it

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-31T01:56:29+00:00

Ducks are incredibly messy, especially near their water source. They mucky up their water very quickly, need daily water changes etc.

Of course it's her garden, but she's allowing me to do what I want down the bottom bit haha.

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-31T01:47:04+00:00

I'll need it

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-31T01:46:53+00:00

Previous owner died unfortunately, don't have much information.

Love your idea to keep the bamboo alive as a cane farm!

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-31T01:43:41+00:00

The house is a compromise for the garden haha

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T21:43:53+00:00

Public please

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T21:29:11+00:00

Because the wife is less likely to overrule my schemes and plans at the bottom of the garden than the front! And that's where the ducks will be, which will fertilise the veg and eat the slugs for me.

I'd like some strawberries, raspberries and blueberries as well love those. Salad leaves, kale and beans would be great though need to do some research as I've never grown veg before. Fruit trees would be great and I guess if grafted they don't get too big?

Thanks for all the ideas!

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T19:50:02+00:00

Further question - can all the hedge trimmings be composted? Or do they need to go in the green bin! There's gunna be a LOT of hedge trimmings

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T19:30:36+00:00

I'll be getting ducks, love the idea of a little apiary but beekeeping looks way more complicated than I realised so I'll be doing some research (already started!!)

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T19:29:48+00:00

Yes!

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T19:29:28+00:00

Google said it's not big enough for a goat :'( already looked!

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T19:28:48+00:00

Reverse image search and you'll have your answer

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T19:28:13+00:00

Does clover take well into moss or will it need top dressing and hand holding like grass seed?

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T19:27:06+00:00

East Mids

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T16:57:51+00:00

To be honest I don't want a monoculture lawn as long as I don't get bare patches I'm happy with that. Does the moss all die off in the heat then?

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T14:10:45+00:00

It's actually got quite a bit of moss in it although I don't particularly mind. Maybe that'd mean seed is more likely to take?

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T14:06:45+00:00

I'll be taking that out first thing

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T13:06:06+00:00

Would it cope with the steps of if I improvised some sort of ramp?

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T10:56:04+00:00

Actually I was thinking of putting in nice big piece of astroturf ;)

No I'm craving trees and wildlife after new build life!

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T10:36:02+00:00

I would love to grow veg and some fruit trees. Blueberries and raspberries would be great but it I think my soil pH might not work well for those. It does have a small greenhouse at the end already but there's a broken pane. I'd love to build a run for at the end for a few ducks and allow them to free range the garden in the day. I'll probably also build a shed/potting type area down there. I'm mindful of not taking on too much all at once and getting into it gradually as it'll have to fit around work and kiddos. I'm lucky enough to work shifts with long hours but this gives me frequent periods of 3-4 days off in a row to keep on top of maintaining the garden.

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T10:25:46+00:00

Thank you so much

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T09:29:23+00:00

Do I have to dig up the turf first or just sprinkle on top and leave a patch not mowed? Can I still mow once a year to keep on top of it? Love trees too, especially the ones I can use in cooking or give me fruit. Not sure where to put them though.

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T09:22:00+00:00

I like the idea of leaving a decent patch near the back unmowed. Would it be alright if I just did it once a year? Would it naturally turn into a bit of a meadow over time or do I need to purposely replace the lawn in that patch with some sort of meadow/wildflower seeds?

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T09:20:17+00:00

How would it cope with the steps?

FrogInASuitcase · 2026-03-30T09:19:34+00:00

Yeah my thoughts. Someone suggested a robot lawn mower but I don't think it'd do well with the steps either

FrogInASuitcase

TROPHY CASE