Guest Author - Hellie T.

If you have a garden already and want to alter it or have a new plot here are some tips to help you design an English Cottage Garden.

First - and I know this is the really boring bit! - get weeding.
You need to take out all the perennial and annual weeds. It will make your life much easier when your garden is filled with flowers.

While you are weeding

Decide how you will break up your space to create "rooms". You could have just two small areas or several. For instance a herb patch, a veggie patch, a lawn, a pond or any combination.

Think how you are going to separate these areas. Do you want to use, hedges, trellis or fencing? A simple open trellis covered with roses is easy and very efective. Or a low hedge of lavender or box .



Paths.
Do you want to use bricks, paving, grass, gravel or wood chippings?
There is a material for every budget.

Try to make your paths curve and meander through the garden. This gives you time to wander and appreciate the beauty of your flowers and plants.

Lawns
If you want a lawn - look at the situation - is it a shady spot or does it get the sun all day? You can buy grass seed suitable for both areas so get the right sort and you will have less problems later.
If grass won't grow consider chamomile.

Plants
Where will you get these from?
Asking friends and neighbours is a good idea. They are usually happy to give you cuttings and spare plants. If they do make sure that you check for weeds. I know I mentioned weeds at the beginning but really it does make gardening easier if you are vigilant about keeping out weeds. The last thing you want is something like ground elder growing amonst your pinks - it is almost impossible to get rid of once it has taken hold!

Local garden centres will provide a reasonable choice of plants.
There are many online nurseries where you can buy seedlings or larger plants.
Seed catalogues make marvellous reading and you get the satisfaction of growing your own plants - although of course you have to wait longer for them to mature.

Once you have decided on your plan - whether it is a small patch or the whole garden or a balcony - a good tip is to plant your perennials and then sow annuals in the gaps. You can sow annual seeds in pots too.



This will make your garden look lush and colourful right from its first summer as the annuals grow quickly.

You can usually guarantee some will self seed and give you plants the next year.

Enjoy your English Garden