Garden in April

Bit difficult to tell from a distance shot, how about photographing leaves and stems and posting them here ?

I can see lots of Rhododendrons or Azaleas on the right hand side, which would indicate you have a soil type that's 'acid' because they only thrive in that soil type.
If i planted them in mine they'd die because i have alkaline soil.

I've just been out and taken lots of photos of leaves and what flowers are left so looks like I will be uploading most of the night! We have had wonderful pink flowers from the right all year which are just starting to die off now and the leaves have gone lovely red tones. Am I right in thinking that some plants have different coloured flowers depending on the pH of the soil?

Yes, the Hydrangeas especially produce different shade flowers in acid and alkaline soils.

A good set of books for a new gardener is 'The Expert' range, they do a book for all subjects, they're quite small paperback books. :-)
Maybe your parents have some they could let you borrow too.

I shall definately look those up, It is such a great thing to be able to start to learn! Unfortunately mum and dad have only ever seen gardens as little mini football pitches for my brother so they are as clueless as me! My OH's mum is hopefully coming to stay soon and she has promised to teach me a few things, I'm just hoping things don't die off or not get cut back at the right time because of my ignorance! Thank you so much for your halpful comments, everyone is so friendly on here and it's great top be able to ask questions :) Elle

Nice garden view - and lots of great pots to fill as well.

It looks big! what's the size of the garden, Elle?

Yes Berneih the pots have been super useful, the Chimney pot ones are now looking pretty further up the garden whilst I have been growing mint in some of the others which has been wonderful in cooking - I am a better cook than I am gardener!

Spritzhenry you're right, it is HUGE! it's roughly 23 m (about 75 ft) long and 10 1/2 m (34 ft) wide with about 7m (23 ft) of crazy paving by the back door before you even get to the garden! It is very unusual compared to the other houses in the street as it effectively takes up two plots, the other gardens are as long but only half as wide so we are very lucky really!

You are - and although it will be hard work to get it to your liking, it looks as though it was a well-planted and loved garden. :-))

Lovely!!