My "garden" if that's what i can call it!!

I see a little sedum pokeing thru in your first pic,wow what a mess and you have done so well to clear it,mine was the same and im still working on it two years later,welcome and good luck ;)

Welcome Jacqui and good luck in your new home and garden

So agree when gardening becomes a chore its not a pleasure any more.

Hi Jacqui I moved into my bungalow nearly three years ago and it needed gutting and the garden was a wilderness but gradually it it taking shape look at my before and after pics there are quite a few members who have them it will give you inspiration. Welcome to GOY:)

... and a big welcome from me too! But when it's all finished Jacqui, just think of the sense of achievement!

The bit of the back garden you have cleared is looking great. It will, of course, all take time, effort and money, but you are going to have a superb garden eventually.

That poured concrete of the paths at the front is going to be a nightmare for your plans to redesign, because the only way to get rid of it is with a pneumatic drill, as far as I know! So, there's a decision to be made, for sure.

I look forward to watching the progress of this garden. It is going be interesting! Do keep a record of what you do, if only to cheer you on when it feels endless.

A couple of plants for shade that will give you something took at in the winter. Variegated euonymus are evergreen and will grow anywhere. Sarcococca (Christmas Box) has narrow, evergreen leaves with tiny white flowers in very early spring - you will smell them from half way down the street.

Looks like you've made tons of progress already Jacqui! I agree with the others though. Try not to rush it or you will get too knackered and it will become more like hard work than a nice hobby. Shame we cannot all come down with a spade and fork and do some of the donkey work for you :)

You're making good progress :o)

Thanks Hywel, must admit sometimes i feel i am then others i think i must be slowing down as i work at it for hours but the next day i think " what did i do" ??

Many thanks to everyone that commented and for all the ideas & encouragement.
Andrewr i'm going to check that Sarcococca out asap
OH says i'm banned from buying though ( as if !!!!) but i've got pots of plants everywhere as i rescued a lot from under the rubbish etc ,others just had to be split so did them too but had nowhere clear to put them so everything seems to be in pots, OH says it looks like a nursery!.
Ojibway93 not only is the path is a major concern on the other side of the path is a concrete square where there used to be a greenhouse apparently, i really don't fancy all that drilling but am at a loss to what to do!!

hi and welcome to the site..wow what a challenge you are facing with this..but it is already looking great, well done..im far too much of a novice to offer planting advice but keep us updated on how you are progressing..great blog

Dont despair you have made a really good start already, try to focus your attention on one area at a time, make a list of everything you have there already, and take cuttings of what you really like, dont be overwhelmed at the Grden centre [its so easy Im guilty] but go with plants in mind, gardens take time to evolve so take your time. there are lots of wonderful gardens on Goy so take time to look and dont rush,you are never finished with a garden they just elvove and believe me you will gets lots of inspiration and support on Goy Happy Gardening;0)

Thank you to everyone x

Oh dear I`m a bit late Jacqui. Welcome to Goy, I can see you have some hard work in front of you but what you have done at the back is looking good, a bit at a time is the way to go, not forgetting a space to relax and admire it as you go along, most of all enjoy your gardening...