Newbie advice

[The clueless gardener]

Hi all,
I am a complete garden novice but have had to pick up the reins from my dear old Dad.. I have an area to clear (can I add pictures?) under 4 huge pine trees. It’s currently overgrown with some pretty (but obviously weed) blue flowers, thistles and nettles.
It was once a nice bed with other plants and shrubs but needs stripping back.
Once I’ve cleared it all, what do I do to try and stop it growing back? What’s best to plant under pine trees with the minimum upkeep (I’m no gardener) but will cover a large space.
And/or how do I stop the weeds growing back!?
Any help or suggestions would be gratefully received.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

My favourite weed treatment is a draw hoe, once you have established a tilth it takes minutes to clean quite a large area. You can get seeds as they germinate, and dig in with the corner to remove larger weeds. The tilth also protects the soil surface, rather like a mulch would.
Under the oak at the end of my garden are cyclamen, don't mind the shade and make a good dense cover with attractive variegated leaves, which stops weeds.
Best newbie advice I know, keep the best, compost the rest. Trying to nurse on every weakly or sick plant is not good in any way, access your inner fascist.

 

[The clueless gardener]

Ha ha! Thank you for this - it sounds like good advice. I just wish I could replicate a forest floor with bluebells, something short and grass-y and not much else