Resurrecting this old thread to update what's happening in the garden.
As you can probably see, I've incorporated quite a lot of your suggestions, some that's not visible too much yet, such as several varieties of grass corms.
It's obviously a work-in-progress, so please ignore the compost bags/bin in the corners, they're just temporary. As are the lumps of clay (the clods do break down with a bit of work) on the left. But the plan is (sort of) formed.
The grass has had a big hit what with the scorching it got last Summer and the wet Spring, our 40kg GSD hasn't helped he takes patrolling the parameter of the garden seriously (to keep the enemy, ie the pussy cats out ). So far this season I've sprayed the area with leatherjacket nematodes (I found quite a few leatherjackets), fed the grass and have reseeded most of it - little shoots are starting to be visible. Hoping when we get the warmer days and nights it'll start to look happy again.
Plants are climbing roses, two dwarf apples and a pear which hopefully will provide us with more privacy, though they'll be kept well in control by pruning, there's a very happy nectarine on the left of the wheelbarrow, on it's right is a buddleia, clumps of foxgloves, a wisteria by the right compost bag to grow along two sides of the fence (hopefully), on the right of the bag is rhubarb. I've got lots of other plants waiting to go out in a few weeks, such as dahlias, and many other bedding plants.
Growing up the bird feeding station is another wisteria (two were given as a present), it's thought that as it grows it could grow over an arch or something.
There's a very small pond in the centre bed, it needs much more work to hide the liner, so far it's planted up with marsh marigolds, a small bull rush, a clump of irises, and a very tiny waterlily. The water looks clear so I think it's adjusted.
The veg patch on the left; presently are one-foot bags of compost. The system worked well last year, but I'm inclined to change them for 2/3 raised beds next year.
There doesn't appear to be a lot to see for the cost so far. In the garden's defence it's just had a heavy showering last night so once again it's sodden.
It may look hotchpotch design-wise, but it's all about interest. As mentioned before, my husband isn't too well so I know a garden that's relaxing and full of interesting things and flowers that we love, will make us both happy. At least that's my motivation.
As for the birds, they still don't like to come I'm hoping when the trees grow they'll feel braver.
What a great transformation, you've worked really hard. Before and after pictures are always so interesting. I wish I had thought to take some when we first moved into our house, the garden was so neglected. We hadn't had a 'proper' garden before and my excited 3 year old ran out into the very long grass and was promptly stung by a wasp. It took days to persuade him out there again!
Posts
As you can probably see, I've incorporated quite a lot of your suggestions, some that's not visible too much yet, such as several varieties of grass corms.
It's obviously a work-in-progress, so please ignore the compost bags/bin in the corners, they're just temporary. As are the lumps of clay (the clods do break down with a bit of work) on the left. But the plan is (sort of) formed.
The grass has had a big hit what with the scorching it got last Summer and the wet Spring, our 40kg GSD hasn't helped he takes patrolling the parameter of the garden seriously (to keep the enemy, ie the pussy cats out
Plants are climbing roses, two dwarf apples and a pear which hopefully will provide us with more privacy, though they'll be kept well in control by pruning, there's a very happy nectarine on the left of the wheelbarrow, on it's right is a buddleia, clumps of foxgloves, a wisteria by the right compost bag to grow along two sides of the fence (hopefully), on the right of the bag is rhubarb. I've got lots of other plants waiting to go out in a few weeks, such as dahlias, and many other bedding plants.
Growing up the bird feeding station is another wisteria (two were given as a present), it's thought that as it grows it could grow over an arch or something.
There's a very small pond in the centre bed, it needs much more work to hide the liner, so far it's planted up with marsh marigolds, a small bull rush, a clump of irises, and a very tiny waterlily. The water looks clear so I think it's adjusted.
The veg patch on the left; presently are one-foot bags of compost. The system worked well last year, but I'm inclined to change them for 2/3 raised beds next year.
There doesn't appear to be a lot to see for the cost so far. In the garden's defence it's just had a heavy showering last night so once again it's sodden.
It may look hotchpotch design-wise, but it's all about interest. As mentioned before, my husband isn't too well so I know a garden that's relaxing and full of interesting things and flowers that we love, will make us both happy. At least that's my motivation.
As for the birds, they still don't like to come
BTW the French doors face East.
Dec 2021
Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.