Thursday 12 April 2012

The Garden Project

Well I decided it was about time I had a break from the allotment and tackled my front garden as it was overgrown and messy. This has been planted out for about 10 years though so it didn't do bad...here is what I started with......
 
Messy front garden border
Messy front garden border

Plant that has outgrown itself
Plant that has outgrown itself

I didn't plant a lawn here?!?!
I didn't plant a lawn here?!?!


As you can see it's a complete mess so the whole lot HAD to come out...roots and all!!. Having removed the gravel and the weeds then the whole thing had to be dug over over the VERY 'clayey' soil worked into submission. It wasn't an easy task working between the showers but by the end of the day this is what I had.

Freshly dug garden border.               
Freshly dug garden border.




Now I just have to make two decisions....What should I plant here and should I move the bird table to the middle of this bed??? I am half thinking that apart from the thistle that I have left I will put bedding plants in each year to give a lovely summer display and then work the summer each autumn so as to lighten it up and get rid of some of the stone. If I do that I think the bird table being in the centre would be nice as it would break it up...this would also mean I could fill the lawn in again...any thoughts appreciated!!
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10 comments:

  1. You're all ready to go now with whatever you decide. The only thing I would say about bedding plants is that you've got to start from scratch each year, as well as it being costly if you're not going to grow from seed.

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    1. I don't mind starting from scratch Jo....this is what I do with the rest of my beds...and it certainly would help work the soil for a while.

      As for cost...there wouldn't be any. I am the veg grower but my Mum is the flower grower of the family and grows them all from seed so we share what we grow!!

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  2. We used to have summer bedding but the problem was that it was very short-lived - you could add lots of lovely spring bulbs to 'pad out the season but bedding will need raising from seed (unless you but plug plants) and all the work of planting will be at the same time as you are busy at the allotment. The border is a good size - personally I'd try for all year round interest as you will be looking at this every time you come home.

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    1. I'm not a huge fan of spring bulbs Sue...I tend to forget where they are and end up digging them up....but I'm thinking of putting a few in and then trying to remember where they are.

      I know what you're saying about all year round green...but I do love to see that freshly dug earth...and as My Mum grows flower plants I don't have to worry about that...I think maybe I will move the bird table to the centre of the bed go for a couple of nice evergreens, one each side, which I can plant some spring bulbs round...and then bedding plants for the rest...this should give me the best of everything and give me chance to work the soil a little!!

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  3. Wow, that's a lot of work. I need to do the same with mine here though. I never know what to plant but I prefer perennials since I don't have much of a green thumb and trying to redo things every year wouldn't work well for me

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    1. It was quite a lot of work Ann...but very satisfying...it's kind of like being an artist who is given a new blank canvas!!

      My mind is full of what to do with it now...but I think I have the answer and you can see if you read the reply above!!

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  4. good luck!! you will be happy when your done..
    I love doing yard work!
    have a great weekend!

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    1. I love to be outside getting things sorted so although this was hard work it was very satisfying!!

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  5. Well done! My back hurts just looking at your before and after photos!

    Thank you for your kind words about my writing on my M-post.

    Best wishes & hugs,
    Anna
    For the benefit of other readers:
    Anna's A-Z, the letter M

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    1. The pain was well worth the end result Anna....thanks for stopping by.

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keep it clean...keep it relevant...I look forward to reading your comments!!