Where on earth has the past 4 weeks gone? I blinked and missed almost the whole of March. I had really hoped to be on top of renovations by the time I got round to posting this month.
Wrong! It's been a case of one step forward, two back some days. I can't get one job done without doing another and I've often felt like I'm going round in circles. Taking on this and Project Privacy simultaneously was perhaps just a wee bit too optimistic! It feels like I've bitten of more than I can chew at times. Still, I plod on regardless.
The hardest work thus far was moving and sorting out all the rocks I had planned to edge the border with. I needed to bury them deep enough and flush with what will be lawn. When I say lawn, what I really mean is grass. I'm not too fussy for the perfect lawn - providing it is green, I'm happy. It was a bit like a jigsaw puzzle at times and although I had a rough border marked out with sticks, the flow had to be dictated by the shape of the rocks. I think I've achieved not too bad a shape but that won't really be obvious until the grass is growing.
Planting is almost finished, with just a few gaps left to fill. I know I said I was NOT going to plant perennials in this area. I had too much time to think about it - I opted to go down the perennial route after all. Being that this area is in fact the sunniest in the garden, it would be a shame not to make full use of it. However, being that I have never gardened in this area before and not 100% sure of what the conditions will be, I don't want to waste too much money (at the moment) on plants. I have made use of a few plants that were already growing nearby and in need of dividing. With any luck will cope the conditions. I have dug in plenty of soil improver and for a couple of the plants, added plenty of grit to their planting holes.
Rain has stopped play this last two day - I took a quick run up the garden to grab a shot this lunch time, it's all looking rather wet! However, by the time dinner was served, the ground was clear of the water on the surface. I hope I am right in assuming that because I've been working in this area, the ground has got a bit compacted, Between the dip in the levels and compaction, the water is taking a while to drain.
Of all the plants that have been moved into this area, it appears only one has suffered. The Knifophia at the right hand side of the raised area is not at all happy! The Cardoon, centre at the back was a bit of a struggle. It's root ball was huge. Ideally I should have taken the opportunity to divide it but it's size is what makes it such a spectacular plant. It was the first plant to move into it's new home almost a month ago, with continual watering it has settled right it. Other plants at the back for height are Helianthus Lemon Queen, some Verbena bonariensis and a tall dark pink Phlox.
I will focus on the other plants in my next end of month post - by which time they should have put on enough growth that I actually have something to talk about. I don't like the Photinia where it is - I don't know if it's the red or the plant I am disliking. A plant on my wish list is Buddleia x weyeriana Sungold but I'm not sure if it's one late summer bloomer too many! I might hold off a few weeks before making a final decision, you never know, I might find something that flowers early that really grabs my attention!
Priorities this coming weeks will be to work on the area that will be turned back to lawn, once its levelled, I will top it off with some fresh top soil and seed. This will be easier than trying to take the level down and laying turves.
I'm thoroughly enjoying taking part in this meme. End of Month View is hosted by Helen over at
The Patient Gardeners Weblog. It's turning out to be quite useful, if for nothing else but getting my thoughts down and enabling me to concentrate on what I want too do. Of course, it needn't be a work in progress, your focus could be on many things - it could just as easily be an individual plant, a view from a window, your entire garden. How you interpret is a personal choice - so if you want to join in just write your post and mention on Helen's blog for us all too read.
Wrong! It's been a case of one step forward, two back some days. I can't get one job done without doing another and I've often felt like I'm going round in circles. Taking on this and Project Privacy simultaneously was perhaps just a wee bit too optimistic! It feels like I've bitten of more than I can chew at times. Still, I plod on regardless.
The hardest work thus far was moving and sorting out all the rocks I had planned to edge the border with. I needed to bury them deep enough and flush with what will be lawn. When I say lawn, what I really mean is grass. I'm not too fussy for the perfect lawn - providing it is green, I'm happy. It was a bit like a jigsaw puzzle at times and although I had a rough border marked out with sticks, the flow had to be dictated by the shape of the rocks. I think I've achieved not too bad a shape but that won't really be obvious until the grass is growing.
Planting is almost finished, with just a few gaps left to fill. I know I said I was NOT going to plant perennials in this area. I had too much time to think about it - I opted to go down the perennial route after all. Being that this area is in fact the sunniest in the garden, it would be a shame not to make full use of it. However, being that I have never gardened in this area before and not 100% sure of what the conditions will be, I don't want to waste too much money (at the moment) on plants. I have made use of a few plants that were already growing nearby and in need of dividing. With any luck will cope the conditions. I have dug in plenty of soil improver and for a couple of the plants, added plenty of grit to their planting holes.
Rain has stopped play this last two day - I took a quick run up the garden to grab a shot this lunch time, it's all looking rather wet! However, by the time dinner was served, the ground was clear of the water on the surface. I hope I am right in assuming that because I've been working in this area, the ground has got a bit compacted, Between the dip in the levels and compaction, the water is taking a while to drain.
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| End of March 2014 |
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| Previous end of month views |
I will focus on the other plants in my next end of month post - by which time they should have put on enough growth that I actually have something to talk about. I don't like the Photinia where it is - I don't know if it's the red or the plant I am disliking. A plant on my wish list is Buddleia x weyeriana Sungold but I'm not sure if it's one late summer bloomer too many! I might hold off a few weeks before making a final decision, you never know, I might find something that flowers early that really grabs my attention!
Priorities this coming weeks will be to work on the area that will be turned back to lawn, once its levelled, I will top it off with some fresh top soil and seed. This will be easier than trying to take the level down and laying turves.
I'm thoroughly enjoying taking part in this meme. End of Month View is hosted by Helen over at
The Patient Gardeners Weblog. It's turning out to be quite useful, if for nothing else but getting my thoughts down and enabling me to concentrate on what I want too do. Of course, it needn't be a work in progress, your focus could be on many things - it could just as easily be an individual plant, a view from a window, your entire garden. How you interpret is a personal choice - so if you want to join in just write your post and mention on Helen's blog for us all too read.