GARDENING ASPIRATIONS FOR 2019..

Reading over my posts from last year, (actually Nov 17) I noticed that my garden doesn't look much different from how it did back then. One or two things have changed for the better but all of the major problems areas are still pretty much how they were. As I dont have a lot of free space, I find that instead of tidying up as I would like I end up moving the rubbish around.

Last year I said I wanted to clear the soil and rocks away from beside the shed to create a second patio area. In reality the pile of soil actually got a lot bigger. Only now have I got it back to where it was before. I will be carrying on with it although I have new ideas on how to utilize the area best

I would still like a greenhouse of some sought. First I will need a hard area to stand it on. It looks like I'm going to have to do this myself. I need to clear the space first - more "rubbish" being moved from one place to another. The job is made slightly more awkward by the area not being square. If I use slabs I will have to trim them to fit. That will be another new experience for me.

I guess starting a new job did have a major impact on my gardening time. Hopefully there will be enough descent daylight days this spring/summer for me to really get stuck in and make a difference.

G.

 

Nothing major this year as a new roof on the house is taking a lot of funds.

Last year was the start of converting the cottage border to a more Mediterranean border. All of the major plants are in place. This year the underplanting will be given some thought.

Then theres the arid bed to populate. 2T of pea gravel needs digging into the soil and then another tonne to be added as a top dressing. We have most of the plants for the border. It will be good to see them in the ground

 

Aspirations for 2019 are to make a larger planting area under the cherry tree in side garden to be able to reduce the amount of pots I have. I have already started this.

Still need to plant a hedge of some description along boundary of front garden for privacy. I did plant Beech saplings last year but they didn't grow. Thinking of trying Willow this time.

And still aspiring for a second pond. I don't want to remove the existing pond in order to make the space larger as it's home to several beetles, snails and some kind of larvae. Contemplating whether to turn the bog garden into a pond as already have hole in the ground so could enlarge it.

 

Not planting seeds too early

 

1. Make full use of the new greenhouse.
2. Install new water storage tank to take run off from greenhouse.
3. Plant new shrubbery.
4. No buying plants unless I have a good idea where they are going to go.
5. Consider, briefly before discarding, the idea of a bench or other seating, barbecue or patio area.
   
6. Finally stop and smell the roses (frequently)

 

Don't set yourself up to fail! lol. I've tried but it is impossible!

 

This year I really want to create a woodland, fern garden. I see moss covered stones and logs, lots of ferns and .......... that's where I get stuck
I've got a rhododendron and azalea I could use
I'm basically trying to do the impossible, a woodland in a town centre
Wish me luck

 

Like my friend Nigel, I tend to compile mountains of notes, then at some later stage ask myself. Why the hell did I write that??????

For me. My garden is small and probably over stocked, even without much attention for the past three to four years, it still looks good................so I'm told.
Everything in the GH is dead. Even I haven't the powers to ressurect the plants. So for me. I must fight this apathy, a kind of downheartedness caused by cancer. YES! I am going to get out there and once again enjoy gardening. I have just had confirmation from J Parkers. My shortfall of roses are being replaced.

 

How exciting . It's not impossible. It can be done . Do you have shady areas in your garden or are you planning to create the shade by growing something? My garden has a woodland feel to it as there are existing trees that create shady or dappled shade areas. I have log piles in both sunny and shady areas to attract a wider variety of insects ( I covered the log piles with bark chippings and used bunny hay ). I have Pulmonaria, Hellebores, Astrantia, Astilbe, Geranium, Snakeshead Fritillaries, Anenomes, and several different varieties of Ferns in the shady and part shaded areas of my garden. Daffs will also grow in shade or half shade too. A pond would be really good for a woodland garden, even a small pond.

I look forward to pics of your progress

 

@luciusmaximus , thanks for the plant ideas
I do have a shaded spot in mind, however it's not officially mine
Long story, short.... next doors garden was abandoned when a builder turned the property into flats and cut off access to the garden, from said flats. It was already severely overgrown when he purchased it.
I've tried to buy it but there's some clause that complicates things The owners of the garden are happy for me to do whatever I want. ( probably because they kept getting charged for rat control, wasn't me calling the council by the way )
Sooo.... so much for short story .....
I've looked after ( kept brambles etc at bay ) this patch for 20 years now. The last 10, after the rats became a real problem, I've kept it clear and rat free.
I'm just fed up of keeping it clear though the fence between us went years ago. We had to fence the boundary ( our money ) about 9 years ago, so although it's not legally mine it's a mess I have to deal with.
I'm waiting for someone to say ' oi! Get off my land! ' but it's never happened yet
Ok , you want a pic, don't hold your breath for progress reports though
If you read all of that, you deserve a medal
Edit, the cat got in this one too

 

That area definitely has potential and I love the ivy you have. I'm trying to encourage it to grow here, but it's very slow growing. I've got rats in my garden. I like them and they are welcomed here, but there's not many who do like them. Are you going to plant more trees and shrubs in your woodland plot?