New Year - new country - new project!

Discussion in 'Garden Projects and DIY' started by Sian in Belgium, Jan 1, 2025.

  1. strongylodon

    strongylodon Old Member

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    Hi Sian, I have only just caught up with this thread. You certainly have a big project ahead of you but it should be great when finished, I doubt you have had any time for your art.:smile:
     
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    • Penny_Forthem

      Penny_Forthem Head gardener, zero staff

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      Hello there, I hope you don't mind a 'newbie' here dropping in. Well, a newbie compared to all of you.
      What a perfectly lovely area you have and your parents would, I'm sure be delighted with the work done to reclaim and restore it to its former glory.
      Looking forward to seeing progress.
       
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      • Sian in Belgium

        Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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        Hi Victoria!

        Yes, the area to the right of the greenhouse is part of the property…
        IMG_0521.jpeg
        this is from the bottom garden, looking up

        IMG_0523.jpeg
        from the bit of the garden “around the corner”, again towards the greenhouse, with the newly planted plum, greengage and apple tree.


        IMG_0515.jpeg
        The other three apple trees we planted this winter. They are above the normal high watermark for a flood, when the river is at 5.5 metres. (The highest recorded flood reached the greenhouse, just)

        IMG_0520.jpeg
        You’ve gotta love a silver birch! Looking across the bottom garden, from the corner gate). The bare ground in front of the birch is where a small patch of dogwood had become a vast thicket, as branches touched the soil, rooted, then repeated the progress up the garden!

        IMG_0513.jpeg
        The “younger” established Brambley apple, at just 50 years old. IMG_0509.jpeg
        Standing where I took the first photo of the greenhouse and fruit trees, but looking around the corner at the two established apple trees, Brambley to the left, older tree (we are guessing around 80-100 years old), which might be a crispin?
        Underneath are snowdrops, and later will be cowslips. It looks quite magical for a couple of months, and then becomes a thicket of nettles, borage and wild arum.
         

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        • Sian in Belgium

          Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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          Thank you Michael. The house needs a lot of work, but we hope with time, effort and (the house), money, it will become a lovely home again.

          we are not fond of lawns either. The grass around the hazel is probably going to change to all borders, with paths through.
           
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          • Sian in Belgium

            Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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            So true - I see him so many times as I work in it. I’ll probably start talking to him!!

            We are only just starting, but yes, it’s eating hours of my time!

            Hi Penny! Thank you! I like to think that they would be happy with it being taken on, and developed. It does help to know what is underneath the brambles, as well as why there is a strange wall running around the edge of the upper garden!
             
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            • Victoria

              Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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              Wow Sian that is an impressive property. If I remember correctly, your Brussels property was/is large. Have you sold it and are permanently back in the UK?

              I admire you taking on such a big project but appreciate it is the family home. I never had a family home as my father moved about a lot, countries and states. Same with Jim's family (states not countries). We are here in our paradise in the orchards for good. I have had five major operations here and Jim one so have no fear in that respect.

              I hope your health keeps up to continue with your projects so you can relax and enjoy. I loo forward to following your progress.
               
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              • Sian in Belgium

                Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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                We are still living in Belgium, whilst the building work on this property is undertaken. Lots and LOTS of internal walls being removed, so we thought it best to stay away!
                The building work should be (mostly) done by the end of the year, but a lot of the garden will not be impacted, so we thought it made sense to make a start, during our visits to see architects, etc.

                I have to admit I’m a bit daunted by the scale, and have already found a gardener to help me!
                 
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                • Victoria

                  Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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                  Makes perfect sense to me. We stayed in the UK till this home was habitable. Started the garden on visits to get the infrastructure done.
                   
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                  • Sian in Belgium

                    Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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                    I thought I'd better give an update...

                    The top levels

                    From the front door to the road
                    IMG_20250508_115407.jpg

                    the gravel garden between the house and the road IMG_20250508_115418.jpg
                    From the front door towards the main garden and view
                    IMG_20250508_115432.jpg

                    The patio
                    IMG_20250508_115443.jpg

                    The area where I envisage a waterfall and pond IMG_20250508_115501.jpg

                    Across up the upper garden (not our boundary fence)
                    IMG_20250508_115510.jpg

                    Across and down the upper garden (our new boundary fence)
                    IMG_20250508_115529.jpg
                     
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                      Last edited: May 8, 2025
                    • Sian in Belgium

                      Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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                      ...and the bottom garden that floods regularly

                      the raised veg beds, greenhouse and newly planted fruit trees
                      IMG_20250508_115547.jpg

                      looking down to the lower hedge
                      IMG_20250508_115622.jpg

                      the newly planted hedge is starting to sprout! IMG_20250508_115640.jpg

                      across from the greenhouse to the apple trees
                      IMG_20250508_115652.jpg

                      Down to the other corner, with newly planted apple trees
                      IMG_20250508_115708.jpg

                      The bottom hedge, with the cleared area where the dogwood jungle used to be
                      IMG_20250508_115717.jpg

                      towards the two established apple trees, compost area and shed
                      IMG_20250508_115540.jpg
                       
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                        Last edited: May 8, 2025
                      • Michael Hewett

                        Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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                        It's a nice garden, I think you'll enjoy working on it :smile:
                         
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