Scotts Garden Project

Hi all

I wanted a place to share the progress of my garden over the years and perhaps receive some feedback and recognition.

So firstly a bit about the garden at the beginning. We purchased our new build property in the summer of 2018 and as you can imagine it was turfed up and ready to go. Having come from a family of keen gardeners, I was keen to have a place I would be comfortable, enjoy the summer days and equally bring some insects and wildlife into the garden. So first here are some pictures of me cutting the grass they are the only original pictures I had.

Garden Summer 2018







My first intention was to let in as much light as I could, along with chopping into the messy bank to extend the grass a little more. Once I had chopped into the bank I went about laying foundations for a railway sleeper wall.

Garden January 2019







Once I had weeded back the bank, laid the foundations for the sleeper wall it was time to have the sleepers fitted. Nearly killed my back moving them

Garden March 2019





And some comparison pictures.



Garden May 2019

Now that the sleeper wall was installed I needed to back fill with soil so that I could plant some shrubs and perennials. I then covered in bark chilling to give a more aesthetic appearance. Along with back filling with soil and planting, I also laid some turf on the small areas I extended the lawn along with treating the grass and keeping on top of it.





Down the far end of the garden I also layer some stone chippings as the grass was struggling to take and needed an area for a shed.









Whilst I was happy with the progress of the garden, I felt there needed to be some form of trellis fence across the top of the bank. I wanted some roses in the garden so my plan was to grow some across the trellis along with a Clematis.

Garden July 2019







And another comparison.

 

Winter has had its fun with the garden and today was the first day that I managed to get out and asses the work for the summer ahead.

Plans

• Roses, buy & plant many more.
• Build a small fence to box in the oil tank
• Recover the lawn which got very boggy and damaged this winter
• Plant some new perennials on the bank to encourage spreading. A few have died off over winter
• Clean up the algae and moss
• Dig a border along the south facing fence for some border plants
• Add some planters to the front of the house to add colour.

Here are some pictures from today, this morning I weeded the shrubs at the front of the house and did some pruning. Then I moved into the garden and built a border. The grass in this area was always struggling and water logged so pulled it up for a border. The first plant in was my DA Rose tess of the d'urbervilles. I plan to try and train it up the fence and across. I also have a DA Summerhill rose in the pot pictured. So those are the plans this year, please stay tuned.

Garden March 2020

 

Some good progress made there. With the raising of the bed with railway sleeper, is the soil banked up to the fence panel ? Just thinking about the panel rotting prematurely.

Its a shame they put the oil tank where it is but you have it in hand to disguise it

 

It's looking good Scott. I agree with Andrews about the tank. I can see a drain beside the fence but couldn't the tank have been put side on to that backing onto the fence?

 

Thank you both for taking the time to comment. In regard to the fence, no it’s cut at an angle that follows the bank slope. In relation to the oil tank, I have considered digging out a section in the bank and moving it but sadly money dictates. I believe it was placed there due to building regs. I could be wrong but I believe it has to be a fair distance from the property and any boundaries.

 

It's such a shame that it takes up so much space, it may be worth enquiring in the future about the regulations to see if it could be moved.

 

Thank you so much. I’ve just ordered 7 new perennials

 

Well, don't keep us in suspense, Scotty! Genus, species and cultivar names, please!

Nick

 

So just a little update from me. Perennials arrived today and planted, I also pressure washed the winter filth away and the garden is staring to look a lot cleaner.

Garden April 1st 2020

Pressure washed the patio down and looking a lot fresher.

Before


After


I also planted the following plants after a discussion on another thread. I decided to go for...

• Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’
• Anemone x hybrida ‘Konigin Charlotte’
• Bergenia ‘Bressingham White’
• Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
• Cistus ‘Silver Pink’
• Pulmonaria rubra

It all looks a bit messy atm but some of these are being moved.

After seeing a forum post on here i have also registered for the wild about gardens butterfly garden project and have dedicated the below spot to planting butterfly friendly perennials. I have ordered in the region of 10 that should be arriving over the next few weeks so stay tuned.

 

Can already see an excellent butterfly-friendly plant in your garden Scotty, nice to see more people planting for pollinators.

Erysimum 'Bowles's Mauve' | wallflower 'Bowles's Mauve'/RHS Gardening

Nick