My long overdue garden renevation.

Well I joined and introduced myself a couple of months ago. Since then I have spent most of my time either outside in the garden or obsessing about being out there. Also, I was lucky enough to be given tickets to the Gardening show at the NEC last month which was an inspiration.

Just a quick re-cap. When I bought my house in 2005 the garden was amazing. Over the years, and as a result of the kids, the rabbit (Now RIP) and a general "can't be bothered" attitude I let it go to ruin. When I was recently given my father-in-law's fish I made the decision to renevate the garden and actually make use of the space. My attitude is now totally the other way and I seem to be doing nearly nothing but gardening.

I wish I'd taken some 'before' photos but sadly I didn't. The garden was set out as mainly grass, with a narrow border to one side which was empty bar a few shrubs/bushes. A rabbit hutch and run took up one corner. The trampoline took up another corner. The patio area predominantly gravel (which happened to look like road gravel - horrible). A small water feature which the cats use to drink from situated in the gravel.

First steps were to start excavation on the pond.

 

The pond was a total back breaker. The plan was to make it totally sunken and make it look as natural as possible. 14 feet by 9, and 5 feet deep with a small shelf around the end closest to the house. Bottom drain gravity feeding the filters and UV which were to be situated in the corner behind the existing bush. There is no mechanical access to the rear garden so the lot had to be dug by hand, oh and its about 10 inches of topsoil then onto solid clay. There were times that I wanted to cry but I perservered and got it out. I have to get rid of the clay mountain.
The trampoline in the following pic perches precariously on the [unfinished] clay mountain. The swimming pool is maturing the water and extra filter media. The water from the pool only 1/3 filled the pond in the end.
Initial ideas of a beautiful Japanese garden are being replaced by images of 1945 Iwo Jima.

 

I suppose I better explain my plans for the garden, but before I do please bear in mind that I'm new to this gardening malarkey. I am 34 years old, have 2 kids who are experts in trashing everything in sight, I also work a hard job over shifts so have to fit work on the garden around that.

My kids are 5 and 10 years old and are savvy enough to stay from the pond. However, their friends and certainly my little neice are not so aware. As a result I decided that rather than fence off the pond I would just fence off an area especially for them, an area that was safe and they can have their trampoline and pool out in the summer, access to the rest would be via a gate. The main area would be the pond with some beds and planters to make it look nice. At the top of the garden would be a fruit/veg area - we've always loved the idea of growing our own and have only ever ventured into growing the odd strawberry, tomato or chilli plant on the window sill or in a haning basket. This new garden area will be about raised beds and carefully trained fruit trees, all visually closed off from the main pond/garden area. The gravelly patio area will be decked.

I am a little worried the garden may look to busy, but its better than nothing.

 

The weather dried up enough to empty the pond-hole long enough to get the liner in and after some nail-biting fish transporting we got all the fish moved from my father-in-law's pond unscathed. Along with the fish came some of the plants. I managed to grab a couple of large Hostas, water lillies and a huge grass/reed type thing. The Hostas were all spotless and slug free having come from a raised pond, one was slightly wonky from growing under the reed/grass but looked great all the same. The lillies had 2 flowers that looked like little poached eggs, but the biggest koi ate one and the other got damaged in transit.

I started to try and make the edge of the liner look more presentable and planted the bushes which had been moved to dig the pond and were half covered in clay, set the path so i can get to the side of the pond. I started the fencing which runs pretty much straight up the middle of the garden.

My daughter (5 year old) talked my into buying a small sunflower and a purple flower from Aldi. £1.29 each, worth every penny to keep her happy, though the sunflower has kept the new invasion of slugs happier.

 

I had contemplated using the natural clay base but had to go with lining the pond as the koi would just rip the clay to bits, clogging up the pump and filter and making a big brown puddle where you can't see the fish. The liner is 1mm rubber so won't spring a leak, but even if it does the water won't go anywhere. I would never know if I had a leak but the water should remain clear. Shame realy as the liner was over £300.

 

Nearly up to speed now.

As the weather was surprisingly good yesterday I got a bit more done. Most of it is just temporary at the moment as we are thinking of having a BBQ when the weather is warmer. Things like the pond filter will be set properly into the hole and gravity fed. At the moment the one filter is behind the screen and plants and also under a fishing umbrella. The screening will be replaced with stronger fencing. Also I managed to get a load of 2ftx2ft decking tiles at a bargain price (ie £2 each) to replace the gravel area.

I planted the sunflower, purple thing and some more bushes which were moved to dig the pond. Also my mum kindly donated some smaller bushes she was digging up to clear some space.

Slowly but surely its getting there, and I'm thoroughly enjoying every minute. I have a lot more work to do I know, but thats part if the fun.

I am yet to move the mountain of clay, which incidentally looks a lot smaller in the pics.

 

Very nice job!

 

You've certainly worked hard on it Caveman and it's looking good. Next year you'll be able to compare the pictures and see how well it's all matured and settled down.