Sarah's long term project

Hi All,

I thought I'd show you all some photo's of what has taken place already this year. As posted before, we moved into the house in March this year. Nothing had been done in the garden for at least the last 20 years if not longer. House belonged to an old lady in her late 80's who had lived in it since it was built in 1949.

Lots to do both inside and out so know nothing is going to happen overnight.

First few are estate agent details and were taken last year (origional sale fell through, but better for us)

 

that is what I would call a Blank canvas!

A quick question, there seems to be a hedge to the right, sandwiched between the neighbour's fence, and some corrigated iron?

 

Probably easier to start with the front.

Eventual plan is for area on right of path to become off street parking.

border dug and planted this year and lawn treated with weed and feed as was full of moss, could do with another treatment.

 

Border in a bit more detail.

Salix I bought last year and cost me a whole £1 (it looked really sorry for itself) Hydrangea was also similar price and tiny. The bits of Yukka (sp) has come from my mum's as did the sweet williams. Think I have probably only spent £20 on plants, rest I had collected over the years or been donated from my mum. The annuals are from a cheap seed mix i got in the po und shop and apart from the night scented stock I have no idea what is what

 

Something to ponder. With some careful consideration, you can have the best of both. Parking, and something like a lawn.

At the National Railway Museum in Shildon, their car park has that hard plastic grid stuff and grass growing in it. The plastic stuff prevents the weight of cars from compacting the ground too much for the grass to grow.

In a different version, my uncle built a drive once that was effectively a flat rockery. He planted up the gaps between the stones with low growing mat forming plants that can take punishment. I wish I'd listened enough to know what plants he'd used, but sadly it was before I developed any interest in gardening so I don't know, but a bit of research should turn up the answers.

With either of these strategies, you should find you don't have the local planning department on your case, seeing as you need planning permission now to build a drive.

 

Sian, corrugated sheet will eventually go and it's a load of braken growing behind it. Apparently it was put up to stop the chickens escaping!!

Now the back:
Shed has come down as it was a very Sunday shed (rather holey. Plan is to extend the concrete to some decking/patio for entertaining space. Gravel on right to go to lawn, once we deal with the horsetail. left hand side to become more working garden, one raised veg bed in so far and planning to have 4 in total.

Have planted plum tree (victoria) and apple (cox orange pippin) also have a crab apple to go in.


Herb garden progress:

 

It's amazing how quickly you can make a difference to a blank canvass Sarah. It's coming on very well.