A new border was created in the garden last November. What was really not more than some space under a hedge was widened to allow for some roses to be planted. Three Darcy Bussell and one Jaqueline du Pre. It’s going to be a very cultured bordered. A mixed planting of tulips was also added and these have just flowered.
The tulips are Angelique, China Town – with the white edged leaves and Spring Green. You may also have spotted a couple of rogues! If Queen of Night could ever be called a rogue. I’ll have to try to lift those two very carefully and relocate them.
After the border was extended two new paths were laid this year and I can now walk down the garden and round to the compost heap in relative safety.
The edges have been filled with soil and weeding, in between the regular bouts of rain, is an ongoing task. But as parts of the garden begin to take shape others are calling out for some attention.
The walk round to the compost heap leads to the back of the garden which is given over to an assortment of gyo spaces. There are some very productive soft fruit bushes: gooseberries, blackcurrants, raspberries and loganberries, and other beds that have been allocated to allotment staples such as potatoes, onions, parsnips and carrots. There is also this.
Anyone familiar with The Rivendell Garden blog might understand why I have come to think of this as my very own edifice. It bears no comparison to John K’s beautiful structure and nor will it be home to such an impressive collection of plants. But there are plans to beautify it.
It is in two sections separated by a gap which was, on arrival, half full of garden rubble. A year or so later and I have nearly filled it with all the various bits and pieces that I have come across as I dig, dig, and dig in my futile attempts to rid the garden of weeds.
The bag of sand to the right comes in handy for preventing miniature rock falls.
I have decided the time has come to take the situation in hand. The cardboard that had been used to suppress the weeds has been removed. I’ve dug it over, making good friends with Tony Toad in doing so. Now one half is covered with a good length of black weed suppressing membrane and the other is providing home to some perennials due to be moved out to the main garden, when it stops raining. A recent trip to a nearby fencing supplier provided me with the inspiration. I decided I could face the whole thing in timber slats and finish off the top edges with more wood to give me a solid top to work from. No more wobbling on the frost shattered brick edges. Yippee! I have got as far as receiving a quote for the work – for it is beyond my meagre skills – and all is looking good. But guess what? My chosen supplier is behind with his work, due of course, to the rain! I’m in the queue, patiently waiting my turn, and trying to keep on top of those weeds which are, like the toads, loving this weather.
My old path was broken, uneven and collected water. The new path will be well drained, carefully sloped and smooth. But I am already missing the patina and idiosyncrasies of the old path’s age. The builders are taking great care to keep the new path clean but I will be out there soon rubbing in the mud and possibly some yoghurt!
The laying of the paths sadly means that some things in the garden get trampled on or have been dug up to allow for the base to be laid. I don’t think I will see any fritillaries this year and I know that one or two tulips have been snapped off. As I always say ‘you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs’. And of course I will have the chance to add something new to omelette! On the upside I will lose the ugly concrete edges and gain a precious couple of inches of border.
I managed to get out the greenhouse this morning and was very pleased to see that the rocket seed sown on 16 February has germinated. The sweet peas sown at the same time are only just breaking the surface but they too are on their way.
My daffodils are still in bud, the pheasant eye narcissus are coming along but the pulmonaria is definitely in flower. The clump was planted last year from divisions given to me by a friend. I think I’m going to divide this up again this year and use it to soften the edges of that new path.
And here’s a couple of new ingredients for that omelette. Some nerines – bowdenii Ostara, and dahlias. The dahlias are a combination of greeny whites and are destined for pots. The path should be finished by Wednesday, whereupon I will become a gardener again.
n20gardener 