Over christmas break I managed to get some work done - very little, but some - in the wild garden - I do like that space even though its progression is so slow it could be measured as nil. Nonetheless, one has to look at what progress there is. So I searched, and look what I found. These are cyclamen hederifolium seedlings that were sown late summer - just casting them over the ground. There are literally thousands of them. I am thrilled to bits.
And then there is this - don't you just love it when nature improves on something made?
So I started doing this - a new lasagne bed. I had a windfall on material - when the hedging guys come they keep missing out the hedge along the private lane that borders our lower field. Our neighbours made polite reference to it, so we went down and cut it by hand - and brillant, I am left with bales of 3 mtr cut saplings - all green and whippy!! I have been shredding a lot of them, then thought - well, lasagne bed edging!
Here's another view - this patio area (known as the drinking bench) borders the right hand side of the wild garden and gets morning sun, then drops into fairly deep shade in the afternoon.
This message was edited Jan 7, 2008 7:23 AM
And finally, this is a closeup of the edging I put in - this will serve as a retaining fence so that I can back fill and bring the level of the bed higher up towards the height of the patio (currently it is about 30cm/14" below the patio surface) The fencing will last probably about 2 years before it too breaks down and becomes part of the compost. By then it should be fairly stable. I did manage to get the cardboard down after taking these photos, and then the rains came - so now all I have to do is find several cubic metres of stuff to fill it up with.
don't you just love it when you start a new project in the midst of another project (or 2) and then when dh says "ummmm..." you just shrug, smile and say they are all part and parcel! Actually, I think most dh learn not to comment on quantity and stick with quality. Wise men, or is that wise guys? Well, never mind, it is progress. Of a sort.
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Laurie,
Oh how lovely your property is, doesn't DH know by now it is possible for women to have more than one project going... no it is necessary for women to have more than one project going...we are all multitaskers and we have to be otherwise how could we take care of them and all the other things we have to do?
I just love daydreaming through your pictures! I do believe I saw a faerie under one of the leaves in the first picture...I looked again and it was gone!
Thanks for sharing,
Carla
Laurie - That's awesome. What a great use of mother nature's gifts. And your property is indeed beautiful.
I love cyclamen - how cool is it that you have so many coming up from seed!!! It's gonna look awesome.
Beautiful! Love the fence and the bench, and the view!
So, if a fairy ring is when fairies dance, what sort of party do they have when you find a whole surface covered? They must've had quite the event one weekend you were away!
I think it just means they dance longer holding hands in a circle and as they dance, the path of their circle kind of meanders through the woodland . . .
Laurie,
you have been a very busy girl, my hat goes of to you, very well done. Its going to be very pretty when all those little babies bloom and the the after bloom with the wonderful leaves. LOL
And you got to love mother nature.
Tills
Cocoa - he does indeed know about multi-tasking, and knows even more now that I am doing the admin for his new company!! That's why he only commments on quality of project, and makes sure it is definately 'supportive' - 'hey, great, that goes right along with sending out the invoices - 'nother cuppa tea?' (did you spot the white tea mug sitting out on the log? Evidence that husband was being supportive).
And I do think you are right about visiting faeries - Suzy, I'm sure those seedlings are the seats of a faerie gathering - just bottom shaped, aren't they? I'm so lucky getting the seeds - our neighbour grows cyclamen commercially - they have the most amazing polytunnels full of blossoming cyclamen that look like little pink and white faeries dancing! She brought me a bag of left over seeds last summer (and in early summer she brought 70-80 corms!) - so my aim is to get a pink flush running all the way down the path. (I'm planning on moving any white ones up to the gravel path area). Now, I wonder at what point they will get organized enough to create a ring - or maybe a rhumba line. I'll have to leave them little tiny instructions, with landscaping plans.
Love the idea of fairies dancing in a rhumba line . . .
Can't you just hear the little rhythmn section -
Laura,
Please share more of your pictures...just love the labor of love you have put in on that fence....wish I had the raw materials available to just go on on any given day and start something that awesome! What a wonderful imagination! I love taking a nothing and making it a something!...Great job and what a great area to work in...
Keep the pictures coming, you really brighten these cloudy days!
I see you are having fun in all your endeavors, even tho it is hard work,
Carla
Laurie - will you be leading the rhumba line?
Good Work!!!
No, no, I think I might get carried away and start doing a little freeform dancing (not) and lose track of where I am, and.......well, it doesn't bear thinking about really.
Thank you Cocoa for the request - right now there are only 'in progress' spots in the garden, and a lot of mud. My experience is mud does not make the best photos. But, do I dare use this word 'finished' - I am hoping to get home tonight and find that the guys have almost finished the ongoing patio (never believe a man when they say '6 weeks' - not true!) - and that is the photo I am so looking forward to posting! BEfore, during, and after! Then I JUST need to get them to fix the rutted areas where we had to bring in the digger, clean off all the spillage from the cement mixer clean outs, relay the turf we took up. You see, the concept of Finished does not exist in a garden.
But it is seed sowing time - and sweet peas are going in the greenhouse this weekend with peppers not far behind! Hurrah! The days are getting longer.
Just to keep you entertained here are the before photos from the patio project, started in early October. These are the steps and patio surface that had to be removed - yuck! Dreary horrid crazy paving - left over from post war rationing, I think! Wrong shape and dark - blah. But, on the bright side - that is my greenhouse in the background - be envious: cedar wood framed, measured about 3x7m/14x22'! I just love it in there -
And here is the project about one week in - wall came down and we saved all the stones for rebuilding - steps and patio were all carted away. If you look at the grass area you can see where we lifted turf in preparation for cutting back the area - 8 tons of dirt and stone came out! and the level of the wall is now almost a metre higher - that is the kind of slope that we work on - almost a 1:15 gradient. The good news was that we cut back enough area that we ended up with lovely big chunks of sandstone, and enough of it to complete the new wall - we didn't have to buy in any and have left overs! (MINE! I do love good resource piles!) The bad news was that the area was so big we had to buy 4000 used bricks to cover the area - and we had to unload them into the field, and then restack them in the work area! But it is (she mewls hopefully) getting close to the guys leaving (I'll avoid the word finished).
And finally, I know this is out of focus (dh can't even get a focussed photo with a point/press! Known in this family as a PhD - or press here dummy) but it is still clear enough for you to see just how sartorially challenged I can be - this is me on my way back out to lay more pebbles over the christmas break - this is sad, very sad. I honestly can't believe how bad I look. It was so cold that day that I was actually wearing a sleeveless fleece as a mini skirt over my trousers - women are endlessly innovative.
I can't believe I posted that - I look absolutely like a mad woman!!! Please, don't let me become a bag woman - I think I am well on my way!!!! Perhaps it will give Murmur a good chuckle if she is lurking.
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This message was edited Jan 10, 2008 12:49 AM
Laurie,
I was beside my self when you said you were tearing out those steps until you said you were going to reuse the material...lol it is funny how things as simple as sticks and stones become so important in a gardeners eyes...What happened to the foxglove that was sitting so nicely in the steps?
What a grand greenhouse, it fits in so well with your setting. You need to give us a peep inside so we know what is growing, mine will not be showing any growth for about another 6 weeks.
LOL the picture of "garden fashion", what we won't do to keep dry and warm. I also have pictures in glorious "garden fashion", I just purchased a snow bib in pink camoflauge....I can just here the neighbors...lol But at least I will be warm at the cost of only $30... I could not pass it by...I will blend in with alot of my summer flowers....
Keep posting I love traveling to the UK!
Carla
I saved the seed - Cocoa - little goes to waste in this household, I even collect all the compostible material from my London neighbours (give them 'goodie' boxes to put them in). Oh, I am so envious of a pink camoflague snow bib - you will be able to hide out in a flock of flamingos! How cool, and every gardeners fantasy! (?? I think laurie may be drifting into going home time - 2 more to see and then that is me heading south)!
I certainly wish it were warm enough for a flock of flamigos to hide in....lol
I am still waiting for a picture of the new "do", I noticed you ignored the request...
What is your estimated time of arrival... to home?
Thanks for brightening my winter greys!,
Carla
Usually get home about 11 PM - it is a very late supper on Thurs! One more to go. See all of you tomorrow! And not in my workwork clothes!
Okay Laurie, you may use the word as long as we all can, or shall we do "almost" in front of it, Truth is I will 'NEVER' be finished with anything, and sometimes its a good thought to think you will "be Finished" Ah never happened...just a slip of the mind. And by the way please send that greenhouse to Poulsbo, Wash. postage paid. Thank You. LOL
I just love it, I could live in it, its bigger than my house, I think, looks like it anyway.
I haven't seen the inside of mind in over a week.
Cant wait to see the pics of the project in motion of the building of the patio.
With what you said and the blurriness of the pic, Sorry but it looks just like you said, and I wont repeat it. But a girls gotta stay warm, like me no neighbors to worry about. and again who cares what they think, your enjoying what you are doing.
Coco.
I think pink is in, if your neighbors or the flamingos have a problem with it, just say Pink is for brestcanser awareness, LOL
LOL Tills, I will remember that for sure....
Laurie....where's the "do" picture?
You have seen how well DH takes photos - hopeless.
ROTFLMHO
Laurie, I meant to say that I love your door (is that the kitchen?) and the moulding on the cabinet and the floor. Just as I picture your home. Someday I would love to see pictures of the house that goes with that fabulous and very serious greenhouse.
Laurie, that is an incredible greenhouse!!! I would be jealous except that I won't really make good of a greenhouse properly until I retire in another 15-20 years. For now a flat of vegetable starts in the shed window are all that I manage. I'm sort of a pIant-it-right-in-the-ground kind of gal. You are obviously far more well organized than I am to work the hours that you do and keep such a fabulous garden. I have to say that the old steps and patio looked pretty good to me, though I am sure the new one will be truly lovely with your sense of design. I am almost afraid to show you guys my recycled concrete patio that used to be someones driveway, but the price was right (free).
Laurie - what can I say? You look like most of the folks that live up here! As if you stepped right out of REI...Love the green kneepads & glad someone else shares my taste in gardening apparel!
Congrats, & an A+ for innovation: the sleeveless fleece as mini.
What have your temps been in recent days? It has been fluctuating here, and I am hesitant to start the tender seeds. Just not sure how spring is going to play out...
Funny how I get to thinking about having a GH, analyze it, plan it out, amortize the cost & wham! Life hits you upside the head. The Explorer breathed its last yesterday, so this weekend is a "better get another car" adventure. I did manage to ensure having my car for the WS event. Been looking forward to it all week.
Cheers!
Katye, I am sorry to hear I have company in the dying car club. In searching for new wheels, one gets to talk to some truly charming (not) members of the human race. I decided against the car I looked at 2 weeks ago because the dealer did not want me to take it to a mechanic farther away than a mile. It had a mysterious vibration that they insisted was "nothing." Good luck with your search. May it be more fruitful than mine has been thus far. I've told my husband that I really want a horse and buggy in my heart of hearts, except that my workplace does not provide a stable. That would be easier on the environment and provide manure for the garden as well.
Laurie- I think you look fab! I think you have just started a new fad in the gardening world we can call it "the gardeners mini!" How could any girl resist keeping her tush warm while setting the trend in fashion! You should see what I wear out in the yard, I usually look like a grubby bag lady! I see no point in changing my clothes to run in the store for a gallon of milk or the hardware store for more nails, if the other customers don't like my "eau de toilette of gardener" fragrance they can just go down a different aisle!
Katie59, thanks you. That is actually the scullery - there is a big sink, tea making area, larder, and taking off your boot space, with a hanging area for every type of outdoor clothes in multiples - there are only 2 of us living here, and there are 8 fleecies (for wearing imaginatively)! DH was standing in the kitchen when he took the photo. this is actually the newest part of the house - it was added in the 70's - and the door was rescued from the previous owner's mother's cottage - What luck for us. Sadly, that was the only tasteful thing the previous owner's did. But it gave me the opportunity to ripe out the kitchen, relay floors, and reorganize - something I just lovvvvveeeeee doing.
Mauryhill - I'd love to see your recycled concrete patio - as one of your biggest fans for the school planter - show us what else you do! As far as the greenhouse - I do just love it, but it is also the way I can manage to garden with some sort of economy. I grow a lot of our plants either from seed or cuttings - this garden swallows plants whole - planting in 3 doesn't make a dent - so right now I have 60 penstemons, and the same number of prostrate rosemary in there. We started 120 pachysandra last spring, and 45 kirengshoma for the wild garden. We also start alot of the vegetables in the greenhouse, and manage to push the season for lettuce, cucumbers, and give the peppers and aubergines a head start. I don't know what I'd do without it. Well, I do - either push us into bankruptcy or garden on a much much smaller scale - hmmmm, nope not possible. Bankruptcy it is then. And by the way, I love the idea of your getting a horse and buggy for transport - what a great idea! A good blanket, some hay, maybe a bit of straw underfoot, and I bet your horse won't mind waiting outside at all. Brillant idea!
I'm so glad everyone likes my outfit - there was one moment over the christmas break when I really came down with a thunk - the delivery guy turned up and I bounced up and went to greet him/sign - and the look on his face! I honestly think he just had no idea whether to hand over the package or not. Rachier, I can hardly wait until I can have a ride in your mantruck and we can go to the grocery store together - we will wow them.
Enjoy the seed sowing everyone - I'm there in spirit, if not in gardendrag!
Laurie- They will be so knocked over by our "style" they will be speechless! I love my greenhouse too, when I'm really depressed from the rain I just go sit in it and read.
"Gardendrag" . . . I love it.
Okay, Laurie, I need a bit of British 101. What is the scullery, exactly, and how does it differ from the kitchen?
I love the scale on which you're gardening - great planning - for impact, not just for collection. I've been thinking that need to think more like that. Just can't quite get used to the fact that an acre is still pretty big.
Kathy - Kirengeshoma (Waxbells) is a plant that you should grow. Loves the shade & moisture - a woodland faerie type plant if there ever was. Gorgeous little butter-yellow helmets open up like small downfacing lilies.
45 Laurie? From seed? How quickly do they germinate - I love the one I have, but thought they were hard to propagate.
Has never reseeded...Do tell....
I find the kirengeshoma (once I slow down enough to spell it correctly) comes up so easily from seed - they do seem to need a period of cold, so sow in the summer and leave outdoors over winter. Mine come up like mad! I wonder if they aren't self sowing because you weed out/mulch over them. The seed is very fine - so try surface sowing as you would for primrose or digitalis. That might help. Just fantastic understated plants. I'm planning on a whole big stand of them.
Katie59 - I know what you mean about finding it hard to take in the size of an acre and the quantities you need - I've only just taken this on board since I started working on the wild area - it made me stop and look at everything in a completely different scale. I have to say it is tremendously exciting to think in terms of 45+ - just, literally, earthshaking at moments. I do find it hard to find enough organic material thought - I am constantly on the look-out for more compost/poo/shreadings/cardboard - raking leaves has become almost a full time compulsion!
Scullery just refers to a utility area - we over here in blighty like to use the posh houses terminology. Just found this - http://www.bricksandbrass.co.uk/desroom/scullery/scullery.htm
This message was edited Jan 12, 2008 7:34 PM
Ooooh I like it, going to start calling mine the scullery, sounds so mysterious!
The word always makes me think of old murder mysteries - I think that's why they always blame the poor butler!
This is an article that was in yesterdays paper - sorry they haven't published the photos, quite nice. But it is an interesting idea that one could plant-by-numbers. I have to say that the germans and dutch are doing some of the nicest replantings in their public spaces - sort of like Prairie Planting, but with a much broader palete of plants. Interesting work.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,,2238551,00.html
