Tuesday 7 June 2016

Down The Garden Path: June

 
 
Sorry...never got around to May. It's been a bit hectic, but anyway, here we are in June, June already! Here in the UK we are only really just starting Summer, it's been very cold and grey so far, this week however is glorious, so I'm making the most of it and practically living in the garden.
I was going to underplant my wobbly box hedge, but decided on low maintenance slate chips instead, I've only just finished this today, I've recycled old chips we had and it's been a very messy business cleaning them all up.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I'm really happy with how these top beds are filling out. I've lost most of the peonies, but they were in the garden 15 years ago when we moved in, so perhaps it's time to get some more. The roses are ready to open, and the poppies have popped. I've filled a few of the gaps with annuals, and there's loads of Verbenas in there too. I'm not sure yet if I've stuffed it too full, might need to move things around a bit next year. There's still not enough colour but I think my garden is behind, what with replanting everything and the cool Spring.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The pond area is looking lush, more pond plants are needed, hopefully some frogs might then move in. I really want to look at how I can encourage more wildlife into my garden.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All the vegetable beds are now planted up. There's strawberries, raspberries, salads, shallots, beans, courgettes, squash, tomatoes, cucumber, garlic, carrots, parsnips, beetroot, chives, phew! I've got some cut flowers growing too, although I've not really had the time to do a proper planned cutting patch...I've cheated a bit and ordered a few plug plants. I'm hoping once I've got a greenhouse I can plan ahead better and get seeds sown earlier.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I've made myself a little potting area too, and picked up lots of old terracotta pots for just a few pounds at my local antiques place, do love terracotta pots. The dustbins house the compost and a few little hand tools. Well it's got to look pretty too. I've put my old table on some slabs we had left over so it's a much better height now.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And I'm finally, after years and years, getting around to sorting out the dumping ground of a patio! I've turned the shed around to block the seating area off, it still needs another coat of paint, but we are getting there. It's shady here in the morning, but a brilliant place to watch the sunset. I need some planters, and I'm wanting to grow a fragrant, shade loving climber up and over the fence. Any suggestions?
 
 
 
So jobs for the month ahead:
Continue with the patio area, a climber, pots of flowers, lights for the evening, and make some cushions too, I've got some lovely vintage barkcloth.
Get to grips with the cut flower patch, better planning needed!
General maintenance, following the 1/2 hour allotment principles.
Look at feeding areas for the birds.
Eat some delicious food, straight from my plot!
 
 
Joining in, as usual with Sarah...think there's a few of us now, do take a look!
 
 
 
Amanda :) xxx
 
 
I know he shouldn't be on here but he does love a snooze!
 
 
 

 

26 comments:

  1. wow it is really taking shape now. My neighbour gave me a magazine to look at and it was the one you were in. Changed a bit since then.
    Bird feeding is great, but it does take them time to start using feeders. A feeding station is what you need with a couple of 2 or 4 port feeders. Place it near a tree so they can fly for cover if needed. We use Haith's huskfree Advanced, the bits that drop out or are picked out (some birds are fussy) don't start sprouting. Take care.

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    1. Thanks Alison, I'm really pleased with how it's shaping up. Yes husk free will be the way to go, I've noticed the birds love to perch on the arches too, so I might hang some things in them too...as long as we don't bang our heads on them! ;) xxx

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  2. I think your garden looks beautiful Amanda. I love the green against the black, it really pops. I also love your potting area, really great idea, I might just steal it 😉

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    1. Steal away Mandy! The height is much better for my back too :) xxx

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  3. It all looks so wonderful!! You have done so much and achieved so much and it will just get better and better! Keep enjoying it!

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    1. Thanks Amy, it's taken all my energy but in a good way. Need to spend some time now cleaning inside, it looks a right state! ;) xxx

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  4. Oh it's all looking gorgeous. Shall I send you a frog? Although they'll probably turn up before too long. A wildlife pond is a wonderful thing, beneficial to so much. I'm growing hydrangea petiolaris against the north facing wall of my garage. It hasn't flowered yet so I can't speak as to scent. Other people's always look really pretty though. I love the potting area, and the terracotta pots were a great find. Glad it's all going so well. CJ xx

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    1. Hi CJ, oh yes please, not sure what the postman would think though! ;) I'd thought about a hydrangea too, must be fragrant, better do some research I think! :) xxx

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  5. All so lovely and very inspiring.

    You mentioned on Instagram that you were enjoying reading Finding Elizabeth, have you read Still Alice by Lisa Genova?

    I thought Finding Elizabeth was really good then read Still Alice and that was just brilliant, it stayed in my mind for a long time.

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    1. Hi Jan, my sister and I watched the film Still Alice last week, it was very moving but not upsetting, I thought it was filmed brilliantly. I would like to read it, might need to get over this one first though. It's one of the most difficult illnesses to watch someone die from. I think more and more now about mum when she was healthy but when I read something like this it brings back the horror of it all again :( xxx

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  6. Your garden looks wonderful and I just love your ideas. Thanks for sharing and giving us ideas!!! No photos of your kitty anymore?

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    1. Hi Judy, it's good to recycle our ideas isn't it! I'm sorry, yes I must get some up to date photos of her, she's either out and about or curled up in the same spot, I will have to entice her to do something different with some treats! ;) xxx

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  7. I am amazed at how fast everything has come on so much to see and admire what a miracle worker your are. It also surprises me how much more advanced the plants are than here in Leeds we are not that much further north but things are taking longer to flower etc. Would love a little pond maybe one day but really need to move as my garden is too big for me now I am getting old!

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    1. What about a half beer barrel pond Margaret, mine is low maintence, if I decided it got too much I can just get rid of it, although if it's full of frogs I might feel I can't evict them! I know I wouldn't be able to cope with a dug out one, this is the easy option! ;) xxx

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  8. Wow Amanda! It sure is looking good! The path and arch look just right - and I think the slate chip pings were good idea. As you know we have ditched the small useless lawn (never used) and replaced with a gravel garden which I LOVE!

    My flowers are a little behind yours - my old chives aren't quite fully out in flower yet, and I've sown and planted more, because they seemed to stop self-seeding, which is strange as chives usually go on and on! I'm loving my little pond… a compromise between a tub and a dug out one… we lowered a large tub into a plain hole and I've surrounded it with rocks and pebbles to naturalise it into the garden / gravel. Anyway, have a peep. Your flowers 'beds' are terrific, I love the greens as well as the flower colours!
    What's the "thing" you are joining in with please? Lxxx

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    1. Why thank you Lynne! If you click onto Sarah's name above it takes you to her last garden post, she is documenting her garden every month for a year, I don't think it matters where you start but it's good to do all four seasons. I wish now I'd half sunk my tub in, even with steps I'm not sure the frogs will want to live up so high! :) xxx

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  9. Wooooowwwww...you have had a very nice work there, now you have only...to enjoy it!
    Big kiss,
    Miriam

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    1. Yes Miriam, there really is only pottering to do now! ;) xxx

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  10. Wow,having been awol for a few months I've just caught up with your beautiful garden, it looks wonderful. Hx

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  11. Your garden is flourishing, and I love Otto's replica in the garden! Is he a bit calmer in the garden now? Some of our garden is on a raised level and we seem to be able to appreciate the flowers and insects, so much more. Thank you again for joining in another month. Sarah x

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    1. He needs close supervision still, luckily there's not that much now he can get to, but what he can he still loves to chew! :) xxx

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  12. Your garden looks amazing...you have achieved so much! I love the layout, the whole design works really well and your planting is growing beautifully. What a lovely place you have created.
    Helen xox

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    1. Thank you so much Helen, I know how much you love to garden too, where would we be without our green and colourful spaces! :) xxx

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  13. The garden looks amazing. I have some poppy seeds my daughter wanted try to grow I'm hoping that the look that fab next year. Lucy x

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    1. Hi Lucy, I'm going to save seed from them this year and sow them in trays, I think I must pull the young seedlings up! :) xxx

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