Tuesday 2 August 2016

Down The a Garden Path...July

 
 
 
Hello...and welcome to my July update, yes I know it's August but these were taken in July, so only a little cheat. My goodness the garden is romping away, I can hardly keep up, friends and neighbours have been benefiting from the plot too, so all is good.
 
 
 
I'm thinking of adding in another two arches down this path, one on the end and one in the middle. Initially I liked my wobbly hedge but I think it's a bit boring and also the box balls aren't the healthiest. I've will have to save up for them, as my little pension pot is rather depleted...next years project I think.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The main thing we've been concentrating on this month, is replacing the lawn with slate chips. I say we, I mean my husband, although I make a great supervisor, and creative director! I'm very, very pleased with how this has turned out, it's much easier to manage now, as well as walk on.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We've been getting lots of red berries, raspberries and strawberries. I'm going to have to build a support frame from next years raspberry crop, and I've decided to move my strawberries, to sit in front of them, in to the long, thin beds near the fence. I will show you when I've done it. The other long thin bed might house sweet peas and dahlias, not sure yet.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I'm looking for beautiful plant protection solutions, and found these from Plant Belles, I rather like them. A kitchen garden has to be productive as well as attractive! If anyone has any solutions/ideas please let me know.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There's a great mix of flowers in with the veg and fruit, exactly as I wanted it to be. The tin bath in the above picture, will be planted with tulips and winter flowers, just so there is something to look throughout the year. I'm pleased with the dahlias but think I really should put some upturned flower pots in with them, the earwigs are munching them.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yes it's all looking rather lush, there's been a lot of dead heading going on...the bees are loving the flowers, but I've only seen cabbage white butterflies, which is disappointing. I've still not really done much with the patio area, it's ok to sit on, but not the beautiful seating area I had in my mind. There's still a few weeks of summer left, so maybe it will get done.
 
 
 
I've had to put any greenhouse plans on hold, I've had a few days with a long face about it, (I have fallen in love with traditional brick and wooden one)...but I've given myself a good talking to and I'm ok now, and I live in hope of getting one in the future.
 
 
 
Jobs for August,
Harvesting and eating the lovely veg, and picking beautiful flowers for my home and friends.
Plan ahead for Autumn crops, and improving the soil in the raised beds.
August is really just about relaxing and enjoying.
 
 
 
 
Amanda :) xxx
 
 
 
 
 

 

24 comments:

  1. Your garden is spectacular!!! You should be so proud of what you have accomplished.
    Everything here in my neck of the woods is so dry, the garden is always looking a bit stressed no matter how much we water and no rain in the forecast for the next week or so.
    The slate chips that you have put in add another wonderful texture to your garden.

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    1. Thanks Cheryl, I'm so pleased with it, and this is only its first season, I've lots of plans to develop it over the next few years :) xxx

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  2. It all looks so wonderful...I'm so impressed. I dispensed with my lawn years ago and put shingle and so on in it's place....much better.
    Here's to a fabulous August.x

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    1. Thank you, I'm very pleased with how it's turned out...here's to sunny August days :) xxx

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  3. I love everything about your garden, it looks amazing x

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  4. Your garden is truly delightful and all that soft fruit looks so delicious.

    I to done away with the scrappy patch of grass I had and shingled it over, much easier to maintain.

    Hazel c uk

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    1. I hunk it's more in keeping with this part of the garden, I'm hoping to try and grow some blueberries next year too :) xxx

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  5. Stunning, the word that springs to mind is flourishing :)
    Happy August
    Clare x

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  6. The difference is amazing. Will you have any colour in the winter?

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    1. Think that will be an issue Alison there will be a good structure but little colour, I will plant up pots with winter flowers and try and squeeze something in the flower beds. There might be some over wintering veg left, and I'm putting some green manure in a couple :) xxx

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  7. Absolutely flipping beautiful Amanda... so gorgeous😀 so much inspiration 😀 so much talent 😀 swoon. I bet your neighbours love looking at your garden 'over the fence', I know i would lol. Great work. Hugs xx

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    1. I think my older neighbour is a little bemused by it all ;) xxx

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  8. Lovely garden. Whatever you're doing it's working!!!

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  9. Very nice! Thank you for the bouquet and...waiting for garden pictures of August!
    Hope you are well,
    Miriam

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    1. Thanks Miriam, already the garden looks different, so much happens in August ;) xxx

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  10. Oh, Amanda, your garden is just looking dreamy! You've transformed it, you really have. I love the slate chips along the edges of the raised beds, so much easier and more attractive than lawn. I hope you are proud of all your hard work. xx

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    1. Thanks Gillian, it's Mae the area look much tidier, and we are saving so much time trying to clip the lawn around the beds! ;) xxx

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  11. Hi Amanda, Looks fantastic. Where did you get the iron Plant Belles from? Couldn't really do with some for holding the netting over my planters as you have... Thank you Sarah

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    1. Hi Sarah, they are from the company Plant Belles, I'd love some more but need to save up first!!! ;) xxx

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