Grasses and gravel

 

Over May half term, we did a lot of work to our front garden and I thought you might like to see it.  

This is what it looked like in April, with a photo taken from our balcony looking down on the front garden. It's roughly 7 metres wide by 6 metres deep.

It was a square of lawn, which never really thrived because it was 90% weeds and moss. There was a strip of border under the living room window containing some grasses. At the front, by the pavement, were are selection of small trees: a holly and a few firs. These used to look nice until we had to hack them back as they were overhanging the pavement. After that, you could just see the branches on the inside. The front of our house faces south-west so gets very warm and baked dry during the summer. It was time to say goodbye to the sad square of lawn and fill the space with plants that would thrive in this hot, dry area. I was aiming for height and texture in the long run, lots of movement in the wind and interesting shapes.

Over the Easter holidays, and with a lot of help from family, we pulled up all the trees. This was hard work as we removed the tree stumps too. We chopped them up and my Dad and I made about ten trips to the tip, filling both our car boots over and over again.

Then we left it for six weeks while we figured out what to do and ordered all the things we would need. I know nothing about landscaping a garden so this was very much make it up as you go along.  

In May half term, we picked it up again. My parents and I worked together some days, and John when he was not working. Angus was out there every day helping. We moved all the existing grasses from the border into temporary homes in pots and bags along the side path.

We bought a rotavator. We intended to hire one but it was cheaper to buy one from B&Q, so we did. It will come in handy when we sort out our back garden at some point as Bandit has really churned up our lawn.

Rotavating was hard work and very, very dusty. It was a hot week (the first of many) at the end of May and the dust stuck to the sun cream on my legs. It was quite disgusting.

We went over and over it, using a garden sieve to remove stones and large chunks of turf.

Then we were ready to plot out a path.

We decided on a gravel path, partly for access from the drive to the bins and side path, partly to break up the space.

We dug out a channel and lined each side with metal border trim. This is to provide a barrier between the shingle and borders.

We filled the path channel with sub base. John used a piece of wood 1 metre wide to make sure we kept the width consistent throughout.

On top of the sub base we put down membrane, then pea shingle on top. 

Plants were bought. We chose a range of grasses, lavender, rosemary, an olive tree, heuchera, salvia blue spires and seneca sunshine.

I put the plants roughly in the position, allowing for space for them to grow. I tried to plant taller grasses by the pavement and the living room windows, and lavender near the front step so we can smell it. I also bought these circular paving stones to allow for weeding when the plants are bigger.

Then was the hard work of digging lots of deep holes, filling with compost and planting everything, including the grasses we had dug up from the existing border.  You can see in the photo below that we hadn't yet trimmed the edge of the membrane on the path.

Next was bark chippings to suppress weeds. I know these will rot away in time but hopefully the plants will have grown more by then.

And this is what it looked like when we finished. We were lucky to have some days of rain in early June which helped water everything in before the next heat wave started. Six weeks later, it hasn't changed that much. Nothing has died. It hasn't grown much either but I'm guessing that's the lack of rain. I've added some verbena bonariensis since.

And here's the before picture again,

Overall we spent about £600 on materials and equipment, and £300 on plants. It suits the 1960s style of our house and hopefully will cope with the heat and sun. Now we just need everything to grow tall and fill the space. 

Suddenly summer

A sudden change in the weather can be exciting. A new season is suddenly thrust upon us with its various challenges, thrills and novelties. Suddenly the house is hot, curtains are drawn against the heat and windows opened at sunset to let the breeze flow through. Summer clothes are hurriedly hunted out, all meals eaten outside. 

Take coffee. Coffee is always lovely. But an iced coffee, drunk outside sat in the shade, waiting for a friend? Delightful. 

Ditto overnight oats for breakfast, eaten in the shade first thing. 

Or any manner of lunches or dinners. This pea, potato, mint and feta frittata was delicious. I made it over half term, when we were digging up our front garden, and knew we'd all need something simple for lunch each day.

There has been a hive of activity in the garden since I last posted. We have - with big help from my parents and other family members - dug up our entire front garden and re-planted it. I will do a whole post about it soon. It was a lot of work but very worth it as it looks beautiful now,

The back garden has been slightly more neglected. These tulips are still in a pot (very much gone over) and I must pull them up and plant something else.

The garden has moved through its May burst of colour, when the rhododendrons are in full bloom, and now colour comes form wallflowers, salvia and geraniums. 

My two fig trees are full of fruit and I really hope it ripens. I usually get a handful each summer but would love enough to make fig jam.

The sweet peas are also going great guns. Since I took this photo a couple of weeks ago they have shot up and begun flowering.

As spring tumbles into summer, we watch the seasons change on our dog walks. Blossom is replaced by leaves of the brightest green, ferns unfurl and grow in the woods. and wildflowers are suddenly everywhere.

As always, it is the simple pleasures through which we measure the passing of time. The small moments of contentment which mark the seasons and make the days worthwhile. Gratitude, glimmers, call it what you will - enjoying the small things can get you through a tough day, and long week. 

Some lately have included:

The pleasure of a freshly mopped kitchen, doors open to let the air in and a snoozing dog.

Potted basil from the supermarket, which releases the headiest scent when you pick leaves. 

Margaritas at my friend Abbie's house to watch Eurovision.

A visit to Cowdray farm shop.

Favourite local walks.

Enjoying a beer, freshly showered, after a day rotavating a dusty garden in sweltering heat. Also enjoying re-watching TwentyTwelve.

A dog who still loves a cuddle even when it is hot, even when he's wearing his hot weather collar.

When the climbing rose blooms.

Brand new Saltwater sandals from Vinted, a fraction of their retail price.

New hats, new books and peonies.

And a boy who turned 17 but still loves Lego. Happy birthday to Angus - funny, thoughtful, kind, clever, and a pretty good cook.

I will be back soon with photos of our front garden. Stay cool during the hot weather everyone.