Saturday 3 June 2017

Garden Progress

Since this post about the garden at the beginning of April there have been a few small changes.
Until recently I have always thought of gardening as a bit of  chore. The intention was to move house anyway, so as long as the grass was trimmed, weeds kept under control and it looked OK with minimum effort it was fine by me.
All well and good but lately I have been bitten by the bug. This gardening malarkey that people get excited about. Maybe it's because we are staying put in this house for now, I'm getting older, the weather is more favourable to being outside, I don't know, but I'm actually enjoying it! Getting my hands dirty and being able to grow things is very satisfying and a wonderful way to unwind.




I have given the planters, shed and garden furniture a coat (or two) of paint - Wild Thyme was my colour of choice - and it's made such a difference. They look almost new again and it's given a new lease of life to what was otherwise looking faded and tired.
The vegetables in the small raised bed are coming on a treat and I have used lots of the spinach in my cooking already.



The stony flower bed has been planted with Mint, Thyme, Rosemary and Lavendula. At the back there is a Clematis and Lily's sunflower for her pre-school growing competition.
To add a splash of colour I filled the large planter with Pansies. I've used the smaller planter in front of the shed for our strawberries, which have since been moved to an area which gets the sun for longer.




The pot on the table contains our tiny oak sapling. We have grown it from one of the acorns we collected on our walks last Autumn. It is growing quickly so it wont be long before I put it in a larger container.
The grass is now home to Lily's swing and on sunny days the large paddling pool.
It is only a small garden and is therefore, thankfully, quite low maintenance (I am aware my new found enthusiasm is likely to wane once the weather turns). It's not a lot but it is ours and now we have a pleasant and relaxing place to spend our time.
J. X



26 comments:

  1. Oh if only ours was looking so lovely! But building work needs to be done before the majority of planting. x

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    1. I think pictures taken on a sunny day helps Jackie. X

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  2. Your garden looks lovely and a very inviting outdoor space.

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    1. Thank you Bless. It is a work in progress but is a much nicer place to spend out time now. X

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  3. Gardening is a wonderful hobby and I always think it's good to get children involved too. It's fun for them to see things grow and so educational too. Your garden looks lovely.

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    1. I'm finding it very relaxing Jo. Lily does enjoy getting involved so things can get messy. X

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  4. Such lovely photographs of your garden, and your planting looks perfect to me!

    I love that Lily has a safe place to play and I'm sure her swing and paddling pool will be well used. May her sunflower grow tall.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan. We're learning as we go. The swing is very well used. Lily was desperate to go on it yesterday, even in the torrential rain! X

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  5. Your garden is looking lovely and I really like the paint you chose. I'm sure you will all be spending many a happy hour out there xx

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    1. Thank you Cheryl. I'm really happy with the paint colour and amazed at the difference it has made. X

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  6. Your garden looks lovely, a delightful place for you to enjoy with your family.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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    1. Thank you Eileen. We just need Summer to return again. X

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  7. Your garden looks great, it will be lovely for you and your family to sit out and enjoy the sun :)

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    1. Thank you Tania. We will when we get some sun. X

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  8. It is such a wonderful hobby and once you get the bug it does take hold. You certainly have made a beautiful garden and you will reap the rewards once you start eating the produce, mother natures reward.

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    1. I'm hoping the other vegetables will be just as successful as the spinach. Time will tell. X

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  9. Gardening is a wonderful way to unwind, I am in my own little world pottering around in the garden xx

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    1. Your garden is truly a credit to all your hard work Marlene. Beautiful. X

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  10. your garden looks really nice :)

    enjoy it while the weather is nice :)

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    1. Thank you. Unfortunately the nice weather has disappeared for now. X

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  11. It looks lovely Jules - very neat and tidy and not at all small. Growing fruit and veg with little ones is really fun. In the past we've done the usual peas, strawberries, tomatoes and carrots. It's lovely sending them out to pick something.

    I Love the colour you've chosen to paint the shed and furniture. Happy gardening. xx

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    1. Thank you Suzanne. We are really enjoying it. We have strawberries, spinach, spring onions courgettes and carrots.
      Lily can get a little over enthusiastic at picking the spinach, not so much eating it. X

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  12. Looks like its coming around nicely, best wishes and warm greetings.

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  13. It's looking so amazing! I love your painted planters, they look so smart, and your oak tree is super cute. x

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    1. Thank you Susie. I was pleasantly surprised at the difference the paint made. It's really brightened things up. The oak tree is doing ok. I'll have to think of a name for it now. X

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