Mr Grinch's Garden

that Monarda is lovely.

 

Cant wait to see some more pics

 

Weather Watch
Cloudy, showers, the odd sunny spell.
Mr G's Garden Watch
Well, after yesterday's exploits, i wanted a rest, no digging, gardening, nothing. Water had other idea's.



I noticed even though we had just had showers today, a lot of water was building up behind the top crossing path. I seem to be chasing this water some what. So, the last drainage trench i could possible do was dug 1 hour ago. This will take the water to the new extended border and away from that corner. I know it wont cure, but it may help.



After this, i wraked the lawn and gave it a mow. I had hoped to get the last three slabs layed next week but now i need to sort this last drain out. Will mean buying one bag of type 1, 1 bag of shingle, hope the garden membrane i have left will be enough, then lay it all before i can do the last bit. With the weather looking terrible for the next few days, im hoping that everything would have gone off before tomorrow arrives.

G

 

Weather Watch
Yesterday was sunny and showers, when they came boy they were heavy. Last night heavy rain, today bought sun, yes sun, starting to cloud over now though.
Mr G's Garden Watch
Im having one of those "down" days. Have i done the right thing, its not looking good, im not happy with that corner etc etc..... . Yesterday, i took a load of the soil in my new extended border and added to the main borders to tidy up the edges where the paths are now, has made a difference. It was very wet yesterday and this AM near the back path, all my efforts just do not seem to be working. I will wait and see later what 12 hours of dry weather will bring but im not hopefull of it draining.

G

 

Weather Watch
Ok day today, sunny and bit windy but dry. Clouding over now with rain tonight forcast.
Mr G's Garden Watch
After last night's heavy rain, the garden was wet at the bottom again. It seems like all of my efforts were for nothing. The worst parts again is that top right hand corner near the play area. The soil from there, running for about 3m is wet and i mean bog wet. Everything behind that path going across is underwater. In the new border, its wet at that front corner, again bog standards. Other than the new drainage trench that ive dug helping the water across that path and into that new border, there's nothing i can do. It kind of puts pay to my hope to plant Buxus in that top corner of the garden as it would be very wet during winter and they will rot off. The Astilbes have never looked so good though.
Today, i took some more turf and soil down to the dump and bagged up a load more. I obtained some off cuts of turf from a local supplier. He very kindly gave them to me for free. Will need about a metre more though. I laid the first piece but ran out of top soil so will try the rest tomorrow. That top part of the lawn is about an inch higher than the path and not level so these off cuts will level the lawn off. Not perfect by any means but acceptable i think. Removed a bit more turf from the top right.


Starting removing the last lot of turf


Im hoping for a busy and dry day tomorrow, get some more done.

G

 

At the moment there's nothing planted in there, which is possibly why the water is still laying in that area. if you gets some plants in and when they are established, you might find it makes a big difference.

 

Have you thought about planting a few bog plants down there instead of ripping your hair out over the drainage? That's what I would do personally.

 

I have Jane. At the moment i have Astilbe and a Hosta in the area, which love it. The Geranium's dont seem to mind it along with the Weigeila. I will plant some Cornus thats for sure and i was also looking for a tree for the area. Thought about a Silver Birch called Snow Queen. Bog plants cut down your options some what and i really wanted Box near this area and was essential to my design which im a bit gutted about.
I think i have lost sight of the main idea of why i wanted these paths and have been caught up with the quest to solve the water issue. I wanted the paths to make the garden accessible throughout the year. This has been achieved i think. Maybe i should just ignore the water.

G

 

Weather Watch
Rain rain rain. Im sick opf it now.
Mr G's Garden Watch
Made three trips to the dump to get rid of a load more turf and sub soil. I bought four bags of top soil for when the rain finally stops and i can repair the edges of my lawn with the new turf. Thats about it. The place is under water again.

G

 

What about a low privet instead? They seem to tolerate more damp soil than box I've found and you'd get your hedge probably a lot quicker than box

 

Something to think about Jane
I was looking for evergreen structure and i want it low so will have a look now

G

 

Damn !!

Privet is almost indestructible once established and a very popular choice. It is quite fast growing (approx 30cm pa) and should be trimmed a couple of times during the summer to encourage the formation of a dense, formal garden hedge, resistant to pollution and therefore popular in urban and suburban gardens. Privet will grow well virtually anywhere other than wet sites and is suitable for coastal situations although it may defoliate a bit in Winter near the coast. Its leaves and flowers are harmful if eaten.

G