Why is everyone else's garden better than mine?

I've cracked it. No matter how much work I put into my garden, everyone else's garden is better. Since moving in here just over 3 years ago, and finding out why the estate agent lied about not having the back door key because he didn't want us to see it close up, I've:

* Turned the whole garden over, adding huge amounts of compost.
* Lifted a whole awful straight path made out of boring 3x2 paving slabs and moved said slabs to my dad's allotment.
* Built a patio entirely out of junk that was already in the garden (broken flag stones of various shape, size and colour, plus breeze blocks, rubble and all sorts). Oh, I tell a lie. My mate Nick the roofer dropped off 7 huge sacks (not the usual 20kg size - huge) of chippings to use to help make the foundation of my patio).
* Built/grown a living willow house and living willow tunnel with multiple escape points.
* Built a crude play area out of old decking, comprising a 2 story house/fort with steps, slide and wobbly bridge, plus a swing.
* Established a healthy lawn plus borders.
* Built and started to stock a pond, complete with beach area.
* Established hedging to hide the awful 'jail fence' (an 8 ft high metal fence erected by the church next door).
* Various other bits and pieces.

All that while still somehow finding time to do everything else I have to do, which includes spending most saturdays helping my dad look after his allotment (he's determined, but he's not as fit as he was), and most sundays with my mam, who is a bit clingy since she became a widow 2 years ago.

I think I've done alright, but there's still a way to go.

I made a conscious decision not to build anywhere to sit comfy until I'd reach the far end of the garden. The reason being I figured if I had somewhere comfy to sit, I wouldn't get on with it. That may have been a good idea when the place was a barren wasteland, but I don't think its right now. So my next project is going to be, comfy places to sit. One will be on 'the beach' (the newest area, where the new pond is), and the patio, which is the part of the garden that sees that last of the evening sun.

Every man (and woman) needs somewhere to sit and enjoy a beer without a bony deck chair digging into their legs.

 

Hiya C1.

I'm probably totally missing your point, but what makes you think that everyone else's garden is better that yours?

 

Everyone else seems to have had the good sense to put somewhere to sit down

 

Not me - there isn't time!

 

Ahh. Well, I find that with all things garden related, it's a case of evolution. I'll plant up an area with plants that I think will work, then after a while, I think it looks rubbish (usually), so it all gets moved around/changed. That's the beauty of gardening So, it's basically a case of trial and error. Suck it and see....

 

I dont sit down much,like keith same here.. there isnt much time to sit...cos im hoping i can get this garden looking great like everyone elses clueless
you have achieved a lot more than me in 3 yrs clueless x

 

I agree 100%, which is why I never worry about getting one part 'perfect', but just 'ok', because I know I will come back to it, and there's a chance it will surprise me by the time I get back to it. As an example, I had one patch that I let the wife fill with seedlings that we expected would produce a few flowers that same year, but that would need sorting properly at some point. That patch is in its second year now and has been blooming abundantly almost non-stop since she planted it. Its also producing millions of seeds so probably can be safely ignored for another year.

Its just that there are still parts of the garden that haven't even had their first pass yet, and I wasn't going to allow myself a comfy seat in the garden til I'd at least done the basics all the way down to the bottom end. I'm just going to fill that patch with beans, peas and nasturtium and then just leave it and sort out chill out zones in the bits that I have done. One of two things will happen. I'll get a good crop of beans and peas, or I wont, but either way enough should grow to help improve the soil structure there for next year.

 

I wouldn't worry about the garden, I am sure it will turn out great, your Dad has a great Son and it's nice to see Children looking after / supporting their parents as they get older.

 

Hiya C1.

Any chance of a few pics?

 

I'll have to tidy up first Then I'll find some from when we first moved in to put it into perspective, otherwise I'll be too embarrassed

 

No need to feel embarrassed

 

Clue,
Please don't feel embarrassed. I love reading about your projects - we all do, as they are an inspiration. I don't show everyone the whole garden - only the good bits that are pleasing me and that I hope will please others. We all have our areasin the garden, as we do in life, so come on. Piccies please....
Your a GC member and a true Gardener - that's what makes us all special,
Jenny

 

it is nice to sit in the garden and enjoy the nature, even if it is a bit wild.

 

Hi C1 , don't get this bit above. How do you help your Dad and widowed mum ?
Looking forward to the pics , do you have before and after ones ?