My garden in France

HI, I'm new to this forum. I'm currently making gardens from overgrown fields.
The first garden (approx 22x28 mtr) is finished (if a garden can ever be said to be finished.)
Here are some photos of its progress:
My husband leveled the area by hand, we've since learned that a man with a digger is more helpful.:dh:





I planted everlasting sweet peas both sides of the conifer in this bed, the left side flourished but the right side was a pretty poor show.
It might have suffered at the hands (or beaks) of my chickens. They're free range.:skp: The ceanothus was supposed to be mound forming... huh, so much for French labeling! I'll have to find another place for them.


The catalpa in the distance was grown from seed by a friend. It was about 5" when I planted it.



Another view of the catalpa.





My Father-in-law built the dry stone wall. The decking covers the inspection covers of the septic tank.



The stone seat was made from the granite floor of our neighbours old bread oven. It took a lot of struggling to get the lower stone in place. It broke the wall a couple of times while being placed by hubby and me.

We're not short of large stones for walling here, most of them we've dug out of the ground while leveling.

I'm now on garden number 2. I'll post its progress later.

 

Wow. It looks fantastic. I can only imagine how much hard work and expense went into it, but its certainly paid off. Top work.

 

Thanks Clueless1,
We try to keep costs to a minimum. We do all the work ourselves, my husband even made the balusters, one a day from a mold.Of course it's nice to have friends with cuttings too.
We have lots of animals too, so free manure.:lollol:

 

Hi Mandy, I just love your garden :gnthb: it's stunning and the scenery is beautiful too.

WOW.

 

A lovely garden Mandy,lots and lots of character.
Can you please tell me what the wooden contraption is in the second pic.rear right of centre?

 

Hi Mandy. First of all, let me say how envious I am of you, all that space and in such a beautiful country. It looks to my eyes that you have made excellent progress and it really does look a treat, good job :thumb:
How much space do you intend to turn to garden ? And, what style(s) will you go for ? Please keep us updated.
Cheers...freddy.

 

Me too !!! To have all that space would be incredible!!

You have done such a good job already, I would be very pleased with myself

 

Hi Roders,
When you asked about 'the wooden contraption', I thought you could see one of our old farming implements that we collect.
It is in fact the top of our swing seat.:hehe: It got blown over in strong winds and the top corner was broken. Another thing that needs fixing.
Here it is from the front.



Freddy,
The garden I'm currently working on (number 2) is about another 21 x 26 meters.
After that I'd like to make a bog garden about the same size again.
Then a water garden around the lavoir,(washing pool) again about the same square meterage but longer and narrower.
If I'm still alive :lollol:next will be an area to the side of our barn, a bit smaller. After that I don't know, I think I might put my feet up.:usr:

 

Hi Mandy and welcome to GC ... it's nice to have another 'foreigner' on board!

Your garden is beautiful and I admire you and hubby's tenacity in working the land .... and I'd love to have some of the critters you have ....

I would love to grow some of the things you have there but I am too dry for that and can go for four months or more without a drop of rain in the summer months.

Looking forward to seeing more pictures.

 

Hi Victoria,
We can also have very dry summers. I lost some of the plants I planted last autumn because of it this year.:(
At least we have a well and streams to get suppliers from. Even then we're limited as to when we can take out water in times of a hose pipe ban.

 

Truly beautiful!

 

I think you have created a wonderful garden-I'm sure you know it. You can be proud of yourself there.

 

Hi Mandy and welcome. Its lovely to see your beautiful garden - what a lot of work you have done.

I do hope you will be letting us all know how gardening in France compares with Britain - the climate, the plants, the garden centres, the attitude of others etc. You have met Victoria, who is not only a lovely, kind and very knowledgable person in her own right, but who has also made a tremendous contribution to this forum by introducing us to all manner of plants and experiences that are ouside the UK norm.

 

How beautiful Mandy, be very proud. So inviting.

 

Just beautiful!