Hi from SE London.

Hello people. I'm Russ. I have been reading this forum for well over a year and have learned so much from you friendly lot. I thought it was about time I joined in and introduced myself.

I started work on our garden back in March, last year with a muddy, uneven and neglected plot that had been ruined by a good hearted but without a clue neighbour who had dug away an area for a patio and bagged up the clay rich soil into about 50 rubble bags, dumped at the end of the garden. It was then abandoned. I started with an uneven, sloping mud pit with a few tufts of grass and weed remaining. What was left, my dog destroyed by running over it playing ball (my fault, he he.)

So I decided to make a start on the garden. As I had been made redundant in 2013, I became semi retired and invested some money into our sanctuary to be. After over a years hard work. I have a place now that I love to spend time and am learning so much. I enjoy every project that I undertake but as I learn more, I am constantly rearranging and changing things.

I look forward to contributing to the community on here as you seem to be a good bunch of friendly and knowledgable people.

All the best and have a wonderful night.
Cheers, Russ.

Photos of garden 2014.

Garden 2015

 

Hi and welcome! What a transformation! Very inspiring to see.

 

Aww thanks peeps. Just wait for all the questions and photos to follow. He he. Will the blue pills help to keep my plants up?

 

Hi and Welcome your garden is amazing and looks so peaceful... Look forward to catching up with you in the forums

 

Thank you, Apple Blossom. I look forward to contributing and sharing some of my mad ideas/ solutions. Some probably not so good but love experimenting and using things that are far away from their intended use. More to follow.......

 

Welcome to GC Russ. Pleased to meet you - you already know about us lot as you've been following us around for a year, I'm surprised you still wanted to join.

That's a lovely transformation to your garden and a perfect haven for you.

 

Hi...welcome to GC. Your garden looks lovely!

 

Lol I'll enjoy watching out for them and being inspired I'm still at the embryonic stage just learning as I'm going along

 

Thanks Sheal. I would be mad not to join. It's the knowledge and inspiration from this community that has led me down this garden path. I always look forward to reading your posts as you are very knowledgable and explain things so well. Cheers! Look forward to sharing my wildlife photos. Have a good one.

 

Thank you Fern. I appreciate your comment. Enjoy.

 

Hi Apple. Just wait and see. Ha ha. This is my first garden but have worked on fishing lakes for years and as fishery officer, was responsible for the upkeep of our lakes. I only had a balcony before. Learning everyday and loving it.

 

Great job Rustler. You have obviously joined the rest of us nut gardener who work like demons to get our pride and joys looking as good as we can despite everything (flood, fire, pestilence and anything else God feels like throwing at us). Hope there is a good late summer/autumn, then you can sit back and admire all your labours, well done.

 

Thanks Silu. The thing God threw at me last year was a very big slug and snail problem. I really did cry last year as everything I planted was munched. Haven't suffered so badly this year but when taking dog out last night after heavy sustained rain, it was like walking on eggshells on the pavements around here. I must admit to walking like a drunk to step on every one I came across. I was trying to do the neighbours a favour!!! I honestly think I took out over 100 of them just walking a few streets. I'm out with a torch now as it's stopped raining. Cheers!

 

Hi Rustler and welcome! Glad you decided to join finally - you must feel you know many here already then?

It certainly is an impressive transformation - you should be deservedly proud.

I am from London too (south west) and also have clay soil. I guess you have learnt to temper it with sand and compost etc? I am still learning.