Cumbrian Garden Project

So far most of the work on our garden has revolved around straight out of our french doors into the garden, in that part I made access to the garden so that Anne can get about in her wheelchair as she has decreased mobility, I also raised the garden so she may plant, weed, dead head, harvest, pick etc, as she sees fit or is able. Along the side of the house is the shed, compost area and greenhouse..this latest project was to tie these two areas together and provide access to the greenhouse for Anne and make better use of this side of the garden. Here is how it looked last June.



Here is the latest project and all hard landscaping is done mostly...just some tidying and finish work to do, for example soil prep and eventually planting. All materials, as usual are recycled and sourced locally.

Here I have dug out the topsoil ready for some hardcore to go down, note just in front of the greenhouse the awkward sewer inspection cover, this made things particularly difficult but I manage to get round this as you'll see.



I had to lay the 12 paving slabs just slightly higher than the inspection cover which is about 5-6 inches higher than the main level of the garden, so the brick pathway leading towards you in the picture is ramped to allow easy wheelchair access, the brick pavers to the left heading down to the side of the greenhouse are also sloping down to the left, leading off the already sloping ramp. I've also concreted in two posts next to the greenhouse for a handrail.



Now I have added a handrail to the posts..made it ergonomic and also added a planter to help seperate the different levels and define the area.



And made a platform/cover to hide the drain inspection cover and facilitate greenhouse access for Anne.





To help tie it in with the rest of the garden, I've also continued to build the wall from the main patio area upto and around this new area, the stone I used for this was from an old fireplace (Thanks Jill).






Also with the fireplace that I recycled came a Hearthstone, which has made a splendid seat to finish off the area.



This was completed just today so the two bits of timber you can see underneath it are temporary whilst the mortar sets. Its taken two weeks in all as some days where just too wet to work..or too cold and the earth was frozen. But I'm really pleased I've got it ready well in advance of planting time.

Tomorrow the clean up and tidying starts, I have a lot of digging and soil turning to do the get the area just right of this new area ready for planting (where the soil heap is now).

Steve...

 

Thank you Shiney, had the whole area strewn with plants today whilst I'm sorting out the greenhouse.

Steve...

 

I've just added another bed for veg this year on the other side of the patio to where the last work was completed...here's how it looked last June.



I've dismantled part of the pergola to allow light to get across to this new bed, moved the path over then built a substantial bed against the fence, complete with posts and trellis (from the dismantled pergola) to grow squashes up, I've just got to top it up with soil before planting starts.







Steve...

 

Very very nice Steve

 

I'll be cramming a lot in these new beds Shiney, Courgettes, Butternut squash, Veg spaghetti squash, marrow, Pumpkin...and more if there is any soil left...:D. Five posts to hang baskets from also..so some tumbling toms and maybe strawberries too. I've not heard about an alottment so I'm guessing next year at the earliest, when I do get one then this bed will be for flowers and herbs.

Binmen come down to the gate to collect.

Steve...

 

I'm not sure that would work in this situation though.

The council did provide alottments then decided to sell the land, it was to be sold to a local farmer but the Parish council stepped forward and bought it and they now run the alotments, I have my name down on their waiting list...there are twelve of us on that list so if I could find who they are..it would be more than the ten needed to approach the council (not Parish). But would they not then say that our village is provided for by the Parish council?

Steve...

 

It is always a real pleasure to come back to this thread to see the magic that has been created in the interim in your beautiful garden, Steve.

Those larch raised beds are an inspired addition to your garden - I can see Anne tending those beds no problem when they are all planted up. It is a great thing to be so imaginative to create and have the practical ability to follow the idea through.

The photos of all your growing produce are fab - you would do well to push and push for an allotment - listen to Shiney, I'm sure he is in the 'know' about these things!

Bloomin' well done for all your hard work. I hope you find it therapeutic as well as hard graft!

Kath