First bed, new garden.

Discussion in 'Garden Projects and DIY' started by Sheal, Nov 12, 2017.

  1. Sheal

    Sheal Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2011
    Messages:
    35,546
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
    Ratings:
    +52,311
    I started this bed yesterday having received a gift of what will be a beautiful rose from a dear friend here on GC. Thank you again. :)

    Apart from a small unsuitable bed (for a rose) in the front garden there are no others in either front or back gardens. Most of us know that roses need plenty of sunshine so this area was the best option. It faces south-east and will capture the sun from early morning up until mid evening or later during the summer months.

    With no shape in mind I started to remove the turf and dig over the bed, creating the curves as I went along. At this point I had no idea of the type of soil either, half expecting it to be loamy clay.....

    IMG_3406.JPG

    ......No, I was wrong! It's a mix of slightly loamy sand and stones. Easy enough to dig but it seems I've got myself a hungry soil yet again. :doh:
    IMG_3405.JPG

    Digging my way towards the corner I discovered an electric cable coming out of the wall into the ground to the right of the outlet for the shower rooms. I'm surprised I didn't put the fork through that but I'm still here to tell the tale. :doh::) Giving it some thought that cable probably supplies the pump for the septic tank. I've put a roof tile over it temporarily for protection. I also need to think about plants to hide the ugly pipework.
    IMG_3419.JPG

    With the turf now off I have to fine tune the curves, finish digging the bed over and get some manure and compost into the soil before planting up.
    IMG_3421.JPG

    The rose being bare root it needed to go in the ground before it starts to freeze. It's now bedded in with manure at the base of the hole and blood, fish and bone mixed into the soil that I back filled with. It looks a bit lonely at the moment but I've got a couple of plants in pots to go in and a Sedum I've discovered that's currently being smothered by a Bamboo in the front garden.
    IMG_3423.JPG

    Then comes the visit to my local nursery, that's the hard bit with to many plants to choose from. :biggrin:

    I was out there from noon 'til dusk today. As I was clearing up I looked up and spotted this....the first white stuff of the season!

    IMG_3417.JPG
     
    • Like Like x 15
    • Friendly Friendly x 2
    • luciusmaximus

      luciusmaximus Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Apr 18, 2014
      Messages:
      3,137
      Gender:
      Female
      Occupation:
      Lost in the Wilderness
      Location:
      Isle of Anglesey
      Ratings:
      +6,899
      What a wonderful garden you are going to be able to create Sheal, exciting times ahead:). And that view! Looks like you are lucky enough to be living in splendid isolation:). Look forward to more pictures.
       
      • Agree Agree x 2
      • Friendly Friendly x 1
      • Verdun

        Verdun Passionate gardener

        Joined:
        Oct 16, 2012
        Messages:
        7,475
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        West Cornwall
        Ratings:
        +17,486
        Excellent Sheal. :)
        If mine I would make one big curve there. Easier to mow and would create a nice bold statement there....besides room for a couple more plants
        Whatever you decide enjoy choosing and planting :)
         
        • Agree Agree x 1
        • Friendly Friendly x 1
        • Clare G

          Clare G Super Gardener

          Joined:
          Mar 29, 2017
          Messages:
          626
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          London UK
          Ratings:
          +1,707
          What fun! I think your new bed's going to give you a lot of pleasure. And meanwhile, what a lovely view that is!
           
          • Friendly Friendly x 1
          • Sheal

            Sheal Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Feb 2, 2011
            Messages:
            35,546
            Gender:
            Female
            Location:
            Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
            Ratings:
            +52,311
            Thank you all, your kind words are much appreciated. :thumbsup:

            I live in a rural area Lucius but not quite that isolated. Although I have the view from my garden it's about five miles away and taken with a zoom lens. :)

            The bed size is about 10ft x 10ft taking into consideration it's 'L' shape Verdun. I still have to improve the curves but won't be making it much deeper apart from the area by the steps. I'm considering creating a similar bed on the other side of those steps outside my kitchen but that area is mostly shade and a wind trap. Some thought needed about that. :)

            Bad weather stopped progress today.
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • Friendly Friendly x 1
            • Verdun

              Verdun Passionate gardener

              Joined:
              Oct 16, 2012
              Messages:
              7,475
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              West Cornwall
              Ratings:
              +17,486
              Thats ok Sheal....I meant not to make it deeper as such merely to avoid the curve of grass inwards :)
               
              • Agree Agree x 1
              • Sheal

                Sheal Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Feb 2, 2011
                Messages:
                35,546
                Gender:
                Female
                Location:
                Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
                Ratings:
                +52,311
                Absolutely no progress on the bed. Last weekend and earlier this week the rain was almost continuous, now I have this.....

                IMG_3463.JPG

                Not ideal for working on the bed. Somehow I get the feeling there'll be no progress until next Spring! :doh:
                 
                • Like Like x 3
                • Funny Funny x 1
                • BeeHappy

                  BeeHappy Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Feb 19, 2016
                  Messages:
                  4,316
                  Occupation:
                  Mother Nature's Garden Apprentice
                  Location:
                  Happy in the Garden of W' Eden ;)
                  Ratings:
                  +6,133
                  @Sheal what a WONDERFUL WOODEN WOO you have roosting in your garden- I LUV him :wub2:
                   
                  • Agree Agree x 2
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • Sheal

                    Sheal Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Feb 2, 2011
                    Messages:
                    35,546
                    Gender:
                    Female
                    Location:
                    Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
                    Ratings:
                    +52,311
                    Thanks @BeeHappy. :) That's Oswald, given to me by my children on a landmark birthday. He was created with a chainsaw and stands about 3ft high.
                     
                    • Like Like x 3
                    • BeeHappy

                      BeeHappy Total Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Feb 19, 2016
                      Messages:
                      4,316
                      Occupation:
                      Mother Nature's Garden Apprentice
                      Location:
                      Happy in the Garden of W' Eden ;)
                      Ratings:
                      +6,133
                      Awww, so even more special then :imphrt:- what a wonderful idea and a FAB name really suits him :blue thumb:
                      I could happily see him in my garden ALL seasons he must bring a smile to your face every time you look out into your garden :wub2:
                       
                      • Like Like x 1
                      • Friendly Friendly x 1
                        Last edited: Nov 24, 2017
                      • Sheal

                        Sheal Total Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Feb 2, 2011
                        Messages:
                        35,546
                        Gender:
                        Female
                        Location:
                        Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
                        Ratings:
                        +52,311
                        I read a lot of medieval history so tend to go for the old names - and yes he's special! :)

                        Christmas is coming up, you could drop subtle suggestions to your family perhaps. :)
                         
                        • Like Like x 1
                        • Funny Funny x 1
                        • BeeHappy

                          BeeHappy Total Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Feb 19, 2016
                          Messages:
                          4,316
                          Occupation:
                          Mother Nature's Garden Apprentice
                          Location:
                          Happy in the Garden of W' Eden ;)
                          Ratings:
                          +6,133
                          • Like Like x 1
                          • Friendly Friendly x 1
                          • Jack Sparrow

                            Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Jul 24, 2017
                            Messages:
                            2,604
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Location:
                            Peterborough
                            Ratings:
                            +5,414
                            I once took a coach load to watch a man do chainsaw carving somewhere in Scotland. I misread the instruction to park at the top of the drive. I ended up turning the coach round in his back yard. Thankfully there was just enough room. If I hadn't gone in there I don't think many of the passengers would have been interested enough to have walked down the drive. As it was everybody joined in.

                            G.
                             
                            • Like Like x 2
                            • Sheal

                              Sheal Total Gardener

                              Joined:
                              Feb 2, 2011
                              Messages:
                              35,546
                              Gender:
                              Female
                              Location:
                              Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
                              Ratings:
                              +52,311
                              It amazes me @Jack Sparrow how intricately they can carve with such a lethal and clumsy piece of machinery. :)
                               
                              • Agree Agree x 1
                              • Sheal

                                Sheal Total Gardener

                                Joined:
                                Feb 2, 2011
                                Messages:
                                35,546
                                Gender:
                                Female
                                Location:
                                Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
                                Ratings:
                                +52,311
                                Back to the digging today. The bed is finished and I've re-shaped the edges - also got some compost down but I need another large bag to finish that. I brought a few plants with me when I moved and they will go in tomorrow, then the bed will have to wait until next Spring for me to continue planting after raiding the local nursery. :)

                                Pictures to follow as it was dusk when I retired the tools for the day.
                                 
                                • Like Like x 7
                                Loading...

                                Share This Page

                                1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                                  By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                                  Dismiss Notice