I'm back - beside the seaside!

After a horrendous move two weeks ago which coincided with the revamp of the site, which drove me mad with new passwords etc, we're now settled in our new abode. We love it, although the garden, with a slope of 25 degrees in places, is challenging. I need a helicopter mower rather than a hover mower!

The compensation is that we can see the sea from the decked terrace part way up and we're only a five minute walk from the beach. The location? Halfway between Rye and Hastings in East Sussex. It's very close to the inspiration for my first Chelsea garden, Shinglesea, and although not so challenging - the climate is gentler this far back - I'll still be able to grow some interesting maritime plants. Watch this space!

Chris

 

Hi Chris,

Glad to hear the move went well and that you are in a location with a good climate and views.We stayed in Hastings a couple of years ago and visited Rye and other places for the birdwatching and walking etc.

Like Shiney am looking forward to your posts and any photos of your progress

 

Welcome back, you'll be having a good crop of Alexanders already I assume

 

You're dead right there Ziggy. Although there are none in the garden, there are masses along the path to the sea. I understand that every part of them is edible - have you tried them?

Chris

 

Good to see you back Chris, Sounds an interesting project you have there.

 

Welcome home Chris! what will you do with 25 degrees, go with the flow or terrace it?

Steve...

 

Thanks for all your kind wishes. Steve, luckily, someone has already done some good work on the garden. There is a set of concrete steps to one side that incorporate terraced beds. At the moment they are full of Japanese Anemones - they obviously like it there. Then, 2/3rds of the way up there is an area of decking where we can sit and peer at the sea through the distant willows.

Above that is some more decking with a decent sized greenhouse to one side and at the top, in the centre, is nice, not too large, mature oak. There are also three nice gnarled apple trees, lots of honeysuckle and various other shrubs. The Daffs and primroses have been glorious and there are lots of tulips.

There is also a decent sized front garden with a large stand of bamboo which looks and sounds wonderful.I think I'll leave most of the garden alone this year, apart from mowing the grass - some of that's on 25 degree slope!, and see what comes up.

We've got a dismantled, almost new, summerhouse which we are looking for a site for but are not sure if it will fit. Anyone interested? Also, the facade of the railway carriage from my Chelsea garden Shinglesea is still in Rob's workshop so we may build that into a studio.

Just ideas at the moment, but I will post pictures when I've taken some.

Chris

 

I have Chris, found it too bitter. I believe the Romans used to blanch the young shoots, might be better like that, just never got around to trying it again as its not so common here in the West Country.

 

Ziggy, my 1977 wild flower book says "the leaves can be used to make a white sauce, the soft stems cooked as asparagus, the roots as a substitute for parsnips and the flower buds in salads". Not sure how keen I am but the plant sure looks good and healthy. Shame you don't see many down in Dorset.

Chris

 

]Well I've finally got round to taking some pictures of the garden. Hopefully, they will give some idea of how steep it is. Not, that I'm complaining, we love it here.

There are 39 steps (yes really!), to the top, a decked terrace with views of the sea, two fenced off veg plots - rabbits are everywhere - and a decent sized greenhouse.

The garden is well established with three apple trees, shrubs and and enormous amount of Japanese anemones. I've read recently that they can be invasive and they've cetainly invaded here! Just as well we like them.

I don't plan to do anything drastic to the garden this year, just wait and see what comes up. However, I've been busy in the greenhouse, my first, and have lots of tomatoes,cucumber (burpless), aubergines and peppers in growbags.

As the veg plots are small, I'm trying a bit of everything - spuds, beans, peas, carrots, squash, onions and even artichoke to see what does best.





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Great pictures.