Mike's Evolving Garden

It's all coming together nicely Michael, and when the bottom end of the garden is sorted out it will look lovely.

 

I found Fuchsia Gall Mite on one of my hardy plants not long ago, and I cut the affected stems off and tried to burn them, which was a difficult thing to do.
I thought my paint stripper would do the job but it was hopeless so I put the affected shoots in a plastic bag and tied it tightly, and waited until I had a better idea.

I had no further problem with the FGM until Tuesday this week when I noticed it again (just the same one plant) ... and then the above mentioned 'better idea' came into my mind - I bought a blow lamp, and zapped it ! ... I ZAPPED it !
And I ZAPPED the previously cut off shoots in the plastic bag too
(NB I took them out of the bag first)
If I see it again my blow lamp is at the ready and I will ZAPP it

 

That blow lamp will be handy if you fancy making creme brûlée @Michael Hewett .

 

A garden handy man has made a start on putting the decking at the bottom of my garden - part of the frame is done.



My two cold frames have been plonked on top of the raised bed, so the are not in the way.


The decking will be also coming down along the side of the raised bed you can see above ...

I've started taking the Ivy off the side of next door's shed ! I think it must have grown from a bit that fell out of a tub many years ago .





There's more to do, and the man is coming back tomorrow to carry on with the decking.

 

Decking is coming along nicely, although it's been a drizzly day the man worked through it

 

Taking shape now @Michael Hewett
That'll give you a good site for all sorts of stuff. Hope the decking is in a sunny site though. It can get very slippy in shadier spots.
The ivy certainly has been a 'bit keen' hasn't it! It's a great plant, but it needs that attention. Will you put some other planting in front of the wall instead?

 

Thank you @fairygirl, I'm going to put a trellis there for things to climb up, but not Ivy !
The decking is made from some reconstituted material so won't be as slippery as wood, and it will last longer too.
No doubt the whole place will be full of pots by next year

Yes it's quite sunny there, especially in the mornings. It's nice to have breakfast there on a summer day. It starts getting shady in the late afternoon - garden faces west but this area is down the bottom and, the old garage wall and hedgerow trees cast a shade there in the evenings, which can actually be nice after a hot day.

 

I wondered if it was the other resin/plastic type material rather than wood, but I couldn't see it well enough. That should be much better for you.
Some pots will be just the job for sitting there. Easy to have too many though, isn't it!
I have an area of the back garden which is shadier for those hot days, similar aspect to your deck area, but it's also the bit near the back gate, so not quite so useful.
I bought one of those folding chairs earlier this year though, so I can move that around and get a bit of shade. The bench is in full sun, but it's good for later afternoon. This time of year, or spring, it's better - and the sun isn't so hot for me at that time of year too.

 

The decking was finished on Tuesday and I've brushed it and 'hoovered' it with a garden vac.
Here's a view with Bella inspecting the vac ...
(raised bed on the right) :-



Another view, with Bella nosing in through the shed window :-



View showing a perspex shelter, which extends down the whole length of the shed (former garage) :-



Looking the other way :-



The surrounding area needs a bit of tidying but that will come in time, and the walls need attention - there was Ivy growing all over them, and also someone in the past has painted them with a plasticky stuff that's peeling off





Who's that in my shed !

I've placed one of my cold frames in a new position, on top of some bricks, but the other one is still on top of the raised bed for now :-





Before the handy man that laid the decking went away, he said "I suppose by next time I come I won't be able to see the decking for all the pots you'll have covered it with" and I think he was speaking the truth

 

Looking good Michael.

 

That's made a big difference @Michael Hewett, very smart!

 

and Michael. I hardly recognise it is the same space I previously saw. Well done Mr Deck Layer, a grand job done. A wonderful space to relax in and yes, I agree too you will soon have it over run with pots ... but not too many please, tasteful colourful ones in corners!

 

Lovely job @Michael Hewett , bet you can't wait to start filling the space

 

Thank you all for your kind comments about my new decking area, and yes I have already started putting pots there - I want to sort them out for winter, but by next spring I will have it looking nice.

 

What a difference that decking's made - brilliant.
I thnk when you can get that stuff off the garage, and a coat of paint on it, it'll just change it enormously as well.
Then you can enjoy getting your pots etc sorted out - and maybe a seat for a few minutes before it gets too cold