My back garden

Just had part of the plot cleared from this...



To this...

 

A great plot. Loads of potential.

 

Thanks, Pip. I hope so!

There appears to have been a rockery up there, so plenty of big stones to remove yet. The drain cover is set in a 4' square concrete slab which I didn't anticipate - its like something from Lost! Had planned the veg patch at that end but at least I know where the composter is going now!

 

Started to take the fence down today, but it's more securely fixed than it looked. having examined the drain covers I have, they are both sewers so no chance of moving them! the lower one is in a concrete box too, meaning the soil there is only a few cm deep. Now planning to raise a bed there, infront of where the fence is, which will be a wall!

Gonna be a long, hard slog but hey! I need the exercise! :rolleyes:

 

Looks like lots of hard work!
Maybe you should not cover the drain covers in case of blockage problems? You could put really large containers on them and grow veg. in those.
It seems as if you have quite a slope so should be interesting!

 

Not planning to cover them, Liz. Gonna put the raised bed behind the cover, but over the concrete bit. Containers are looking good as a suitable camoflage!

 

Wow!! It's looking good Sarah...I love the fact you've got steps...I've always wanted steps Lots of lovely surfaces for climbers too
Looking forward to watching your progress :D

 

Looks a fantastic space. All very flat around here, I'm jealous

 

Windy, you can come over and use my steps anytime! :D

I'd like a bit of flatness on a Saturday night, Johnny!!

Been fighting japonica roots today to clear room for my composter. The forcast rain kept off so been out there hours!!

 

Well, I've had to look after my mum this week who is suffering from depression right now. :(

Managed to come home and dig a bit though, when it hasn't been raining! I've filled the patch to the left of the top drain with soil and the big stones that had been a rockery at some point. It's now level with the top of the concrete hatch and will be a good place for the composter I think. There are worms a-go-go up there too, so should be lovely!

Found frogs too! Hope they stay!

 

Composter finally arrived and is in situ - fits perfectly!

Started to dig over the lower level and next plans there are to remove the fencing, fix the wall behind and prepare the site for my greenhouse from John!

Nothing technical I think although what to do with the wall is a challenge - the stone wall is about a foot lower than the breezeblock retainer. Not sure whether to take the wall down and build it again in the Cornish hedge/dry stone style or just get it filled/finished which may look really obvious as the pointing will look new. Might get some quotes!

 

Sorry about your Mum, how is she feeling now?
Dry stone walling is lovely, especially as you can plant so much in it, but very time consuming- you'll have to go on a course!
I had two small retaing walls built in Purbeck stone but I forgot to ask the builder to leave the occasional unmortared bit to encourage plants :(

 

Thanks Liz - mum is not much better I'm afraid. She's had nausea for months and been off her food causing her depression. They can't find anything wrong in all the tests they've done - which doesn't help. She's agreed to have some counselling so maybe that will help. Don't know how dad's coping. He's a real saint!

Anyway - back to the garden! I had thought a few pockets for plants would be good! And I think I know someone who can teach me how to build one! There is a fine example of a brand new Cornish hedge wall along the new stretch of A30 - perhaps I should talk to the guys building that!!