WHAT JOBS ARE WE DOING IN THE GARDEN TODAY - 2017

A brief interlude this afternoon from. I had a look at this.

Its a bit different now from the photo as I've sited the sink and laid down a layer of sand and gravel. However, this has raised the level thus reducing the amount of soil I can put in. Also, as you can see there is standing water in this area. With all the recent rainfall there is now a sizeable puddle surrounding the sink. When we have very wet winters this area will stay flooded/waterlogged for several months. During warmer months its ok but will still flood if we have heavy rain. Still trying to decide what to do so not actually doing anything .

Further along this area it is much drier, so planting options are better. I have another sink I want to move here and set up as mini wildlife pond. Thinking of planting flowers amongst grasses to create shelter.

 

Lucius, things like acteas, astilbes, ferns, carex, sanguisorbas, primulas, astrantias, moisture loving grasses, bergenias, rodgersias and the like would transform that wet area. They would help alleviate the build up of water esp with the addition of a couple of shrubs like dogwoods, hydrangeas, etc.

 

Thank you

 

Beautiful morning, esp earlier overlooking the beach
Hopefully, cut lawns and continue with garden tidy up and planting

 

Some very good choices Verdun . I hadn't considered Hydrangea or Dogwood as I like the feeling of space that clearing this area has given. The stuff that was planted there before made the garden look cramped . Leaning towards low growing plants but not too low. There isn't a lot of soil to work with either as under the sand/gravel I put down there is only a few inches of soil before more gravel and then bedrock. I can build a bank which will give me a few more inches, so probably giving me around 12 inches or so planting depth. Ferns would look wonderful

Problem is me I think there's so much choice and I'm easily distracted

 

Lucius I had exactly the same problem, with an area that i cleared - It was left empty forrrrr ages ...so much so friends kept asking had i made a decision what was being done there - the truth was i too... didn't want to lose that feeling of space there .... Even thou i had decided what i would like... and more importantly thrive there ....so what i did was move my planting scheme further over - I added some membrane paving and gravel to the area in question placed some pots that could be moved if I felt it was getting too congested again and though well if i want to change it in the future its no hardship to alter it now ...and the materials could be utilized elsewhere in the garden and most of all i stopped fixating on it and got on with other jobs in the garden and was able to enjoy the space - in fact, it now has a small seat on it and i love to sit there with a cuppa
You'll make the right decision in the end - go with your gut and don't feel pressured to decide ...
I can only say from my own experience im glad i didn't now.... I obviously knew the answer...but "couldn't see the wood for the trees" as they say as i felt under pressure to decide. My lovely friend always the voice of reason reminds me
Gardens are to be enjoyed not endured

 

Lucius, some stunning low growing plants would still give you a feeling of space.....choose the most beautiful grass of all, viz., hachonechloa, and grow with any astilbe but Shogun with its purple black foliage for a fantastic colour theme all summer. Ferns? Not any old fern...go for the japanese painted ferns like Ursula's red. And white anemone Wild Swan for colour from spring to autumn. That area is crying out for minimalistic but quality planting Could look absolutely stunning
Not a jungle of plants..... a classy association of quality plants given room to grow and fill out.

Have to disagree with membrane......an awful soil killing, ugly product that denies any opportunity to replant etc.
It is now very warm and feels like summer ......ahem! At least for now:rasp:

 

I took more pics today

This shows the border runs the length of the house. The plastic bucket with the pond plant is where the other sink is going to be.

I don't know the name of this shrub but it is pretty ( somewhat battered and crispy in appearance courtesy of Ophelia ) but its deciduous, so its ok. It only blooms for a week or two in May, the flowers are pink and loved by the Bees. I think I want to keep it but also thinking a dwarf white Buddleja to replace it might be better. Flowers longer so great for the Bees and Flutterbys. I think I want to keep the Geraniums but not sure about the Hydrangea. Whatever I do it needs to tie in with this. Which also needs working on but that's a job for next year.

 

So, what do you recommend as an alternative for weed suppression ?

 

Lucius, look at any membrane that has been down for a couple of years or more and you will find weeds will still colonise it.
Mulches for me are best for suppressing weeds.....they feed the soil and therefore the plants too. Plus, they look good. They allow plants to be moved too
I would be inclined to import soil there....to make a mound towards the centre and plant there. Doesnt have to be much higher but 30 cm or so?

 

@ARMANDII the weeds are certainly persistent here .

@Verdun I have indeed noticed how weeds will colonize on membrane and in the gravel laid on top . I was planning on trying the mulch idea on that border now I've cleared it - been doing a little reading up on it . Not sure how I will fare with the front garden on that one but we will see. Everything is possible , well, almost everything.

 

Just for us gingers

Thanks to Fat Controller