Finished front garden….well, almost!
January 14, 2012
So here it is in all it’s bare beauty, minus any planting right now, but looking an awful lot better than it did.
My favourite aspect of this garden is the fact that most of it is using the rubble and leftovers from clearing up in the first place. It originally had a crazy paving pathway which left little to be desired and in my personal opinion it’s performing it’s new function as a wall so much better.
I have plans for this little space to contain as many useful plants as possible, I hope to fill it with herbs, medicinal and dye plants. To fill this tiny wee space with as much scent as possible, to create a tiny sanctuary away from all the trundle toys, bikes and dogs feet…
There is already Lavender, Rosemary and several other herbs waiting to go in, once the frosts pass. I also hope to plant things like Madder so that I can produce a wider range of dye colours than the allotment currently does, there’s only so much onion skin dye you want to make you know!
Thankfully my Dad has a large pond / wet area in his garden so I have begged a bucket of weed and sludge from him to get our mini pond started, he has said that I’ll more than likely end up with Mint in there as it has rather taken over his pond, which would fit the theme perfectly. The ‘pond’ is actually the lid off a pheasant feeder that my Dad salvaged whilst dog walking, he’s a bit of a magpie for things like that, and in this case certainly I couldn’t be more thankful.
Any favourite plants that also serve a purpose that you think should go in the garden? I have a fairly extensive list, but it is always great to have recommendations from folk that have actually made good use of them.
Beautiful, looking forward to having a cuppa there someday!!
My you have been busy, can’t think of any plants suitable for dyeing purposes or medicinal, I’m a bit of a reluctant gardener in our house!!! Mind you I think the reluctance stems from my inability health wise to keep on top of things, ah well.
Hugs to you San x
I hear you there San, currently living with toothache AFTER going to the dentist! So normal life still not possible, I have no idea how I am going to get both the girls out of the house this morning after only three hours sleep and this constant nagging pain, and there was me thinking that getting the cracked tooth repaired before it started hurting was a good thing. Xx hope your household brightens up real soon, and especially you, you’re part of the glue that holds everyone together, look sfter yourself ( easier said than done I know!) xx
What a lovely design for a small space!
Where we live there are lots of midges, and I discovered last summer that a herb in our garden, southernwood (I thought it was wormwood, but it turns out to be a relative) makes a pretty effective insect repellant. It’s also a very attractive plant, with feathery grey-green leaves.
Thanks Rachel, it hasn’t progressed any further yet, but I’m trying to be prudent and wait for the frosts to pass better starting planting, otherwise I’ll only disappoint myself. Southern wood – lucky you! ( it’s on my want me list for the garden) x
This looks such a lovely corner and so exciting as well being all ready for the fun bit of actually planting up. I know all the herbs are a given but I’m always really fond of my thyme humps and they’re always covered in bees too. I also find my marigolds beautiful and useful – I use their petals to make up a ointment I use on Z’s bad skin patches…oh and mint, so tea is always on hand though it’s best contained in a pot. If you might sit out there in the evening scatter some night stocks seed around the bench. Their scent in the evening is indescriblably wonderful and the white flowers are good for moths as well….
Sorry! Must actually fight my way into MY weed patch and give it a bit of TLC. Will you post a pic when you’ve planted it up? Such a good plan for a little space x
Marigolds are high on my list, and also tricolour violets as the Smallest has quite bad eczema and anything has to beat slathering her with emollient cream everyday! Night stock I hadn’t thought of so thank you, and yes, of course I’ll post a pic. Lorna x