Hello Eddie. Many thanks for taking the time to upload these photographs. What an achievement, and an extraordinary amount of work. I love the log stacks, the spiral and bird bath in particular.
I can't deny that it hasn't been and isn't hard work, but the main hard landscaping aspect of the garden is now drawing to a close.
Oddly despite all that I have achieved, I am still disappointed in the result so far. I actually prefer smaller gardens, the smaller the better. Some of the best designs have been achieved in areas as small as a balcony on a flat for example.
I love the intimacy and vibrancy that can be created in a small space. Sadly unless you have a bottomless pit of money, and a 100 year time slot spare to create it, you just don't get that effect with large gardens. Visually, I'm sure that in many respects you can spend more time looking at a small garden than a big one.
Part of the problem with this garden is the time to create it and the time to maintain it. I can't do both, so currently the shrub and flower boarders around the lawn areas are very tight and straight. Once I have finished the hard work, I can then start to create wider beds that meander and flow. Sadly it currently an unbalanced compromise.
The large logstack with the arched seat would probably not have been started had I known how long that it took to build. There is approx 18 cubic metres of logs in it, and I spent nearly three months of winter Sunday mornings building it.
Even the Honey Pot one took a week to make. Having said that, it did collapse and I had to start all over again! I quiet enjoyed making that one though, and found it a very good way to just relax and clear the mind. I have a big problem with being indoors during day light hours, I just can't do it and need to be outside doing something, no matter what it is.
Commiserations about the log stack, Eddie! That must have been very galling. You're quite right that there are never enough hours in the day for gardening, and this can be true of plots much smaller than your own. Don't be discouraged, though, by your amazing achievements so far. And don't feel that you have to tackle it all at once - you can always call uncultivated areas your 'wildlife garden'!
You might find our video on wave planting, featuring Carol Klein, useful when planning how to fill large spaces. Keep up the good work!
Wow Eddie what a busy man you are, great achievment and love your sculptures.
i know what you mean about wanting to be outside whenever you can, when i am not at work i am itching to be out in my new garden or down my allotment, my mother used to say when i was little "if there was dirt about i would be playing in it" and she was right, even at my age i see it as going out to play, there is something calming about being hands on with nature and the elements, keep playing and enjoying your creations, look forward to seeing those to come.
Hi Eddie, what area is your garden?, have you thought of joining the open garden scheme? my little garden is only about 10 square yards, we have an area for the family to sit and eat outside, and my grandchildren to play, and for the first time I grew most of our vegetables last year, some in raised beds made out of old pallets, and I dug up most of the shrubs, keeping 3 roses and a hydranger. I grow lots of herbs, and keep the cottage garden character with hardy geraniums, pansies etc around the edges. I d love a bigger garden, but could nt cope with one the size of yours, and could nt design or build the wonderful structures you have made.
Wow what an awesome Garden !! .... Such an inspiration ..... You are very talented indeed ! My partner and i are starting our own little Utopia this year and looking forward to it ... Will definately be watching more of your progress , thanks for sharing
Inspiration is right! well done and thanks for sharing, clearly have a very creative vision and interest in the garden is something that encourages increased participation.
sal3 why not get someone to make you some raised beds for your veg or else you can buy them in garden centres. Veg bags are not deep enough fpr alot of veg. You can also use large pots. Runner & dwarf beans do well in lg pots but will need alot of water.
I loved looking at all your photos and they make me want to do things with all the bits of pear and apple tree that are knocking around my garden after a mega pruning session... I don't think I could reach your standards, but it makes me think it would be fun to see what what can be done. Lovely stuff! Thanks for sharing.
Posts
Hello Eddie. Many thanks for taking the time to upload these photographs. What an achievement, and an extraordinary amount of work. I love the log stacks, the spiral and bird bath in particular.
Daniel
Editor, gardenersworld.com
Hi Daniel. Thank you for the kind words.
I can't deny that it hasn't been and isn't hard work, but the main hard landscaping aspect of the garden is now drawing to a close.
Oddly despite all that I have achieved, I am still disappointed in the result so far. I actually prefer smaller gardens, the smaller the better. Some of the best designs have been achieved in areas as small as a balcony on a flat for example.
I love the intimacy and vibrancy that can be created in a small space. Sadly unless you have a bottomless pit of money, and a 100 year time slot spare to create it, you just don't get that effect with large gardens. Visually, I'm sure that in many respects you can spend more time looking at a small garden than a big one.
Part of the problem with this garden is the time to create it and the time to maintain it. I can't do both, so currently the shrub and flower boarders around the lawn areas are very tight and straight. Once I have finished the hard work, I can then start to create wider beds that meander and flow. Sadly it currently an unbalanced compromise.
The large logstack with the arched seat would probably not have been started had I known how long that it took to build. There is approx 18 cubic metres of logs in it, and I spent nearly three months of winter Sunday mornings building it.
Even the Honey Pot one took a week to make. Having said that, it did collapse and I had to start all over again! I quiet enjoyed making that one though, and found it a very good way to just relax and clear the mind. I have a big problem with being indoors during day light hours, I just can't do it and need to be outside doing something, no matter what it is.
Anyway, that is enough rambling from me!!
One collapsed logstack.
You might find our video on wave planting, featuring Carol Klein, useful when planning how to fill large spaces. Keep up the good work!
Wow Eddie what a busy man you are, great achievment and love your sculptures.
i know what you mean about wanting to be outside whenever you can, when i am not at work i am itching to be out in my new garden or down my allotment, my mother used to say when i was little "if there was dirt about i would be playing in it" and she was right, even at my age i see it as going out to play, there is something calming about being hands on with nature and the elements, keep playing and enjoying your creations, look forward to seeing those to come.
Hi Eddie, what area is your garden?, have you thought of joining the open garden scheme? my little garden is only about 10 square yards, we have an area for the family to sit and eat outside, and my grandchildren to play, and for the first time I grew most of our vegetables last year, some in raised beds made out of old pallets, and I dug up most of the shrubs, keeping 3 roses and a hydranger. I grow lots of herbs, and keep the cottage garden character with hardy geraniums, pansies etc around the edges. I d love a bigger garden, but could nt cope with one the size of yours, and could nt design or build the wonderful structures you have made.
Wow what an awesome Garden !!
.... Such an inspiration 
..... You are very talented indeed ! My partner and i are starting our own little Utopia this year and looking forward to it 
... Will definately be watching more of your progress , thanks for sharing 
Inspiration is right! well done and thanks for sharing, clearly have a very creative vision and interest in the garden is something that encourages increased participation.
sal3 why not get someone to make you some raised beds for your veg or else you can buy them in garden centres. Veg bags are not deep enough fpr alot of veg. You can also use large pots. Runner & dwarf beans do well in lg pots but will need alot of water.
Love your sculptures Eddie.
I loved looking at all your photos and they make me want to do things with all the bits of pear and apple tree that are knocking around my garden after a mega pruning session... I don't think I could reach your standards, but it makes me think it would be fun to see what what can be done. Lovely stuff! Thanks for sharing.
i love that mega swing what an idea! you are very talented at sculpture some great projects, very inspiring thank you