Sorry folks but I'm guilty as charged and happy to admit it. We have a large area of block paving but did retain a small easy to maintain bed at the front. We still chat to the neighbours and keep the front tidy. My sanctuary however is my back garden, i love spending my time there and dont feel guilty for not keeping a large front garden. We made our own decision to increase parking area over having a tight place to park but lots of garden, i haven't regretted it or missed out. Each to their own.
My front garden is mostly driveway, which is a bit pointless as neither OH or I drive, but I do find it comes in handy for visitors who don't have to park in the street.
While it is my window to the street, it is the last place I think about - there is little care taken to any of the front gardens near me and it is difficult to focus on the front when there is still so much to do out the back (That said, I do need to hack at my Quince and finish pruning my forsythia!) It also requires a litter pick every week as it gathers rubbish like it's going out of fashion!
On a positive note, all our houses are painted different colours which brings variety to the street. On her first visit my SIL said I live in Balamory! Not to everyone's taste but I like it
I know what Verd suggests make sense, but in a lot of new developments where I live they have no front gardens and the roads become chocca block with parked cars
A few years back, well I say a few! 2008 to be honest!
Time fly's when you are not consciously watching it!
My "Old Dear" God rest her soul, was an avid gardener! As was the old man, under direct supervision! of course!
There front garden was outstanding! Had everything! Lush lawns, lovely deep herbaceous border's, filled with every plant n flower possible, wildlife pond, climbers, shady bed! The works!
Did have pictures, but when I moved back to Mum's when diagnosed "Termanally I'll" some "Sick F@@k" decided it would be a good idea to lob a large brick through the French doors n help themselves to the laptop! and so went with it a lot fond, recorded memories! Picture's, and some of Mum's classic recipes!
Anyway! I diverse!
Back to topic in mind!
Since the the passing of both Mum n Dad! Property sold! The new owners first thing was to rip out the guts of it n path the lot for parking!
What a waste! If I would have foresite! I would have dug up n brought most plants home!
I've only a small front garden which is in shade for all but the last few hours of sun in the summer so gravelled it over leaving a few shrubs and one border which has bluebells in.
If I have one regret, wish there were more shade loving evergreen shrubs growing for Winter colour as the back garden is only ever seen at weekends in the Winter.
Most of the gardens on my road aren't gravelled or paved, they're too small for parking which gives an idea of size and some have trees growing in them, all be it small ones.
I think front gardens are really understimated now and prefer to see one's which aren't paved over. I often drive along the front at Lytham St Annes and see some fabulous front gardens, few are paved and it must be one of the most inhospitable places to grow stuff, 1/3 of the year it seems, storms and high winds blow sand and salt over everything, the roads can be covered.
I guess I'm lucky in that the whole of my garden is sideways onto the pavement, so wherever I'm working in the garden, passersby can stop and chat. I love it!
I think that it is great to have a front garden even if it is just a small one. It is on the side of the house that everyone sees when they go past and adds colour.
My last house had a horrible front garden. The landlord had dug down several feet and used major chemicals, laid a membrane then filled it with stones. It wasn't for parking, he just didn't want to have to do any work on it. It was very satisfying when I noticed loads of poppies growing in between the stones !
The house we just moved into a couple of weeks ago has a very soggy, uneven, east facing front garden. A patchy bit of grass and standing water in pools. It's not going to beat me tho. The only thing apart from the grass is a clump of marigolds in the corner, got a shock when I saw them flowering in mid December. But ar least it means something will grow there.
I'd like to do more with the front this year, it's in shade most of the day, even in mid summer. Woodland plants may grow there...when it was a garden, ferns did well and there are some evergreen grasses which may do well. I'm thinking I can move some of the gravel, cut through the weed membrane, plant up and move the gravel back, probably not a good plan
Garfield, the cat was buried in the front earlier this year too , I couldn't leave her at the vets, so when she went off to rainbow bridge and after much discussion with friends brought her home.
Any suggestions as to shade loving evergreen plants for the front would be welcomed...
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My front garden is mostly driveway, which is a bit pointless as neither OH or I drive, but I do find it comes in handy for visitors who don't have to park in the street.
While it is my window to the street, it is the last place I think about - there is little care taken to any of the front gardens near me and it is difficult to focus on the front when there is still so much to do out the back
(That said, I do need to hack at my Quince and finish pruning my forsythia!) It also requires a litter pick every week as it gathers rubbish like it's going out of fashion!
On a positive note, all our houses are painted different colours which brings variety to the street. On her first visit my SIL said I live in Balamory! Not to everyone's taste but I like it
I know what Verd suggests make sense, but in a lot of new developments where I live they have no front gardens and the roads become chocca block with parked cars
A few years back, well I say a few!
2008 to be honest!
Time fly's when you are not consciously watching it!
My "Old Dear" God rest her soul, was an avid gardener! As was the old man, under direct supervision! of course!
There front garden was outstanding! Had everything! Lush lawns, lovely deep herbaceous border's, filled with every plant n flower possible, wildlife pond, climbers, shady bed! The works!
Did have pictures, but when I moved back to Mum's when diagnosed "Termanally I'll" some "Sick F@@k" decided it would be a good idea to lob a large brick through the French doors n help themselves to the laptop! and so went with it a lot fond, recorded memories! Picture's, and some of Mum's classic recipes!
Anyway! I diverse!
Back to topic in mind!
Since the the passing of both Mum n Dad! Property sold! The new owners first thing was to rip out the guts of it n path the lot for parking!
What a waste! If I would have foresite! I would have dug up n brought most plants home!
You live n learn!
Why would you destroy a garden?
I've only a small front garden which is in shade for all but the last few hours of sun in the summer so gravelled it over leaving a few shrubs and one border which has bluebells in.
If I have one regret, wish there were more shade loving evergreen shrubs growing for Winter colour as the back garden is only ever seen at weekends in the Winter.
Most of the gardens on my road aren't gravelled or paved, they're too small for parking which gives an idea of size and some have trees growing in them, all be it small ones
.
I think front gardens are really understimated now and prefer to see one's which aren't paved over. I often drive along the front at Lytham St Annes and see some fabulous front gardens, few are paved and it must be one of the most inhospitable places to grow stuff, 1/3 of the year it seems, storms and high winds blow sand and salt over everything, the roads can be covered.
Kef, if you don't manage to find your book it is available for purchase from Amazon
Hi G G
I planted the communal garden where i live with perennials, shrubs and bulbs to benefit wild life.
it is in the centre of town and i do as much chatting as gardening.
I find it good for the figure and the soul, i just love being outside close to nature!
I guess I'm lucky in that the whole of my garden is sideways onto the pavement, so wherever I'm working in the garden, passersby can stop and chat. I love it!
I think that it is great to have a front garden even if it is just a small one. It is on the side of the house that everyone sees when they go past and adds colour.
The house we just moved into a couple of weeks ago has a very soggy, uneven, east facing front garden. A patchy bit of grass and standing water in pools. It's not going to beat me tho. The only thing apart from the grass is a clump of marigolds in the corner, got a shock when I saw them flowering in mid December. But ar least it means something will grow there.
I'd like to do more with the front this year, it's in shade most of the day, even in mid summer. Woodland plants may grow there...when it was a garden, ferns did well and there are some evergreen grasses which may do well. I'm thinking I can move some of the gravel, cut through the weed membrane, plant up and move the gravel back, probably not a good plan
Garfield, the cat was buried in the front earlier this year too
, I couldn't leave her at the vets, so when she went off to rainbow bridge and after much discussion with friends brought her home.
Any suggestions as to shade loving evergreen plants for the front would be welcomed...