I know you have worked extremly hard but I would widen the borders, you can get more in them them/ Also why not curve the border bed up and around the square bed. Say from the corner of lawn at back of photo along,using the new bed then narrowing it to go back to your border. Try to think away from the narrow border scenario..
With a larger border you can then fill it with tall shrubs up to the road bringing in smaller shrubs, perrennials and bulbs to the front.
I've just noticed you have planted box. That would, when grown proetct your more precious shrubs.
That's me, I always try to think out of the traditional box. Even small garden s can go 'bold'. and you could pedestrian protect your garden better then as well.
The borders are just what I dug out as they stood. My intentions are to widen them and curve around the corners, but fill in the square; either with bought turf or transplant that I lift to widen the borders.
I want the box to grow to about 50-70cm. Then maybe in front of them/bottom of them (on road side), have a "carpet" plant/flower, although no idea what and no idea when to do it.
I have bags of bark/mulch to cover the beds, but not had time to dig them yet and thought if I transplant the turf, now might not be a good time. So might just put bark around tree base and box base for now.
I've been petrified of cocking it up so took a long while to decide to buy and then to plant! But someone on here said slowly, slowly is way to go...
Thanks for the pics Bill, from the other pics you posted before it looks like you have done alot already. Take your time, and research plants, what you like, growing conditions. Some of them can be expensive and you dont want to end up with something your not happy with. Great looking job so far, now put your feet up and give yourself a pat on the back..
A great job...can I suggest a little light reading while you rest your bones. I am just finishing a book by Mike Dilger (apparently the One show naturalist, I'd never heard of him) called My Garden and Other Animals. He gives a month to month account over a year of what he does and what animals he sees and attracts to his new (overgrown) garden as he does it. Thrown in are some tidbits of info, gardening and wildlife, not too much but enough to keep you interested and teach you as he learns as he goes along. He mentions different plants he selects and why and the ones he also dispenses with and how he creates new habitats etc. I enjoyed it and thought it might appeal to you as you take on your plot.
Posts
apple tree, pear tree and plum tree in back. Fan trained and against the walls.
Sorbus Chinese Lace in corner in front of garage door.
Sorbus Joseph rock in middle of front garden (lawn will get patched up with turf when spring arrives).
Box hedge in place, just left side of path needs doing, but border needs making/digging in at the weekend!
Also dropped a rhubarb crown I was given by a neighbour in at the back...
cheers,
Bill
p.s. I ache all over!
I know you have worked extremly hard but I would widen the borders, you can get more in them them/ Also why not curve the border bed up and around the square bed. Say from the corner of lawn at back of photo along,using the new bed then narrowing it to go back to your border. Try to think away from the narrow border scenario..
With a larger border you can then fill it with tall shrubs up to the road bringing in smaller shrubs, perrennials and bulbs to the front.
I've just noticed you have planted box. That would, when grown proetct your more precious shrubs.
That's me, I always try to think out of the traditional box. Even small garden s can go 'bold'. and you could pedestrian protect your garden better then as well.
The borders are just what I dug out as they stood. My intentions are to widen them and curve around the corners, but fill in the square; either with bought turf or transplant that I lift to widen the borders.
I want the box to grow to about 50-70cm. Then maybe in front of them/bottom of them (on road side), have a "carpet" plant/flower, although no idea what and no idea when to do it.
I have bags of bark/mulch to cover the beds, but not had time to dig them yet and thought if I transplant the turf, now might not be a good time. So might just put bark around tree base and box base for now.
I've been petrified of cocking it up so took a long while to decide to buy and then to plant! But someone on here said slowly, slowly is way to go...
Thanks for the pics Bill, from the other pics you posted before it looks like you have done alot already. Take your time, and research plants, what you like, growing conditions. Some of them can be expensive and you dont want to end up with something your not happy with. Great looking job so far, now put your feet up and give yourself a pat on the back..
Yes, slowly best way, plants are not a quick fix and the more preparation the better they grow.
Very impressive Bill.
In the sticks near Peterborough
A great job...can I suggest a little light reading while you rest your bones. I am just finishing a book by Mike Dilger (apparently the One show naturalist, I'd never heard of him) called My Garden and Other Animals. He gives a month to month account over a year of what he does and what animals he sees and attracts to his new (overgrown) garden as he does it. Thrown in are some tidbits of info, gardening and wildlife, not too much but enough to keep you interested and teach you as he learns as he goes along. He mentions different plants he selects and why and the ones he also dispenses with and how he creates new habitats etc. I enjoyed it and thought it might appeal to you as you take on your plot.