Your raspberry borders are impressive and raised beds I done a bit of research on raspberry's and joan j that past week cause I want some to, I believe it doesn't need much support or none at all. The summer fruiting raspberry require supports like you've made. It better to have the supports than not though, especially if your in a exposed site.
Thanks for all your progress reports. I'm a very new gardener and have just taken over a half acre of triffid shrubs! Your progress has really inspired me to stop thinking about what I just hacked to bits and get making some beds and start planting.
Rowan - that's the spirit, just get stuck in. It has helped me to think about the garden in sections so you don't get overwhelmed by how much there is to do...and there is always next year! Plants can be moved or replaced if it doesn't quite work out first time.
Perki - you're right about autumn raspberries not always needing support. I found the RHS website guidance on growing raspberries useful. I'm not intending on tying the canes in, I'll use string run between the wires to just give a little support as it gets very windy on top of this hill and the bed and path is quite narrow.
I have spent a happy couple of hours reading this tread and seeing the transformation of slums beautiful garden we moved our fence back to take waste land that was part of our property in to the garden my son helpe me last February to dig out brambless and blackthorns this left space for a greenhouse and wide border we still left enough space beyond the fence for a wild life area we are growing a hawthorns hedge with Rowans pyracantha and hollies my retirement is going to be fun thanks to my sons who are now building a waterfall feature which I will enjoy and planning the planting
Your garden reminds me of my cousin's gardens (and houses) over the years. As a child I never really "got" the straight lines and rows of municipal planting that folk strived after so I grew up thinking gardening wasn't really for me. Then came Maggie's garden. Stuff everywhere, nothing in straight lines, house martins nesting in the eaves, shrubs that made natural gang huts...heaven on earth.
Your garden is amazing. It looks as if it kind of just happened but this thread shows otherwise. Congratulations on the success of your efforts and long may it continue.
May your asparagus never grow in straight rows! (in joke between my cuz and me...and now you).
Thanks again for the kind words. I'm sure if I ever grow asparagus it won't grow in straight rows . I like the notion that it looks like it just happened.
Rosemary - it sounds like you have helpful sons! Enjoy the waterfall.
It has been a couple of months since my last update to this thread. It has mostly been too wet to do much and much of the top end of the garden has been squelchy underfoot. However the last few days of warmer weather and sunshine has started to bring everything to life. At this time of year the colour theme is very much yellow and blue with narcissus, dornicum and forget-me-knots. At the front I put in some daffs along the driveway about 3 years ago. Due to the rock hard, dry compacted soil they were planted fairly shallow and not given any love. However they have done really well and stand up to the high winds really well. A bucket of violas by the back door are also giving us a little hit of spring.
Overall I'm pleased with how it is all shaping up for summer. I have about 300 plants 'in production' in various stages from just germinated seedlings to hardened off and ready to be planted. In the above photo the Fuji Cherry Kojo-No-Mai is in full blossom. I planted this about 3 years ago as a tiny little plant in a 9cm pot. It has still got plenty of growing to do and should put on another metre in height and fill out a bit more - which according to the RHS website can take 20-50 years.
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It sounds like you've got a lot of fun to come with all that. It's an exciting point to be at.
Your raspberry borders are impressive and raised beds
I done a bit of research on raspberry's and joan j that past week cause I want some to, I believe it doesn't need much support or none at all. The summer fruiting raspberry require supports like you've made. It better to have the supports than not though, especially if your in a exposed site.
Thanks for all your progress reports. I'm a very new gardener and have just taken over a half acre of triffid shrubs! Your progress has really inspired me to stop thinking about what I just hacked to bits and get making some beds and start planting.
Rowan - that's the spirit, just get stuck in. It has helped me to think about the garden in sections so you don't get overwhelmed by how much there is to do...and there is always next year! Plants can be moved or replaced if it doesn't quite work out first time.
Perki - you're right about autumn raspberries not always needing support. I found the RHS website guidance on growing raspberries useful. I'm not intending on tying the canes in, I'll use string run between the wires to just give a little support as it gets very windy on top of this hill and the bed and path is quite narrow.
I have spent a happy couple of hours reading this tread and seeing the transformation of slums beautiful garden we moved our fence back to take waste land that was part of our property in to the garden my son helpe me last February to dig out brambless and blackthorns this left space for a greenhouse and wide border we still left enough space beyond the fence for a wild life area we are growing a hawthorns hedge with Rowans pyracantha and hollies my retirement is going to be fun thanks to my sons who are now building a waterfall feature which I will enjoy and planning the planting
Such a gorgeous garden. Very inspiring.
Hi Simon. Fab thread.
Your garden reminds me of my cousin's gardens (and houses) over the years. As a child I never really "got" the straight lines and rows of municipal planting that folk strived after so I grew up thinking gardening wasn't really for me. Then came Maggie's garden. Stuff everywhere, nothing in straight lines, house martins nesting in the eaves, shrubs that made natural gang huts...heaven on earth.
Your garden is amazing. It looks as if it kind of just happened but this thread shows otherwise. Congratulations on the success of your efforts and long may it continue.
May your asparagus never grow in straight rows!
(in joke between my cuz and me...and now you).
Thanks again for the kind words. I'm sure if I ever grow asparagus it won't grow in straight rows
. I like the notion that it looks like it just happened.
Rosemary - it sounds like you have helpful sons! Enjoy the waterfall.
At the front I put in some daffs along the driveway about 3 years ago. Due to the rock hard, dry compacted soil they were planted fairly shallow and not given any love. However they have done really well and stand up to the high winds really well.
A bucket of violas by the back door are also giving us a little hit of spring.
Overall I'm pleased with how it is all shaping up for summer. I have about 300 plants 'in production' in various stages from just germinated seedlings to hardened off and ready to be planted.
In the above photo the Fuji Cherry Kojo-No-Mai is in full blossom. I planted this about 3 years ago as a tiny little plant in a 9cm pot. It has still got plenty of growing to do and should put on another metre in height and fill out a bit more - which according to the RHS website can take 20-50 years.