This is how it was ....before and after

Good for you Michaella. Green is the best Foil for flowers. I know someone who won't agree....! ;)....but I'll never get rid of all my lawn, even though it's really hard work. It's such a lovely place to chill/play/picnic/make Daisy chains!

Thank you Karen, I must admit, it did look rather harsh with the gravel all around it.

i wouldn't say harsh...but whatever, it's always nice to have a change. This is the best month for sowing grass too. My new grass has just filled out on this week. There was no sign of germination until Sunday when the weather warmed up a bit.

Sounds like a good plan Michaela. I'm not sure I'd be happy completely lawn free.
You've done well so far. I had to get rid of lots of that horrid orange gravel that was under my shed at the beginning of the year, it's awful work isn't it.

Thank you both. I have to hurry up and cover the soil over very soon before the neighbours cats find out...lol...If I get it very flat I may put turf down, if not it is going to have to be grass seeds.

We ordered two tons of Pennsylvania blue stone gravel for some work on a drainage area on our property. I came home one day and found out that my wife had the workers spread the excess in my hosta shade garden and covered the whole area with it. She thought that it would suppress weeds. %#{}|[]{+*^£¥€:( !!! I said to myself and developed a pretty good mental block about what I had to do next until reading this blog. I will now set aside my state of denial and get to work getting it back to the way it was once cooler weather moves in. Now, it is horridly hot and humid and to do it now I might as well lay down and pile the gravel over myself if you know what I mean. Bye the way, you are a wonderful mother!

Thank you. I don't know what to say Loosestrife, but it was hard work, as the gravel is buried in the soil, you think you are done then there are still loads to scrape off. :(

Oh Loosestrife....that's a horrible job. I suppose the sooner the better before it works it's way down I to the soil like. Michaella's!

Yes, I gave it a little go with shovel and hoe (gee that rhymes!) and I find myself running into that problem already.

Good luck with it Loosestrife.....

Michaella how I admire your tenacity, I wish I`d never taken up my lawns especially in the front garden. As for the back garden I thought It would be less maintenance but have found myself making more beds and planting to cover the gravel so am back to square one. I`m sure you`ll be delighted when its all done and soon forget the hard work its taken to get it back as it was. Look forward to seeing the finished pics.

It was hard work over the years Michaella and I can distinctly remember (not all that long ago) when you had finished and were going to sit back and relax, made me smile to read this blog, I didn't think it would take long for you to start again, lol, have to admit I do like to see a bit of grass and would never get rid of all of mine...

Much easier to get turf. I have just moved my compost bins nearer to the lawn and connected with 2 rolls of turf
to make an easier and cleaner access. Cost £3.25 per roll.
Am very pleased with this. Will water it on Monday if it doesnt rain.

I've done both in my time and decided seed is easier for big spaces. If you forget to water it once it's not a disaster, whereas dried out turf is awful. Plus, it takes a while to knit together and root down whereas seed is very straightforward and gets established very quickly. I guess it's also a lot cheaper over a large area...but if you want an instant lawn, then it has to be turf! :)

Many thanks everyone for your comments. I started getting itchy hands about two days ago, I knew it was something to do with the garden, but I did not know what...until my daughter said it again whilst visiting, a few days ago.

Karen, I am torn between the two, I would like instant lawn, but a bit bothered of what it will look like, as the ground may not be flat enough.

I always admired your determination and hard work Michaella. You've transformed the space into a very attractive garden rooms. I hope you will find room for all those pretty roses you have removed. I am looking forward to see pictures of your new lawn.

Thank you very much Klahanie, I am still undecided. I may go for grass seed. As for the roses, I didn't realise that there were so many...I really don't know where I am going to put them all.

lol just found this Michaella, I think maybe your daughter is right, looking at it, maybe a bit of grass is the way to go. But as for not liking grass I do but hate the cutting of it, and I still have grass pathways all around my borders and I STILL HATE CUTTING THEM. lol. and also a grass patch (note I said patch not lawn) at the front of the house to make daisy chains from. lol and there are lots to be made. lol. always daisies in the front garden, hoping that when the baby arrives she will love to sit out there and make daisy chains with Granny Barbara too :O) x soooooooo looking forward to that!!! :O)

Awww..lol...Barbara...daisy chains indeed :)))) I really thought I had finished with heavy gardening..lol...I have even put back the swing...which was another thing my girls used to love.

This also means that I will have extra grass to cut :(( but to see smiles on their faces as well them coming into the garden again....is worth it. They particularly loved picnicking under the old tree in the past.

hahaha they will love having the swing back in place. Great Michaella, a real garden is never still is it! Always something to do or move etc. Its been a lovely year for the gardens, especially when it has rained over night and kept the plants going for us all. I have not had the hosepipe out once, the ground is still quite damp here. We are clay soil so it does hold the moisture well. Happy Swinging Girls :O) lol :O)

So beautiful!