sink

Looks like crocus and a dandelion and some other weed Fran. All in the green bin if there is one! Start over with maybe thyme, marjoram, thrift, a little pink etc and so on. Small alpines are not too pricey

A few plants did start to show, Dorjac; a couple of crocus but not much else. The trough is placed in the corner, right against the Rose and under the Fuschia and the Quinice would overlap it too.

Impossible to get at from all sides - hard to get at anyway as it's at ground level - i'd have to kneel and bend and hunch.

wby do people put troughs on the ground? the planting is raised only a few inches. They could just as easily put plants directly into the ground!

I had typed out quite a lot Fran and an update did a snatch on me (vista!!!!) I suggested you get your handyman to move this trough onto hard surface, raised on bricks or breeze blocks. Near kitchen, thyme, marjoram 2 handy small herbs, and some dianthus and campanula and watch out for a takeover though. Very handy bit of kit left for you there! If Campanula takes over it will require little attention and look very pretty too.

ah, the joy of techs!!

The sink does need moving - apart from problems getting at it, it it stops me getting to-at the sbrubs behind it.. A raised herb sink sounds good - I'm not much for growing herbs - even mint doesn't seem to take (though I know to keep that separate, so invasive!) but maybe I've not found the right medium to grow them in.

which takevoer should I look out for?

I wrote a note to the last tenant's next-of-kin, thanking him for leaving so much stuff - gave it to the Housing Officer and asked her to pas it on, she said she would. Hope she did - kindness should be acknowledged!

The ones I mentioned are easy to grow in ordinary bag compost preferably with a bit of grit and garden soil Fran. A sink usually goes about 3 years before it gets tatty. The thyme I usually have to renew each year. Don't grow sage in a sink as it gets far too large over time. Rosemary is a substantial shrub as you already know. Mint as you say needs containing severely. I prefere a nice pot of Colman's myself.

thanks, Dorjac dear! I'll make notes of your helpfull advice and when the trough is ready, I'll put it to good use x