The Rockery

14 comments

I’ve got my first bit of prepared border done now :-) it’s only took a couple of weeks of work (well weekends really).

We’ve decided to put a rockery in by the house patio. I hadn’t planned on doing it until after the lawn was down but since we ended up with a crate of stone on the lawn (replacing the bulk bag of gravel lol) we decided to do the rockery first.

The soil in the border was pretty much none existent. It was really clayey at that end with a load of compacted hard core – although it gets better as you move away from the house. We’ve dug the border to about 12 inches, removed masses of mares tail root and dug in compost. A load of rubble then went in the bottom of the hole before we put the soil back.

The crate of stone:

Tuesday last week OH and I (mostly OH I admit – good job I don’t date a wimp lol) placed the rocks we had but decided it wasn’t quite working and we needed a few more.

So yesterday we had yet another trip to Stoke for slate and came back with 4 big daddies and a few littler ones. Several hours later we had them all rearranged.

Today we’ve popped out and picked up a few bags of top soil (as we didn’t have enough soil) which we’ve mixed with sharp sand and compost. An hour or so later and we’re feeling very pleased with ourselves.

We’ve got a load of the slate gravel left which I’ll probably use as a mulch once I’ve got some plants in. Next step is the fun bit: plants :-)

This weeks plan (while I’m off) is to dig the lawn area and prep it for turf. Big big job. Still I’m enjoying myself. It was so nice working in the sunshine today, even though it was a bit breezy.

13 Apr, 2014
11 likes

Comments

Lijemc

good job, it looks great. I love your path as well.

13 Apr, 2014

Terratoonie

Hi Sam ..
well done ... looking good.
Added to GoYpedia :o)

13 Apr, 2014

Franl155

it's looking good, Sam. lol it's like one of the old serials, end on a cliffhanger and you had to wait a week to find out what happens next time!

13 Apr, 2014

Steragram

I'm getting impatient for those plants...

13 Apr, 2014

Samjp

Thanks Lijemc and Terra. Keep finding myself just looking at it and grinning lol.

Thanks Fran. Lol I'll do my best to end each episode on a high note or cliff hanger for you.

Thanks Sterea, lol your not the only one who's getting impatient. I'm trying to be sensible and prioritise. Lawn has to be the next priority - get it laid before it gets too warm.

14 Apr, 2014

Scottish

It's looking good. You've prepared the area will. Looking forward to seeing what you choose to plant.

14 Apr, 2014

Samjp

Thanks Scottish. I'm contemplating going to the gc tomorrow - give my arms a rest lol.

15 Apr, 2014

Sheilabub

It's looking brilliant Sam - you should be on Gardeners' World! (Have you seen Carol Klein helping a young couple with their new garden??) What fantastic fun you're going to have, choosing the plants . . . looking forward to seeing your decisions.

19 Apr, 2014

Samjp

Thanks Sheila. Lol i can just see me on Gardeners World. Yes I have seen that couple Carole Klein is helping, I'm slightly jealous lol.

I can hardly wait to start planting. Trying to be good though and get the lawn and prep work done first.

19 Apr, 2014

Alanb

Hi Sam, this is starting to look really great. I see you're now at the planting stage ... Which has to be one of the best bits. I like the stone and slate landscaping. You certainly have gone to town with the topsoil/sharpsand/compost to give your plants a good start. I have also seen your recent photos of the plants ready for planting. My advice (and I think you are already doing it), is leave the shrubs in the pots for a while and move them around until you get the effect that you want, height, width, colour etc., then "GO FOR IT" :~))

22 Apr, 2014

Samjp

Thanks Alan. I'm really pleased with how it's turned out.

Lol yep definitely went to town on the soil, but then it needed it. Seems daft working hard to make it look good but then not giving the plants a good foundation to grow in.

Yes I finally have plants. Had a happy couple of hours planting them last night, am really pleased with it. I'll post a blog in a bit.

22 Apr, 2014

Alanb

Great ... look forward to seeing it.

27 Apr, 2014

Samjp

Thanks Alan. I've posted a blog now if your interested.

27 Apr, 2014

Alanb

Thanks Sam, I'll certainly take a look <]:~))

28 Apr, 2014

Add a comment