'Messy' areas.

Well done Barbara - that did sound like hard work! I hope it wasn't too much for you, but am encouraged that you managed it . . . It's going to look very pretty, and things will soon fill out as the weather warms up (as it must soon :))

What a difference Barbara looking great now.

Well done indeed! It looks fantastic already! I know which area I need to work on B....my fence...all around it....couch grass is invading my garden! I need to get out there with the glyphosphate and a lot of poly bags! Not a pleasant job :( but has to be done, or in no time I will have a field of grass and all else will be choked!

Great work, must be very satisfying to see the results of all the hard labour, and it'll soon fill out and look wonderful like the other side.

Thank you - yes, it is satisfying even though it's half empty still. I was pleased that I managed all the hard part! I couldn't have done it even just a few weeks ago, but my stamina is coming back. :-)))

Karen - couch grass really is a menace. I don't envy you!

Gosh such a transformation Spritz!
Such hard work but worth it for the result x

I was quite ashamed of that area, Pam, so I'm pleased I tackled it! :-)

Its fiiled up lovely Spritz and the second side will soon be the same, it does look and sound like hard work and so good to know you are now fit enough to accomplish these tasks yourself, well done and now back to enjoying the lighter side of your lovely garden tasks, for a while anyway........

Love the border doesn't take long for plants to cover does it? I can't do anything like that now I have a man who comes and does the digging etc. I love 'pottering' though :0)

I'm very grateful that the surgeons 'mended' me, Skilla. I couldn't have done all this work before or in the months after my op. Now I can! :-)

You really never fail to amaze me Spritz. I can't get over how the other side filled up some quickly.
It won't be long until it all fills out and you will think it's always been there.

We all have areas that we know need sorting, and it is so rewarding when we can do most of it ourselves, a big pat on the back is needed I feel, the other side is a picture, has grown so much in a short space of time, so it will not be long before the new side fills out, I think a rest is needed before you find another area to work on!! well done Barbara.

Thank you both - that's very kind. :-)

Hmmmm... behind the summer house is awful - a real mess. lol.

You've worked so hard - I'm exhausted just reading about it! You've chosen some nice plants for your new area and the hellebores are looking great on the other side. I want to dismantle a shed but not sure I can tackle it alone and OH has too much on to lend a hand at the moment. Trouble is, I'm impatient and impulsive, so I foresee a mess in the making...

Looking great. The Hellebore in pic 2 caught my eye as am thinking of buying some later in the year and you reminded me. What is the grass to the left in pic 2, a Carex?

Hi Spitz, Been missing for a while, but lovely reading your blog and catching up. My OH had a stroke on Easter Tuesday so suddenly my world is trying to keep up on the garden in the early morning then rushing to the hospital to help feed him and keep him calm home to do his washing and drying and back for evenig visiting but I now know how you managed the updates on your flood disaster, as Goy is a real consoler when you can't sleep in the nights, get up, a cuppa and and hour on the Goy and back to bed does seem to relax me. I keep thinking of your lovely garden under water and am wondering how the overall effect is now that Spring is at last raising its head. I had started to rejuvenate my arbour, and paths to make it easier for us both in the future, thankfully the heavy work was well on the way before Easter in spite of the weather, so the cement mixing and pointing I have been doing early morning before the phone and the callers start. The housewok fits in somewhere inbetween I don't quite know when but all in hand at the moment. As you have said before, It is wonderful where you get the strength from when needed. I have been trying to cut down on the grass paths, making the beds larger as the dutch hoe can work quite easy but the lawn mower in difficult places is hard. Hubby always did all the lawns, all 5 are much larger than most folks grass areas, yet not suitable for a ride on. Keeping busy is my answer to everything and I can see from your blog we are one of a kind. Oh and the garden is so rewarding.

I'm so sorry to hear that, Telme - keep strong. You asked what the overall effect of the flood was - well, it finished off my 'Meditteranean' plants like the lavenders and cistus, and the dianthus as well.

The other nasty effect is on-going...take a look at the Himalayan Balsam blog I wrote - they're still appearing.:-(

Kildermorie, no it's a Liriope! I think its called 'Silver Dragon'.

the area is looking good spritz. you asked where next? can I suggest the outskirts of Beverely :o)).

Remembering back to your blog last year this is looking real good its amazing how quickly the gaps between the planting has filled up, so after the hard work on your new area I`ve no doubt it will be looking as good in next to no time.

I hope so, Stroller. I've added some ferns and Euphorbia amygaloides, plus a Smilacina and an Aruncus since I wrote the blog, so there's not much space left now. :-)

I know the Euphorbia is a thug, but it's right at the back and I hope it might spread backwards under the last remaining Leylandii tree. It would make a dull area look 'cared for'. I spoke to the Euphorbia about it, but it wasn't listening...lol. We shall see!

Seaburn, I'd love to come up with my trusty trowel... but why do you live so far away? How about a move to the West Country? :-D)