Garden revamp DAY TWO (cont'd)

Good progress, and nice apron ;o) x

You must be so thrilled with this Jacquie, as I think we all are thrilled for you.

Oh yes!!!!! you got yourself a garden, very nice Whiston, get your gloves ready,your work starts now.....

Terra....hello :) Hope you are well....the apron was a gift from my sister and it's so useful with a pocket in the front and a bib...she sure knew I'd make good use of it!

Thanks Cinders...we are as thrilled with the garden as we could possibly be. I think hubby is a tad worried about my growing list of supplies/plants I'd like but all in good time.

Lots of gloves at the ready, Lincs....but rarely do I bother with them. Once I start pottering and get my hands dirty with soil it's too late then to go and fetch them...that may change when my hands object.

I agree with Cinders ... we are all so pleased for you after you've waited such a long time for this work to start. I'll be round later to pinch those rocks ... just what I need in the front garden .. lol! : o )

I'm on the lookout for more rocks just like those too :) Our daughter got these for us via freecycle and in addition she got us 3 smallish bags of slate chippings too. She's put up a "wanted" ad on freecycle again to see if any more rocks come available.

Might be worth a try, Shirley....if you have Freecycle in your neck of the woods.

Wow! from anticipation to completion in only 2 days! That's the way to do it! Boy, I wish I'd had a 'team' like that!! lol...it's fantastic J, and in a few weeks it will be even more fantastic. Oh, I bet you are as pleased as punch....have you had a glass of sparkly to celebrate? I think I would have!

I am so pleased it is finally done, such an improvement. Just right on time, you will now be able to enjoy your new garden this summer. I agree with Karensusan - crack a bottle of sparkly.

Looking good W, have to say, when the bark mulch goes down the blackbirds just love to throw it everywhere, get the broom ready but I hope they are'nt going to disturb your borders.

Well, now that is a garden, you will enjoy it i'm sure :)

lol @ Karen and Mossy.....sorry to disappoint but I've cracked open some Lemon and Lime Bottled Water :) Due to medications I rarely take any alcohol...my last alcoholic drink was at Christmas when I had a rum and coke...not exactly champagne.

The team have been really fantastic and I stayed outside most of the day to guide them with my plans. I really am excited to have a nice space to enjoy for relaxation and of course the pottering/plotting/planting :)

Fabrice...I would enjoy having the creativity and the budget to put some of your beautiful walled garden in my space so I'll have to content myself by viewing all your lovely photos :) It is such a special space.

I have to remind myself that this is a whole new departure for me, having never done any gardening previously....it will be fun to continue developing our garden.

A very good friend (Daisyco here on GoY) has some plants waiting for me to pick up tomorrow afternoon and I also have some bedding plants to put into pots. It will be another exciting day when I will be let loose on my own with no gardening team here to ask for advice. Quite looking forward to the challenge.

Ohh you're so quick at the old blogging Jacquie! I can't keep up! The grass really did perk up didn't it? It's looking great, and I think the weather is to improve over the next few days, so you'll be able to get out and about in 'YOUR GARDEN'!! Whoohoo! I didn't realise it was such a quick job, somebody said it was like watching a Groundforce programme, and so it is! Thanks for letting us watch with you...it's been grand fun! Bampy's right about the blackbirds, they do go bonkers with the bark, but just get yourself one of those wee tiny light rakes and rake it back in again, it's a bit of a bother, but in a way it let's you see how things are going in the borders, and you can deal with any problems quickly! You're going to have soooo much fun, I'm thrilled for you!

Lovely! What a difference!

It does look lovely :-)

As long as you enjoyed your lemon and lime, that's all that matters, and that was sparkly, so what's the difference?!

Yup! Apron's handy. Keep your twine, labels, secateurs and cane toppers in the pocket lol! I have old cardi's with pockets and when I turn them out to wash them its amazing what I get in them. Its the bubbles of sheer joy mixed with water that can get you tipsy...I bet Alec is really chuffed too...
A fab. transformation, that will be looking far more mature come late summer. Great blog J!

Thanks all....again your comments are so appreciated. It's all looking lush and green (turf) this morning...I've checked more than once...lol

Now just need to fetch my first coffee of the day and go for a wander around my little kingdom :) Oh joy :-)))

So glad for you that the work has started its looking great, great to see the progress as you go along bet you cant wait for it all to be finished !nice new canvas for you to do all your planting look forwards to seeing more good luck :)

Thank you Whdebor...the rest is down to me now. The garden team are all finished now, except for when the summer house comes (but that's a couple of months away yet).

So I'll be doing some more planting and keeping a look out for additional plants for the borders....get some tubs planted up and dotted about and it will look swell. :)

Stripes on the lawn already? Did they cut it after laying it or just use a roller? Lovely, pristine new garden - wonder how long before you start widening the borders, lol!

Neither, Bamboo....the turf came rolled and was laid in strips. We did joke about it after it was finished as it did look like a stripey-mowed lawn (although a little wonky as stripes go..lol).

It's really greening up since having a good watering and to say I'm chuffed with the garden remake would be an understatement. :)

Be a joy to get up to in the morning;-))

Coming along well.....

It is looking wonderful W.lass, such a joy to behold, I bet you are tickled pink!!

Well they have done a great job and i can see youv started planting youll have such fun hunting round for plants to put in,iv done a bit more out my front got one of my beds planted.We are now waiting for our neibour to get us some more pallets to finish off bits can wait for my front garden to be finished.happy plant shopping !

Yes, the plant shopping won't be too frantic just now as we have just paid for the revamp. I will be keeping an eye out for any bargains and must-haves as time goes on...I am like a kitten with a new toy and can't stop looking out the landing window, admiring our garden. It makes such a difference after 20 yrs. of looking out on brambles, soil, weeds and broken down fences.

Good luck with sourcing more plants, Whdebor....and constructing more features for your front garden...your boyfriend does such a wonderful job of these projects. I will look out for updates :)

awww thanks w.i have got a new blog on here with pictures of one of my new beds in the front,take a peek see if you like,oh our neighbour dropped off 2 pallets tonight so we can now finish our 3rd box out the front by the fence,i went to a nursery yesterday so have some nice plants to put in there,so glad you like your new revamp must be so nice to have it finished finally ! :)

Thats looking fantastic, Whistonlass, so exciting when you make some progress, we shaped our lawn last year and it just makes a massive improvement, happy gardening! x

Whdebor...I'll be checking out your photos and your new 3rd box with all your plants. Lucky you :) happy planting!

I agree Daylily...I always said I'd have a shaped/curved lawn and patio and I've finally achieved it.

That was so quick, well done at long last a garden and what a difference it has made...enjoy!! I know you will love every minute you both spend in it.

Looking good Whistonlass! So glad you've finally got it :) :) The lawn is really snazzy... I love the bit around the laurel tree... it makes a very nice view from your upstairs window. Can't wait to see it all grow :)

Flippen heck Jac all these comments. The garden looks wonderful.....cant wait to visit. Last day today family go home tomorrow soooooo. No cooking or cleaning o and nooo washing for me next week, I'm on holiday somebody else will have to do it. I might look for a spot to put some bark mulch, mainly to attract the birds, I do have a family of blackbirds that are regular visitors so from the comments here I think they will appreciate it. Couldnt reach you on MSN yesterday I guess you were in the garden all day, bet you slept lastnight, haha.

Aww, thanks D....I know how much you need a rest and I will insist you take it too once the family have returned to their respective homes. You've had a very hectic week!

I was out in the garden all day yesterday...only coming in for a coffee or the loo. And every time I sat down to rest, sure enough I'd look about and think....well, next, I'll do this, and then this....and before you knew it I was on my feet again! lol Caught the sun too...have a lovely red "V" on my chest where the sun caught my v-neck t-shirt.

I thought I'd sleep like a log because I was so tired...but alas I was up in the night and getting to sleep in the first place was hard...couldn't turn my imagination, planning off! lol

Today is another day....I'm awake too early really but the sunshine is here again. Just have to make hay while the sun shines :) Still tired though so a nap in the garden might just be on the cards today.

Bark mulch is a good idea...it will be awhile before we are ready to order any and get it down (more shrubs to get....lol). Have a great weekend, D.

Im so excited for you W, your garden looks amazing, you hired a gem in your ladygardener, she knew exactly what you wanted and didn't try to add any extras! what a star :)
I also can't get to sleep some nights for the ideas running through my mind and i can't sit still for 5 mins in the garden, there's allways something to do :) I love it..
Again, I love your makeover, looking forward to seeing those plants in a few weeks, they will look amazing.. Dee..

Jacquie, if your local FOCUS is one of those closing down, take a look at their bags of Bark Chips, it's down by 20% in ours, but we're holding out to see if they reduce it further! Mercenary or what? : o ))

Hee hee, I had to laugh - the not sleeping thing is a classic for me. I've often got up again in the middle of the night to make a list of plants, or look one up to check its height, or to just add something to a drawing I'm doing because it's popped into my head. And as for just sitting in the garden, no, doesn't happen, can't do it - you sit down with your tea and a biscuit and then you notice there's a very tall weed poking out at the back and you just have to get it out because you missed it completely when you weeded the day before - and maybe that perennial actually needs proper staking, oh, and what's that crunkled leaf on the ... and you're off again.

Shirley...I am thinking just like you....wait til there are further reductions although our Focus didn't have more than a couple of bags of bark mulch and a split bag sitting in that section...and from the split bag it didn't appear the bark mulch was in very large pieces.

Bamboo....I've had a busy day today and haven't had a chance to sit in the garden....company and making dinner has worn me out now. Hubby is outside in the garden relaxing with his book and tending to the turf watering :)

I feel I could sleep for a l-o-n-g sleep tonight...we shall see!

Nice design:simple but not boring. I am sure that you will have much pleasure in seeing it develop. Well done.
Felinfan

Still feel ropey today....have to better pace myself! Naughty me!

Hubby has gone out with our daughter and some of the grandkids to a Roman weekend event in Chester today so I have been lazing...lol

We've had a little touch of rain today and it's decidedly cooler but everything in the garden is looking lush and my plants that bloom are romping away since going into the ground...especially my cosmos (about 6 blooms open on it today).

I'm using the day to try my best to catch up on GoY...a mammoth task...lol

Just wanted to say your patience has paid off your garden is looking really great and a lovely place for you to sit and relax now:)

ThanksNana d...had the weather been better today I would be out there relaxing. Still I have to pinch myself every time I look out on the garden...it is such a transformation :)

Looking fantastic Jaquie ! You must be relieved !;o)

Yes, I'm one happy bunny, Judy. I've got more plans to add things but the bare bones are there and it's a joy to behold for hubby and I after 20 yrs. of waiting and now having the time in retirement to potter and enjoy it all :)

I bet you are happy, I am happy for you, and I love what you have done with your garden. The layout is very nice and you'll be able to create such a lot with it. Already it looks good, cant wait to see how things are progressing with some more plants and as they establish. Well done!

Thank you Titchy. I never really deviated from my original sketches which I started planning about two years ago and feel very fortunate that the lady gardener we hired was keen to follow my directions/ideas and just tweek bits (like the cut-outs in the patio).

I'll look forward to seeing it all mature and also to getting some more plants to add structure and height....a bit at a time :)

i jujst love seeing new gardens take shape
i take my hat off to you and your team W.lass.
i bet you've sneaked out at night to have a quick look, just to make sure it's still all there.. i would!
very inspirational
i will raise my glass tonight to your garden and to some more of the wet stuf from up high to keep it blooming.
enjoy...

Well worth the wait Whistonlass. The garden looks really good. Our garden last looked like that about 22 years ago! When we had a makeover too after we moved to this house.

Thank you for your kind comments, Resi and Dorjac. I will just be patient for things to grow and thrive :)

And yes, Rsei, raise your glass to the wet stuff from above! lol We have had some and will be glad to get more. :)

Looking great! Your team of landscapers did a brilliant job, especially in such a short time.

Nice job! I bet you're delighted :^)

Yes, Alan....we are delighted. I am still on the lookout for evergreens/shrubs etc. and some taller plants for the borders and our daughter is bringing me some more rocks for my planned small rockery (she got me more free rocks from freecycle).

Thank you for your kind compliments, Annie and Alan. We were very pleased with the gardener and her team of 2 men....and even more pleased because they followed my plans very well so I feel it really is "my" garden now!

WOW hun its looking fab u lass .............. lol !!1 wot a diffrence , bet you carnt wait 4 it to fill out , woooooo ........ its so xciteing isent it , love it and that grass , like a bowling green ................. ;0))))

its looking soooo green and soooo pretty! well done you ~ all that planning has paid off!

Looks lovely! I am sure it will go from strength to strength and give you many years of pleasure. :-)

Hi there Whistonlass, pleasure to read all about your revamped garden, and a Lady landscaper too, not many of them to the pound :o) but they are generally very good...So thrilled for you, and your obvious excitement, long may it continue..The Garden will soon establish itself. It's so good to have before and after pics, it keeps the moments real...good luck x

Thank you Crissue, Red aly, Cristina and Sticki...you are all so kind with your encouragement and comments. The lady gardener was really so good right from the start when she spent almost two hours with me to talk about my ideas, look at my sketches, ask about what we wanted from our garden etc. And when it came to the actual creation of the garden she had two very capable workmen who came with her. She didn't do a lot of the manual labour but was here to guide and correct them when needed and to see everything went smoothly. I am very impressed with her and of course, the garden they have made for us :)

We have already had many hours of enjoyment in the garden, Red aly, and as you say, expect to enjoy it for a long time to come. It's a little haven for us that was long overdue in the making.

Cristina, your garden is fabulous with how well you have brought it all together in such a relatively short time (1 yr.) and it is very nice to hear your comments on my garden and I hope in another year I'll have a garden nicely filled out, just as yours has :)

So pleased for you Wl, let's hope for a decent summer..you'll never be indoors! I do enjoy seeing before and afters, and your 'after' is wonderful:-)

Yes, BA.....let's hope for a good summer and for me, the energy to enjoy this lovely garden, tweeking it and arranging new areas in the borders etc. It's all a learning curve for me but being on GoY and having such nice comments and encouragement, such as yours, really helps.

I agree, the 'after' garden is wonderful....and it's still being developed bit by bit :)

i like 'afters' too ~ thats what we used to call puddings in our house!!

As a Canadian, Sticki, I call it dessert but I notice that our grandchildren and even our daughter (who is Canadian by birth) refers to 'puddings'...... just crazy.... same language but different words for the same thing.....lol

Well done you. Just came across the pictures. Looking good and can only get better..... keep up the good ... and hard .... work.

Fabulous job, a little fertilizer, much water & love & next Spring we all would be in awe. Good on you.
Lovely apron, heh, heh Terratoonie, great word, loved it

Going great guns with responses to your delight in your new garden Wlass. Did you see Mr Titchmarsh altering the lady's pondside arrangements on ITV on Friday night? Don't let him anywhere near your garden or mine. It was worth watching to see the horrified expression on her face, as he dismantled the stones near her pond. Looked OK after the deed was done though. I think I prefere Carol Klein.

Now, Dorjac, I thought it was a great improvement - I'm also pretty sure it would have been staged, in other words, those rocks were deliberately placed initially so that Alan could get his hands dirty for the benefit of the viewers - that garden was so perfect (and beautiful) I doubt very much the lady of the house would have deliberately placed those rocks there herself, they were the only jarring note in an otherwise beautifully planned, built and planted garden. I have no doubt she agreed to it beforehand, on the basis that it'd look fine when our Alan had finished...

You old cynic lol...I didn't think the acting was that brilliant either:-)

Not so much a cynic but someone with experience of the media - the other thing I've done to earn a living is transcriptions - BBC or some media company make a programme, they want someone to type up everything that's been said so they can edit the programme, so I get to hear the interviewers giving instruction as to what kind of answer they want, often - full of instructions like 'can you say...' or 'what we want is ....'. Does rather detract from watching any programme, really.

lol....I have just watched GW and Love My Garden from Friday (taking a break from housework/gardening) and I thought the finished pond looked very nice after the tweeking by Alan T...I did wonder if it was pre-planned as you mention.

I liked Carole Klein's advice on taking cuttings & gathering seeds too...she seems so much in her element in the garden, doesn't she?

In GW I was envious of the beautiful soil in Monty's garden ...so rich, airy and loose. My borders have been compacted something terrible with being walked on (because we've been told not to walk on the newly laid turf). I'll be having to dig in some grit and and fertilizer to loosen it up a bit I think. I am not quite sure what would be best...any advice???

Do you have to walk over the lawn frequently then, Whistonlass? Because the occasional trip over it would be fine, won't cause any harm, its regular and heavy traffic that would be a problem.
Your borders will be fine once you dig them over properly to break up the compaction - you can add some fertilizer or compost if you want.

Thanks for the helpful advice, Bamboo. We have been walking on the grass today (minimally though, I must say).

Adding fertilizer? I have fish and bonemeal (the powder in a box mix)....is that the kind of fertilizer that would be ok to use? I planted up some more things today and used that mixed with grit and those little white bead things that aereate the soil...I'm terrible with names!...and gave them all a good drink as well. I'll do some digging over as well....I have just tinkered with the top of a bit of the borders and the herb garden with my hoe today and the ground didn't seem too hard to loosen :)

I only use fish blood and bone at the bottom of planting holes, to be honest - I find cats love it and come rooting around trying to eat it otherwise.

That is fair warning...as we have one cat of our own and she now seems to have some "friends" calling as well! lol

What alternate fertilizer would be best then, Bamboo? I wondered about the slow-release capsules that are available...although they usually say they are for tubs and hanging baskets?

If you're going to add anything, and you haven't done so already, I'd add some soil conditioning compost or garden compost if you've got it, then, for planting, stick the fish blood and bone in the bottom of the hole for each plant. Adding compost feeds the soil, which in turn eventually enables the plant to have enough nutrition - adding fish blood and bone gives an instant hit of nutrients which lasts for up to six weeks. Otherwise, for general broadcasting, Vitax Q4, but its not cheap.

Thanks for that, Bamboo. Now that you mention VitaxQ4, I recall it's been mentioned to me before (very likely by you). I should remember all these tips and/or write them down immediately. Ta very much.