Many of my design clients contact me when a garden project feels overwhelming. Where to start and how to tackle a large project is quite an undertaking. One of my immediate concerns was the lack of privacy both at the rear and from the road at the front. The elevated position makes it great for a chat with passing neighbours, but not for a quiet sit in the garden.
Restoration of 18th century Cottage & Garden. Cottage or Garden – which came first?
Viewing Jasmine cottage, circa 1705, the blank canvas of the third of an acre garden with its plethora of outbuildings, including a grade 2 listed barn, ticked the box without setting a foot inside the cottage – dare I admit.
Lovely walk round my garden!
I’m seeing the valiant efforts of my clients diligently watering their new plants in all thus ridiculous hot weather only for me to bemoan ‘they’ve got sun scorch!’
When you water it needs to be when your border is out of the sun. Then direct the water at the base of the plant – not on the leaves.
The results of pruning wisteria and clematis abound in May.
Regular pruning of clematis encourages strong growth and flowering and keeps the growth in check. If left unpruned, clematis can turn into a mass of tangled stems with bare base and flowers well above eye level.
Hi, I’m Molly! I just had to stay and live with Mum Millie & Aunty Midge.
I’ve been learning how to help in the garden. Such fun this gardening malarkey!!
Words of wisdom. I have been growing veg and flowers for a while now but always love to talk to fellow plot holders and gather any advice or ‘old wives’ tales’ where I can. Now dear reader, I must tell you the sorry tale of Millie’s plot – It is covered in mare’s tail. Now as any established plot holder will tell you, mare’s tail is the kiss of death to anything that you may want to grow.
Where do I start? The best way I have found to take on the massive task at hand is to break it down into little sections. To avoid being overwhelmed, tackle a bit that will give you instant gratification. Always, always take photos when you get to your plot and take them at various times and then again at the end. It is easy to feel like you are getting nowhere when it all needs to be tackled at the same time and these photos, along with your flask and some shortbread will keep you going when you feel like it will never end.
Oh joy, oh joy to be found when one rescues fruit trees from brambles and grasses. Nothing makes your heart sing more than the sight of those amazing-looking pears which had survived all the attempted strangling of brambles to produce the most wonderful golden fruit that of course you have to sample immediately. Anyone who knows anything must admit that fruit always tastes so much better straight from the tree and an allotment tree makes it so much sweeter.
Now, when one gets the opportunity to become the allotment gardener for Millies garden Design, you visualise beautifully tended rows of vegetables, gorgeous blooms, glorious fruit trees and manicured paths with rose arches and maybe a quaint wildlife area? Well, think again …
