Garden plans

This is the latest garden plan.  It has changed many times and will probably change many more in the months and years to come.  The latest additions are the hedges and pleached limes, inspired by Monty Don's talk in December, and a meadow and crossed path inspired by Sarah Raven from her current programme, Bees, Butterflies and Blooms.

Greenhouse envy

I am coveting a Green-bug greenhouse.  It would be perfect at Sunnyside, and a huge improvement on the ramshackle ones we inherited, which incidentally need to be dismantled this year if we are to make a start on the other half of our garden...  Now could be the time?

Clearing nettles and brambles

This weekend Mab has been clearing our massive pile of logs which he brought here three years ago.  At the time I said "it will take us three years to get through that lot", to which Mab replied, "no it won't, you'd be surprised how quickly we'll get through it".  I'm saying nothing more, but I'm very glad to be reaquainted with the large patch of ground in the centre of the garden that has been hidden from view for the last three years.  I have spent the weekend clearing brambles, nettles and bindweed from here and the woodland garden with my azada.  This is the sort of thing you just can't do with a spade.  I love this tool and would be totally lost in the garden without it.

Seasons Greetings from Sunnyside

The fruits of our harvest

We've been blessed with a bountiful harvest this year.  All this and endless runner beans, peas, spinach, kale, chard, courgettes and a little brocolli, plus parsnips, leeks, cabbage and purple sprouting still to come.  These carrots were photographed in July, they are now around twice the size.  The water supply to the allotment has paid dividends!

Pruning roses

Pruning roses is a first for me.  I think I need to be a bit more ruthless as there are still some crossing branches, but it's a bit like having a drastic hair cut - a bit difficult to pluck up the courage to have it all chopped in one go. 

More of the garden in summer

The borders have been neatly edged ready for planting the mountain of bulbs I have ordered.  It's early days for these plants, but this is a huge departure from this, taken two years ago.