I'm quite restricted about what I can grow in my garden because the soil quality is so poor. I have heavy clay soil and very little of it, when I dig down I'm lucky if I find a spades depth of top soil before I hit hard clay, bricks and rocks underneath. I have also got trees on the rear outside boundary of my property and the roots have spread a good distance into my garden so they make digging any sort of substantial flower bed impossible.
I had great plans for this corner, I intended to dig a corner bed, I had it measured out and had even bought the edging for it. When I tried to dig however I was met with hard thick roots far too difficult for me to deal with and so I had to compromise. I have found that unless you have unlimited cash or a strong man at your disposal compromise is key.
All of these plants are in containers, the conifer at the back is in a planter and I'm hoping that the roots will be able to penetrate down through the mangle of tree roots underneath. The fatsia is planted in a trug, after reading Linda's post about open bottomed pots it gave me the idea of cutting out the base of the trug which was cracked anyway and planting the fatsia in that and hopefully the roots will find a way. One advantage of having pots is that they can be changed around to give each plant a spot in the limelight.
- I lost a hearing aid! it's so easy to loose them when wearing a mask, every time you take your mask off the hearing aid comes out too so you have to be so careful, obviously I wasn't careful enough this time, but luckily I didn't have long to wait for a replacement and it was free but next time I'll have to pay £75 I hope that there won't be a next time!
- I still haven't got my refund for the treadmill! it wasn't on my credit card statement again this month, I have been in touch with them and they have asked for statement evidence which I have given them. I await a reply.
- I have been to Manchester with my daughter to visit my nephew and his family, it was lovely to see them and we stayed in a nice hotel overnight it had an amazing view if the city, it looks quite drab in the photo as it was a dull cloudy day. It's amazing how going away even for a short break does you the world of good especially if you can connect with loved ones.
- For yesterdays walk, Baz and I took the train to Seaton Carew which is about a 25 minute ride away and walked along the promenade back to Hartlepool, we stopped half way for coffee in a lovely café right on the sea front and then continued on to Hartlepool where we had lunch of fish n chips, not exactly healthy when the whole purpose of the walk was supposed to help us keep fit! we had a walk around Hartlepool Marina and then took the train back home clocking 18,450 steps not bad at all I think.
You have a lovely garden, we're so lucky to have outdoor space to enjoy when the weather is as nice as it is at the moment. I did take a second look at your tortoises, they look quite real at first glance. I have a family of pigs on my lawn. I enjoy seeing your walks, it's always nice to be beside the sea.
ReplyDeleteLovely garden and beautiful pictures !
ReplyDeleteNothing like being outside...when it's not raining ;) or too hot ! (we have 36ºc today)
Have a shinny weekend !
Hug
Anna
Your garden is looking lovely, Linda and the cordyline is amazing! I'm afraid I can't quite bring myself to let my lawn grow! Once it starts to look long, out comes the mower - and I have to say, cutting the grass is my least favourite gardening job! lol. Enjoy the weekend - if you can bear the heat! xxx
ReplyDeleteYour garden is looking lovely. I love how you put pots of bloomers in various places, that is one way to overcome the clay soil. What a gorgeous walk along the waterfront. The garden ornaments are cute, I've got a couple of bunnies to paint too but can't decided on a colour. I think I might go whimsical instead of the brownish colour.
ReplyDeleteI love your yard and the plants and flowers are growing great. I thought the turtles were real Linda! I love the view of the beach and I hope you have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks lovely and I never would have guessed all those plants are in pots. I've started putting some of mine in pots now because, as you say, they can be moved around so easily.
ReplyDeleteI thought your tortoises were real for a moment. I must go and put my lenses in :)
Your garden is so beautiful Linda and I love, love , love the photos of the beach. Sounds like you have been having some great adventures. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is just beautiful. I am inspired by all your container plants. I'm doing zero gardening here this year, but I'm storing up idea for the future. ;^) I thought those tortoises were real at first. Amazing paint job. can't wait to see the bunnies transformed. And what lovely pictures of the sea. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy seeing your photographs and once again you've shared some lovely ones. Your garden is looking very nice and I do like the three stone tortoises.
ReplyDeleteMy good wishes.
All the best Jan
Your garden looks wonderful! It just goes to show what you can grow from a pot. Your garden actually inspires me to think out of the box a bit more where my mini balcony garden is concerned. The soil in this area is very poor too and of heavy clay consistency. When they were building the apartment complex (we bought it before it was built) we used to come around to see how our future home was progressing. I remember seeing huge lorries filled with soil to spread across the clay like soil where all the gardens were going to be;layers and layers of it. If they hadn't have done that I think it would have just been all concrete. I must say your tortoises do look very lifelike. My first thought was that you had three real tortoises to keep you company! Lovely walk along the seafront! Surely you burnt enough calories from your walk to merit the fish and chips lunch! Take care Amanda x
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