Due to Maggie having a fall and causing whip lash to her neck the new garden has to be put on hold for a few weeks.
February 2006
Maggie draws up plans for her new garden.
The garden has to be cleared of builder rubble and weed.
A few of Maggies plants are placed in temporary shelter.
Picture taken March 30th 2006
Maggie is hoping to commence work Mid April when advised her neck injury has improved..
April 2006
Let work commence!
Heavy clay soil compacted by the builders machinery and plant
First we dig out the boarders loosen the soil and weed. We then fit trellis ready for climbers
Plenty of heavy digging as its important to clear the weeds and prepare the soil
Heavy lumps of sub soil - clay - plus builders planks wood concrete blocks and bricks are removed!
A few plants we have brought with us scattered around the garden.
Chris has completed the trellis work and has started the pergola
Heavy sleepers are waiting to be fitted for our raised garden effect at the far end.
A good tip!
Maggie has located a mushroom farm near by! She is purchasing 'Spent Mushroom Compost' @ 20 bags for £5.00 Its a fraction of the cost of other soil preparations and conditions the soil You have to dig it up and take it away but she's more than happy to do that!
Low voltage Lighting is fitted
This is before planting
Fitted in the top of the pergola and around the garden
The lights are hidden behind the trellis at different heights.
Time is flying by its May the 1st
and its raining heavy
Time for a break!
Next will be the installation of the patio! Maggie is already digging this out! ...
with a little help from Chris!
Patio depth down to subsoil approx. 9inches
3 large skips of sub soil and clay to be taken away
Chris digs out the foundations for the brick pavers.
5.5 tons of Ballast materials laid ready for the compactor
The sharp sand arrives along with the cement in readiness for the laying of the paving slabs
Note! It is important to get down passed vegetation and onto the sub soil this can vary from 6 to 12 inches deep. Then use type 1 - MOD or any ballast material to fill to with in 4 inches of you finished work.This needs to be compacted.
Tip! Compactors are available for hire.
Note! Mix the sharp sand with the cement to a 1 to 4 mix This has to be mixed almost to a dry state.
Tip! Hire a mixer. and prepare the mix.
Add water carefully and as soon as you see the sand and cement turning to little marbles inside the mixer drum the mix of water is correct.
May 6th 2006 Patio slabs arrive today but unfortunately so does the Rain!
May 9th The patio slabs have been laid
Chris finishes the pointing of the slabs
The next job is to do the foundation work for the boarder slabs
Maggie is in control of all the mixing
Over two tons of sand and cement screed was mixed by Maggie today!
Planting areas were requested by Maggie for individual boarder plants. This will becomes clear as the garden progresses.
Final foundation works completed today ready for brick pavers to boarder the flower beds.
The boarder brick pavers are cemented onto the concrete foundations and some of the boarders are prepared. Maggie places shrubs in readiness to plant.
May 11th
May 15th and the patio area is completed ready for furniture and plants
The boarders are being prepared and some plants are finally being planted.
Potted plants waiting to be placed
The chipping paths are being prepared.
The paths are leveled and cleaned free of weed before the heavy membrane is laid ready for slate chippings.
May 20th 2006 Heavy rain and strong winds have delayed the final works and the garden looks very wet with parts flooded by the heavy downfalls! The weather forcast is no let up for at least another week!
May 21st. Strong winds and heavy rain continues to hamper progress!
Maggie has selected many various shrubs and plants which are growing nicely in pots and waiting for planting.
As the CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW is currently showing in London and coverage is on the TV and the Internet. www.BBC.co.uk/Chelsea
The Exhibition have requested pictures of flowers from the viewing public.
We decided to send just two from the garden as at the moment we have more mud than flowers!
<<< Clematis.Josephine
Regal Pelargonium. Aristo Beauty with background Viburnum Plicatum Marissii.
24th May. The paths are cleared of weed and the ballast laid ready for the weed control liner.
This will be rolled out and cut to size (weather permitting) this weekend.
All ready for the 4 tons of plum slate chippings arriving soon!
2 tons of top soil has been brought in to place in the boarders and the lawn area.
27th May. 4 tons of plum slate chippings have arrived but so has the rain! This May has been one of the wettest and the first month to have above average rainfall for 2 years! Plants are stacked ready for planting but its to wet to be on the garden!
The armored power cable has been laid beneath the path across to the water fall feature
The soil is prepared for grass.
June 1st and its still raining! Its been the worst May for rainfall for 19 years with twice the expected average rain! The garden is on hold! and waiting for our summer sunshine to arrive!
The sunshine returns and preparation for the turf begins
Boarder shrubs are being planted.
Soil is prepared and the turf has been collected
The garden is begining to look good!
As the sun starts to set, the turf is watered in and the lawn has been completed!
June 4th 2006
The membrane has been rolled out over the ground to prevent weeds from coming up through the plum slate chipping's
Maggie starts to dress the garden and clear the remaining works materials.
Maggie will make up for lost time as she is busy potting plants for the season ahead!
Chris will clean the brick paviors and patio.Check the water fall is working and the hidden lighting is functioning for the summer evenings
