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the (not so) blank canvas

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Ok, so this is my garden. It is East facing, which means shadows moving around the whole garden in the afternoon. But it’s long enough so that the whole area gets a decent amount of sunshine (assuming we actually have a sunny day here in Ireland). I have to say we’re renting the house so (sadly) no major garden landscaping is allowed but the landlords are avid gardeners themselves and are very happy to see us looking after and enjoying the bit of greenery at the back of the house. As front is fully tarmacked to allow for 2 cars to be park there, the bit at the back is even more appreciated :)

As you can see it’s a pretty typical city garden (if a bit bigger than the average) with narrow borders running around the fence and a huge lawn (or rather a moss pitch with some grass patches here and there). When we moved in 2 years ago the whole garden was completely overgrown with weeds. so the first thing we did was to clear out and expose the borders. There were few shrubs (black currants, yay!) and miniature tree (no idea what kind) already growing there and so we slowly started adding flowers and herbs. This year we’ve added two new flower borders and a veggie patch. I’d love to turn the ugly concrete slab into a sitting/dinning area but it’ s going to be a work in progress for a bit longer I think. At present I’m sorting the tons of pebbles and rocks that we dug out from the flower beds. No idea what to do with those yet but I’m sure I’ll find a place for them eventually.

Ok, enough for the first real post. Here’s some photos I took this afternoon. It’s been very slowly waking up but I’m happy to see the daffodils finally blooming :) and you can always count on the primroses.

view of the garden from the back bedroom

veggie bed(not much there yet but some garlic, but some seedlings are waiting to be planted there soon)

the new flower beds with hydrangea (white and pink), miniature roses, forget-me-nots, two types of Astilbe (red and white), climbing rose and a lot of gladioli, tulips, Alliums and snap dragons. there is also a columbine and euphorbia at the back. Soon I’ll be putting some sweet peas there to climb over the arch.

on the other side I’ve planted more gladioli, irises, freesias…

I love wild strawberries and raspberries

and there’s nothing better than fresh herbs!

the sunny flower corner with the unknown miniature tree, and lilac which should start looking beautiful soon

clematis-multi blue with the first shy shoots

and the second clematis-president growing waay high on top of the wall.

this is getting picture heavy so just a quick few showing the shaded section of the garden, most challenging I think…

so that’s it. Sorry for the millions of not very exciting photos and the lack of details on plant names. Let’s leave that for the next posts shall we?

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Comments

 

The garden is looking lovely. Be good to see how it develops over the summer.

My aunt (who also rents) was able to talk her landlord into putting a deck over the concrete patio they had. The agreement was for the landlord to buy the materials and my aunt (well my dad really lol) to install it. Might be worth asking once you know what you want to do.

7 Apr, 2014

 

A good size garden. Your choice of plants sounds wonderful. I agree if you don't ask, you don't get. Might be worth asking. The worse they can say is no.

7 Apr, 2014

 

Morning, we rent also, this patch of mine was just grass when we moved here 35 years ago, so I am sure you will eventually get it just as you would like it. It is surprising what you can achieve without hard landscaping. It looks a decent size plot you have I am looking forward to seeing lots more plants etc. as time goes by.

ps I like the idea of the potting table (if that is what you use it for) great idea. :O)

8 Apr, 2014

 

I am always so impressed when people who rent make the most of their outdoor space. I suppose a lot depends on how long your lease will be, but if I was your landlord, I'd be chuffed to bits. I have a flat in Town with a sunny front garden, and if my tenant looked after it I'd be thrilled. Maybe the next one will...I hope so. The last one used it as a doggy loo. :(

8 Apr, 2014

 

You do have a fair sized garden and its looking good and taking on the look of a space well cared for, it will not seem as big when all your plants and shrubs fill out, mind you if you follow Goy for long you'll be like a lot of us and run out of space for all the " must have plants that one simply cannot resist" thats when the lawn gets smaller, lol.........

8 Apr, 2014

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