Gardens - all this talk lets see pictures

[Kazz]

With all this talk of gardens/plants/seeds/garden books etc it shows we have something else other than our cats in common; gardens so how about we take the plunge and post pictures of our gardens, lets see the gardens behind the people? :)

It does not matter if you have acres, or like me a postage stamp. If you are landscaped, or concreted and have pots and tubs.

Come on catpagers lets see the space you call gardens, all gardens front, back, side or window box. Every garden of every size and shape will be welcomed here I promise you.:D

Karen

[EmmaG]

you first ;)

I will take some photos at the weekend but there isn't much to see ;) actually I can do a before and after photo of the grass getting cut!! lol

[Kazz]

Okay you caught me I don't have any recent recent ones, but at work tomorrow so will take some over the next few days I promise.

What I thought was as the spring turns to summer we can see the progression?

[Mags]

Can I refer you back to last year's thread Kazz!!!:-D

[CJK]

well i recently psoted my "before" piccies, of how i went from a builgind yard to a rubbish dump.
Have done some more work on the tubs, but therye all seeds and bulbs so nithing to see eyt.
Will get out there tomorrow and take some of the front garden, ahs some ickle purple things and daffs

[Fran]

Well if I post piccies of my garden you will think I have kept my horse in it all winter :shock: :roll:

It's just a mud bath :(

[Donna]

I did a before and after of my garden a few months back - but not much to see at the moment.

Still looks better than it did when I moved in tho!!!

[Mags]

Not much to see in mine either....I'll wait a few weeks...

[Moli]

If it stops raining long enough I will get some before pictures!!

[CJK]

here is my front garden at mo (have some pots planted with seeds so will update once theyre grow- IF they grow)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e40/cjk231176/frontgarden1.jpg



and here is the spot in the back that is planted so far. PLanning to tidy garden sunday so will update soon!

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e40/cjk231176/tip.jpg

[dinahsmum]

I took my camera to the allotment this morning - even came back into the house to collect it, having forgotten originally. As I approached it started to spot with rain, just before the roundabout where I could have turned back it started to hail, as I got into the allotments it hammered down with hail and rain. So, I sat in the car for 10 minutes, hurtled to the polytunnel and watered my things in there, which didn't get the benefit of the rain, sat in the car for another 10 minutes then came home. The streets were running with water.
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/28/28_2_3v.gif
So - no pictures!
Next time maybe!

[EmmaG]

DM I would love to see pictures of your allotment, how often do you visit it??

[dinahsmum]

Being March/April and the busiest time of year, I've been trying to go every day for the last week or so. After this month, when the majority of things are in and hopefully growing, I'll go down to a couple of times a week. Once things start to get productive it's great to crop daily - but that only takes a short time.
The 'experts' reckon you should allow a minimum of 2 hours per week, averaged out over the year.
I've tried to get more and more permanent plants, so less emphasis tons of work in short blasts at certain times of the year.
Pics as soon as I can. The camera is still in the 'take to the allotment' bag.

[EmmaG]

I have considered getting an allotment (there are some in the next village to us, but they look very very run down) but I do like the convenience of having my veggie plots, I would turn the whole garden into one if the OH would let me!!! lol Had to buy some more cucumber seeds today as I think my last one has been killed by frost (that will teach me to plant them out too early!!! ) lol

[EmmaG]

DM If you don't mind me asking how much to you pay in rent for your allotment?

[dinahsmum]

DM If you don't mind me asking how much to you pay in rent for your allotment?
It's £24 a year Emma, and the 8' x 6' portion of the polytunnel is a fiver.
We are very lucky in having a brand new site (wasn't lucky starting the ground off), with good facilities. We have water, tarmac-ed roads & parking bays and a wonderful building, which houses lockers, a shop (Saturdays in summer only, but it's bulk buys etc much cheaper than the shops), the allotment office, toilets and a kitchen.
Again, pics when I can

[yola]

This is my front garden about this time last year. The flowering cherries are just about to burst into flower (if the darned pigeons haven't eaten all the buds). It's taken from the top floor window so perspective's a bit weird - oh, and having checked out the window just now, lots of stuff is MUCH bigger!!

Also, the area on the right, between the cherry and the lilac is now filled in with yucca and some lower shrubs to stop my slobs of neighbours using my garden as a shortcut :mad:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/yolamealing/P1010015.jpg

[EmmaG]

Very pretty Yola!!!! how about a photo of your back garden ?? ;)

[yola]

At the moment Emma it's a bit odd looking as the grass we laid last year has not really taken and there is a LOT of muddy patches (interspersed with Dominik's pale green kiddy-sand)!!

However - I attach a picture from earlier last summer which shows the old 'patio' in the centre of the garden. This is now right up at the bottom end of the garden - from where the picture is taken, and there are laurel shrubs (mature ones - I splashed out on 4 x 6 footers last year), where the poorly apple trees once were on the left.

We (for that read 'I' ;) ) hope to pave the garden during the summer - I'm pushing hard for this as it makes a north-facing and awkward space, usuable space for all!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/yolamealing/House/Cat_pictures_007.jpg

[EmmaG]

Now that looks really nice!!!! It will be interesting to see pictures this year Yola

[Mags]

Here's my garden this afternoon.......not much to show until the plants go in:roll:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/Mags40/garden0406005.jpg

[EmmaG]

Very nice Mags, you have got a very high fence there??

[EmmaG]

ok here is my garden

front mainly lawn, laurels, and a rather big buddlia -

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/garden-spring017.jpg

plant holders on front of bungalow

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/garden-spring018.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/garden-spring020.jpg

close up :)



http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/garden-spring022.jpg

[EmmaG]

Tulips just starting to emerge :)

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/garden-spring023.jpg

[EmmaG]

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/2a0aab15.jpgback

garden - mostly lawn with a few borders by the bungalow :)


http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/fed636ca.jpg

Border by back bedroom

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/775e3a0c.jpg

[EmmaG]

border by kitchen

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/26a54c47.jpg

border by garage

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/garden-spring014.jpg

weeping willow

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/garden-spring015.jpg

[EmmaG]

pots by back door :)

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/garden-spring016.jpg

[EmmaG]

I plan next year to totally change the garden, new fencing up either side, new borders and patio :)

[dinahsmum]

Great pics Emma. Youy have a nice lot of space there, so you will be able to do lots.

Here's the allotment

This is one half
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/Dinahsmum/DSC01319.jpg

This is the other half
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/Dinahsmum/DSC01320.jpg

This is my garlic and a couple of rows of strawberries I moved last autumn. (Just to show the place isn't entirely bare)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/Dinahsmum/DSC01321.jpg

and this is a really odd pic inside the polytunnel - looks as though the place is leaning!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/Dinahsmum/DSC01318.jpg

[EmmaG]

I like growing garlic, although I haven't planted any as yet :) great allotment you have there DM, now I want an allotment!!! lol

[yola]

Fantastic allotment DM - bags n bags of space there!

Emma - I love the 'squareness' of your garden, plus the 'bit at the end' looks very proper gardener-like with all the cold frames, barrow and the shed!!!

[dinahsmum]

And now - garden pics.
It needs to be tidied - all my garden-time is at the allotment at the mo. But a couple of hours should improve things.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/Dinahsmum/edca971d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/Dinahsmum/b01b5d92.jpg

Excuse the heavy shadow on this one
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/Dinahsmum/09b5bc65.jpg

Daffs - it's spring! I like the paler ones
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/Dinahsmum/DSC01325.jpg

and the blueberries are doing well
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v393/Dinahsmum/DSC01326.jpg

[Kazz]

Well excellent pictures, Emma you have such fantastic space, I agree a proper plantswomans garden :)

and DM your allotment looks ready to burst forth in the coming weeks. Your garden like mine is littered with Staffie toys. Dead or punctured footballs etc.

Mags yours is waiting to burst into bloom - do you grow anything up your fence I bet sweet peas would adore it:)

I do like your gardens ladies - envious here - almost.


Karen

[EmmaG]

Thanks Kazz and DM :) The borders normally fill out quite nicely over the summer and I will take some more photos later in the year. We have some big plans for the garden next year, although OH wants to get a quote from a landscape gardener for a new lawn, I hate to know how much that will cost, but our lawn is VERY uneven.

[Donna]

Lovely photos all!!! Very jealous of all your larger gardens. Mine is a postage stamp!!!

[Kazz]

Lovely photos all!!! Very jealous of all your larger gardens. Mine is a postage stamp!!!

Mines a postage stamp too Donna:)

[yola]

DM - can I just ask about the gravel in your garden? I quite like the stuff and would like to have some in between the pavers when we do the garden later this summer. Does it (a) spread everywhere and (b) get used as a cat toilet coz these are the 2 arguments hubby's putting forth against it.

I was thinking of using the slightly larger pebbles rather than the very fine gravel which could overcome the above a and b.

Donna - my garden is not much more than a postage stamp. That's really the only reason why I would consider moving; coz with 2 little ones it's really not going to big enough as soon as No.2 starts seriously moving around :(

[Donna]

DM - can I just ask about the gravel in your garden? I quite like the stuff and would like to have some in between the pavers when we do the garden later this summer. Does it (a) spread everywhere and (b) get used as a cat toilet coz these are the 2 arguments hubby's putting forth against it.

I was thinking of using the slightly larger pebbles rather than the very fine gravel which could overcome the above a and b.

Donna - my garden is not much more than a postage stamp. That's really the only reason why I would consider moving; coz with 2 little ones it's really not going to big enough as soon as No.2 starts seriously moving around :(

I would like to know about gravel too!!!

Was gonna ask you serious gardeners about it, but kept forgetting to post:roll:
I have a HORRID concrete path running from the French doors in my dining room down the length of the kitchen out into the garden - bit of a concrete corridor really.

Was going to get a few nice slabs and dot them about and fill round them with gravel, but was not too convinced I wouldnt be using the pooper scooper every two mins on it!:roll:

[dinahsmum]

DM - can I just ask about the gravel in your garden? I quite like the stuff and would like to have some in between the pavers when we do the garden later this summer. Does it (a) spread everywhere and (b) get used as a cat toilet coz these are the 2 arguments hubby's putting forth against it.

can guarantee that the gravel (shingle?) is not a cat's toilet. You need to get quite large - I'm trying to think of something for a size comparator ........say a grape :?
It moves when Dinah does handbrake turns but wouldn't shift normally. A yard brrom soon puts it back into place.

I love it. Beats a lawn - mowing/mud - hands down. I pull out my deck chair and relax with a glass of Sauvignon whilst listening to other people's mowers!:)

[Kazz]

I took my lawn up last year and replaced it with wider borders:roll: and gravel inset with slabs and I can also agree with the size grape sized is about right and mine is never used as a cats toilet :D honest. Also soooo easy to keep tidy a broom and its back in place I put weed proof membrane under mine and rarely do any weeds surface, those that do are easily removed I also plant into the gravel ;) scrape back the gravel, cut two lines shape of an X through the membrane dig a hole plant the plant then put back the membrane and pull back the gravel happiness. Softens it up a little more. :)
I spray it occasionaly too with the hose, just love the colour of the gravel wet and must say although I sometimes miss my grass I think I ACTUALLY miss the "idea" of grass rather than the grass.
I don't miss the work involved in cutting keeping weed free, also such a small area hard to keep looking reasonable and to be honest the gravel is so much more user friendly. So the gravel suits me just fine.

[dinahsmum]

Kazz is right about Brits liking the idea of the lawn rather than actualy having one. I thought I would miss it dreadfully - well the only thing I miss is the mowing and the mud. I'd encourage anyone who is contemplating it to go ahead and junk the grass - it's so liberating. On those odd beautiful summer days your only thought need be - where's my chair, my book and my drink - not where's the mower!
Also - if we're going to be droughted.............

[Fran]

We planned to either block pave or flag the whole of our garden as it really is like a mud bath with the dogs jumping all over it :roll: It's just the cost that has delayed us doing it as it is quite a big garden. So any ideas on how we could get rid of the grass, have something suitable for the dogs and not break the bank at the same time would be gratefully received :D

[EmmaG]

I don't blame anybody who wants to get rid of their grass, my garden is a bit muddy at the moment :( Reading through the Amateur Gardening magazine yesterday I noticed a company selling artificial lawns (bit like AstroTurf I suppose) did anybody consider this??

Well the grass was mowed yesterday by the OH so it all looks a bit neater :)

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/grass004.jpg

[EmmaG]

Fran how about considering this??

http://www.artificiallawn.co.uk/gallery.htm

[Fran]

Wow Emma...I haven't seen anything like that before. I will get hubby to have a look at that link when he comes in and see what he thinks. I think it would be good compromise...

[EmmaG]

Could work out very well Fran, although I am not sure how reasonable it would work out if you have got a large garden, but they do supply the lawns for cruffs which I thought was interesting. You could always pave and gravel part of the garden to bring the cost down, perhaps have part of the garden with artificial grass.

[Donna]

That carpet lawn looks good. I would put it down in the middle of the night so the neighbours never know its not real and will be amazed at my gardening skills at keeping it so green and neat he he he!!!

Definately gonna do the gravel pathways now I know it is cat friendly!!

If I do it this year I will do before and after photos!

[Kazz]

Think I will stick with my gravel and slabs.

Good luck with the path Donna it is easy hones - I can do it anyone can.

[Donna]

Think I will stick with my gravel and slabs.

Good luck with the path Donna it is easy hones - I can do it anyone can.

I will give it a go!!! Its just the heavyness of the job!! Did you get your slabs/shingle delivered? B&Q do bags, but they are really heavy:roll: or I am so feeble!!!

Did you cement your slabs or just place them on sand or firm ground?

[Donna]

I don't blame anybody who wants to get rid of their grass, my garden is a bit muddy at the moment :( Reading through the Amateur Gardening magazine yesterday I noticed a company selling artificial lawns (bit like AstroTurf I suppose) did anybody consider this??

Well the grass was mowed yesterday by the OH so it all looks a bit neater :)

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g176/Egarnham/grass004.jpg

Just noticed your trek to the washing line Emma!!! :shock:

If that was my area, I would of walked to another street if I walked that far :-D :-D :-D

[Kazz]

I will give it a go!!! Its just the heavyness of the job!! Did you get your slabs/shingle delivered? B&Q do bags, but they are really heavy:roll: or I am so feeble!!!

Did you cement your slabs or just place them on sand or firm ground?

Hiya Donna have you got access to the back garden from the front without going through the house? if so, get a tonne bag delivered I did and then shovled the grael into the wheelbarrow and pushed it round much easier and cheaper in the end.

I laid my slabs on a base slab fix you buy that in bags like a mortar type mix perfect for laying slabs on also used a spirit level to make sure they are level but made sure the ground was level first, using sand to even it out ;) and hardened it down and put the membrane (surpress the weeds) down then placed the stepping stones where I would walk and at a reasonable distance apart walk it a few times. Leave them down a day or two an check out they are in the right place first. I put them at different ways and used mixed sizes too ie 300x300 300x450 450x450 600x 600 etc etc looked better I found.:)

Once I was happy with the placing of the slabs and they were level I just put the gravel down and a tip I suggest if you want to confine the gravel to a path and don't want the gravel to spread all over get some thin tannalised timber (ie treated) lathe I think its called and then either paint or creosote it and put down the edges knock in and it holds the gravel in place and you really should last a good few years and easy to replace if needed.

Karen

[Kazz]

Donna if I was nearer I would come and give you a hand. Choose slab sizes you can easily handle yourself.;) Don't choose the 600x600 or 2ftx2ft. ones.

Karen

[Donna]

Hiya Donna have you got access to the back garden from the front without going through the house? if so, get a tonne bag delivered I did and then shovled the grael into the wheelbarrow and pushed it round much easier and cheaper in the end.

I laid my slabs on a base slab fix you buy that in bags like a mortar type mix perfect for laying slabs on also used a spirit level to make sure they are level but made sure the ground was level first, using sand to even it out ;) and hardened it down and put the membrane (surpress the weeds) down then placed the stepping stones where I would walk and at a reasonable distance apart walk it a few times. Leave them down a day or two an check out they are in the right place first. I put them at different ways and used mixed sizes too ie 300x300 300x450 450x450 600x 600 etc etc looked better I found.:)

Once I was happy with the placing of the slabs and they were level I just put the gravel down and a tip I suggest if you want to confine the gravel to a path and don't want the gravel to spread all over get some thin tannalised timber (ie treated) lathe I think its called and then either paint or creosote it and put down the edges knock in and it holds the gravel in place and you really should last a good few years and easy to replace if needed.

Karen

No access unless I go through the house front to back Kazz, unless I walk all the way down the road around the back and through the rear pedestrian access into the garden!!! :shock: Would take ages!!! I will have to buy the bags of shingle I think so they can be carried through the house.

The ground is already flat so can just lay the slabs onto the old concrete with some cement stuff and the house is one side and a fence the other so has its own edges to restrict the movement of the shingle. I will need to just restrict it at the end of the path so it doesnt travel all the way down the garden!!

[Kazz]

Donna I can't remember have we seen pictures of your garden?

I am geting old and forgetful ;)

[Donna]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/donnamcg/Allsorts/April7th2005005.jpg
THIS IS HOW IT WAS BEFORE ANY WORKS WERE DONE. (STARTED WITH THE REMOVAL OF THE DERELICT SHED AND HAD THE TREES REMOVED:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/donnamcg/Allsorts/JULY007.jpg

LOOKING FROM THE HOUSE I HAVE A CORRIDOR KINDA PATH LEADING TO A RECTANGLE GARDEN. THIS IS THE BORDER TO THE RIGHT AS YOU LOOK DOWN THE GARDEN

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/donnamcg/Allsorts/JULY007.jpg

TO THE LEFT IS A SMALL AREA, THEN A PATIO AREA

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/donnamcg/Allsorts/JULY003.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/donnamcg/Allsorts/JULY008.jpg

AND THE LEFT HAND SIDE IS MAINLY LAWN AND THE GARDEN SHED AT THE BOTTOM.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/donnamcg/Allsorts/JULY005.jpg


ANY ADVICE GREATLY RECEIVED!!!

[Donna]

This is a picture taken last week:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/donnamcg/Allsorts/April014.jpg

[EmmaG]

Just noticed your trek to the washing line Emma!!! :shock:

If that was my area, I would of walked to another street if I walked that far :-D :-D :-D

It use to be closer to our garage but we are going to (hopefully) be rebuilding the garage next year and moving it down the garden so we decided the washing line needed to go further down the garden as well, it is good exercise!! lol

[Kazz]

Donna I think your improvements are fantastic. I think I would be empted to put a trellis in front/side of the shed and grow some climers in my case honeysuckle (I adore honesysuckle) in front of it, and maybe put some "wire" eyelets in the fence and garden wire across and growsome climers up the fence.
I think I'd take that little "wall down by your patio area" and take the gravel over that area and your skabs right down the path putting a woodenor brick "edge" down the grass side. to stop it spilling over and a nice decent sized slab (the only one) in front of the gate to stop it going out that way.
Or maybeeven raplace the paving with the new slabs leaving a gap so you can not cement in but put gravel in like DM did.

Therefore unifying the whole area path and patio area. You have the added bonus of having a nice sized garden. Choose some nice coloured slabs/stepping stone.

Karen

[dinahsmum]

DM - Your garden like mine is littered with Staffie toys. Dead or punctured footballs etc.Karen

Forgot to comment on this - so I will now............................................... .................................................: lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Sweet]

Great photos of all your gardens x

[Donna]

Donna I think your improvements are fantastic. I think I would be empted to put a trellis in front/side of the shed and grow some climers in my case honeysuckle (I adore honesysuckle) in front of it, and maybe put some "wire" eyelets in the fence and garden wire across and growsome climers up the fence.
I think I'd take that little "wall down by your patio area" and take the gravel over that area and your skabs right down the path putting a woodenor brick "edge" down the grass side. to stop it spilling over and a nice decent sized slab (the only one) in front of the gate to stop it going out that way.
Or maybeeven raplace the paving with the new slabs leaving a gap so you can not cement in but put gravel in like DM did.

Therefore unifying the whole area path and patio area. You have the added bonus of having a nice sized garden. Choose some nice coloured slabs/stepping stone.

Karen

Thanks Kazz, the improvements so far have taken a year of hard work - not me alone, but my Dad came down every Sunday last year to help!!! It is his garden as much as mine, but he is about 70 now and I forget he is that old as he is still trying to do all the heavy stuff!! I tell him to leave it if it is too bad :lol:

I am pleased with the border as I have literally started from scratch. Although a little bare as the plants are so young. They should fill out a bit more and hopefully grow a bit taller to hide the fence.

The pathways are the problem - the bit before the patio where there are table and chairs is a different level to the patio so cannot blend them together. The rest of the paths can be shingled and slabbed all the way to the gate.

I want to get a trellis up the shed but that might encourage beasties :oops: :oops: and I dont want them getting in my shed. TERRIFIED OF SPIDERS :shock:

There is a pathway in front of the shed so cannot plant directly into ground but could do pots??

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/donnamcg/Allsorts/April09a003.jpg
CONCRETE PATHWAY

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/donnamcg/Allsorts/April09a002.jpg
PATIO AND AREA WITH TABLE AND CHAIRS

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/donnamcg/Allsorts/April09a005.jpg
LEFT HAND SIDE NEIGHBOURS FENCE THAT THEY WONT REPAIR.:cry: :cry:

What do you think now???

[EmmaG]

Donna if it was me I would get a sledge hammer to the patio area and break it down, then put a small retaining wall up where your grass is, therefore you could extend your patio area.

Also with the fence issue how about you replace the fence but this time use concrete posts (cost a bit more and are a bit more work) but they won't go anywhere and if the panels get damaged all you have to do is replace them (and send the invoice to next door neighbour they can pass it on to the landlord)

I would also grow some climbers up the fence :)

[Kazz]

Well if it were me I would replace the fence panels myself :? regardless of who is supposed to do it.

Also I see the raised levels now, do you get any puddles on your paving now? if not it is draining away so the gravel won't cause you any problems. Get some weed killer and kill of the grass growing through the concrete. Then put some paving slabs/stepping stones bed them in on slab fix (do it bit at a time) when its finished get some gravel and put it it down leave the raised bit where the swinging seat is as it is its level it usable leave it alone.
If you hate creepy crawlies/spiders then don't put climbers up ;) also I think where you sit the patio set put the slabs there closer together makes a more even siting area than just gravel.
Down the side passage put the slabs slightly off set from each other one slighlty more to the left then the next to the right rather than a straight line.
Maybe two together of the smaller size.

Karen

[Donna]

Well if they dont do the fence soon I will have it done for the summer thats for sure as they are a nasty family.

The house is being painted shortly so that will improve looks a lot plus if I do the pathways it will be even better!!! Watch this space!!!

[Fran]

Could work out very well Fran, although I am not sure how reasonable it would work out if you have got a large garden, but they do supply the lawns for cruffs which I thought was interesting. You could always pave and gravel part of the garden to bring the cost down, perhaps have part of the garden with artificial grass.

Hubby likes the idea :D But is concerned how easy it will be to clear dog poop off it :roll: and we would need in excess of 100m2:shock: so £1000 minimum. Haven't ruled it out though ;)

[Kazz]

Fran I wouldn't fancy trying to get dog poo off it either - that seems expensive too, how much would it be to slab it?


Karen

[Kazz]

Donna Just for you I have taken pictures of my front garden showing you what I have tried so badly to describe.:roll:

These were taken from the two bedroom windows - so you can see both sides. If you look at the house this is the left hand side from the gate down to the porch.This also shows the cat flap and the cats sun bathing slab just outside the catflap, a place to watch the world go by,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/kazz76/Captured2006-4-900014.jpg

And the right hand side the opposite side of the porch.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/kazz76/Captured2006-4-900015.jpg

And one of Cleo coming down the path from the house to the gate. She has to get in on the act - nosey old cat.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/kazz76/CleofrontgardenSunday9.jpg


Hope this gives you a better idea of what I meant. :) Sorry about the state of the garden I have not been in the front at all this year:(

Karen

[Fran]

Fran I wouldn't fancy trying to get dog poo off it either - that seems expensive too, how much would it be to slab it?


Karen

Well hubby can do it himself but he is so short of time that is why it didn't get done last year. He got a builder friend in to give us a quote but he hasn't got back to us yet with the price..

By the way your garden is lovely Kazz!!

[EmmaG]

Hubby likes the idea :D But is concerned how easy it will be to clear dog poop off it :roll: and we would need in excess of 100m2:shock: so £1000 minimum. Haven't ruled it out though ;)

Wow that is quite a bit :) I wonder how easy it is to clean??? :-D

[EmmaG]

Kazz your garden is very nice, an inspiration to us all :)

[Kazz]

Lord help me I hope not Emma I have had more lawns and plants moved than most people have hot dinners - my nieces now don't blink an eyelid if the whole garden has moved slightly to the left :roll: it will always be a work in progress.;)

[EmmaG]

lol Well I like your mixture of borders, paving, gravel and lawn, best of all worlds and it looks great :)

[Kazz]

Ta Emma I plan on relly having a good go in the front this year it was left to its own devices last year :roll: while I concentrated on the back whereas the year before I worked hard on the basics paths, having the porch and wall built etc. So the groundwork is in and I just wanted to check my borders were in the right place and what grows now I know and action will be taken,;)

[smudgley]

This is our garden

Front

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/smudgley2/rescuecats475.jpg

side

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/smudgley2/rescuecats474.jpg

back

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/smudgley2/rescuecats470.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/smudgley2/ad9f5477.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/smudgley2/rescuecats467.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/smudgley2/rescuecats468.jpg

the pond

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/smudgley2/rescuecats466.jpg

[Kazz]

Thats an excellent sized garden Smudgley. I can see why you brought the house - I would have snapped it up too with a garden like that forget the house :roll:

I love your chicken coral have you always had chickens or just since you moved there?

Karen

[Mags]

What a super sized garden Smudgley!!!

[smudgley]

Only had the chickens since we moved here.:cool:

It was really overgrown when we moved here, so spent last year just getting it looking reasonably tidy. Will try & get it looking nice this year.

[Donna]

Love your garden Kazz - those slabs and stones is exactly what I had in my head!! Just need to transfer it to the garden. Will be hard work without a muscle man to help but will give it a go!!

And another lovely big garden Smudgley. I am envious, until it comes to the upkeep!!

[smudgley]

Ours is not that hard to keep, here's the mower :lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/smudgley2/various108.jpg

HUbby loves his little ride on mower & the kids love having a go too :roll:

[Kazz]

Love your garden Kazz - those slabs and stones is exactly what I had in my head!! Just need to transfer it to the garden. Will be hard work without a muscle man to help but will give it a go!!

And another lovely big garden Smudgley. I am envious, until it comes to the upkeep!!

Pleased to be able to help Donna. As you can see went for a mixture of sixes in the clabs but nothing I couldn't pick up myself.;) hence I did not get the biggest sized. But used a mixture of sizes to make it look bigger. Less formal:-D
Karen

[Donna]

Pleased to be able to help Donna. As you can see went for a mixture of sixes in the clabs but nothing I couldn't pick up myself.;) hence I did not get the biggest sized. But used a mixture of sizes to make it look bigger. Less formal:-D
Karen

So did you do all that yourself - without a man????:shock:

[Kazz]

So did you do all that yourself - without a man????:shock:

Yep took my time fetched the slabs in the car over the course of a couple of weeks, making sure I chose ones I liked the look of :roll: then had a tonne bag of gravel, and slab fix delivered I think from memory the gravel was called cotswold gold:? don't hold me to that though I looked at so many. Then I wheelbarrowed it round. to the front. (In my case the back is the road side):roll: Luckily I have side access from back to front.:)

Ben my OH is Useless at DIY you have never seen anything like it honestly. He complains if he has to pick up a brick a slab no chance. (we have split up now amicably and he has had problems with his toilet flushing and has been quoted £160 by a plumer to replace the syphon) so I am going round tomorrow to replace it for him luckily its not a close coupled cistern but low level therfore the cistern does not have to be removed from the wall/pan. Shouldn't take long. Men eh?

Karen

[Donna]

Yep took my time fetched the slabs in the car over the course of a couple of weeks, making sure I chose ones I liked the look of :roll: then had a tonne bag of gravel, and slab fix delivered I think from memory the gravel was called cotswold gold:? don't hold me to that though I looked at so many. Then I wheelbarrowed it round. to the front. (In my case the back is the road side):roll: Luckily I have side access from back to front.:)

Ben my OH is Useless at DIY you have never seen anything like it honestly. He complains if he has to pick up a brick a slab no chance. (we have split up now amicably and he has had problems with his toilet flushing and has been quoted £160 by a plumer to replace the syphon) so I am going round tomorrow to replace it for him luckily its not a close coupled cistern but low level therfore the cistern does not have to be removed from the wall/pan. Shouldn't take long. Men eh?

Karen

Wow Kazz, thats amazing!!! Well if you can do it then so can I!!!! :lol: :lol:

[Kazz]

Wow Kazz, thats amazing!!! Well if you can do it then so can I!!!! :lol: :lol:

Of course you can you have al the time in the world what does it matter if all you do is one or two slabs a week. Nothing at all but once you get started you find you want to keep going.;)

[dinahsmum]

Working patiently and not getting over-tired is a key.
It took 2 grown men, with the tools and experience, 4 and a half days to do my back garden (but that was quite a lot - fence, slabs, deck, log store.)
What I'm saying is agreeing with Kazz.......take your time. The evenings are light, and getting lighter. Prepare and lay 2 or 3 slabs a night - sorted!

[Donna]

Also money being a key factor too!!! If I have some spare cash I will get a slab or two and do those, then when I have some more moeny... a bit more etc etc!

[Naomi]

Nothing much in my plant pot at the moment but when the kids come home next Sunday we're gonna plant some seeds, Preuvian lilies and ermmm can't remember the other ones

[Kazz]

Also money being a key factor too!!! If I have some spare cash I will get a slab or two and do those, then when I have some more moeny... a bit more etc etc!

Thats the way, I did it.:-D slwoly and easily no stress. I am replanting the front garden same way slow and easy.

[Mags]

One of the azaleas, now in full bloom........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/Mags40/azalea5.jpg

[Kazz]

Do you know I like Azalea's but I don't have any I have no idea why thats a lovely one Mags:)

[dinahsmum]

That's a lovely colour azalea.
We've got a couple of white ones. One looks a bit poorly - hope it was just the cold weather. They're both a good way from flowering.
They're in the ericaceous planter, as they wouldn't like our chalky soil.

[Fran]

That's really lovely Mags!

[Kazz]

This is my garden now as of today (it was raining) this was to show Mags and Moli the acer in bloom http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/kazz76/Fromtheside.jpg

[Mags]

Your acer is stunning Kazz....if mine turns out half as good as yours I'll be well pleased!:D
Your garden always seems to look so neat and tidy.......I think you stand a good chance in the competition this year!:cool: