Willow Sticks

Just after Christmas I bought some Willow sticks to fill in the gaps in the hedging. I thought this would be a good idea as we can also used the wood for kindling. They are all shooting lovely, but then I found out that they might interfere with our drainage system so I've had to take quite a few out and replant them into pots. We'll just have to see how these do. I moved them to the Log Store Corner. This could work out quite well as we can chop them back for kindling and it makes the Log Corner a lot more cosy. I removed the Trellis fence as it was a bit crooked and planted a couple of the existing climbing roses here. Nothing much to see here yet but I'll update when they've grown up a bit.

Before Photo

Willow Pots in Place behind little hedge

Bin Sticker

Just waiting for this to come - love it!

Camel Sticker from Ebay

Little Wildlife Border

This little border is just at the end of the Orchard and because the bins are going in front, I've decided to leave it for the Wildlife but tidy it up a bit first. I've planted a lovely holly tree that doesn't get too large (and it has black stems) so the birds can feast on the berries (hopefully it will have berries) a Bleeding Heart bush, some Foxgloves and Aquilegia and a tiny Magnolia and Camelia. There's plenty of Periwinkle, some Primroses, Wild Strawberries, Bulbs and a few Nettles in there too.

Messy Border Before Photo

Messy Border Before Photo

Messy Border After Photo

Messy Border After Photo

Messy Border After Photo

Plant Swap

I joined a few of the local groups on Facebook and as I am over-run with Crocosmia, Aquilegia, Primroses and Strawberries, I decided to put some bags on for grabs. Three lovely ladies contacted me and these plants will be going to good homes. I'm hoping to get a couple of lovely Buddleia's in return.

Presentation isn't wonderful but they are FREE

And some Aquilegia, Primroses and Strawberries

In the meantime I had a brainwave on how to use the rest of the Crocosmia and have decided to plant them all in the grass verge at the front of the house. Another border to dig, but hopefully this border will have Nil maintenance (except for cleaning next Spring) and Lee won't need to mow it - bonus! I think it will look really nice even if some of the grass comes up between the clumps.

Plant Shopping

I've got 3 Big borders left to do (plus the grass verge outside) and there are not enough plants to fill them up so I've done a little internet shopping from a mail order catalogue company called 'JParkers'. Prices are really reasonable and much cheaper than going to the garden centre for the amount I will need.

16 plants

and 13 Free!

The Roses and Quince are going to go on the left hand side of the garden to deter Luna from going too near the fence. The 3 Dwarf Rhododendrons and Free Lillies will go in the pond border. Might put one of the Sky Rockets in there too for some much needed height. That leaves the Black Pussy Willow, 2 Sky Rockets and Free Rhododendron for the border in the open area of the garden that will screen off our archery range.

I spent around £56 for 16 plants so I'm not expecting them to be large specimens or have instant impact. In time they will grow and fill out but I'm secretly hoping they won't be too small.

Really looking forward to receiving these and it's given me some much needed inspiration to carry on in the garden. Better get cleaning and digging those flower beds (no easy task) and I'm still doing the border by the Little Orchard!

Old House Photos from 2012

This is interesting. I found some photos of how the house looked in 2012. Looking forward to the Summer when everything is green and lush.

Decoupage Table

This is my first attempt at decoupage on furniture, so not quite sure how it's going to turn out.

The caravan has a dining table and little coffee table but the tops are pretty worn out. As a temporary measure I thought I would try and save them by giving them a bit of a makeover. I've got some old Pulp Fiction magazines and love the illustrations and advertisements that are in them so decided to use 3 of them for this project.

Selected Images and Text

Small Coffee Table

Pages Glued down

Waiting for Bubbles to dry out

I used Home Made Mod Podge from PVA and Water. 3 parts glue to 1 part water.

I noticed some bubbles during the drying process but once dried these went down except for the glossy pages. I've tried slitting them and glueing them back down but some of them are still there. May have to have another go or maybe get the iron out :) Worse case scenario try and sand them out but I will lose some of the text.

I used Antique Pine gloss to seal everything and give it a bit of colour. I'm not sure whether I like them or not, they are a bit 'orangey' but will have to do for the moment. Hopefully they will look okay with place mats on.

Close Up

Edges Trimmed Off

1st Coat of Varnish

3rd Coat of Varnish

4th Coat of Varnish

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