The garden renovation is nearly complete. Thanks heaven for small mercies.
The brick retaining wall is finished, the sandstone slabs are set into warm grey grout, new drains were buried below the patio so that we’ll no long have little puddly lakes when it rains, all the pointing is finished on the steps … and now for the fun bits … selecting new plants and fussing over where to put them.
The area to the right of the footpath leading to the brick wall is designated as the Alpine Garden. Lots of succulents, low growing, and then taller shade loving plants positioned along the wooden fence. We’ve also put in some “winter” pansies in the bare spots for a bit of colour while the alpines dig their toes in. And excitement aplenty, we bought lots and lots of bulbs for spring colour in soft and gently waking shades. We’ll plant those out in October when the temperatures prove that autumn is here. Right now it’s far too warm. Today it was 28C.
And here’s a three-photo slide showing the garden before work started in May until today. Most of the photo slides in this post are self-explanatory, but if you have any questions just shout out and we’ll have an ol’ chin wag in the garden with a cup of tea.
The Chalk Hills Kitchen 
What a huge project! Have fun selecting flowers!
We will for sure, Patricia!
Wow, that’s a big change, Misky. Changing levels is always tricky, but it all looks magnificent, so obviously worth the effort. Can’t wait to see your succulent bed! 🙂 Serendipitously, it was about 28C here as well on the other side of the world yesterday! x
I’ll do some photos of those in few months after they dig their toes in more thoroughly. They’re a bit shy right now. 🙂 the heat isn’t treating them well.
Marilyn that is just wonderful, planting is all about background and those retaining walls are going to be gorgeous backdrops for your plants, what an excellent idea. I love the blue pots and is that a bay tree? And bulbs in the spring, NOTHING is better than bulbs in the spring, what a stunning garden, well worth the wait then. Congratulations for hanging in there, I know how it drags on a person after a while.. That grass has filled in quickly.. ell i am impresses and if I am not mistaken your big new kitchen doors open onto a patio that leads into this garden? c
I love bulbs. We’re replanting the snowdrops (salvaged those from the tip), but most of the other bulbs will be new in the border. That little tree is a mini willow. Would a bay tree survive heavy frosts? And yes, the folding doors open straight on to the patio and the garden. It just brings the garden right into the house. Love it. Worth all the bother.
Did you find space for your vegetables?
Yes, by the fence, but the soil will have to wait and settle a bit before I start planting. I’ll just plan for now.
What a fabulous change and now for the fun of planting everything. Enjoy.
😉 Mandy xo
Thanks, Mandy! Will do. 🙂
Misky! A well earned cup of tea, I must say. It looks lovely. Now, do you have enough time to enjoy it before the British winter sets in?
I’m wondering the same. Had over an inch of rain this morning, and the temps dropped from 30c yesterday to 17c today. I feel like I need a thick woolly jumper!
What a stunning transformation! Looks wonderful! xx
Thank, Lisa! It’s been a long haul. 🙂
thats what we call as creativity.
Wow looks like your having fun there, i know what its like i have been painting all the windows of my parents house and its taking me ages and i have only got half way so far 🙂
The tiling that you used looks amazing. Great job guys.
The landscape looks great after the renovation.
Thanks, “Skip”.