So I have to pull it together and stop feeling sorry for myself and think of my next project. I am already thinking about next year's garden, next year's veg. I'm not going to be able to keep on putting off the front garden forever, but it is one place that I have not yet a plan, or in fact an idea. I think the general problem is that to get the front garden in any shape is going to take a bit of money. The paths are in a terribly state and really need widening (thanks to having 3 stupid wheelie bins that don't fit on my paths properly - don't get me started) and as the entire garden is on a slope, landscaping of any description is something that takes careful consideration and is very very difficult to do by myself, especially without good equipment. yes, if money were no object I would have new paths in and walls built to make the lawn area flat, but that is well above and beyond.
As you can see it is rather flat and dull and the one border is in a terrible state.
I have enough to do in the back garden, so I want something low maintenance. So I have considered pulling everything out of the one, sad border and planting rhododendrons - I have good acidic soil for these, I love them and I have the space to let them grow big over the next few years. I am not allowed to have a fence or wall at the front (not entirely sure why that is, but it is in the house building regulation deeds) but I don't think anyone could stop me putting in, say, a lavender hedge along the front. But then I have to consider where to put beds.
When I did my back garden I took months doing drawings, making plans and doing more, updated drawings before I put spade to soil, so I think I will do the same for the front over the winter and then make it next year's project.
So any and all ideas are welcomed, As you know, I love cottage garden styles and am happy to do quite radical things, but budget budget budget (after all, I have no work right now and the money I have made this last 6 months won't last forever!!!)
Would you be allowed to put a hedgerow along the front edge. This would give a proper boundary to it, give flowers and fruit for the birds as well as some nice nesting places? Now is the ideal time to go look for self sown seedlings/sow yourself berries and grow seedlings, of things such as hawthorn, sloe or any other wild hedging plant you can find. I am really surprised about the rule on fencing at the front. Our bungalow also had one but only for the first 10 year after it was built. If you are not in an area where people are liable to nick things, grow more fruit/vegetables out there like Scarlet did.
ReplyDeleteGrow the lavender for seed, it is cheaper. Everytime I buy it the next year it is dead. I now have some that has lasted 3 years and it is excellent for the bee and bumble bees. it is laden with them when the flowers set! its beautiful
ReplyDeleteI understand that ' what now' feeling well. We spent just shy of 2 years renovating here, and finished in April. We made the front garden our next project. J dug it all up and we turned it over to veg production. It has been prolific, and was the best thing we could possibly have done with it! Although we have a large allotment plot, it has been fantastic just to pop out to the front, pick stuff, and have it on the table in no time. Food miles? Food yards in my case this Summer!
ReplyDeleteWe have our rhubarb in the front garden and also our leeks. What about some fruit trees or fruit bushes.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
I think you should go for a walk up that mountain and enjoy the wonderful views. Chuck some wild flower seeds over your front garden.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Scarlet, a veg plot or maybe a bricklaying course so you can build the wall yourself!
ReplyDeleteooh a project, I always have to fill my time with a prject or bordom sets in, a few raised beds would look lovely and practicle, and the lavenader along the front would be nice too
ReplyDeleteSharon x
www.onelifeand3kids.blogspot.co.uk
I fancy the raised bed idea too .... easy gardening .. full off veg or fruit bushes .. it would give a bit of height and interest to that flat space.
ReplyDeleteGet your thinking cap on!
Vicky x
Before doing anything with the front yard go to the local authority and check all the by-laws, regulations, and covenants and anything else that might be relevant. They might have changed over the years.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a fruitful garden as some of your followers have suggested. Food yards, not food miles. Fruit trees can look lovely. You can get good contrast by planting veggies among flowering ornamentals.
On the employment side, do people in your area need a singer for ceremonial events? I mean christenings, weddings, funerals, anniversaries, and really big parties. You could possibly develop a sideline of occasional singing engagements providing a touch of sophistication. Not regular, but money works no matter where it comes from or when.
Just make sure you're seeing a bit of humankind each day as well as all that nature. A mix of both is healthy! x
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of turning to whole of we now take as a traditional lawn dominated front garden and planting it heavily with plants that produce food mixed with insect attracting plants. Also finding a way introducing water to attract even more wild life would help to turn a lawned desert into a productive and also wildlife rich area. The planting and structure does not have to be expensive, your planning and fore sight, seeds, cuttings, bartering, free cycle and a host of other ways can make this a cheap, satisfying and time eating project.
ReplyDeleteHiya, hope now that you are at home more that we can hear more from you on this blog. Good luck with your front garden
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Read and read and read some more. Pick up gardening books and learn something for a future project. Are there any 'free' classes at a local market, or home improvement store? Take up a new hobby like maybe canning? Cheese making? Any rooms that need a fresh coat of paint? Lovelygrey had a great reminder too, get out and see people too! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi, i came across your blog the other day, i think via Froogs! anyway i have read every post from the beginning since finding you. For some reason when reading i couldn't believe i was reading a blog written by a fella? i love this blog just love it, and its a Lancs blog too! We are in Burnley and are on the journey of save save save as we want to relocate into the country ourselves one day. Dont get too bored, Xmas is round the corner and i am sure there is plenty of Xmassy crafty type things you could be preparing for.. hugs S x
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...your new project sounds good to me. :) Is there anyway you could incorporate some perennial fruit and veg at the front -still going along the low maintenance path? Globe artichokes, rhubarb, fruit bushes and trees, asparagus, comfrey and herbs. There's loads to choose from which you could maybe buy at less expense now in seed form, and bring along for next year?
ReplyDeleteJust an idea :). Love reading your blog. Have a lovely weekend.
Rw
I'm sure you'll come up with a good plan for your front garden. Meantime why not explore your local area, it looks as though you have some nice countryside around you and maybe you could take up sketching or teach yourself about trees or birds - I was going to say wild flowers but I don't think there'll be many about over the next few months:) Enjoy your downtime anyway.
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely go for less lawn, more edible space, too. Fruit bushes are a great idea - is it even possible to have too many raspberries? Or you could try growing hops with a view to brewing - if you like beer, of course.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how steep it is but if you do some raised beds perhaps you could terrace them a little as well to try and deal with that issue a bit. Herb spirals are also interesting although I've read mixed reports on how good they actually are. I don't have my own place yet but that means I can let my imagination run riot without having to take any physical (or fiscal!) constraints into consideration - have been dreaming for a long time of a huge fruit cage without enough space for me to sit in it enjoying the dappled sunshine through the leaves. Bliss.
Personally I like the rhododendron idea, but it is probably because I garden on alkaline soil and rhododendrons are out of the question. It is very easy to feel sorry for oneself in autumn when all is grey. Here, it is a time when the frugal living gets more difficult as we are off the grid and there is so little sunshine in the autumn/winter that we have to be very careful about every bit of electricity we use if we don't want to be always starting the generator. Good luck with you planning!
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