Michael came up with a great title for a blog and perhaps even a new TV programme to rival Gardener's World. And judging by the latest comments on that programme ,we need something to fill the gap! The 'G Spot' of course refers to The Garden Spot in case anyone was worried. I do have a wicked sense of humour which anyone who has worked with me has had to put up with and I think in this business and with the current climate , we all need one. For a while I have written a blog on my website www.claudiadeyong.com.
I talk about things to do at different times of the year in the garden. I have also written several articles on this.I realise that for some time we have been bombarded with a 'How To' culture.From cooking on TV to growing our own vegetables. So in my blog posts I am not going to preach to the converted! Last year, I wrote a daily blog for the Reckless Gardener on the daily ups and downs of doing Hampton Court Flower Show. One piece they entitled, how I garden with humour. Nothing ever goes to plan when doing a show garden and often I find the same when doing private work. I am often to be found knee deep in undergrowth,wearing the most unsuitable clothing. I can never seem to get that bit right.
My car is my wardrobe and office. In the boot there are boots,packets of gloves,waterproofs and god knows what else.A mixture of half my house and my dog's bed. However, I seem to pull out the most inappropriate clothing possible. Ugg boots for my feet (my daughter's, she will kill me if she reads this), and odd layers on top which get thrown around and end up on branches.Then a combination of smart jeans and stretchy leggings. What a picture! At the end of the day it's like an obstacle course trying to find all my things that have been deposited round the garden.But why not make things easy for yourself! Before I go any further as potential clients may read this, despite my natural chaos , I am very organised when doing my work!
Hopefully, as you get to know me and read my blog ( which of course you will!) and which I hope to write every couple of days ,you will see there is method in my madness and a great deal of fun to be had in this wonderful proffession. Well today was fun, how about jet washing a lawn.How many of you have done that! Michael did. Kitted out in all the wonderful gear , Michael headed out, karcher at the ready. Now, if it had been me , I would have of course be wearing my ugg boots! No, of course I wouldn't. And I don't own any flowery wellies by the way. Well, not yet anyway.
But to get back to the great event, a 'fake' lawn needs a good wash and when dogs decide to use it for their convenience, there is nothing better than a good spray-with a hose! Not content at doing just the lawn, Michael ( who you will have to find out about in my blog in time), turned his attention to the paved area.Nearby plants gasped when he held his 'gun' towards them. The cat ran onto the roof and the dog,Toffee (my cavalier who comes on all our jobs), stuck his head under his ears.What did he know that I didn't! But fear not dear readers. For Michael is a top class 'Sprayer'! He is also the best landscaper I have had the priviledge to work with. And I must add here, even though I am a designer who gets her hands dirty and likes try my hand at everything, I am a great supporter of all you landscapers(good ones only!).
So on with the jet wash.Three hours later and Michael has transformed a dull. moss covered terrace int a pristine new paved area.He is far too good for this job.I am going to train Toffee to do it next time.Maybe he could use his long ears. What a beautiful day. Though I would let you all see me hard at work in my uggs!! It is at the top of the blog. The picture is HUGE! I can't seem to reduce it or move it down so appologies to all-but the bluebells are pretty!!
Here I am back on the laptop having spent the last two days 'hunting'. I have been on a mission to source products for the new section that Philip and I have put together for all you lucky people! I have trawled the west country high and low in search of wonderful things.
I do enjoy escaping from my normal routine and pottering around country lanes-not in mu ugg boots this time! In factit was so hot and I brought all the wrong clothes as usual, that sometimes I was sorely tempted to jump in the nearest brook and join my feathered friends. I must say this time of year is my favourite not only because of the natural beauty around but also for planting up gardens for clients as there is so much 'coming into season' in the nurseries. I don't think many clients appreciate how you have to source plants from all over the place.They think you just turn up with a truck load from one supplier.
Fine if you don't want unusual varieties but you know me, I like unusual! Oops have to go back soon! Here I am back on the 'G Spot !'. I think i am going to get in a lot of trouble using that name. Never mind, all in a good cause. Today was an odd one. I have been out and about as usual and started at Covent Garden Flower Market doing a bit more research and helping my sister who decided to stop at every supplier looking for plastic lilies. Don't even ask!! I pretended I didn't know her.
There was a time when I loved going to the market and thought plants were 'cheaper' but not anymore! There also was a time when I had to hide in my car when my sister in her determined manner decided to stop at every bin around the market to see what flowers had beed chucked and became the covent garden flower bin thief! Thank goodness those days are over. Back home after my exciting outing, I have been working on a drawing for a client.But it has just been one of those days when everything that could go wrong does.So I abandoned the drawing and got to work on my garden.
With the recent sun and rain, the buxus hedge is crying out for another trim.The alliums are just bursting through their paper like cocoons , my choisya aztec pearl is in full flower and there are beautiful double purple aquilegea standing up like soldierss with pretty shaped leaves covering the stems. This is a wonderful time in the garden.There are lovely fresh green colours everywhere but there is also a lot of cutting back to be done.It really never seems to end from now till winter-everytime I turn my back, another shrub or perrenial needs attention! My family will say they do too but they talk back!!
Well another few interesting days I have had.Yesterday, I made my way on a London red bus to meet a fellow Landscape Juice member-will have to keep u all guessing who! We decided to meet centrally to discuss a possible project. From 'his' picture on the site I thought my new aquaintance was two feet tall so I missed him at the meeting point! Actually, I knew he was taller but he is kneeling in his picture! He had asked me if I was going to wear my ugg boots so he could recognise me.But I opted for trainers ( well I though he was a midget!). We had coffee and discussed this wonderful business.I think I was well behaved-I didn't spill my coffee and refrained from any of my usual habits! After my foray on the red bus yesterday I was even more excited today as I took not only the tube to ExCEl but the Dockland Light Railway.Small things excite me!!
Michael and I set off to Grand Designs to see what the garden section of the show had to offer.We met up with Robert and we were like the three musketeers.We searched high and low,up and down looking at all the stands until as self proclaimed leader I announced.......God I have had enough,lets get out of this......place! Not before we had sampled a sausage though.One each I might add.Then of course we had to try the ice cream.Oh and before we left have a coffee.(mine was cold by the way boys!) Anyway, I am going to write a show report for Philip.I will let you know what you missed and what you didn't.Suffice to say, once you have been to one I don't think you need to go back! However, I am always trying to see what the lates ideas are in our industry and I will share some of these with you in my report.
Back on dry land, Michael and I decided that we had to do a little work today soI have now finished the design I had started the other day whilst he busily typed up notes and details for the client. More research tomorrow and pricing up items for the job. God I'm knackered! Having written my report for Philip on Grand Designs, I have been sifting through all the paperwork you pick up at these things. I was interested to see what other designers do with regards to their advertising for work and I have sinced looked up their websites. Some are very commercial and some not
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It is like an obstacle course and it makes you realsise that despite looking a pretty pictures on sites, meeting the designers is important to see if they are in tune with you when you decide to go ahead with them for your own garden. But now it is the bank holiday and we can all have a rest but being a 'designer' I can't! I am always thinking ahead and I have spent ages in my garden today pulling out the dreaded ground elder.It has gone mad this year but I am half to blame.I didn't mulch as I was too busy!
The trouble is I never really get time for my own garden.I am too busy under someone else's bush!! And of course because it is a weekend , and dry my neighbours will no doubt all decide at once to have bonfires which will smoke me out. During the height of summer I am locked into my home.Windows shut , my cat stares hopelessly out through the glass and toffee sits looking all miserable trying to make out anything moving that he could chase in the thick smog. Barbeques will be sizzling for the first time in the year and toffee will disappear as the smell of sausagges will waft into his 'smell space'. So I will be off playing hunt the dog as he is rapidly going deaf.What a fun weekend!
However, I may go round the village gardens which will be open. I recommend this to people often when they are considering plants for their own gardens. The main reason is that it is a good idea to see what plants can grow well in the soil around where you live. A handy tip! You also get a chance to see houses usually hidden from view and that means hidden gardens which can be real gems. Then you get back home and feel really down because you look at your own garden and think......well you know! Odd day to day.
Not much of it was outdoors. In fact most was spent in the Mac shop where I was deciding whether to buy myself one instead of fighting and cursing this dell machine I ordered online and it has never ceased to go wrong. But when you ask friends for advice it is like you are challenging them to a dual! Mac users fiercely fight their corner and would simply never - no never use a pc.By contrast pc users say - well it's up to you but if you have always had a pc why change. God help me- I will have a sleepless night worrying which has more GHZ or GB, feels like a chemistry exam. I am sweating at the thought of all these decisions. HELP!
Tomorrow, off to my webfriend to sort out new copy for my website and changes. She is a Mac user so I am going prepared! I also have to take my own tea bags cos she doesn't like my earl grey or rather I don't like her strong builder's tea. I have a delicate composition! A liitle flower! It is now officially confirmed. My laptop is on self-destruct. My emails arrive and then get eaten up. The screen is hardly visible at times. Bit like my brain!
A decision has to be made now. But like the choice of which camera to but , ( the cat decided to use mine - not to take pictures with but to leave a rather unsavoury package on it ), which do i go for the mac or the pc and whicm make of pc as I seem to have bad luck with a dell. Back to gardening. I am off to the Malvern Show today and will report back on what I think of the show and anu useful products and info. The jobs are on hold for a couple of days while I have other duties !
Gardening shows are all different. I like the smaller ones which are more local as you see and meet specialist nurseries and crafstmen. It also gives you a better understanding of the world we are all working in. It's like meeting the local producers of food and farmers markets. Thing is with plants who can't often taste them like you do with food! No free samples as you wonder round! The weather seems as usual to have turned a bit so .... the uggs may have to come out! Another big decision ! Ugg or not?
Hmmmm
May 9th
Back from Malvern and I am already missing the hills. Oh and guess what, I didn't wear my uggs! I think I would have really looked out of place! The show was a revelation . I enjoyed the food section - lots of tastings!! I met old friends and made new ones.Some were feathered! A big emphasis on keeping chickens in your garden. My neighbours wouldn't take kindly to me if I did but I am quite fond of the idea- the cat would be too. At the show I stood for ages talking to someone on the Society Of Garden Designers Stand. I am still not sure if I am going to become a member but it was good to meet and discuss what the benefits might be and interesting to hear another designer's point of view. I went on a beautiful drive after along the Wye Valley afterwards. I am so taken with the rolling hills round there. I love the Cotswolds but this area seemed even more beautiful. I had no camera of course but I hung out of the window,stopping suddenly at every photo opportunity with my phone. I even went over the Seven Bridge and drove with one hand and the other was held high above my head through the open roof with the wind howling as I tried to take pictures of the bridge! All in a good cause. I seriously have to buy a camera soon and keep it away from the cat.
She needs to realise that the litter tray is there for a reason! Back to work now and planning planting for a garden near Gatwick. So plane spotting for me next week!
May 13th
I am on a flight path.Well I am actually under one. I am working so near Gatwick I can see the wheels of every plane and I am slowly going deaf. Yesterday was one of those days- I spent 3 hours at a wholesale nursery hand selecting plants, putting them on trolleys,yanking the trolleys round and saving the odd shrub from flying off in the strong winds.
The place was packed, some people were desperately looking for extra plants for Chelsea ,others were like me wandering round looking for inspiration.I eventually managed to get to the till areas as I wasn't collecting the plants until later. But then I had to unload all the plants onto dutch trolleys and push them into another area. ( Maybe I should mention Michael was there to help-but it sounds better that I had to do it all on my own!) Then after that exhauting morning- well, I was tired don't think Michael was, I had to get food. I am like a wilting shrub if I don't eat little and often.
So we headed for Wisley as it was a lovely day and went into the restaurant. I had quiche which was more egg than the asparagus they claimed was in it. I think I found one small piece. We wandered round after my pit stop for half an hour looking at the beds which were being tendered by enthusiastic volunteers. Back in the motor, we headed across to the next port of call in Surrey to do a site plan for a back garden. Michael got his bits out! You know , measuring bits.
We measured and discussed my drawing for the area and looked at the site again. It is always interesting when you return to a garden you have only seen once before. It will either seem larger or smaller and there will be areas you never saw before despite taking pictures of it all beforehand. Then again ,my pictures were on my phone as I still haven't bought a camera. I will not forgive my cat for using my camera for other purposes than it was intended for! Today it's off to the accountants. Yuk. I am not prepared and I hate this side of the business but I think most creative types do.
May 19th
Been working hard for the last few days. After my trip to Chelsea on Sunday with Michael( see the article I wrote on the show) , I was eagerly awaiting the medals today. I was pleased to see I predicted 90% of the Gold Medals with one exception being QVC which only got a Silver which I don't understand. I think I should predict the British weather-I might be better than the Met Office! The show was as has been much said, leaner than past years but the same style seems to filter through to most of the gardens with plants featuring less and hard landsacping being more important. Nothing wrong with good old fashioned planting you know! I am going again on thursday and it will be interesting to see the gardens finished as they were nearly there on Sunday. It is also better to go see something again sometimes as you get a different perspective on it. Not sure about some of them though-don't fancy seeing them again! I will see how Lisa is getting on with the water feature Michael and I helped her with on Sunday.
You have to help fellow Landscape Juicers!! Today was one of those mad days visiting nurseries looking for the plants that they never have! In the end you buy second best which I don't like but needs must. I was looking for a lot of rosemary to make a low hedge in front of a brick wall. I have done this before and if looked after it is a lovely alternative for a hedge. But rosemary decided she was not available! She is never there when you need her! Tomorrow is finishing off the planting and awaiting the delivery of everything purchased today. It is back to the Gatwick garden under the runway-well not quite but boy is it noisy there. It will be all systems go as this is a garden for a wedding which will be held in it at the end of the month. It wasa tough challenge. Large areas had to be cleared and big plants moved without root disturbance so that a new scheme could blend into some of the existing trees and shrubs. Michael got his big tools out for this one! So far so good. The clients are delighted which helps! I am fussy though and keep wanting to change certain bits but they like it. I am trying to do a makeover and also re-arrange what they have to create little areas for guests to sit in on small tables and chairs. I want them to be able to look in every direction and see something different but keep the colours in soft muted tones like the brides flowers. Ah I am so romantic!
May 22nd
Gatwick garden finished!! Hooray.Michael has been a star. He dug and dug and dug single handed. The garden area had had a swimming pool in it before and the ground was full of concrete. Let's now hope the weather holds nad the flowers are still blooming for the big day. Had two days at Chelsea this week. Once was enough!! I am beginning to think a plasticine garden would be a good idea!! I would like to do a Chelsea garden just the once to compare from doing Hampton Court all the time. I will probably change my mind though! I do that a lot- like moving plants around. I like to keep people on their toes!! The themes for Chelsea were as I predicted. Veritcal gardens being a strong point. Lots of muted coulours.Lots of white alliums, purple hesperis and angelica everywhere. God she really gets around Angelica!! The ugg boots didn't come out and haven't for a while now. Metal toe caps have been a bit more useful, although I opted for nice shoes for Chelsea! Back to reality and I am working on the plan for Lighwater and Graham's client. I said I would have evrything ready for today but things have been a bit tight this week so I will try my best and finish off the plan that Michael has been working on in his spare time!! Perhaps she would like plasticine though- now theres a thought!!
May 25th
Bank holidays-don't you just love them!! Packed roads , perilous weather and half term all rolled into one! Had a nice Sunday visiting two gardens in the Yellow Book, National Gardens Scheme. One I go back and see every year as I love the planting and there is something new each time. They also do good teas! The other garden was a bit disaapointing. Not what I thought and not very big so I didn't get value for my £3!! Then it was back home to survey my plot.I bought a couple of Iris plants from the first garden. You always get tempted at these open gardens but when you come home you think where on earth am I going to put that! Needless to say they are still sitting in their bags.They have been watered well though as we have had a few heavy downpoors this way over the weekend.
My youngest daughter is busy studying for her exams whislt my eldest has reached Thailand in her gap year travels. Some funny stories there I can tell you ! However, I don't think she would take kindly to me saying on here! Michael came over today to finalise the pricing and notes for Lightwater job. I drove him mad as usual.He is very patient and dilligent and I was doing my usual - couldn't concentrate for more than 10 minutes at a time. I was hungry every five minutes too-low blood sugar, well it sounds better! The garden is overgrown again with the rain and sun. The tomatos are outside now in the vegetable beds as are the sweet peas ready to climb up their makeshift obelisks. My white wisteria is late here but about to burst into flower over an old tree stump. I have a beautiful Robinia Hispida tree with pink flowers which looks amazing and is so under valued in England. The blue aquiligea are at their best and make a stunning display even on their own. I have noticed loads of butterflies this year in my garden which is exciting to see. I have taken pictures with my new camera. The cat is not going near this one! She is far too busy at the moment killing every living rodent in West Sussex. Most end up in pieces in my kitchen - yuk! The wonders of wildlife never cease . Never thouht I would have such a killing machine with my little cat but I suppose that's part and parcel of the whole food chain. Still saves on cat food!
May 31st
Sitting here watching Desperate Housewives after a sunny weekend which I couldn't enjoy because my stomach has been doing odd things and my head has been banging like mad. So instead of enjoying the great weather and going to the local fete I was in bed feeling sorry for myself.
Friday I went to see a client who is re-doing her herbaceous beds and needed some help with planting ideas.I took Michael with me this time as she is thinking of relandscaping the pool area and hopefully we can come up with a scheme that we will do in the autumn. The pool is oval so it will be quite a task to re-do the paving around the edge. Been trying to get more organised here. I have bought an A3 printer and scanner which is wireless.But guess what I can't make it work! Typical. So now I need help- HELP! Wish I had felt better though this weekend as there was also an open garden which I have visited before and wanted to see again this year.It is a lovely setting , an old mill with ponds and a garden which has been re-landscaped by the owners with a lovely vegetable garden. It is always a good idea looking at local gardens that are open to see what can and can't grow in the soil.
June 1st
I can't believe we will soon be having the longest day of the year. Where has the year gone already? Also I spent an hour watering tonight.I am not complaining though, the weather is great . I struggled with the hose. i can never understand why the main manufactures have to make bright green and yellow hoses. I go for subtlety -like my ugg boots!! Anyway, I eventually yanked and tugged and pulled the hose out of it's bright green plastic shell and got it caught up in every pot possible , hit the cat, flung it into the pond before squirting myself in the eye trying to put the end on! Great! Soaked and fed up I then struggled up the lawn to the wilting tomato plants and gave them a quick spray! Where is Michael when you need him! I was getting the hang of it now so I managed to wind the hose round the rasberry canes, get it stuck before falling over the edge of the bed and swearing loudly I hate this b..... thing. Up I got again and went off -hose now untangled I did all the pots and a few beds. Exhausted , I have left the yellow tube outside all over the lawn. I couldn't be bothered to wind it in again. I am hoping to trip the rabbits up that have all been brought in by next doors cat hoping they will think it's a giant yellow snake! With my luck the rabbits will probably eat through it! Can't wait for tomorrow- I may have a holy (how do you spell that?) hose, rabbits on the lawn or maybe in my bedroom brought in by my cat. She climbs up the front of the house to my room and jumps through the window having walked in backwards with a present for me-alive or dead!! Oh for a holiday-dream on zzzzzz
June 4th
I decided to down tools today and enjoy some good old retail therapy. So off I went to Westfield with 10 thousand other people.Now I know why I like plants!! Although I have been to this cross between an airport and retail maze a number of times, the management had decided to reduce the parking fees and even abolish them for the first two hours so the car park was busy and I had to drive round in a circle looking for the little green lights that indicate a free space. I am worried I have now become like most men. I want a quick entrance and a quick exit!! To a shop I mean of course. I felt as if I had landed on another planet having been away from the retail market for ages and stuck under bushes! I wandered round bemuzed and a bit lost looking intently at all the latest summer fashions wondering if I could wear anything flimsy and short as it all seemed to be.
Maybe I was getting little too old for all this but hey as they say you are as old as the man/woman you feel!!! I settled on a pair of shorts and a top from an American company . The shop was dark and the music was so loud I couldn't see let alone hear what I had bought until I got out!! I was parched and had to go and have tea oh and a lemon tart of course which I really needed-not! Once out of the mayhem I looked at teh living wall and water feature outside. It is still hanging on, a bit brown in places and a few cigarette butts thrown in the water so not that pretty. Loads of people I think have a go at yanking a bit of plant out from time to time for fun. Back in the safety of my home I am not sure if I like my purchases!
Typical-but i can't face going back there for another year!! Think i will stick to gardening. I also think I may have to start borrowing more from my daughter apart from the ugg boots if i run out of clothes! Don't tell her though-she is still travelling on her gap year!
June 7th
My retail therapy was not without even more hassle when I realised today that my credit card has dissappeared. I frantically rang round the shops I had visited at Westfield but of course no one reported it having been handed in. So after hanging on for 20 minutes to report it lost to the bank I am now penniless!!
Today , Sunday has been quite a struggle. At least I had done my food shopping for the weekend before my credit card had vanished so my family had bread and water! Michael came over and I could manage his 'at least' five cups of tea in one hour too! Poor Michael. He came to help me with my knobs!! Door knobs. I had bought a load that I wanted to put on my doors and he joked it would take one hour per door. By five oclock we had just put one on!! My doors are a nightmare and as for the knobs- well, don't ask! I escaped leaving him there struggling to make one trip to homebase to get woodfiller and secondly to do a bit of cutting back in the garden. Homebase was packed and I was amazed by how many people were buying such sick looking plants in trays.Stacked high outside the shop and in the garden area were rows of what I call 'battery farm' type bright coloured bedding plants that looked quite ill. They may be 'cheap' but they won't last! In my own garden, many of my own plants are looking a little worse for wear. I never really get enough time to tend my own and I feel terribly guilty at times. With the heavy burst of rain showers my roses are a bit limp and needed tying in. My catalpa is looking good though and not too battered and lifts a dark corner. It is always useful filling areas with some annuals now and I do like white cosmos in the right place to lift some beds. So on my travels I will pick some up.
Tomorrow it is off on plant hunts again for a planting job this week.It will be driving round Surrey to see who has what and if I can limit the mileage so much the better. Oh for a chauffeur. I know, I will call Michael!!
June 9th
I wrote such a good piece yesterday for my blog and LJ went down and I lost the lot!! So this is today's version of yesterday! Michael did come to the rescue dressed in armour on his metal stallion-or Honda VFR to be exact. We started at one nursery in Surrey and I made him trail up and down with trolleys whilst I selected plants and then put them back if I had changed my mind!! I do that a lot! After two hours we loaded 3 dutch trolleys-(never understand the language! ) and left feeling tired before heading off down to Chobham to another nursery to get the things we couldn't find. On the way I made Michael do a detour. Well I was starving! So we popped into Wisely with 5, 000 coach trippers! I just had to have a piece of their banana cake and tea. Michael had a scone and an egg sandwich. I had one too but decided the two ducks under our table needed it more than me! Also I don't really like mayonnaise.
The ducks seemed to love it! Watered and fed we then set off again but I decided to stop at a friend who had kindly kept my 6 tons of cotswold stone from last year's show garden for me on her land. We checked it out to see if it was still ok but we got distracted by her sheep, geese, shetland ponies, labrador and adorable new kitten. I could have kidnapped it. Not sure how my pussy would have felt though!!! After another cup of tea we left and eventually got to the second nursery. It was a bit disappointing but we still managed to waste two hours there and ended up with a bootfull of plants.
We left even more tired but decided before heading home in seperate directions to go and measure the drive of where the next job was starting. We had to see if we could get a skip lorry there. We went into the back garden after having measured the drive and were met by the resident labrador who lept up on us soaking wet. Great! He then followed us round the garden wanting to play and whilst trying to ignore his nuzzling I stepped in all his poo and my shoes were covered! Needless to say, the car on the way home stank! And people ask me what I do all day!! What me I reply-oh you know nothing much! Today we loaded the trailer and headed south with all the plants. Luckily the rain stayed away and despite lots of the plants looking a bit worse for wear they arrived there in one piece. It was then a day of planting and planting and planting and.............
June 11th
My 20th wedding anniversary today. Where is my medal! Yesterday we completed the huge amount of planting. It was a struggle. I arrived at the job to find that the client had removed some of the astrantia I had placed for planting.Too subtle for her! Don't you just love clients!! Not detered or fazed I set about re-arranging the scheme and luckily it went down well and she was very happy. I think we planted over 200 different herbaceous perrenials and moved about 30 into different beds. Well, if I'm honest Michael did most of the planting but I was exhausted creating!! I did do quite a bit though too so I am really allowed to be tired. The client has a big golden retriever who enjoyed lying in the newly planted lavender hedge and anything else we had just planted!
Bare earth , on the hose, next to potted plants -almost anything was a little squashed by the large canine. The day was a bit tricky weather wise trying to avoid heavy showers. It had started when I had gone for the third time that week to get more plants from the nursery.The one day I had no help, the heavens opened and I yanked a sodden trolley round picking up plants and a huge heavy climber which I struggled to load into the car. Once on site it pored and poured then the sun came out and it was baking-typical weather for a gardener. Job over and after an hour and a half journey home a long soak in the bath was in order and a big glass of vino. Up early to day to do some paperwork and cutting back in my garden as next week builders are coming and I won't be able to go outside due to the scaffolding. Bet it will rain because I am having my outside of the house painted! Off to Gardener's World tomorrow to see what it is like. Never been so it will be an eye opener but I will write my report for all th see!!
June 16th
Well as you have probably read on my show report, can't say I will be returning to Gardener's World Live in a hurry! Such a shame. As I have said before many times , something needs to be done about all these shows turning into a mass of stalls just selling anything and everything with little emphasis on gardening. Enough said here. Back to the daily grind. At least I had a day off at the show! I am now surrounded.Hemmed in by scaffolding. I am like a prisoner in my own home. I am having the ouside of the windows re-done but I wish i had never started! Dust and dirt . I prefer mud! I have been working hard (Oh yes and Michael has too), collating information for the job in Lightwater that starts in earnest next week. There is a lot of preparation to do to get materials ordered, plants sourced and equipment hired. I don't think some people or clients realise how much time is taken up sourcing things and making phone calls and writing emails before a job gets underway. I hate being not able to be outside and being stuck inside doing the paperwork bit and I am sure Michael will be the first to say how tetchy I get!
At least we have had the most incredible weather . What a difference that makes. People are much nicer when the sun shines! I may need to invent flip flop uggs though! I have also been preparing a tender document and that is also difficult knowing what to put in and what to leave out.Let's hope it comes off. I was thinking the other day about planting schemes and remembered a converstaion with a client who said how she found it difficult to put plants together in the garden. I said to her that she should look at it the way she dressed or did up a room. The client had good dress sense and she wouldn't put certain colours together on herself so why not apply that to her borders. She found that very useful and perhaps there is an idea in that. A new forum discussion perhaps?!
June 17th
Today was planning day for the job beginning monday. The decorators had invaded every inch of the house so it was off in search of a quiet corner to sit and make those vital final ajustments to the project. Top on my list was- the loo! I had to know if there was a loo to use or if we needed to hire a portaloo. I don't mind a portaloo, I have graced many of them with my presence! Next was the kettle. was there an outside socket or I would have a mutiny on my hands from my slaves!!! Thirdly where was the nearest place to get food- I have very low blood sugar-actually I am always starving! Those matters taken care of , it was a call to the suppliers for sand, ballast, bricks etc., mini digger and all the othe stuff needed for the hard landscaping. The biggest problem we face with this job is the access and we can't get a skip down the drive as the lorry is too wide so we will have to hire a shredder. The client is very excited by the thought of the new garden she is going to have. I also get a rush of excitement when I see the transformation and cannot wait to get started and start all the hard work. I find it very therapeutic removing the old and giving new life and a different space for the client to enjoy. ( Hate using the word space, don't know why I did!). The cat is having fun at home with the scaffolding. New levels to climb up and explore. She nearly fell through a plank yesterday and I hung out of the window precariously trying to grab her. I got one paw and yanked her in . She wasn't too pleased and kindly scratched me as a thank you! I think I will need climbing gear from now on and a harness-perhaps a padded jacket too for any more deep lacerations from her!
June 22nd
The start day has arrived. Today Michael, Dave and I descended on lightwater. It has been a busy few days. I spent Saturday helping out all day at my daughter's school putting up bunting, ribbons and trying to sell some rubbish on a stall for the summer fair. Sunday I was roped into helping my mother in her garden although she wasn't there-which actually was better! I had also persuaded Michael to help me with the lure of a good roast. He didn't realise I was joking when I turned up with a sandwich instead. He had just come from hoovering his lawn! Remember way back in this blog I told you that Michael had got his big hose out! He had actually jetwashed his lawn which is fake grass by the way, well, yesterday he sucked at it with the hoover! Who says lawns are hard to maintain!! After trying to lift the plum tree at my mother's which was so full of plums it was blocking her side passage-sounds a bit rude that! We ended up breaking one vast branch unfortunately, due to the weight but managed to cement a large post in the ground and litterally prop the remaining branch onto some long nails.
Not a great job I admit but at least she can walk through to the back garden now. We also planted loads of things she had left in pots.They were either over watered or dead dry. We put her table and chairs up,umbrella,swept the garden,moved logs and generally made it look nice. That all done, it was off to Lightwater today to start the job which was a recommendation from Graeme of BGDS. I have never met Graeme but I have made him an offer he cannot refuse. The use of my portaloo! Now I too would love to use the portaloo but it never arrived today.Nor did the chipper.
The digger came and the power barrow but no loo or chipper. Just what is a girl to do without a loo!! The day on the whole went well. It started with me slicing through my finger with the secateurs.Next feeling faint, then stepping in the client's dogs 'presents' all over the lawn and running in and out of the house in blue plastic shower hat things over my boots to use the loo every hour. We left the garden looking like a war had happened.Because the chipper hadn't come everything we had removed is now in the middle of the lawn! My finger is throbing like mad and my car stinks from what is encased in all the grooves on the soles of my boots! So all in all a good day!! And to think some people think designer's have an easy life! Huh! Tomorrow all the materials arrive so we got a small forklift to carry all the bags of sand and bricks through to the back garden. Well that was the idea but I don't think it is going to get through! I just can't wait for tomorrow!!!
June 24th
Tomorrow was yesterday if you follow! And yesterday was better than the day before and today was better than yesterday. Do you still follow?! In other words each day has been better than the day before and the job is going well. Before I began the job, the client emailed me to say she was very excited. I replied that I was too and the reason is that every project is different and I love working to bring a client's dreams alive. It has been quite hot work though! I have been doing a lot of cutting back of shrubs and hiding under the undergrowth to get some shade but even dressed in shorts and tee shirt ( no ugg boots though!) , I am starting to melt-perhaps I won't need to add water to the new pond! It is interesting when you begin digging in a garden the things you find. This client has a large dog and there are a great deal of bones coming out , a lot of plastic,part of a curved brick wall but no real exciting treasure yet! Perhaps there should be a museum for garden finds!
June 29th
What a scorcher and all week it seems will be the same. I think there should be 'the naked gardeners' but maybe I won't volunteer just yet! Need to do a bit more exercise.Still might give Gardener's World a run for it's money! Today i am doing a bit of research , hence not on the job.Worried if I will be able to cope all week though in the heat. May need a bit of hosing down from time to time.Betting take a few changes of clothes! The garden is taking shape now with the pond dug out , and the path from the patio to the pond and beyond coming together so the new design is beginning to change the whole aspect. The difference from doing a show garden which is what I would normally be doing at this time of year, is the elements of the surroundings to consider. A show garden has on the whole no boundaries until you create them. There are sometimes large established trees that may interfere to a degree but you have to create 3 sides of a garden and generally enclose it. When doing a garden for a client you have other restrictions with regards to neighbouring properties, trees, possible views to consider etc. A whole different ball game and in a way more of a challenge. I am off now to hunt for plants and tour the South of England with the air conditioning on full blast!
July 2nd
The plant hunt continued today with a long drive down to Kent to source plants. I was wilting before I got there and wanted to run into the sprinklers which were coming on down each aisle but then I got chatting to someone who was weeding a section and he told me where the water came from so I soon changed my mind!! I was in shorts and a tee shirt but had to dispense of the flip flops and put on boots (not uggs). I don't think I will be able to wear them anymore as my travelling elder daughter has returned from being away for 4 months and if she finds out I use them doing work, my life will not be worth living or she will make me buy her a new pair. So I will have to find a new signature pair of footwear. Any suggestions? Need to bring out a designer pair of boots- think I will design some as I have so much time!!
On tuesday I used the mni digger at the job and managed to wedge the bucket into the power barrow and lift the whole thing! Quite a feat I think but not what one should really do! I terrified the young lad working with us who had only been on the job a couple of days. He must have thought I was going to lift him up too and when I started laughing he wasn't sure whether to join in or scarper! Needless to say I got it out! The bucket that is and moved the digger to carry on picking up large slabs of paving from the back of the garden. Then I decided to jump off and take the stone down to the other end to help use it as hard core in the path. But just as I took over the power barrow the petrol ran out. Typical. But fear not. Michael came to the rescue with a can of diesel and off it trudged again across the lawn and I delivered my load. I am off in search of muck tomorrow! What a joy.I get all the best bits!
July 7th
Muck sorted! Had a good day yesterday. I was invited to join a fellow member of LJ, Robert, and we went to Hampton Court flower show where I was able to write my show report which Philip has posted. It was an odd feeling visiting the show and not being an exhibitor. I was both excited but also nervous. I wasn't sure what the show would be like this year without the Daily Mail Tent taking centre position but I thought it was actually better. The Tudor theme they had this year worked well and pervaded many gardens and exhibits. Many of the show gardens were very well executed and used traditional craft techniques which i am a great supporter of. There was a lot of info on sustainability too and a big emphasis on grow your own with the Allotment Garden taking the Tudor Rose for best garden. Dodging the showers I ran round taking pictures and stopping to eat regularly as I am always starving. But as usual the food was pretty dire and expensive.Oh , thank you for tea Robert by the way! Robert who picked me up to drive me there was looking at my feet as I got in his car. I asked'Why are you staring at my feet?' He said he was checking I had my uggs on! I think he was very dissapointed because I was wearing trainers. After an exhausting day at the show and talking to all the exhibitors and meeting 'old faces', I came home full of inspiration and sat down to write my report.
Today I went to check on Michael! Poor Michael, I have deserted him for a few days. He was very worried when he went to choose rock from the quarry for the pond as he thought I may not have liked it. Yup, Michael you were right!! No, seriously , I do like it. I think! He has worked so hard with young Greg. The bricklayer has done a great job of the new wall and the job is really coming on well. Just as I arrived though the heavens opened and they continued to open all day making filling the new pond quite an easy job! But it also made a very short day which was a bit disappointing for Michael but I didn't mind! My only problem now is having to source even more plants as the tree surgeons have enlarged certain areas. Maybe I should suggest to the client that she moves her house to the end of the garden!
July 10th
End of third week and I need a holiday! It has been a long week but a lot has been achieved. The new garden is taking shape and the client is very happy. The pond is in, liner,underlay and most of the stone for the waterfall. Getting the stone right is an art and making sure it looks natural take time.Each pice has to be manoevred in place carefully and often turned a few times to get the right position. I have had a couple of days on the digger lifting and positioning large pieces of Horsham stone. Doing a pond in a garden requires time and skill and luckily with Michael and I at the helm we have a few years of experience between us.
On wednesday I went to the Woking Show which was very useful as I saw a couple of nurseries which I knew about but made contacts with.It is very important to put a face to a name in this business and make contacts and with this in mind I am going off on Monday to see a new nursery which will supply some large shrubs for the garden I am doing. The client said today she hadn't realised how much work is involved in doing a garden and I said most people think when I say I am a garden designer it must be a great restful job! Yes if you don't do the hard work on site then maybe it is but 'doing' the work makes for a better designer I think as you learn so much and it is an organic process which can change at different times throughtout the project. I am still searching for a body! The leggings we found and the amount of concrete under the paving is a bit worrying!
July 13th
How exciting today was.
I went to see one of the nurseries I saw at the Woking Show.I was shown round for about an hour and a half and think I saw every tree and every shrub. It was great to see a British nursery growing and lifting from their own fields. They also look after the plants so that you feel as a buyer you are getting a healthy specimen. I did make the mistake however of asking for a good local pub. Well, it wasn't the asking but when someone tells you that the local pub is ok and nice in the winter with log fires but... they haven't been there for ages-DON't GO! Fifty minutes after having ordered a sandwich... 50 minutes! It arrived and it was 'ok' but not worth the wait. It may have a log fire in the winter which might be enticing but nothing would entice me back there not just because of the wait but the very odd decor,strange customers and well... other stuff! After my long awaited sandwich I headed off to find a big hose! I also wanted a pump too. A huge one.Well ok only a 3000LV. I trotted off to a well know water supplier and checked out the the water works. Armed with a pump and a long hose , I headed back home to put in an order for some shrubs I had seen earlier. Tomorrow it is abck on the job in Surrey with pump in hand.
I have left Mick with a good job before I arrive.Unloading the cow muck!
July 16th
A week until my birthday.Not sure I am happy about it though! I am going to take the day off and have a proper meal. That is one of the downsides of working all week on a site and relying on budgens! Not a bad budgens however near the site -I just don't seem to eat anything green or healthy. Toffee has done well though. I have brought him along the last couple of days and with his droopy seal like eyes he gets everyones leftovers. There is one problem with him there though.I was so worried that the resident dog would go into the new pond but he has been very good about it, my little Toffee however went straight in, totally ignored the tape around it and waded in quite happily. I found myself covering the eyes of a large labrador so he didn't get any bad ideas from my dog! So despite my misbehaved hound , the job is going very well. 97 plants went in out of 806 today even though the soil has been a nightmare. I have never worked on a garden with such poor sandy and root infested soil. I must say it has been an upward struggle on that score. Everywhere you dig , roots in all shapes and sizes have taken over. I also think there must have been a few houses demolished too with the amount of bricks that have come out. A whole buried city lies in Lightwater !
July 21st
Miscounted- had about 820 plants and as of taday we have 240 left! Mick has turned into a digger! Whilst the mechanical digger sits patiently waiting to be collected by Speedy, Mick took to the spade like Toffee did to the pond! Or should it be like a duck to water-Toffee thinks he is a duck! Today was very special. Graeme the enigma turned up in the flesh! I have been communicating with Graeme for a while of BGS on here and on the phone but never been really sure if he existed! It was through Graeme that the job in Lightwater came about and today I came face to face with the voice! U know how you imagine someoene will look when you speak to them -well I have never actually spoken to him but typed odd messages backwards and forwards-well he was nothing like I imagined ! I leave it there! But ...he came bearing a lovely birthday cake for me so I won't let on how I thought he would be!! And to make it worse he guessed my age and I think he is younger than me! You are arern't you Graeme?!
Graeme -THANK YOU very much for your very kind gesture and the fiver is in the post! Seriously though, I was very touched and so was Mick- especially sharing your hand care tips! Most amusing! Must get you two together again soon! Feeling suitably stuffed with cake and tea, we plodded on in the rain digging, raking, planting,brushing,watering and making more tea! Four weeks work and we have transformed an overgrown, neglected ,root infested and dark shady garden into one with meandering pathways, a pond and lushly planted borders. The wildlife are over the moon. There had been no sign of birds and butterflies or bees before now but ther is an abundance of insects and even a dragonfly trying to mate with the mini digger! Not just a garden designer and a landscaper but we have now helped nature and altered the mating habits of the dragonfly!
July 29th
Here I am stuck in bed with my own wildlife bug.May be swine flu not sure but taking the pills as I want to fly on Saturday-in a plane that is and take my girls away for a week. Going to Turkey. It is very disheartening being in bed knowing you are in the middle of a project-you feel you are letting people down. I know Mick may be pleased I am not there! However, it means the client will have to wait till I now return from my ill health and a trip away if all goes well. Despite that we are 80% done so not too much to finish. Mick will beaver away in my absence and make the bridge for the pond. The final rocks will go in place and then when I return we can plant up the pond and the remaining beds around it
.
Then it is on to the next project! I sit here and look at my own garden and think of all the things I could be doing to change it. I also want to sort out my own pond and trim back a lot. I have the dreaded lily beetle this year which had decimated the leaves on all the lilies but they are still managing to bloom. I didn't manage to trim the Thalia Dealbata so I have a huge clump at the bottom which will need thinning out, as well as the Gunnera which is taking over one side of the bank. With all the rain everything has made a huge amount of growth and as I sit here depressed at being stuck inside , I am desperate to get my secateurs out and chop. So therapeutic - you can imagine all sorts of things when you are having a good chop!!
August 9th
Well what can I say not having written for a week! I felt quite bereft without my laptop on holiday. It was like my third arm had been chopped off! Turkey was fascinating and the flora and fauna was quite enlightening. I am going to write an article about climates and plants soon. I was in an extreemly beautiful part of souther Turkey ,on the Meditteranean. It was a hellish journey to get there but well worth the time. For three days I melted and sweltered and thought I was going to end up part of the landscape! I have never been so hot.Not a hint of a breeze.By the fourth day we went on a gulet which was wonderful.Out at sea , the breeze was refreshing and the scenery spectacular. The Turks are very hospiatable people.Can't do enough for you. Anyway, i digress as usual.What has this got to do with gardening!! So as for the flora ,well quite different to what I expected.We were in a very rocky area and they were quarrying across the bay from us .
Digging one minute and using the stone to build the next.Very handy. Lots of Olive trees as to be expected but not great big fat ones,they were tall and spindly. Myrtles, bougavillea and jasmine and roses! There is no real soil anywhere so everything is clinging on for life. I was so surprised how green it was despite the intense heat.The rain they get in January and February seem to carry them through the rest of the year. The local stone they use to build with is lovely a soft honey colour and what comes out of the quarry is clay coloured and very vibrant red. A really strange mixture. This is the only part of Turket to grow bananas. And did you know it was Turkey that first introduced the Tulip to Holland! They were also the first to grow cherries. You live and learn!
August 11th
Back to work today and I am so proud of Michael.I left him alone for a week while I was away and he has made a bridge, put all the rocks in place and got the waterfall working. I was shocked too how much had grown in the garden already in just one week. But the most amazing thing is as I have said before , the wildlife which has come into the garden since it has changed. Today as I placed some plants on a new bed ready for planting, I glanced down at a an empty pot and gave a small shriek as I caught sight of a toad! Just goes to show, put a pond in a garden that was dry and lacking any diversity in plants and even toads try to get in ont he act! I didn't try and kiss it though!!
August 13th
Yesterday toads ,today dragonflies,snails,bees,birds. God I am full up!! Today was a great day. The pond is looking great.The plants are in and the shingle down.Everything is suddenly comming together and the end of this project is in sight. It is sad when you leave a job you have enjoyed and been excited about seeing the complete change. But it is also very rewarding. But I will miss the portaloo with a urinal!! I will miss Leo the huge labrador who sits on everything you have just planted and carries round his squeeky toy looking up longingly for one of us to play games with him.Trouble is he smells so much you just want to chuck the toy miles away to get away from the pong! I will miss the local Budgens which stocks things I have never seen before including a whole section of food from the Cotswolds! I will miss odd things like a strange dog suddenly appearing in the garage like it did today! We were just leaving the property and about to lock up the garage and put the tea things away,when Mick noticed a large pair of eyes at the back looking at him.
A rather angry looking large labrador(not leo) was sitting glaring at him as he went in. I immediately jumped in the pickup leaving Michael to stare him out! Then I thought I had better not be so silly and came out to try and help get him out. We tried calling him and even snarling but nothing would make him move. So loudly we said we had better call the owner of the house where we were working to say we couldn't lock up due to a savage beast in the garage! At this , the dog got up and left! What does he know about the client that we don't!! Anyway, beast gone we packed up and set off home exhausted but satisfied we had had a good day and were getting near the end of the project. Having a 'new garden' can sometimes spur people on to do other things to their homes and I noticed the client had some interior decorators round the other day. We gardeners are like exterior decorators and give a new lease of life to people.Perhaps we should all be therapists! At this rate I might need some myself!!
August 17th
Nearly at the end of the job now. The pond is establishing itself and the I managed to stain the bridge while Michael was beavering away making wonderful rustic hand rails for the bridge. Graeme came today to see how the project was going and I was dying to show him the new wildlife that had come in and told him about the frog that keeps popping up and scaring me but as usual where was the ........! Luckily the client has seen it and I am not imaging slimy creature! And the dragonflies exist too and the butterflies.She saw them at the weekend! In fact the client is so happy she wants me to come back and do the front garden. Now I will never leave!! Oh well ,means I might be able to hire the portaloo with the urinal again!! Not for my use of course-I have to think of the boys!!
August 20th
Not sure quite how to put this but the poor little frog had a sticky end (more squashy really). On tuesday I was busy putting a mulch over bits of planting round the pond and being very careful not to fall in the water, I stepped back onto a stone and heard and felt a squelsh under my boot. I wasn't wearing Uggs but maybe I should have been ! I thought I had troden on a rotten apple which had come from an existing tree near the pond but I looked down and to my horror I had stepped on the frog. I immediately screamed and the client came running out from the house. I was so shaken I sat down and began to cry. Michael explained what had happened and the client was mildly amused! I was in such a state.
Here I am bringing wildlife into the garden and then I accidently kill it!! Micheal has now installed a Claudia proof frog which he found in the garden.It is made of concrete! There are quite a few odd little concrete animals in the garden that we have found whilst digging. Maybe I should have a few always with me so that if I am ever likely to step on an unsuspecting creature, I will be able to rustle up a concrete one!! After the frog episode, I carried on applying a wonderful rich organic compost which we had picked up locally. Adding the mulch really finishes off the beds and will help combat the weed growth as well as act as a much needed soil improver. Micheal began installing the watering system which has proved a little difficult only due to the fact the water pressure is so low at the property so we have gone for the leaky pipe kind. Tommorow will probably be the last day on this job for now until we start the front garden for the client! Hope she doesn't want a pond there too - don't want to step on another frog-makes a horrid pop!
August 25th
Job done in Surrey at last. I will post pictures soon on the site. It has been quite a difficult contract with such poor access and terrible soil,not to mention the roots and tree problems. You get so absorbed in a job that everything else seems to go by the by. Still I did get a nice birthday cake from Graeme. So I am off to the hairdresser and a few other places -say no more! But now onto project number two. We started today just taking apart a very badly done pond and stream. It may be a slow job. We are having a battle with a rather large heron. Most of the water has now gone from the pond and we are trying to save as many fish as we can and I am terrified I might find another frog!! God help it! The waders have come out and I am getting stuck in-literally!
September 2nd
Well Toffee did very well from the pond surplus of dead fish! He has also managed to turn my kitchen floor into another mud bath having spent days in and out of the pond unfazed by the digger. I have given up trying to have a clean floor.
What is it about September. Does the weather suddenly decide autumn should come sooner? It is freezing today and wet. Just the right time to dig a pond! It is interesting when you prepare a site for a pond how much extra land seems to appear. You have to make the area bigger than the actual size of the pond and create marginal shelves before you even think of putting the underlay and liner in.
This means you create a large area of earth around the site and backfill certain areas. In this case we are raising the original height of the pond so we are using the soil to backfill before adding a layer of sand to the bottom. It is quite a specialised job when you do it properly and you have to be skilled on a digger. Not sure Michael thinks I am quite there yet! But to be fair he has let me loose a few days to dig and do some levelling. What is it about men and machines!! Fish are now safely away from the heron in a holding pool. The liner has arrived and the work can begin to put the underlay down then the liner. Lifting a 10x15 liner in place is never easy so it is all hands an paws on deck to get it spread out and trying to avoid any creases or folds. Then water will go in to stabilise the bottom and let the liner settle before filling it up. Before that though the earth has to be moved back carefully around the liner, excess cut off and buried into the soil around the edges. A lot of work goes on preparing for a wildlife pond but once it is established it will brings years of enjoyment and wildlife to the garden.
September 10th
Had no internet for days now thanks to BT. Really handy when they don't tell you they have changed the coding for broadband! My daughters have been climbing the walls unable to get on Facebook. You would have the thought the world had come to an end! As for me , I have been busy creating a stream for the pond and placing large rocks with the digger. I am going to miss the digger now that it has been offhired. We did have two at one point but the first one decided to break down after a couple of days. Michael tried to blame my driving on the breakdown-hmm, well it wasn't me but a 1amp fuse of all things!! Can u imagine a 7 tonne machine not working because a 1 amp fuse had blown! Nearly at the end of week two now and the pond and stream are finally taking shape. The remaining soil has been levelled, rocks placed and the whole area is ready for planting. But before that can happen we are going to make a new bridge and jetty across the pond. So it's off to the wood yard on Monday. Then we will become carpenters for a few days as we make our bridge and jetty,then builders as we put it in place and finally back to gardeners as we plant and finish the landscaping. To think I often get asked why I say I am so tired!
September 15th
Been an odd few days. Haven't felt 100 per cent and have been dragged off mid pond work to look round schools with younger daughter. The visit to the woodyard was suspended and the poor fish are still waiting to be let loose back in their new pristine pond. However, after today's downpours, it 'wood' have been very wet!! In my true sourcing style, I have been scouring round looking for the best wildflower mix to put round the new landscaped area round the pond. Getting the right mix is important as it must be tailored to the soil type which is very sandy and dry. On a dry day half the seed will end up in next door's pond and or be very welcome bird food! Maybe I should follow the old wives tale and sow after sunset when all the birds are roosting.I wondeer if I can wear uggs after dark! I can become the ugg sowing turf gardener designer. Now there's a thought and a vision!
September 21st
Not written for a while as I have been on Mother's duty! Dragged round schools with one daughter and settling other one into University. Poor Michael has been left alone to build a jetty over the water without any drawings or input from me!! Bet he relished working alone for once! He had total freedom of style and design. Luckily I am a good teacher!! He knows me well and when I say rustic he builds something which not only looks the part but is solid too. He went all by himself to pick the oak from the timber yard, and despite sending me a couple of pictures, he chose lovely pieces of rough edged oak boards complete with bark and moss. When I eventually made it to the job, having driven half way round England with a fifteen year old who still can't decide if she wants to board or not, I was so happy to see how much he had achieved and on his own. Those planks are heavy and he had a made a sturdy base onto which he had attached the boards, recessing the screwheads to allow for wooden dowling. The area round the pond has also been raked and cleared of all stone and debris in readiness for teh wild flower seed. The seed has arrived but I am nervous about how small the package is. One killo. I will have to make sure it is applied at the correct rate which I believe is four grams per square metre or as per my earlier blog, after sunset when the birds are fast asleep. It's going to be a long night-don't have a torch!
September 24th
Yesterday we downed tools and hot footed it to Ashford in Kent to a Seminar. It was organised by a large Kent Nursery who I have used several times. Speakers included Mark Gregory, Anthony Paul,Fergus Garret of Great Dixter and Chris Beardshaw of Save the World . Com!! The seminar was all based on 'Change' which covered climate, techniques, technology and tools over the past years. A fascinating day with a good lunch!! I was first in the queue having decided to make a fourth visit to the ladies during question time!! During lunch I bumped into Simon and Jill Foxley- The Perfumed Garden. Such a nice couple and fellow Juicers!! We put the horticultural world to rights and agreed that Chris Beardshaw had given an impassioned talk making us feel we had the worlds survival on our shoulders!! Today was plant collecting day . With little regard for our carbon footprint, we hot footed it to Dorset in a large 4x4 ! We spent 3 hours on the M27. Two hours selecting plants covered in blanket weed and another 2 and a half hours back to Sussex to deliver the thirsty water plants to their new home. Exhausted from a streneous day , Mr T headed off and I decided to eventually collapse with a glass of sauvignon and a sausage and mash! I even made a gravy! Tomorrow into the pond-wet suit ready and weellies at dawn!
September 27th
The wellies came out as did the wetsuit but the latter was not needed. Michael and I decided in our wisdom to lug huge pieces of stone and line the pond first. We then decided we wanted more shingle as well so the plants had to wait lined up on the bank before they were allowed near their final planting places. It was magical day weather wise. With little or no water in the pond , I was amazed to see a fantastic huge and colourful draggonfly buzzing round. It seemed to love the oak deck or 'jecking' as Michael has named it. Cross between a jetty and a deck. Think we should ad this to the dictionary! Later on as the sun went down , a mass of swallows filled the sky. Toffee didn't know what had hit him. He chases birds out of 'his' arispace but this swarm of swallows stumped him. The pond is in such a beautiful setting with cows in the field behind and a mist which comes up the river nearby , it has been such a wonderful job that it is hard to leave each day. It is so rewarding to watch a pond come to life from where there was once a bare patch. When planting marginals etc it is best to think less is more as they can bulk up quite a lot but I am holding back too to get more in the spring as most nurseries are pretty low on water plants at this time of year and the quality is not great. After a long day taking essentials to the daughter at University , and having spent days on what seems like every British motorway this week , I am going to try to relax and switch off for a day tomorrow. Oh I forgot. there is homework to do- other daughter needs help with french, art, english...........etc etc
September 28th
Homework done and food delivered to daughter at Uni. Think I am being made to change the picture on here now by my two followers!! I will traul my vast library to find a suitable one but have been ill in bed today and don't think that would be a good image! So no gardening today but sheer frustration of being stuck inside on a beautiful day. But it did give me a chance to read up on magazines and books and look at the huge amount of catalogues I picked up at recent shows. The process of rejecting leaflets is very theraputic and equal to chopping branches! And no Graeme, not going for Guiness book or records- yet!
October 1st!
Can't believe it is October.Have re-tuned all the TVs for freeview. Pictures are much clearer now. Have spent 3 days inside but today I ventured out to look at a new build in Sussex on the harbour. Such a pretty spot. Hope to get the job. Incredible views over the estuary near Chichester. Went to see how Michael had been getting on without my expert help! What can I say, glad I turned up!! But he had been keeping me in regular contact-my mobile had been bleeping every two minutes with pictures of his work on the pond. Everytime I was trying to nod off, my phone thumped and woke me up and as I threw it away on the bed , it seemed to come alive under the covers , flashing away. Of course I should have known better and switched it off but I never switch off! Had a call to look at a moat next week in Witshire and a small pond in London. Must get fit and well as more driving on the way- going to try and teach Toffee to drive I think.
October 7th
Oh I hate the cold and rain and dreary skies. The colours are just wonderful at this time of year and driving down to Wiltshite, the roads were glistening with autumn hues. I went to see a moat round a medieval manor house. Such a wonderful setting, dampened only by the drizzle of rain which made me look like one of the sheep in the field. In fact I can make a very convincing baa noise so maybe I would be accepted by the resident flock near the Manor if I get into trouble! I can also make other noises too and I felt quite at home with all the methane coming out of the moat! I wandered round the Manor and up and down the fields , climbing over barbed wire fences, ducking brambles although I kept stopping to eat blackberries. I came back covered in black from the berries looking as if I had been beaten! Passing one of Witshire's big white horses on the hill, I wound my way round the lanes and went to visit a friend who lived nearby and her wonderful house and garden. I think she took pity on me , thinking the stains on my face were either some hideous disease or I had been attacked by wild animals! I swiftly ran off and washed as much of the juice off and went round her garden and new pool area which I had helped her plan the planting of and took pictures to show family. A busy day when I eventually got back in the car, but I headed even further into Wiltshire for the next part of the trip to find stone and see another project. That story can wait till the next time I log on!
October 15th
Here I am wondering what on earth has happened to the last week. Last time I read my own blog I was in Wiltshire. Think I must have amnesia because the last few days seem to have happened without me! As I vaguelly remember I coverered the whole of Wiltshire trying to find the next place I had to visit to do a quote. I also came across garden centres and stone merchants which I just HAD to stop at! My car became laden with brochures and samples and loads of reading material before I wound my way back across Salisbury plain looking out for tanks crossing the road and military vehicles but instead got stuck behind a camper van for at least the next 30 miles all the way to Sussex. Having trailed behind for hours through three different counties, a sigh of relief came when eventually I was able to overtake and zoom off trying to avoid pheasants sticking to my bonnet. It's as if they are magnitised and love to go round in circles creating chaos. The roads are full of dead animals at the moment. Horrid. So back in Sussex I think I worked on a pond for a few days! Can't quite remember. I also had to visit another school for my daughter, drive up to Oxford to see the older one and go to see the osteopath as I haven't been able to move my neck more than an inch. Maybe that's why I haven't seen anything for a week!
October 25th
Been a while since I have blogged and I still can't remember what I have been doing! I do know that Micheal has been busy though. He has single handedly been finishing off the stream and pond, re-building old stone walls which have been collapsing and jet washing paving. All by himself!! In fact he seems to have achieved quite a lot without me. I am not sure whether to be pleased at this or not. Does that mean I really am not needed at times? No of course it doesn't, it means I have taught him well!! Bet he won't see it that way. So what have I been up to. Well , I have been trying to re-write some of my website which will be changed in the next few weeks. I have also been attempting to re-do bits of my own house and trying to tackle my own garden. It is difficult finding time to do any work at home and especially in ones own garden.
I gather so much information all the time and odd plants which I have heeled in to certain beds but never really have the time to plan the space. It is easier to work for someone else instead of oneself! I would hate to work for me!! There never seems enough time in the day to do all the things I want to do and visit everywhere I want to go. Last week my daughter was on half term which scuppered any plans I have had to go off and be like a child in a sweet shop at the several nurseries I wanted to visit. Instead I took her to Ikea. What possessed me to do that is questionable but I had promised to take her there for a while. She is quite a little designer and was eager to see the place. As is customary with a visit to Ikea, I got lost getting there, had a fight in the car park with another motorist and hated every minute of the time inside!
Surprisingly, my daughter wasn't impressed with the room sets or the market place. She didn't want to sample a Swedish meetball(which is actually the only reason to go there) and she couldn't wait to leave! My god- she is just like her mother! We left empty handed and decided to visit Brent Cross. If you have ever been there or to any shopping centre like it , you know you can only park where you know how to enter the place or you get sucked into a one way system that spits you out on a road you don't recognise and can never find a way out of! Needless to say we parked near the way in and trailed round the place unsure why we had gone but at least we ate at Wagamama- her favourite! So really I haven't achieved much in the past few days. Michael has been beavering away without me quite happily and my husband has discovered a new pastime-clearing leaves from the pond. I wonder if you can order leaves on the internet!!
October 30th
I can't believe it is Halloween again. I never seemed to notice it or feel it was an event when I was younger but now as a mother of two girls, one thankfully too old to participate anymore, I am having to buy loads of sweets for the thousands of children that come knocking. I am convinced they are now bused into our area and let loose before being scooped up and bused to another street nearby.Then they seem to come back again thinking I won't remember each and everyone of them !! As if I would forget hundreds of ghosts and vampires!! I am still waiting for a trick from one of them. So I will be carving the pumpkin again tomorrow , swearing like mad as I slice through my finger and try to make something resembling a cat or witch but ends up looking more like a giant mush! The leaves are falling thick and fast , (keeps the husband busy!) and I can see how many trees need prunning next year. At this time of year a giant vacumm is quite handy and so is a blower !! It is also great fun !! Soon we will be like little squirrels , but for now I am enjoting the mild spell and enjoying the wonderful colours on the trees. What an incredible autumn it has been.
November 6th
Been a while again since writing my blog. I have been doing a lot of research for products and visiting places for inspiration. As the weather turns more cold and unsettled, the famous Uggs have come out again! I must say I have missed walking round the streets in furry slippers! Today they had an outing to Wisley. I had to take an American lady out today who wanted ' to do' garden things! So I took her to Wisley with my uggs. I kept forgetting I was going with someone who had never been before and was desperate to get out of the cold into the greenhouse but she hadn't brought her camera so we had to stop regularly to take pictures that I could email later ( hmm wonder if I will remember! ) My new friend ended up happily buying stuff in the shop , don't think any of it was garden related though. In fact one thing I found very interesting was -here we are in the Wisley shop with a wonderful selection of gardening books and an RHS Showcase garden - now what do you suppose everyone was looking at in the shop? All the gardening books etc ....no of course not- all the other 'stuff' you can find in any high street shop. Not quite sure what that tells us!!
November 21st
Been quite a while now since my last post-in fact ages. Hope Graeme hasn't felt too left out! You see I have been a bit under the weather-literally! Despite trying to battle on in the dark and blowy , wet weather , I have been having a bit of tummy trouble and not felt like doing much . I haven't even eaten much which is not a good sign for me. I am as those that know me well, the eternal grazer. Little and very often is my motto! So it turns out I have a stomach ulcer and even though I had one when i was seven, this time it feels a lot more painful! I have to avoid even more foods than normal now. I am virtually allergic to most things I put in my mouth despite wanting to eat everything I see but now I am limited to an even blander diet. Oh what fun and with Christmas coming!! Maybe I will become the disappearing gardener! I am already the allergic one so what's with a name! As for what I am meant to be doing, as usual Michael has been left alone a lot. I think he is starting to enjoy his new found freedom a bit too much! Last week I designed and had made a beehive which I will soon add to my collection of items which I will soon be marketing. I also had made a planter shaped like an eating trough which I may also add as a herb stand. I am itching to design more and more items. For now, though I will have to keep my brain occupied by finishing a small pond in London for a client and eating lots of yogurt!
November 27th
I have eaten enough yogourt now to make me think I should have a goat or cow in my garden. Be a lot cheaper. Not sure how the neighbours would react though. Don't think they would worry about the animal more about the methane - and that's just from me! Stomach aside, I am planning a trip to the Cotswolds next week to see a few clients before the end of the year. I will also do a bit of sourcing while I am up there- gosh nearly going North!! I hope to add to my feature on what to buy the gardener for Christmas and highlight something a little bit different. Michael has been busy whilst I have been crawling round on all fours. I like to send him off on little missions- keeps him busy and I allow him out a few times a year! He has been doing some sourcing too for pond products on the market. I may even allow him to write a little line or two about them....no, maybe not just yet. After my little trip ,it is full on again with a small pond in London with waterfall. Not the best time of year as apparently the pond has hibernating frogs but never mind, they will soon have a lovely new outdoor bathroom. It is hard trying to show a client what the pond will look like with the way water plants look at this time of year but hopefully they trust my judgement! I just hope I don't end up killing a frog again like I did in the summer- yuk
December 2nd
Tomorrow is my venture deep into the Cotswolds and the forecast is rain ,more rain and even more rain. With pictures of Tewksbury looking like an island in today's papers, I may need to find a sail and an oar! What will become of my precious uggs-will they float away? Shall I write and sos message in them and hope they will be found, saying marroned gardener from the South needs help? I will go prepared though. My car already resembles a small house on wheels so I should be covered for every eventuality. Just can't seem to get the aga in yet! I am looking forward to seeing, if I don't need a periscope,some of the gardens I worked on last year near Burford. If they look untidy because the maintenance hasn't been kept up , I shall deny I ever had anything to do with them should anyone ask! If they look good even at this time of year or are not under a sea of mud and water, then I shall blow my trumpet!
December 8th
I didn't drown and more importantly ,my uggs stayed dry! Even in winter there is something quite magical about the Cotswolds. The only real problem is the huge military aircraft that circle over samll villages deafening even the raucous crows. What I have enjoyed working with in that part of the world , has been the lovely stone walls that act as backdrops to sheltered gardens and the mellow colour lends itself to my way of planting using soft muted tones. The wonderful things about gardening and designing is being able to use so many different natural products such as wood and stone. I get great enjoyment from learning new skills and every new garden is a fresh challenge. Back to building that pond now! It seems to have eluded me for a few weeks now and I have to keep Michael busy! But today Michael did very well and was kept very busy. He flew to Edingburgh and hadn't been in a plane for 31 years! He didn't even get the red carpet treatment- he got the orange one!
December 15th
Has Micheal been busy? Yes, of course he has -like a beaver building a dam. With his little furry hat and new cat puffa, he has been digging away preparing a large hole in London! Think he wishes I would fall into it sometimes. But never fear, the ugg gardener has been just one step behing lugging stone, clearing plants and doing lots of pointing! At the weekend, we had another Micheal helping. Very confusing. Both nicknamed Mick, I couldn't take the M... cos I was outnumbered. One Mick is quite enough I can tell you! We have worked well despite , freezing every part of our anatomy. I even managed to not step on a frog this time-there were about 23 in the garden. The pond looks like it has always been there and the client is so excited , she keeps asking me to do other bits in the garden while I am still doing the pond. Typical! You know what I mean. It goes something like this' While you are here , do you think you could just....and , and then...?' Hmmm.....!!
December 18th
Snow business like pond building, there's snow business I know...... We started the pond in bright sunshine, freezing cold but at least sunny. We are finishing it today with white powder covering us and all the frogs who look very confused. Michael looks the part. Wrapped up like a real snowman,complete with wooly hat and big coat. I however, look more like I have come out of a charity shop having bought oversized wooly jumpers and nothing that co-ordinates. The frogs don't seem to mind though.They are more worried about large ugg boots falling on them! Toffee isn't quite sure what to make of the white stuff. I am worried I might loose him though as he has got older his fur is loosing its black patches.I will have to buy him a black coat with four little boots! So off we plod now , all wrapped up. Wish us well!!
December 21st
Rain at -1? What is going on! It's pouring outside and I am wrapped up in bed feeling sore and aching all over. Typical. Finished the pond on the weekend and the client is very happy. The frogs were so relieved to be in their new environment. I was so worried as most of them had frozen solid against the ice on top of the pool we had left them in but they slowly came to life and swam around hiding in their new little holes we created in the rockery areas. The fish were even more excited and almost leapt with joy at all the space they now have. We cleared up as much as we could before nearly turning into frozen statues. I was worried about Michael as he had leant me his hat and being a little lacking in the hair department, I thought he might end up looking like a snowman. I think I will get him some fluffy earmufs for Christmas. I am sure he will really like those!! So a few days left now till the big day which we either love or dread! The end of another year and I think most of us are quite relieved. I hope next year will be better for us all and I thank Phil again for providing I am such a great site which we have all benefited from and shared experiences on.
December 31st
Sat at a small desk in Verbier , temperature outside about -18! Fireworks have been going off for hours now and in fact for a couple of days previously. Skiing has been tricky to say the least- the sky has often blended in with the mountains and I have got completely lost on several pistes - and that is without being p....d! The uggs have come out too-joined me in the snow and now have taken on such an interesting shape and colour, I think I have invented a new shoe! Out in the mountains , I have bought a copy of a french garden magazine. I love looking at magazines abroad and seeing all the different ways they look at things even at this time of year. There seem to be many more features on barbeques and ponds in their January editions! So a few more days in the blizzards here before going back to a cold Britain. I left in the snow and arrived in it. I have eaten so many fondus and raclettes , I think I will need an extra seat on the plane for my tummy! At least it will keep me warm in the coming few months. Happy New Year to all and my one reader!!
January 7th
I needn't have worried about taking up two seats on the flight home- seventeen hours later from when I was meant to have left Switzerland, I had sat on 2 planes, 3 airport terminals and a coach. To cut a long story short, the plane never left Switzerland so we were bused to Lyons, four hours away to find a plane at midnight! Back home eventually tired and hungry at 3 30 am, the cold and snow is a constant reminder of what I had just left behind. I have decided that like a ski instructor, a gardener needs to find a summer job and a winter one. So I am going to start making snowmen out of uggs! So what are we all doing in this weather I wonder? I know that on LJ has swapped his Hunters for a desert storm combat outfit and I wish him safe as he is my other reader! For the rest of us it is a constant battle to know what each hour will bring outside. I have lost so many tender plants which I failed to put under cover and I know this year will be an expensive one for me on the plant front. It will be interesting in the coming months to see how many people have in fact lost plants and how much business the garden centres will be doing. I am also going to do more courses this year and go to more shows abroad to see what is new and how others have faired. From tomorrow I will be working on my website to try and update it soon and make changes and huddling in front of the fire, uggs on and wooly hat. What a pretty picture.
January 16th
Been a few days now since I have written. I had a slight shock when I went to the dentist just for a a very quick check of one tooth and I ended up fainting and being unwell following his sudden announcement to pull out my wisdom tooth. I have been feeling rather unwell since and feeling a little wobbly. Surviving on soup is not a bad thing but I long to bite something hard!! I will have to summon my strength now as I am off on a course next week and will be stopping en route to see some nurseries in Wiltshire. Now the snow has all but gone and the rain has set in, it is a bit depressing out there but signs of spring are showing through. My daffs are popping up through the soil. I can see little green shoots. There is still a lot of clearing still to be done. Lots of pots to empty and leaves to rake. Michael has been busy up North! Where is that again?!! He has been helping re-build some walls which were done very badly. I let him out a few times just so that he knows how much better it is working with me!! I am getting excited about the Hard Landscaping show in March where I hope to promote some small crafts people. It should be good networking and a good opportunity to promote British work.
January 24th The cold has returned and my uggs have had to come out again. They are so rigid now and more uggly than ever as the name suggests, that I fear I will have to find new footwear soon. It seems that the cold air is set to continue later in the week and I am going to regret having just cut back some plants that looked very sad in my own garden. This time of year , I usually tie a lot of climbers in to the walls and make sure any straggly bits are well supported or removed if they look like they need a trim. Tomorrow Michael and I will be on our knees, building a dry stone wall to make a raised bed. Having got the dry stone bug in 2008 at Hampton Court, it really is quite rewarding when you find a piece that fits. I must admit to letting out a little giggle of excitment when I complete a row. I must also admit to a small competitive streak that comes over me when Michael and I are working and we are each doing one section-I have to finish mine first! I suppose I have to concede that he may be better than me at it but he is older!!!
February 1st Wow it's cold. I thought we had escaped that biting wind but jst when you think it's gone it whips round your neck and you wish you had invented the ugg hat! I am feeling low again. Having finished the dry stone wall- well ok I passed Michael a stone or two, I read in the paper that there is no G Spot!! Have they not read my blog??!! But all is ok- the French have found it!! It does exist!! So get gardening!!!
February 9th
Gosh this week has flown by and so has the temperature. Michael has been busy building a vegetable garden and creating another lovely brick path. I have been researching craftsmen and women for The Hard Landscaping Show in March and I am very grateful to Steven for supporting the Artisan Avenue as well as The Landscaper for all their promotion and Phil for his continued support.
I have been sourcing new products to review and finding out about new plant varieties that are coming out this year. Designing gardens covers all aspects of the proffession at times and I am never sure quite which hat I am wearing at times. Poor Toffee is often dragged around in the car , thinking he is going for a lovely walk in fields only to be dissapointed when I am constantly stopping and dashing out to see something that has caught my eye. I think I need two heads- well , some people think I have!!
February 14th
Valentines day- I always wondered why there were no crop circles in the shape of hearts or would that give the game away! The weather we are told is going to get bad again so snow is back on the menu. Just when you think it is safe to order plants and get them in the ground, you have to hold back again.
Several clients have all decided suddenly they want some hedging so I will be hurtling off again round the countryside looking at different nurseries and pricing up. So as snow is forcast, I think I will get my chains out- not for the car-for my uggs!!
Comments
As for my ugg boots coming out , you will just have to keep reading my blog to see if the warmer weather means they stay under wraps.
However, if my daughter ever reads this the ugg boots will certainly never make it out again-on my feet anyway!!
It is interesting you should say this Claudia. I recall Kerrie saying something similar on the site when she joined. It can be a lonely job and although we are lucky to be outside, interaction with others is essential.
I have memories of loneliness and not having anyone (outside of home) to share my business and financial thoughts and concerns despite employing many people.
It is good to share views as we do on this site and realise that we are not all mad when it's pouring down and we are knee deep in mud.Well, maybe we are a bit mad but there are a lot of us out there!
Maybe we should carry a warning-or have a sign like builders do when you walk under something and it says' men working overhead'. What could ours be I wonder?!
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