A Transformation

Posted on Sep 8, 2021 by TanGental

Over the last three years we’ve worked to transform various parts of the garden. One bed, originally called the Hot Bed because it was always in the sun looked like this. It’s the bed on the right of the old arch, with roses and crocosmia and a mess of other plants. The triangle bed on the left was for roses and weeds (those pots of fox lilies and hostas were temporary to hide a multitude of sins)…

Oddly, there are very few photos of either bed; they were both rather… meah…

Then in the winter of 2019…

We began the big dig….

We removed the arch, dug out both beds, removed a tonne of bindweed and reached the underlying London clay… and we had the odd weather delay. We did successful replant the roses and a few peonies that had been there years.

Gradually we created a space. For 2020 (as we hit the buffers of Covid) our plans revised to grow veg…

The other, triangular bed had a makeoever too

Poppies!. All from seed saved from previous years. It allowed the clean up of the weeds to be given a second go – with bindweed you always miss some first time around. Second too in truth.

The veg was going great guns, but it’s a lot of work…

And the crops were splendid

And the triangle bed, after the poppies finished became…

The sunflower bed!

As 2020 ended we thought we’d let these beds go, have a rest while we decided on their future. Oh sure… ‘Dad, about our wedding…’

We striped them and threw down a tonne of poppies… just for some spring colour

Meanwhile we grew over 2000 plants from seed… (well, the Textiliste did).

Then in mid June and sacrificing the seeds (we have plenty) we stripped them all out, threw down packets of wild flower seeds and plugged in some of the seedlings (corncockles and straw flowers mostly) as well as dahlias in the triangle

June led to July and we played games with nature to hold her back; the cold she supplied and the rain helped – thanks Mother N!

August, the month of the wedding: had we held it back too much…?

No, we just about got it right…

And since the wedding?

It keeps getting better and better. I think the happy couple were pleased…

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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43 Responses to A Transformation

  1. bevveaseywalshe says:
    Sep 8, 2021 at 10:10 am

    That is the most wonderful- and candid, (which I love!) – chronicle of a gardening life. Much respect.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. trifflepudling says:
    Sep 8, 2021 at 12:52 pm

    Interesting evolution and great photos, demonstrating a lot of hard work! The thought of 2000 seedlings is beyond comprehension. The newly-married couple look rather stunning 😊 and very happy.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. willowdot21 says:
    Sep 8, 2021 at 12:53 pm

    What a lovely transformation,you have a vet growing in your sunflowes.
    As ever Dog and the happy couple look amazing 💜

    Liked by 1 person

  5. pensitivity101 says:
    Sep 8, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    Fabulous Geoff. And it all paid off beautifully.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Peter's pondering says:
    Sep 8, 2021 at 2:52 pm

    The quality control team of Dog and Robin did a sterling job, although the chargehand needs to keep on top of things. There were a couple of pictures of people doing nothing at all!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. John W. Howell says:
    Sep 8, 2021 at 4:14 pm

    The wildflowers are spectacular. A perfect way to use that bed.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. robertawrites235681907 says:
    Sep 8, 2021 at 6:51 pm

    Your garden is wonderful, Geoff, and your son and daughter-in-law are lucky to have you.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. JT Twissel says:
    Sep 8, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    What a lovely couple! So happy all that hard work paid off.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. petespringerauthor says:
    Sep 9, 2021 at 2:06 am

    How nice when your plans come to fruition! Thanks for allowing us along on the ride.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Norah says:
    Sep 9, 2021 at 1:10 pm

    A beautiful transformation, but soooo much work. Worth it for us though. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. insearchofitall says:
    Sep 10, 2021 at 1:25 am

    That is an absolutely STUNNING garden!!! You both did an outstanding job of it all. Maybe you can rent it out for weddings and then send yourselves on a vacation for all the work involved. I have such a tiny plot of rented land that is not good for much. I would sit in your garden and just breathe in the beauty of it all. I’m glad to hear the wedding went well. Great photo of the happy couple.

    Like

  13. noelleg44 says:
    Sep 10, 2021 at 3:19 pm

    Are you going to go back to raising veggies again? Our soil here is all clay, good enough for bricks, so we are expanding to FOUR raised beds next year, just for veggies and herbs. The herbs do wonderfully because they love full sun.
    But do have a rest first!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. D. Wallace Peach says:
    Sep 20, 2021 at 12:31 am

    That looks like a lot of work, Geoff, but wow did it pay off. Your garden is fabulous. And I love that you grew veggies too. Nice!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Jennie says:
    Oct 30, 2021 at 1:33 pm

    What a tribute to the garden and your hard work over the years. And look how it is now! Lovely post, Geoff. You give me hope that I can tackle some of my bad spots in the spring. I have to be brave enough to dig out the old. BTW, where did your turtle go during the wedding?

    Liked by 1 person

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