Starting Over
With the decision to rebuild on our one-acre rural property, I expected some mayhem during the removal of previous dwellings and the excavation of the site. I was not, however, fully prepared for what was to follow.
Mounds of dirt, sand, rock and debris covered almost our entire lot. The gardens were all destroyed along with some trees and bushes which had to be sacrificed. Deep trenches were dug along the driveway to bury cables, wires and water lines.
Faced with this upheaval, I kept reminding myself it was a temporary situation and planning for our new landscape began.
Texture was added with the use of hardscape materials. We chose fine gravel for the winding driveway and basalt rock for the walkways.
Consideration was given to scale and proportion in the design.
Along the driveway, large boulders, many of which were uncovered during the excavation process, created a raised garden and retaining wall. The sandy, rocky soil required significant amending and improvement with the addition of new soil, compost and manure. King Alfred Daffodils, Heather and a variety of Euphorbias provide early spring color.
Recycled windows and a door from our previous house were used in the greenhouse/potting shed. This is where I foster my plant obsession.
We also built raised beds to grow organic vegetables and constructed a shed using some recycled materials to store our garden tools and equipment. Clematis Armandii is happily climbing up the attached trellis.
An assortment of perennials in our new rock garden will hopefully provide colourful appeal in the coming months. Liatris, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Bee Balm, Phlox, and Papaver should attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.
I’ve attempted to choose the right plant for the right location with a preference for easy to grow, tough perennials, both drought tolerant and deer resistant.
It’s an ongoing process but I’m happy to see my informal garden evolving.
In this time of social distancing and stressful uncertainty, my garden is a sanctuary where I am surrounded by peace and calmness.
“The lesson I have learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives” -Gertrude Jekyll
Amazing Judy! Thanks for your interesting write-up and great photos.
ReplyDeleteJoyce R.
lovely to see your garden and what you did with the recycled windows. I would love such a wee building. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteLiane
What a lot of work! It looks wonderful and I'm sure it will continue to be a source of great pleasure.
ReplyDeleteFabulous to see the transformation & all the thought & creativity that has gone into it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing it.
Julie
Beautiful garden! I am looking for a Judy Youngman that used to work in a hospital in Toronto - I used to work with her and wondered if this is her! Thanks!
ReplyDelete