Creating a sustainable garden

A garden for enjoyment, a garden for growing food, a garden for wildlife

Since we have moved to our house the garden has been a work in progress, an ever changing canvas where I like spending a lot of time.

The dreaded Leylandiae or “green concrete” have now been taken out and replaced with fruit trees and fruit bearing shrubs:

A conference pear, a victoria plum, two currents, raspberries and a blueberry.
I was a little concerned about the sharp winter frost but they have all survived and the currents are already bearing fruits.

I have ensured there are a lot of flowers for the bees, and we  have tadpoles swimming around the pond.  As a couple of mice have drowned last autumn we have made improvements to the ladder that allows beasties to escape from the pond if they have fallen in.

The neighbours have put in a new fence and we have ensured there are still wildlife corridors for hedgehogs, frogs etc. between all the gardens.  Yes a Schengen for wildlife…

Our dining shed’s green make-over is also finished and the extension now has sheep wool insulation, double-glazing and was boarded with Fermacell recycled gypsum boards and re-decorated.  Now it is acting as a greenhouse for bringing on the vegetables!

Here and there I introduce more edibles amongst the decorative plants.  I’m just bringing on a whole crowd of artichokes that will provide some architectural interest as well as a few meals.

Our garden will be open for viewing and inspiration during the Gardens of Bookham open day on 22 June.. Cyclists will get extra warm welcome.