Front Garden Renovation Begins

Slowly and surely the garden is being transformed. We started on the part in front of the glasshouse, being the easiest and smallest area. John had to get crusher dust to re-lay the edging bricks.

Contemplating the next step

Channel dug and crusher dust being laid.

The two bricks high is wonderful for sitting and I am sifting the soil for nut grass and lumpy bits. The soil on this side especially the fence line wasn't the best as at one stage  it was our pathway to the front door. How things have changed over the years.

Digging up the plants

Considering what to do with the chilli on the left and waiting on the marigolds to seed.

The edging comes in one big, one medium and one small. The landscape salesman was very pleased when we came in with our order as someone had returned just the large ones so it was a relief for him that we bought them, and ordered the others as well.

New ones certainly stand out from the old.

I am thinking of getting a delivery of mushroom compost, when the time comes, as I read this was much better than vegetable mix, as most of it was bark. This means I can incorporate it along with some cow manure into the soil, which will give it a lot more body. Mushroom compost is made up of hay, and organic fertilizers, and although spent makes a great soil booster.

We put all the crusher dust in the first bed, space is very limited.

Progress to date.

The two tin oval beds will go on the left hand side edge. We just have to work  out how to lift them without having to dig  all the soil out.

Playing with the space again.

 Meanwhile we have started chipping away at the other side.

 Carrots going to seed.

 At the very front, before picture

As the beds from the nature strip to the edge is 1.2 metre wide including the bricks we have had to move what is there back slightly. This will make it easier to reach across and weed. Most of the plants are permanent, along the fence lines on this side, roses, dahlias, hippeastrums, azaleas, ferns.

Start of the channel.

We were hovering on making the wooden beds into wicking ones, but there can be a problem with a soil fungus due to humidity of keeping water in the bottom layer. The fungus once in the soil is extremely hard to get rid of, so in the end have decided against it. They are good in dry areas like Adelaide, but in a humid area I don't want to take the chance.

Up to the crusher dust being laid.

We cannot do much more till the other bricks turn up. Other than destroying the rest of the garden. One big problem is where to put all the dirt. I do not want to fill any beds without sifting first due to the nut grass. No where to put it all into one big pile either unless it is the driveway.

My 10yr. old Grandaughter in Sydney has started following my blog recently so a special hello to her. Show dad the progress Miss J. he doesn't know.

 Till next time stay safe and cool.