What we now term the Pond Bed runs along the Kitchen Path to the
Patio Bed. During the last few days, Jackie has been planting such as these primulas in this stretch of ground.
These images show part of the rim of the rocky water feature that lay buried beneath this area when we bought the house 11 years ago. What we hadn’t realised, and Jackie had now discovered, was that many of the rocks had joined rather thin soil in filling the large sculptured pond. This is clearly why nothing of any depth has satisfactorily grown there. The Head Gardener had managed to prise out a few of these rough-hewn slabs of stone, but had to leave most of them for Martin to tackle today.
Our friend has recycled the stone to strengthen the walls around the beds and to create a footpath through the pond one.
He cleared up the refuse and tipped some of the sifted soil into the bed which he
then levelled off with more redistributed earth and compost.
Before lunch I took another poles practicing walk down Downton Lane.
I spent the afternoon reading enough of ‘Devices and Desires’ for the end to be in sight.
This evening we dined on second helpings of yesterday’s spicy merguez casserole boosted by the addition of Ferndene Farm Shop pork and garlic sausages and fresh vegetables, with which Jackie drank Diet Coke and I finished the Shiraz.
That’s a lot of work to dig the old rock out, wow!
Thanks very much, John
You are welcome! ❤️
You are lucky to have both Jackie and Martin working on these projects. Dinner sounds great too.
Thanks very much, Pat
I see spring headed to your place!
Looks like it, Liz. Thank you very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
What a mystery. Glad you have a helper to solve the problem.
Thank you so much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Now, “recycled rocks”, is an interesting term, and has the pebbles in my head tumbling around, Derrick …
I look forward to what you do with them, Ivor. Thanks you very much
The reclaimed rocks are in the process of being retrained…
That’s some impressive recycling, Derrick. I love how those buried stones have now found a new purpose in your garden, reinforcing beds and pathways. Looking forward to seeing how the Pond Bed flourishes!
Thank you so much, Donna
Another good recycling tale.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Great job on the pond bed! I’m inspired!
You never know what you’ll find when you start digging. Love the way Martin has created a path with the large old stones.
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
That was a great job by Martin. I am glad he is still available to help you and Jackie.
Thanks very much, Lavinia. He has no intention of stopping 🙂
Nice discovery though.
Yes, thank you, Arlene
I rather like the thought of ‘recycling rocks’ too. A new path an the start of more attracton for your spring garden. I am pleased to learn the walking poles are helping to get you out and about.
Thank you very much, Anne
This will be beautiful when it is in full bloom!
Thank you very much, msw
I wish Martin was in my gardens! Lol I love using rocks, I have many rocks edging my flower garden. It really helps keep the mulch in. Things are coming alive in your beautiful gardens!
Thank you very much, Diane
YAY for Martin…such a great worker and helper!
Rocks and gardens can go together…can compliment each other. I love how rocks (beautiful in and of themselves) can “frame” a masterpiece of colorful flowers and hearty plants. 🙂
I have a huge rock heart in one of our yards…the heart created by beautifully shaped rocks…a centerpiece surrounded by plants and flowers. 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
Thank goodness for Martin (and Jackie)! It’s lovely that it’s warm enough for planting to start. It’s not here. 🙂
Thank you so much, Merril
And the plan for this year’s garden begins!
Yep. Thanks very much, GP
Yay for Martin is right! Excellent recycling.
Thanks very much, Laurie
We are also beginning to plant out bin our back garden.
Thanks very much, Kim
It’s shaping up beautifully. I’ve dug up plenty of rocks before. It’s hard work!
Me, too. Our Rose Garden was full of rocks and other buried rubbish, including a bath. Thanks very much, Alys
Please let Jackie know that she lives in my head now, inspiring me when I go out and look at my garden. I wish I could be a fair-weather-only gardener, and wait till it’s warm and dry before I do anything. But the place is a mess from winter, and needs so much cleaning. I still don’t work when it’s raining, but when the rains let up, and it’s above freezing, I have been trying to do cleanup work. I tell myself that if Jackie can get out often during winter, than I can too!
I did an important task to help myself yesterday. After molting, our chicken Cyndi Lauper had nice strong flying feathers again, and has been getting out of the pen and tearing up my garden beds once more, looking for treats to eat. Yesterday I finally caught her and clipped those off once more, so I will have a chance at keeping the garden pretty.