Garden Development
The transformation of Ida’s Garden – step by step
Implementing the garden plan
On this page we describe how the plan for Ida’s garden is slowly implemented and the practical experience we gain from the various projects. Simultaneously, unforeseen things happen and need to be adjusted. The garden still needs general maintenance, while it is being transformed. Read about the garden plan.
Brick Garden Path. The new meandering garden path is made of bricks. It reaches from the Eastern to the Western patio.
Garden Landscape. A new landscape has been established in the front yard. Next to the patio is a lawn plateau, followed by two smaller steep slopes instead of one big, useless, gentle slope.
Willow Screen. We made two small willow screens to shelter the new patio. It seems like an elegant and sustainable solution, unlike the readymade willow screens you can buy.
New Patio. We expanded the path and built a new patio out of bricks. Preparing the ground for the bricks was the hardest part.
Garten Gate and Rose Arch. We have purchased and assembled a new garden gate and rose arch at the entrance to the front yard. We have planted New Dawn, a white-pink climbing rose, which will hopefully soon cover the archway.
Planting an apple tree. Ida got a new apple tree for her birthday. It had to be planted in a large garden tub until the new landscape in the front yard had been laid out.
Screen Shelter. While the front yard was being transformed, we set up a screen shelter by the patio. A screen shelter is a cheap and easy solution, while the new plants grow to a size where they offer the appropriate shadow and privacy.
Thuja Hedge. In stead of the prickly Berberis Thunbergii hedge we have planted Thuja occidentalis 'Brabrand' (1 metres high – 50 cm apart). This cultivar is a clone, unlike our other, old Thuja hedge, which consists of seed-raised plants.
Berry Garden. The many raspberry shrubs produce more delicious berries than we have time to pluck. After harvest the plants must by cut down to the ground and they are consequently a very dull sight in the winter. The gooseberry and red and black currants (Ribes) are more decorative in the spring. However, we still plan to move the entire berry garden to the sloping front yard and use the flat area in the backyard as a lawn.
North Side Flowerbed. We started to implement the garden plan on the north side of the house. The large, inclining, bed by the entrance to the house has been totally renovated.
Driveway Bed. We have planted a beech hedge along the driveway. Unconventionally, we moved two black currant bushes from the backyard to the front part of the driveway.
Rain Barrel. We have removed the rain barrel on the patio. The water had spilled over the side with dampness in the basement as a result. The plastic barrel could be seen from the house and that view wasn’t great. |
