Dirt under the fingernails

How does your garden grow?

Photo by Phillip Larking on Unsplash

Do you know what really makes me happy? Well, of course, the title gave it away. I bloody love being outside, messing around in my garden. In fact, it was quite the priority when trying to find a place to live.

I lucked out in the end though, getting around 100 square metres to divide and conquer, one parcel at a time.

Step back and think

The first step was figuring out what goes where. I left my garden for almost a year during that period, much to the disgrace of my neighbour. Her garden was fully planted with mature beings, with everything brought in and done properly the first time.

Meanwhile mine was overflowing with wildflowers, grass, weeds and seeds that were getting blown in her direction. It probably wasn’t a problem for her, more likely for her gardener. But a good friend told me to get a feel for, watch, and listen to things before making a decision.

The little care zones

My plans to fix it were sent sideways by a few of life’s surprises, but I was eventually able to breathe again, and so it began. Nothing radical. One area for outdoor funtimes, enough chairs, a big table, a parasol. Covered in gravel, with plants added a year later to help create a wall.