General Chat

Ann, you are more than welcome!!

Love

Daff xxx

Kay it isn't absolutely huge as some gardens go... we are the corner of a modern cul de sac, and the front is 120 feet long by 60 ft deep at it's narrowest.. but is much wider than that further down... the driveway cuts into it though, it has parking comfortably for three cars, the side area is 22 ft by 24 ft, and then the back is 60 by 60.. it goes almost in a circle with a small slice off the side around the house, so I have boundary fencing of almost 400 feet long not including the open plan frontage.

I have just had a look at hubby's measurements.. we have 12528 sq feet of cultivateble garden!! Anyone good at maths and can convert that?

Quite big by modern standards, although I know it is not huge.. the house is almost 14 years old, and has pure clay soil, with some estuary (grey clay) in some areas... that needs to be dug out and replaced.

I have got decking down and some raised beds, and ordinary borders... but no proper gardening had ever been done in it, we had tenants in it for almost 11 years. I have done bits since we moved back in until this damned RA took a hold... I can no longer do the heavy lifting/digging that it requires, I feel such a wuzz!

Hubby has done loads... in and outside the house, but it has been a lot of hard work, and still a long way to go. We are also lined by woodland at the back and down the complete length at one side of the house... beautiful, but very messy in the autumn!!

Love

Daff xxx

oh Daff - sounds brill - I'll be coming over to take a butchers when it's finished!!!

Daff,

Brilliant job,,,wont be long now then before the grand opening,,!!!

How much land/garden do have ,?

~~~

Thanks Diana..... I am really really looking forward to it!! My laptop is all up and running so I can sit out in the fresh air and enjoy myself... better than the winter holiday we were looking at!!

Love

Daff xxx

Sounds divine babe

Enjoy!!

xx

Heather... I think I will go and get a gazebo so that I can sit out there no matter what the good old British weather chucks my way, lol!

Linda... poor hubby has been a bit reluctant to throw pennies at it... but has now realised that with all the other jobs he is doing, it is just too much for us at the moment.

Ann.... I will be waxing lyrical next time I see you, lol!! I'll make sure that I bring you the before and after photos!!

Love

Daff xxxx

Result then Daff!! Well done, and I look forward to regular updates!

Ann x

Sound idyllic... so pleased you have found two men to do the work for you!

Linda x

Well it is now sorted!!

I have had a number of people come offering various services at a huge array of prices.... I have chosen to have a young man in who is happy to do the heavy landscaping and putting in the pathways and such like...... he also liked what I had managed so far... and wants to keep it... he was well in tune with my desire to have the wild woodland area kept, and has made some brilliant suggestions too... so he will be doing the initial big tidy up, and then doing the foundation work using some heavy sounding gear.

The other chap is a long term gardener... more in tune with helping to maintain and develop once the original structure is in place. He will then come in on a twice monthly basis in the summer, and once monthly in the winter for at least the first year. He is an older man, making a career change at almost 60 years of age!

It is going to cost a lot to start off with, but I think it will be worth it.

So in two weeks time, my very own Groundforce will be in... I am soooo hoping that August and September are good months, as I can sit in the garden and enjoy it then....

I am still waiting to hear back from social services.... I am happy to allocate a bit of the garden to a youth group, for them to enjoy and potter in as they wish, but not for them to have to do any *heavy* work, as that would be exploiting them!!

So many many thanks to everyone who contributed.... I knew it was a big job, but the youngster saw the front first and said... oh, this is half a days work for two of us, not a problem... then went around the back.... and he said... well this is a REAL challenge!

I am now very excited at the prospect of having a proper garden by the end of the month... I already have about two hundred shrubs and perennials all ready to go in!! Can't wait!

Love

Daff xxx