A new space.

This is one of the reasons why I go to work. When I have time on my hands I like to be doing something and as the weather is showing no signs of breaking I've decided to “make hay whilst the sun shines” and dig up another part of the border.I started expanding the plot but Luke will be hands on with this project from now on.

As I can't do anything else in the newly expanded vegetable plot (it's Luke patch) I decided to make a more interesting shape in the long border. The garden isn't really big enough to divide into two gardens without losing the feeling of space and as I've only ever had tiny squares or narrow strips of gardens before it's still a luxury to be able to move the hammock and chairs to different points in the garden but I would like to create a slightly hidden area that can't be seen from every angle. Chancing upon a 'secret garden' is the stuff of fairy tales and I'm craving a circular sunken garden, maybe with a carpet of moss on which to lie and read a book in peace, unseen by neighbours.. I'm not going to be digging up a great circle of earth so as a compromise I have merely dug out around the base of the Acer, halfway up the long border. This will only obscure the top corner of the garden from sight when in the conservatory but as you move over to the left it will reveal itself. So, it's nowhere near a hidden garden, just a little hide and seek moment really but for now it will give me something to do.

Having used some rope to see what shape looks best from all angles.

I felt really mean whilst digging it up as every so often I'd hit a root from the Acer. To allow me to plant freely in that area I've taken some roots up but the tree is established enough I hope to allow these few casualties. Of course, three little chickens were behind me as I turned over the soil, scratching for the worms I'd dug back in. Because of the tree the soil is very depleted of nutrients and was literally just baked clay and tiny threads of root matter so I've added Luke's mix of sharp (not building) sand and soil improver although the verbascums I toyed with planting there to create an overblown riot of flowers prefer poor soil. I know that when I get to the garden centre though I'll be seduced by something else all together although for now a sweep of the same flowers, swaying in the breeze is what I am wanting. I've got to remember that the climbing rose around the Acer needs some room too so if I do put tall verbascums there this year I may dig them up and replant later in the season.

So, this is the last time the hens will be able to sit here.

I also need some sort of decorative feature just off centre of the new area too. Something with a bit of height so as not to get dwarfed by the tree yet nothing too showy. I'd like a pewter Victorian bird bath with a shallow bowl and a slender stand but I think this is going to be too pricey. I'll look on the Internet to see if there is anything similar.

So, now the ground work is done it's the fun bit of filling in the empty space – like a form of colouring in. More money spent but hopefully it will pay for itself in enjoyment throughout the summer months. That's the plan anyway.