garden design

 Although I haven't done much gardening, I have been spending a few evenings trying to pin down some of the details of the overall garden design, particularly a patio area outside the sun-room doors. It's hard to imagine a time will come when we might actually use such a patio, given that it's about 18 months since we had 2 or more fine days in a row, but surely good weather will come again. I want an area about 4.5 x 4.5 metres.

a possible option for the main patio

the overall site

My material choice is not clear yet. It may well depend on price, but these all have their merits;

precast concrete  with a riven effect, inexpensive and easy to put down

irregular liscannor stone, not too expensive, but slow to put down

a type of concrete cobble stone from Roadstone, quite expensive

indian sandstone, all the rage a few years ago, okay price, but not sure now

frogs

I came across several frogs while cleaning up leaves and debris around old plants in the glasshouse. They were all noticeably plump and healthy looking. I popped them into an untidy corner to allow them continue their hibernation.

rain, rain, rain

 yet more rain, so much for a dry frosty week....

garden the progress in 2012

The years progress is not as much as I would wish, but not bad considering the weather and the amount of time available to me. Still, the general profile has been established and some trees planted. At the moment I am working on a garage door and gates for the main entrance.

the area on the right stretching back will be an orchard

the central area will be a lawn with a pond area centre back started

the path will lead over a bridge and swing to the left to loop back again

peat

This peat is stacked on a bog in County Tipperary, cut in large sods, for use in horticulture.

Cut peat stacked on the bog.

evening hills

On a trip around Tipperary & Cork recently the setting sun lit up the hills on a rare clear evening.

Hills in County Tipperary

Hills in County Tipperary

Sun going down in County Cork

cut-away bog swans

These swans have become much more plentiful in this area since this area of bog became partially cut-way in the past 10 years or so. 

bog pines

Scots Pine near Woodford, County Galway

Scots Pine near Birr, County Offaly 

Scots Pine near Cloghan, County Offaly