Garden Update No 2

Danielle concentrated all her efforts on clearing the centre bed in the back garden. I felt so sorry for her as it was sweltering with no breeze and this is heavy clay soil that's over run with bindweed ....

.... but she did well and it's now completely cleared.  

We had a long chat about ideas for planting and Danielle is confident that she can get this part of the garden ready for September planting, this part being the centre bed, the gravelled area beyond it, and the narrow gravelled area to the right side in the photo. We've agreed that she will focus on preparing the ground, digging over and enriching the soil each time she comes while also working her way down the other side where the roses are to tidy things on that side.

We are working towards September as that's when a Wiltshire plant wholesaler opens his business to the general public to raise money for charity and we plan to be there, assuming it still goes ahead this year. I've been to one of these sales before and there are huge savings to be made so before that date we need to have settled on the planting scheme. Danielle will buy all the bulbs from her usual supplier because she is happy with the quality.

This all means that I can start planning in more detail. I need to measure up first so I stand some chance of working up a sensible plan. Danielle has made it clear that she won't over-plant areas like they tend to do on some of the garden makeover programmes so the initial planting may look a bit sparse until the plants grow. We're also putting aside part of one of her visits to discuss pots so I can get them ordered when the sales are on. 

The clematis will be moved in the September planting - I think that's what she said anyway. The plant is healthy but just looks pathetic at the moment!

I'll be sharing my ideas with you. That sounds a bit like a threat, doesn't it, but really what I'm asking for is all you gardeners out there to pitch in with ideas.