This week the temperatures have been rising in my corner of England. Friday afternoon reached a hefty 30°c; too hot to be out in the garden working. I’ve been playing with some different photos of the garden, rather than the close up of flowers, I’m showing you a wider picture so you can glimpse more of the plot.
Let’s start with the flower bed which I created in the New Year. Much of our back garden is covered in Astro-Turf. Not a problem when we moved in as it meant no mowing, but now that we have been here three years, I am expanding my gardening plans. So new beds need to be cut out. Adding more areas for plants is a long-term project and one that I need to do in workable chunks. I had a drawn up planting plan for this bed, but some of the plants have done their own thing. For instance the green manure – purple tansy (Phacelia Tanacetifolia) is wildly taking over, but is covered in bees each day.
Along to the right of the New Year bed, is my Sunflower plot. As you can see, some of them are almost to the top of the fence. Some are in flower (I featured them a couple of weeks ago) The dwarf ones are looking like they will be next to flower.
Back to the left of the first bed is a bed that was here when we moved in. I think it only had Sedum in it and weeds. I’ve added Marigolds, Foxgloves and Hollyhocks which I try to tie to an old iron gate that we found behind the garden shed. It is now hosting some of my potted Dahlias.
Let’s cross the lawn now and this photo is of my current project. The Astro-turf has been laid for several years now and with next door being empty for at least five years, the trees in that garden have been spreading themselves out. There are several fast growing invasive ones and their tree roots are extensive. So much so that they are lifting our ‘lawn’. Although we now have new neighbours, the garden is not their priority and the tree roots are getting worse. So we are rolling back sections of the ‘turf’ and cutting back roots. Eventually I plan to have a lot more flower and vegetable beds, but I need to implement it in ‘doable’ sectors.

Photo five is of the flower bed I call my Easter project. We cut this one in around Easter. It is very shaded by the overhanging trees from next door. Recently the neighbour on the right had two large Cedar trees cut down and already this bed gets more evening light. I have more Dahlias here and Anemones, plus several more of the wildflowers that I’m growing.
Last photo: There is a bumble bee at about 7 O’clock in the bird box entrance. When I was cutting back the Korean Spice plant in front of the box, a bumblebee was buzzing around, I didn’t take much notice apart from saying ‘hello’, then I noticed another one and I spotted it heading into the bird box. There were also tell-tale signs of yellow pollen dropped down the front of the box. I think they are the Buff-tailed ones which are all around the garden.
Thank you for joining me for this #SixOnSaturday post. I hope that you enjoyed it. If you would like to know more about this hashtag, read founder Mr Propagator’s post here also find him on Twitter here.
Happy gardening
Rosie
Links:
1) Linky to Mr Propogator’s post for this week.
2) Winter begins in New South Wales and Jane’s garden.
3) Off the hedge has a new garden pond.
4) Fred has a growing tip for garlic.
5) Butterflies caught on camera by Graeme.
6) Chris has some lovely California poppies and notes on garlic.
7) The deer have been nibbling in Up The Garden Path’s garden.
8) Lovely Salvia in Granny’s graden.
9) Noelle has been collecting Tulip seeds.
10. Just look at these roses!
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How annoying to have all those tree roots coming into the garden. It looks like a big job ahead of you there! Lovely to have the bumble bees in your garden though. We don’t have them at all here. (Only in Tasmania)
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Well thank you, I didn’t know that fact about bumblebees in Australia, do you just have lots of other types of bees?
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Australia has around 1700 different native bees some of which don’t sting, and we also have the European bees. I think the bumble bee has been discouraged because it competes with the native bees.
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Your borders are looking good. I really need to get my annual climbers in the ground as they’re looking a little sorry for themselves. The sunflowers are making good progress!
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Thank you, it is all a work of progress.
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What a big job you have ahead of you, will you get rid of the astro turf after you have dealt with the tree roots? Nice to know the bumblebees have found a home, hope there weren’t any birds in it at the time!
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Eventually much of the Astro will go if I have my way, I just need to implement my changes slowly!
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You have some lovely flowers in your garden. We had trouble with bamboo roots from next door. As well as the flowerbed they were under our drive and pushed up the individual bricks. We had to lift half the drive, dig deep to try to remove them & re-lay. Luckily the neighbour has also removed their bamboo plants!
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Bamboo attacked us in the last house. Luckily it isn’t one of the pests here.
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You’re working very hard, but I’m sure the results will be worth it, Rosie. Here it is ridiculously hot for this time of the year. It promises to be a scorching one. Not looking forward to that, to tell you the truth! Enjoy the weekend!
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Thank you Olga. It may be cooler here today, it feels undecided at the moment.
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I do like seeing the long shots of other people’s gardens. Those are mighty tall dahlias! Good luck with the roots. Our main problem from one neighbour is the bindweed roots. I may have mentioned that although their garden is all concrete and artificial lawn, the roots haven’t died, they have just found a way to surface in my flowerbed.
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Thank you. I don’t really like to attack the tress, but the need a bit of taming and give and take from both of us.
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Your garden is looking good, Rosie I’m having a similar problem with the catmint I planted last year, it’s really taking over that section of border. Just keep cutting it back, the bees and butterflies love it so it will stay. Good luck with the tree roots, what a job!
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Thanks Cathy.
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Lovely to see more of your plot Rosie, thanks for sharing! I love the use of the gate, I really like seeing found objects repurposed in a garden. Your sunflowers are way ahead of mine! Gradually removing lawn (real or otherwise) is such a satisfying thing, I hope you have as much fun with it in your garden as we have in ours. We now have only a tiny patch of lawn, big enough to spread a blanket on for lying out… I look forward to seeing how your plans unfold!
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Thank you, the young set think they want a large patch of lawn, but really they are hardly ever out in it, so I will gradually reduce the size.
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Looking back on my own blog, I find that I never took enough of the ‘before’ pictures or indeed long shots. I am sure you will be coming back to these again and again. You have already achieved much and I am sure you will enjoy the next stage too.
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Thank you, I hope so too.
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I’m impressed that you manage to find your 6 on Saturday each week when you had started with a ‘blank canvas’ garden. Great to see some wider shots of your garden too.
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Ah it might be a big blank in the middle, but the previous owners had some good plants dotted around,
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Your garden is so pretty, Rosie. I love that the bees have found a home in the bird house. And your sunflowers look so strong and tall!
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Thank you.
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Your beds are looking lovely! The sunflower bed and the one that features hollyhocks are my favorites. I’ve never heard of bumble bees nesting in a bird box – interesting!
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Thank you, I think it depends on the variety of bumblebee, some like to nest in old bird’s nests.
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Your garden is quite large and lovely 🌼💞 Your new Easter bed looks very pretty. It’s great to see the bees collonizing the bird 🏠 house.
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Thanks Sarah. I just need to make good use of the space while keeping all the family happy with the changes.
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