devonpete
On The Way Up
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 141
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:02 am Post subject: New front garden |
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Last week I had a go at the front garden. The last people hadn't done anything much with it, and there was a run of grubby concrete (like the drive) across the front of the bungalow. The lawn went up to this untidily, and with an unsightly drain cover right in the middle, it all looked too depressing.
I think it's a lot more respectable now. I've laid new paving slabs, gravelled the rest, created a new border, and disguised the drain cover with an urn, planted out a couple of roses in the elliptical beds, with heathers, and primulas and pansies around the outer bed. Tulips are starting to sprout in the tubs. There's an existing collection of shrubs by the pavement wall, which helps to give height.
Job done.
Pete.
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Frank
Happy Gardening
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 11:32 am Post subject: |
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You did a marvellous job Pete. I don't suppose you have a shot of the front before the makeover for comparison? The urn as a disguise was a great idea.
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reggaefan
Official Poet Laureate
Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Location: Zone 8b Louisiana (Map)
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 11:38 am Post subject: |
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Looks great Pete the urn is a nIce touch.
What kind of roses did you plant?
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eileen
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 11:44 am Post subject: |
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So neat and tidy for this time of year Pete. My garden is still a bit of a mess after the gales but, weather permitting, we're getting it back to how it used to be.
I think you're urn looks right at home - you wouldn't think there was a drain there at all.
I'd be sorely tempted now to do something with the drive now because the front of the house looks great.  Are you thinking of laying the same gravel on the drive by any chance?
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devonpete
On The Way Up
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 141
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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Unfortunately I didn't take a photo before I changed it all, as it wasn't something I felt was worth taking. Wish I had now.
As far as the drive goes, it is ugly I know. I was going to just spread gravel over it, but as my brother said, it'll probably end up out in the road.
Also we had a lot of willow leaves come over from a garden opposite in the Autumn, and ended up in drifts down the drive.
I don't fancy the task each year of separating all that from gravel. And if I didn't it would just end up eventually as a mulch.
The answer would be to remove the concrete and lay a brick drive. Maybe. One day.
Pete.
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Primsong
Flower of the Shire
Joined: 15 Apr 2006
Location: Oregon (Map)
Posts: 1770
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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Great makeover - I especially liked plunking the urn down to make it look like a pedestal instead of a drain. Lots of work there - very neat, clean job!
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toni
Mistress of Garden Junque
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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Very nice looking front garden Pete. The pots filled with Daffodils will look beautiful in a few weeks, take another picture of it then for us please.
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CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1292
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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whew, I get tired just looking at that work you did! OK, a practical observation, how are you going to mow those little tight spots?
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devonpete
On The Way Up
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 141
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:12 pm Post subject: |
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My mower is a rotary but has a full width roller at the back. I simply raise the front a little as I push it, and it skims off the worst. I mowed the lawn yesterday with no problems apart from around the sides of the drain slabs, which are proud of the lawn. The lawn slopes a tad. I would have to raise the lawn level all along the path side to overcome it, which is getting too picky.
Pete.
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glendann
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:34 pm Post subject: |
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Lots of work you did Pete but well worth it.I love the way you have
done everything .You have a beautiful home and lawn.The urn just looks fantastic.
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zuzu's petals
Silly Old Bat
Joined: 19 Oct 2006
Location: Coastal N.Carolina ~zone 8~ (Map)
Posts: 2569
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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You've made a really inviting front garden, Pete.
The new pavers with gravel is a vast improvement over a boring old concrete walkway.
Did you remove the old walk or just set your new one in place over it?
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Netty
Chaotic Gardener
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Location: Southern Ontario zone 5
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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That looks great Pete! It's very welcoming too.
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pondlady
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Joined: 05 Aug 2006
Location: New Orleans, La
Posts: 1829
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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Love your front garden, Pete. And did you work out there in the all-together?
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devonpete
On The Way Up
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 141
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| Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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The old concrete path is below the new paving and gravel. I saw little point in smashing it all up, and then lay hardcore back under again. I positioned the slabs on sand to level them, and then concreted up against them to retain the sand and paving edges in place, and then gravelled over the new concrete to hide it. It all took about two days (the new cream coloured edging took a day to concrete in as well}. Total three days.
No, I wouldn't go out the front in the buff. It wouldn't bother me too much, but it might bother the neighbours. 
Pete.
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