About Spitfires and Slow Worms – this was a garden ignored and unloved. It had been left to be overrun with weeds and wildlife for perhaps fifteen years or even more since it was properly cared for.
The only garden maintenance had been a bit of grass cutting or the occasional hacking at a hedge. And that seems to have been the case both when the property was lived in by the owner, and when it was rented out to tenants. Structures and stairs had been left to slowly fall into disrepair.
Then we met and fell in love at the Midsummer Solstice.
It took two years for us to get together.
And then the nurturing could begin.
This will be the tale of a refinding a garden with a history and adding another chapter to its life.
As I review and record what we have found so far, I will share some of the updates on @spitfiresandslowworms on Instagram
And both the hacking back, pruning, clearance and the renovations that follow these tasks.
It will be a slow process, I have a 3 year plan just to get the garden back to a reasonable state. And then the real work begins. The logistics are often complicated. For example, in order to make the garden secure for our Border Collie it’s not as simple as putting up some fencing. The garden has to be approached in sections, firstly clearing perhaps 8 foot of laurel hedging or overgrown conifers first. A lot of the fencing has to be temporary just so that there is a boundary. The deer proofing is the second stage!
Sharing Spitfires and Slow Worms with You
As I work my way through the literal undergrowth and plan the next task, I’d like to share my journey and the new things I learn as a gardener with you. Hopefully, you’ll find it interesting and informative and often amusing. A dog, a cat and 3 kittens as helpers are a recipe for many things not going to plan…
And yes, you can find a couple of Plews Potting Shed blogs about the my garden and also on restoring and renovating gardens generally. See links below
A book is planned and, to be called Spitfires and Slow Worms of course. And in the meantime, there will be my own videos, photos, blogs and musings. Plus photos from my friend and garden photographer Julie Skelton to share with you too. (The pic at the top is one of hers)
Links for you to explore in Plews Potting Shed
Moving Gardens when you Move Home – Things to Know, Tips and Ideas
How To Renovate Your Garden, Part 1
Cordon Apple Trees – Garden Surprises when Pruning
My Overgrown Garden Renovation – a Snapshot at 3 months
Edwardian summerhouse and weather vane
