Intriguing
I am very 
d
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A little bit of schoolboy geometry C = 2Ļr
Off the press two plant supports (or halos for an iron Angel!)
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Not any effort of gardening, but none the less in the garden.
Sometimes you have to just let nature do its thing.
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Love your work here. Nice one. Itās what stimulates the brain. Iād be thinking of making them in stainless now. Change of wire and gas, but I know thatās where Iād be.
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Think you need to start your own thread with āestateā in the title.
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Trick of the light probably.
Large garden/field but that tree is close to the house and the pic is taken looking past the tree towards the bottom corner of the garden.
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Before & after:
Every single piece of stone got used on the dry-stone wall, could have done with better quality on the top to finish but left with the dregs and odd bits that didnāt want to fit anywhere easy so this is the best i can do, but iām very pleased how it turned out.
A surplus of top-soil remains but this has a place out front to wheelbarrow to when ready.
The higher ground garden area has been plastic sheeted and covered in loose gravel 25 years ago by previous occupant, i want rid of the plastic sheet, the small-stone gravel can be moved and re-cycled but could do with some useful advice upon how to plant out the top area which is riddled with apple tree roots just a few inches below the surface.
I donāt like the idea of removing the trees but this maybe the only way forward if i want plants to survive, and from what i understand about grass (a lawn) is that could prevent the trees from gaining enough water, and shrubs would need to compete (and probably loose).
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As I understand with apple trees, you need to dig the stumps out or they can continue to shoot ā I had this. The roots on mine (smaller than yours) were quite extensive.
Another matter is ground swell post removal, which can take several years to emerge/finish. It looks like a wall is adjacent (?), which would preclude basic stump-grinding in any event.
Of course, if the trees are providing a valuable screen, how do you replace this(?).
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The 3 foot high fence is due for replacement later this year, the new fence will be 5 foot.
Been meaning to do this for years because the beyond is a road and (especially in winter) car headlights tend to shine over the top of the fence. A higher fence would give far better privacy. The neighbours are okay with this plan.
Two apple trees and a pear tree; would be a shame to remove them, perhaps a way of landscaping a couple of 18" high brick walled square plot areas for plants and have gravel around for accessā¦ 
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FYI, in my clay-riddled environment, the apple trees didnāt regress the grass much, a bigger problem was the fruit dropping to ground, often post bug contamination. Another issue though is that apple trees should have regular (knowledgeable) husbandry (inc. bough removal) ā - one reason mine were removed was that I couldnāt keep up with trimming the leaders each year, and 2 werenāt fruiting very well.
Interesting suggestions here:
Especially the references to low nutrient soils.
Do you have plans for vegetables? If so I would recommend a no dig approach.
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I would describe the soil here as fairly good to work with albeit over clay. My garden isnāt very big, and is directly at rear of house so intend to get it looking recreational and agreeable with the cats.
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Wonderful article and reminds me of a garden we used to admire when passing on a regular journey, the colours absolutely glowed. One day it featured in a National Garden Scheme day. Talking to the owner it was so simple, the soil was exceptionally stony, the planting - verbena at the back, lavender at right angles against a fence. A band of California poppies, then deep crimson dianthus finished off with aubretia cascading down a wall.
It was covered in butterflies.
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Catmintā¦
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A lull in the cricket and rain took me into the garden to harvest some garlic, and on a whim, some potatoes. Some observations:
The garlic are a mixture of hard and soft stems, and a few have some orphans on the stem. Overall a better crop than last year.
The potatoes are Charlottes, which are disappointing this year; not just in quantity but also flavour. They are grown in tubs, with plenty of room, but I suspect they were hit by the strange weather since they were planted at Easter.
a
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Interestingly, my Charlottes have been the best they have been for several years. Last yearās crop was almost completely wiped out by blight but this yearās are just lovely
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My allotment in full veg producing mode. I planted some globe artichokes this year and just had my first fruit (although Iāve had to pick it and throw away as youāre supposed to encourage plant growth rather than fruit production in the first year). Iāve put 4 plants in and when established I should get 12 artichokes per plant each season so very excited about that
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Changed the fence.
Itās pressure treated already, but applied 2 coats of wax-free Roxil Wood Preserver via paint brush into every recess.
Then treated them with 3 coats of Roxil Enhanced Decking Oil. This contains a biocide. Itās a good consistancey and takes longer to soak in, but worth the wait, I think. Iāve used Barrettine All In One Decking Oil Treatment, but found it a bit thin and was disappointed with the formation of mould under the surface on another project, even though it apparently contains biocide. After the 3 general coats of oil, thereās a further 3 coats on the top/sides most exposed areas. Water beading nicely. In the oil, I mixed small quantity of Blackfriars wood dye to give a little more colour depth and touch more UV resistance. I like the Roxil range. Each one seems more professional and the contents better thought through.
The colour is a little green/blue due to the copper pressure treatment, but that will fade.
Painting the panels 5-8 times on all surfaces and upside down is a pain.
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I was disappointed with artichokes last year - but had not realised about encouraging fruit production. As a result Iāve left the fruit this year, despite there being many more than last year. Iāve wondered if I could plant the fruit to generate more plants?
You can grow plants from offsets (or suckers) from existing plants or you can split plants. RHS website has details
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