Usually, if I have a project or a plant that I want to try out in the garden I will research on line or ask for advice at one of the gardening clubs of which I am a member. However, sometimes what is suggested either verbally or in the written word does not always work here. You see that when gardening in a rural location and on a very exposed site such as this, it does present a different set of problems to the average garden.
Below I have tried to list as many things as I can think of to illustrate what I have come up against since moving here nearly 20 years ago, so here goes.
The main challenge with this site is that it is in a very, very exposed position in the valley of the River Tyne. We are 90 metres above sea level, south facing and the garden/house stands slightly proud from the surrounding properties. We have a permanent issue with strong winds, which batter the garden and house from the west. The wind will flatten any plant that is tall, so I do not grow anything which requires staking, for example tulips and delphiniums. I always now only grow roses and clematis against a trellis screwed to a wall.
Seed heads of weeds growing in the neighbouring fields blow into the garden and the seeds germinate all around the garden.
The wire fence, which surrounds our property on two sides, consists of chestnut posts supporting “sheep” wire (This fence was erected by the farmer to keep the cows and sheep out of our property). Unfortunately, the wire is the type which has large holes in it - large enough for rabbits to hop through.
Our main lawn is south facing and slopes down from west to east. Any moisture naturally flows downhill so rain and dew will roll down the sloping lawn instead of soaking down into the soil. During warm, dry spells, this lawn goes brown for several months until enough rains regenerates it. Over the years I have come to accept that every summer the lawn is brown. Incidentally, I have tried using fertiliser and re seeding with grasses suited to dry conditions, but neither has solved the issue.
So you see, the position of the property creates a number of issues which have to be acknowledged and taken into account when designing the layout and using the garden. To me the style of the garden was dictated by that of the house; each area was dictated by existing features; the wood, a sunken area became a terrace and the strip of grass where the main lawn meets the stone terrace wall became the south facing blue border. The simplistic nature of the features were dictated by budget and time. The garden has evolved over nearly 20 years and I love it to bits. I have learnt a great deal about gardening since moving here and have a “mood board” in my head of styles to carry into future properties.
The garden covers just less than one acre and is in an enviable position, the views from both ground and first floor are stunning but come at a price. The different areas range from mature wood to paved area, and the whole garden can be best appreciated by taking my garden tour on my Home page.
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