What to do in these strange times, when many, if not all of us are at home much more than usual?

Well, I’ve managed a full-on programme of garden work so far, including some long overdue maintenance to garden furniture and structures….I’ll share some pics in due course.

I also spent a couple of hours making a little garden for my next door neighbour, Hattie (age 3). Some of you may know that I’m keen on recycling and in particular have marveled at the sorts of things people can make out of pallets. I’ve done a little of this myself in the past, not only in my own garden (where they are used as compost and leafmould containers), but helping primary school children create some vertical planters. Having demolished our rather old, and in places rotting, wooden arbour and similarly decaying raised planter, I had a few pieces of trellis and board left….. as well as a pallet of course.

After some slight adjustments, and the side boards having been nailed into place, I lined it with landscaping fabric. The result is a special ‘portable’ (when empty) garden. I also supplied a selection of plants, which will hopefully engage Hattie in gardening..though I know she is already into growing having seen her sunflowers last year, and she also has a rather impressive set of gardening tools (3 year old scale of course).

I started the ball rolling with a pot of compost and a couple of first early seed potatoes which she has now planted in the pot. The pallet garden (having been painted up) followed, and Hattie went about filling it with compost from my wheelbarrow (I think Mum and Dad may have helped).

Then she planted out:

  • Primula

  • Sweet pea (to grow up that trellis)

  • Onion (red)

  • Broad bean (Aquadulce)

  • Chives

  • Stachys byzantina (‘Bunny Ears’)

  • Forget me nots

  • Hellebore (Christmas Rose)

  • Sedum (‘Autumn Joy’)

  • Pelargonium (White)

  • Cerinthe purpurascens (Honey wort)

  • Strawberry

  • Symphytum (Comfrey)

Oh, and some seeds too- Sunflower (‘Teddy Bear’- a low grower), lettuce and Bellis perennis.

Having just received my annual supply of tomato plants from my friend Steve, I see that one is a bush variety so perfect again for someone on the small size…so I’ll supply another pot with that once things warm up a little more. Happy gardening, Hattie!!

 

Old School Gardener