COURTYARD: A YEAR LATER

OK! So my blog is like the Twilight Zone where a whole year disappears! 

Six months ago I lost all my photographs & other work when an external storage drive became corrupted.  This kind of made me blue and reluctant to spend as much time on my computer as I normally would and as a result this blog was neglected.

However, on almost the anniversary of my year long absence, I am back! 

Needless to say work has continued regardless of the lack of blog entries.  So I thought I'd pick up from where I'd left off... Spot the difference!

The uneven red paint on the brickwork from the previous owner has now been replaced by Sandtex Ultra Smooth Masonry paint in Plymouth Grey which blends almost seamlessly with the concrete grey block paving.  There is a path down the center which still needs to be resurfaced but that will be a job for next summer.

Almost finished

Doorstep still needs to be cast

In the Moroccan planters are a nice selection of winter flowering evergreens: Cordyline australis at either side of the door; Skimmia Rubella; Azalea and lastly a tiny Viburnum tinus.  I'm sure in the summer there will be some additional Geraniums to add a splash of colour.  

Trellis corner

Spotted Laurels are excellent plants for shadey corners. I also have my experiment in propagated bamboo transferred from the main garden - most of which died but then started to grow again. There is also a pot of Osteospermum which is partially hidden by the conifer in the black pot.

Spot the gas meter cabinet? Painted and perfectly blended.

In addition, there is also a useful doorstep herb garden is six smaller planters:  It's very handy to grow your own Mint (for Mojitos); Parsley; Thyme; Rosemary: Chocolate Mint and Chives.  Herbs are very easy to grow and can readily replaced with fresh supermarket potted herbs when the plants begin to get old and woody (Rosemary & Thyme).

Doorstep Herb Garden

COURTYARD: THE SECOND FIX & THE END OF THE SUMMER

Unfortunately it was started too late in Summer and the rainy weather got the better of us before we could finish the project, but here is the work that we did resurfacing the courtyard during September and early October. 

 

The rest will have to wait to be completed next year once the warm weather returns and we can get back out there.

In Progress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let the paving begin...

 

Block paving was a good solution to resurfacing the area as it is more durable than poured concrete and less expensive than paving tiles. A pallet of 433 bricks (Bradstone)  was around £170  including delivery.  Light grey bricks were intentionally chosen as it would be easier to blend the rest of the area (borders, etc) with standard concrete, and secondly because it looked less incongruous than using red, ochre or charcoal bricks.  I imagine with time, it will gather dirt and algae and look less like new concrete and more naturally weathered. 

 

Before: Beaten up old concrete

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Around the same time as starting this work, I'd read a London report about homeowners having their potted bay trees and ornamental plant pots stolen right off their doorsteps by brazen thieves. So I thought now would be a good time to sink a few galvanised steel ties into the concrete so any future plant pots could be chained secure.  If you look closely at the photographs you'll see the rings.

 

We also left a 6 inch cavity between the house wall and the block paving to deter any rising damp and in precaution not to raise the level above the damp course.

 

Sandtex Plymouth Grey exterior masonry paint will be used to cover and refresh the old paint that is already on the walls.  Both walls will be painted up the beginning of the trellis.

 

The doorstep and door area are still to be completed...

 

I have plans for a courtyard full of plants: The bamboo in the garden is growing at an alarming rate, both in height (now around 10ft high) and in width.  My plan is to divide the clump and transfer it into large terracotta moroccan style pots which can be dotted around the sides.