This garden is our Nemesis
In 1998 when we purchased the 1 acre of land, it was covered in scrub, bushes & grass native to chalkland. Totally unprotected from the vicious west wind, We first cleared the site and planted a wind break along the West boundary of Leylandi trees, native saplings & Gorse seedlings. In March 2000 the footprint for the house was cleared of topsoil which was heaped and the construction, to our design, of the house commenced. February 2002 we moved into the house, hard landscaping to the garden commenced and continued over the next 2.5 years. Rain water is harvested into a 5000 gallon tank constructed beneath one of the flower beds. This is used to water the garden plants. Ken and Sandra seived the heaps of top soil and barrowed it on to terraces and raised flower beds. The stones & flints were used as foundation for paths surfaced in Westmoreland Slate, recycled from the roof of the self catering apartment in Walmer. The soil is supplemented with well rotted horse manure and our own compost. Wood chippings from a local tree surgeon serve as mulch.
6 years later the garden is a blaze of flowering plants and shrubs, gathered from around the world. The Pergola is covered with Roses, Clematis, Honeysuckle, Solanum, Jasmine, Grapevine, & Passionflower. It contains several birds nests.
In August 2008. The garden produced exhibits winning 9 First Prize Trophies, including Specimen Rose, 3 Dahlias, 9 Gooseberries, Best Use of Greenhouse and Best Terraced Area in the Kingsdown Flower Show. Since when we have won many prizes in local flower shows.
With the exception of 2 weeks in January, the Winter of 2012 has been mild and dry with many warm sunny days to confuse the plants and insects. Unusually Tulips began flowering in March and despite the early Easter we have Daffodils, Hyacinths, Clematis, Camelias & Polyanthus in full bloom with many more in bud to keep the garden ful of colour this Spring. The chickens have ranged free over the garden all winter and are now confined to their summer quarters. The Heron is back in the garden tempted by the numerous frogs and toads that have returned for the breeding season. The pond water is clear and beginning to show new vegetation.
Ken is busy planting this years crop of vegetables and Sweetpeas. The Peach, Apricot, Apple and Pear trees are all in blossom with the Cherry blossom buds fat and ready to burst into bloom. The strawberries are flowering allready.
Ken has a new Plant house in which he is bringing on the Annuals and Begonias & Fuchsia's for the hanging baskets and pots in the courtyard. Tree peonies are bursting into leaf and the shrub Peonies and Eremerus are showing spring growth. We are doing our best to eliminate the weeds. Ken & Sandra look forward to welcoming you to our garden during 2012. |
