Richard's Garden & Home Projects

Garden Project

I would love to say that the garden project was the opportunity for me to learn all about different plant species and the wonders of the outside throughout the seasons. This is still my final intention, though the project has become more about my knowledge of practical building skills, than anything else.
Not that I have ever been trained in any of the skills, my attitude was - have a go. If it's rubbish, knock it down and then pay a builder.

I have not designed the garden in full, it has been more a vision in my head and have taken each section as it comes, trying to make it practicable/workable, (which has changed along the way), as new challenges have occured. Luckily my wife Jill, has allowed me 'to play' and is happy with the results so far.

Influence

The vision has been very influenced by the gardens I have grown up in and inspiration comes from my family. My Mum's side (the Sanders family) were the keen/expert gardeners from my Great Grandparents, my Grandad George (who could grow anything from a cutting!) and my great Uncle Trevor, who had one of the best gardens, with sweeping (immaculate) lawns with beautiful borders.

From my Dad's side (the Beckett family), my Grandad Seamus, has definitely got me through the building sections. Some would say it was sheer will-power, but I knew he and all the others were pushing/encouraging me on.

Finally the fun/game elements. My childhood was all about games/sports and any spare moment was used playing a game. As my Dad hated DIY, our garden was used more as the playing field, for Football, Hockey, Bike Polo and my brother Marcus, would tape out the lines for Badminton, Tennis, Croquet and made our first boule court on the side path.

The picture of the stone on the left was taken from the greenhouse at my childhood home and now rests on the path in my garden.

So with all that in mind - this is my garden. A place that will encourage more time for fun and enjoyment outside, for as much time of the year as possible. Once finished, I will at last get to enjoy 'pottering' in the garden.

The Beginning

When we bought the house, you could tell that the garden had been well tended for years, though needing a bit of attention. When we came to move in, the garden had run rampant and everything needed attention! No.1 on the list was getting drainage in, to stop the damp on a few walls inside the house.

Level 1: Patio

We needed a bigger patio area and drainage was still a concern, so this section enabled me to divert any water heading toward the house.

Level 2: Hedge/Lower Lawn

Not in our plans originally, the walls came tumbling down - literally. So a new wall/trellis/fence for safety and hedge for appearance/privacy, along with raising of the lower lawn.

Level 3 - Boule/Patio

Finally for a bit of fun!
The start of levelling/ re-laying the large lawn, a mini Boule court and additional patio/work area.

Level 4: Trampoline & Lawn

More fun with a built in trampoline 2019. Final stage in 2021.

Level 5: Fruit & Crazy Golf

2019/2020 : An overgrown mess, which was transformed into "Fruit Corner" and "Crazy Golf".