Tuesday 30 September 2014
Our Barge Garden
This post is inspired by a post from Val over at Watery Ways and her canal side garden. I thought I would show you the natural garden around the barge. We have to be very careful about what we 'plant' and leave around, so that we do not upset the natural habitat as we are in an area overseen by Essex Nature (who incidentally really don't like boats and do all they can to get rid of us, even though we are probably more marine/environmentally aware than many landlubbers!). So, politics aside, I keep flowers, herbs etc on the decking or decks. But I am going to introduce a few things to our 'garden'. I have just planted a crab apple tree in the hope that one day I can make crab apple jelly. I would also like to introduce a quince tree. We have wild blackberries, rose hips, haws, samphire, sea beet, purslane and various other edibles around us already, along with thistles, nettles and dandelions. Our wild flowers are very pretty when they are all out in bloom and I will add a few more traditional wildflower seeds next year for a truly spectacular display. By the way, yes you can see a buddleia, not really a native but lovely in full bloom and great for the butterflies. And the beauty of this of course, is that we don't have to mow it!
Is that just for your use or everyone else as well? Lots of things you could put in there that shouldn't interfere with the local flora if you read up well so as not to upset Essex Nature further!
ReplyDeleteHi DC, it is just for our use, fortunately. I am quite keen on edibles, so if you have any suggestions please? X
ReplyDeleteAll as nature intended and beautiful too.
ReplyDeletexx
Your garden definitely has possibilities. It is nice that you have containers too, though.
ReplyDeleteMum - and nature knows best :) xxx
ReplyDeleteJo - any suggestions gratefully received :) xxx
Fran, how I envy you! I would love a bankside like that! And to have a Budliea (don't know how to spell it) in your 'garden' too. Just wonderful. What a shame the nature people don't like the boats. That makes life awkward! Still, you have a wonderful place there!
ReplyDeleteThere's some beautiful gardens but none that beat Mother Nature's. Planting some native edibles is a great idea and won't upset the balance.
ReplyDeleteI have a corkscrew hazel in my garden which I think looks beautiful any time of the year. It doesn't grow too big and I get a few nuts from it.
ReplyDeleteHi Fran, I think that it is wonderful that you have a little private path to your barge . . . so much nicer than a public dock. It is a pretty little path, too :)
ReplyDeleteNatural gardens are the best. They are so easy to "tend." Our stairs are bordered by salal and ferns. A mock orange and cedar trees take over farther up the cliff. My only addition has been a few daffodil bulbs that bloom in spring. I do love the colour yellow. - Margy
ReplyDeleteYours is the best type of garden to have Fran, planned by Mother Nature and tended by the sun and rain. My self I would only add a couple of apple trees ?
ReplyDeleteVal - come see!!!! Xxx
ReplyDeleteJo - Mother Nature does seem to get the planting scheme right xxx
Chickpea - now that's a good idea, a hazelnut tree. I have one at my house so I am sure that there will be some baby trees around xxx
Connie - it is lovely to be so private, where we were before it was like being in a goldfish bowl xxxx
Margy - your natural gardens are magnificent going up the mountain face xxx
Mel - absolutely and that's another good idea. My apple tree at the allotment died :( so to plant one here would be a good idea :) xxx
Your natural garden is a wonderful idea! Have you ever tried Alexanders they thrive around here by the sea and are meant to taste like asparagus? Sarah x
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