Roses and Castles courtyard

I tend to plant most of my flowers in the courtyard outside the kitchen door. The front garden gets far too hot and is too large to keep an eye on plants and pots invariably wither and die there. The back garden is nothing short of a small copse having at least twenty large trees and gets little sunlight, so the courtyard is ideal for planters as it’s easy to water and care for the plants there. Now I’ve decided that the boat must go, I’ve started bringing some of the items from the boat home and dotting them around the courtyard.

My lovely neighbour came around the other day and was staring at my courtyard in utter astonishment! She’s far more conservative than me, so I tried to see my courtyard through her eyes and have decided that maybe…..just maybe it looks a little….erm…TACKY?????

Tacky or not, I’m afraid to say that I love it and that it’s my little bit of heaven. I know….[because I’ve been told often enough] that I’m a little weird eccentric, but I have noticed that after a while my friends and neighbours often end up embracing my habits and indulging in similar practices. The aforesaid neighbour, after laughing at me, now grows her own, has colorful objects in her garden and and has even bought a chiminea!!! Oh yes!!!! And….she thinks I haven’t noticed.

I have never been a conventional gardener. For one, I LOVE a mossy lawn, it feels all springy under bare feet. Lovely stuff moss! Sorry gardeners!!!!

And….. I rarely cut plants back in the autumn and winter as I like to watch them from start to finish. I think it’s great to see the sculptural shapes of the plants in the winter, and I can collect the seed and leave plenty for the birds.

I love these old corporation gas lamps, they were rusty old wrecks when I bought them, it’s amazing what a coat of paint can do! And, they STILL work.

This little fountain has long stopped working, now it’s a great bird bath and drinking place for the birds! The downside is the mozzies breed in there and then eat me alive!

Anything that stands still gets painted or planted in the courtyard! I especially love to plant up old rusty wheelbarrows.

In fact anything that stands still in the garden gets planted like this trampoline that no-one ever uses, a work in progress it is!!!

Btw….I still have a lawnless lawn thanks to our crazy young dogs churning it up every day!!!! Now at least it’s covered in leaves which makes it slightly less ugly! I suppose I’ll have to clear them eventually though…..a job I hate!!!

And now I’m off to plant a new stawberry patch from the runners of the old plants. Hopefully lots more strawberries next year!

 

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24 Comments

  1. Looks great fun and your very own patch of Heaven indeed…full of interesting bits and bobs and your creative works and all…. as well as all the nature – a lovely paradise – I bet you love just spending time there….. Must be very inspiring and joyous! I love it!
    Thank you for sharing your special places with us! 🙂 xxxx

  2. This post reminds me of “The Good Life’, though, I doubt your neighbour would be in the same league.

    • I used to love that programme…..I’ve always had a secret wish to be self sufficient….it’s a little harder than it looks though. Thnaks Menhir.xxxxx

  3. It is good to see how objects can be re-cycled and yet be so ornamental.
    I think it looks very attractive.

    • Thanks Dessie, yes, so many objects can be re-cycled with a little effort. I’m working on a whole host of objects at the moment.xxxxx

  4. I’m a firm believer that your garden space should be a place that makes you happy – a place you can go to be still with the world. Yours is a wonderful example of that idea. I love how you’ve upcycled so many objects, too. 🙂

    • Thanks Debi, I totally agree with you, a garden should be a haven for the person who sits in it.

      I love to collect old junk and re-vamp it. It’s surprising how a lick of paint can transform an object.xxx

  5. Definitely different but certainly not tacky. The important thing is that it’s your garden to do with as you want.
    My mum would have loved your lawn as she really didn’t like ‘proper’ ones and ours was pretty much as yours is.
    I replanted a dozen young strawberry plants this week. Flighty xx

    • Why thank you kind Sir!!!!!Yes our gardens are all unique and we should stamp our personality on them.

      I got two pups a year ago and they have totally destroyed the lawn tearing around on it every day. I can’t see it growing back in a hurry! I don’t like an over tidy lawn anyway and I’m actually getting used to the mud!!!

      Yes, you planted yours in the drizzle, I should have done that to prevent wilt! We’ll be able to compare notes next year as we all seem to be planting up the runners.xxxxx

  6. Your neighbours must be jealous of your heaven, so am I 😉 Very lovely indeed. I wonder how much time you spend taking care of the plants, animals, housework,…. OMG, you’ve got to be too busy. Take care dear friend. Wish you the best. :)xxxx

    • Lol….Thanks Vahid. My neighbours actually bring their friends around to have a nose!!!! And they always come when the garden is a total mess!!!!
      You are right about me always being busy….I always have something on the go.

      Hope the teaching is going well and that you have got used to getting up early….struth I hate getting up early too, especially when it’s dark and freezing!xxxxxxx

  7. Looks like a lovely place and I love all your bits and bobs.

  8. I like that it is different – if everyone’s garden was the same – wouldn’t life be boring.

    • Thanks Elaine, I couldn’t agree more. One of the things I love about other people’s gardens is the sheer variety….you rarely see two the same.xxx

  9. I love your garden, and think I would feel very much at home there… even if there are a few things I wouldn’t adopt in my own. I still find it hard to accept that you’re going to give up that beautiful boat, though… Well, I suppose we have to adjust to changes in this life. Good that the dogs have a nice place to play, Dina. I think, in many cases that’s more important than grass. Thanks for giving us such a wonderful tour.

    • I think you would enjoy having a good look around my gardens Shimon, and they are a great place to have a good read in, teeming with wildlife as well.

      Ahhhh….the boat! I’m still dithering and haven’t yet put it up for sale.
      The dogs certainly enjoy their endless play and running, I think I may be without grass for many a year yet! xxxxx

  10. Absolutely beautiful – definitely a little piece of heaven xx

  11. I think your courtyard is delightful and I’ve still got to tie a friendship ribbon on that tree!!!!

    • You certainly have Mrs…..maybe come over with the new chappie so I can give him the once over????? and the TALK????? about looking after you????? lol xxxxx

  12. Wow! I also love that courtyard! :lalala: Also love the different features n- esp that ‘Hand’…..most interesting garden/courtyard….:yes: Fascinating. Thanks for sharing D! Hugs! :)xxxxx

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