My new potting corner

I am working on the ghastly corner of the courtyard that has been bothering me for some time. Whatever I have planted there has never seemed quite right. I even tried adding a lovely feature mirror, but the plants decided to hide it. 

It was time for a change of plan. Instead of different plants, I decided I would create a practical area that is pretty too. And so, I started on ‘potting corner’…

I wanted something interesting as a focal point for the corner and started looking through eBay with grandiose ideas of a vintage French metal table (you know, the sort with curved iron legs). Then I spotted the perfect thing – an old sewing machine table with a stone worktop. As you can imagine, the weight of the table made it something that needed collecting in person. As luck would have it, Bill and I had plans to stay at Gloucester Quays overnight, so we able to collect my table at Ross-on-Wye on the way home. You can see what I found when we arrived! A garden full of the things I ‘needed’. Bill just watched in something like despair as I filled the boot with all sorts of goodies including a dustbin for my compost, a soil sieve and a miniature galvanised watering can.

After the excitement of shopping, it was down to the hard work. I was more than a bit over-faced when I got started. I am worried I am becoming a bit of a wimp! I will admit that I have used some weed killer on the paths and on some of the courtyard – I hate the idea of it but I also hate being on my hands and knees weeding between the slabs. 

I had a break halfway through the clearing and went and ordered some basic slabs for under the potting table and some pea gravel to fill any obvious gaps. Early the next morning (I was still in bed!) I had gravel, slabs and compost delivered ready for me to start work. You can see the results below and I have even had a trial run with a bit of potting. 

I still must reduce the amount of ivy still lurking around corners and up the garage wall, but I’m pleased with the makeover of a troublesome corner.