Cottage Garden

In 1998, the front garden consisted of the finest thistles ever produced by nature and an interesting selection of used car parts.  It was Summer 2002 before we had time to think about what we were going to do with this garden. We decided to create a cottage garden, with a circular path taking visitors through the plants and shrubs.

A stream, feed by a natural spring, would lead to a pond. A duck house would complement the scene by housing three or four ducks. Our friend "Peter" levelled the area with his JCB, dug out the stream and pond and removed the car parts. From Autumn to Spring 2003, most of the paths were dug and concreted.  A bridge was created over an "overflow pipe", which connects the pond to a ditch and eventually flows into the River Suck nearby.  The stone for the spring outlet and pond outlet was hauled from a rock pile, near the cottage.  Finally, a stone wall, bordering the front of the garden was built.   During the Summer of 2003, a start was made on planting some appropriate trees, shrubs and flowers.  The fencing near the entrance was made and placed into position.

In Spring 2004, the floor and block walls of the duck house were built.  Poles were dug in the ground to support the duck fencing.  A couple of railway sleepers were placed over the stream to act as a bridge.   Eight Weeping Willows were placed one end of the pond. The left over soil from the digging of Primrose Cottage's extension was added to this garden.  A stone border was added to the raised flower bed, near the front.  More planting took place, with slightly more emphasis on cottage garden varieties.  A hedge of assorted dogwood and trees were planted to the side, which is hoped to break up the occasional easterly.