Who could forget Jungle Jane's amazing garden transformation from last year? (In case you missed it, here's Part One and here's Part Two). Well, good news - Jungle Jane's back! This time, it's Jane's Lockdown Jungle edition. Continue reading to find out how she has made the most of her time in her garden during lockdown.
Crocuses, Daffodils & Wildflowers
I feel very privileged and lucky to have this project to work on during this lockdown. It's great to have a focus and a reason to get out in the fresh air!
The garden has come on really well this Spring. The crocuses and daffodils came up when they were supposed to. Unfortunately, they didn't last too long due to the many storms. The tulips I planted are all up now and are so colourful and tough!
I've planted a few wild flower seeds in some woody patches around the garden, I'm hoping they'll come up to keep the colour and attract some wildlife. Hopefully these will provide lots of colour with minimal effort, yet do my bit for a biodiversity garden patch.
Christmas Tree
I am still following on with Pariac's tip to plant Christmas trees outside and under plant with climbing flowers. Our second Christmas tree is now up and attached to the fence. I have planted some climbing nasturtiums under one and I'm going to try peas under the other.
Fruit & Veg
I've decided to try to grow some fruit and veg this year. We planted a Coronet family apple tree and a Golden delicious and the growth in three weeks was lovely to see. I enjoyed planting these trees, we all got involved digging the hole and planting them. I felt like we are planting our mark for the future, making and planting memories. This tree will still be here for many many years to come and it was planted by us, in our little patch.
I also planted some patio tomato seeds, some herbs, lettuce and rocket, alongside some sunflowers and aubrettias for the rockery. I couldn't get my hands on a propagator so I improvised using some yoghurt pots, clingfilm, a BBQ tray and it’s packaging. So right now my window ledges are full of pots - let’s hope they grow! I also have the lettuce in our improvised cold frame.
Vegepod
I really got into the swing of growing my own so I recently invested in a Vegepod. It is a raised garden bed with a mesh cover for growing fruit and vegetables. I had my eye on one of these for awhile - and it didn't disappoint. The Vegepod is amazing. I can't stop telling anyone who will listen. I pick something most days whether it's chillis and coriander for a curry or lettuces, snack peppers and scallions for a salad. I have noticed the boys taking an interest in what is growing and they too like to pick and eat from it.
Growing my own Broccoli is very exciting. We eat so much in our house. after a few weeks, it is nearly ready.
I have broccoli growing in a cold frame bed too, but the one in the Vegepod is doing much better, the head is bigger, the colour is greener. I am delighted with my Vegepod. These are only available in Horkans Garden Centres, I recommend anyone who is looking to Grow their Own to check these out. (I am not paid to say that - its just a great product.) Here's a link to read more about them: Vegepod
New Shed
We are currently building a new shed at the top of the garden. This is so that we can move the shed from outside our patio doors. Currently the shed blocks a view, so I am happy to see it being moved. I need a shed now for all my gardening tools (or a new place to hang out)!
Reusing and Recylcing
Last summer I was very inspired by a garden we visited on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. The lady owner used anything she could salvage, recycle or reuse. She had paths made from sea shells, fences made from bed frames and borders made from old garden tools. My garden will never be like hers but I've collected a few bits that may come in useful at a later date.
Remember the big tree debate? After a long discussion about the tree, it had to come down for safety reasons. But, we have made sure to use pieces of the tree around the garden. My favourite features is a bench placed in a corner that get the sun, I have become rather attached to this spot and the tree bench! We also used a large piece standing up in front of our septic tank. I'm planning to plant this with trailing plants, to make pretty a not so pretty spot!
Part of the garden plan is to make it an extension of our home. Another room/place that we can live. For garden outdoor heating we had a genius idea and put our old stove into a corner at the front of the house. Nothing goes to waste in this garden!
During lockdown and the fine weather we had great evenings feet up in front of an outdoor fire, chatting and planning for what's next on the list!
So all I can do now is sit and wait to see what grows, so I spending the rest of Summer relaxing in the sunshine. There is so much emphasis on keeping active and learning new things during this lockdown which I know is important, but we should really take the opportunity to just sit, relax and take it all in.
Time to start thinking about Autumn planting and planting for Spring colour! The list goes on and on!
Until next time,
Jane.