We had loads of bricks on the plot, but now that we're going to create timber raised beds we have no need for them really. So instead of spending money on paving slabs (which may only be say £5 a slab, but when you need around 15 it soon adds up!) we decided to use the free bricks to make a "patio" area. I say that quite loosely as you will see what I mean in the photo:
It's not a huge area but it's big enough. The left hand side where you see the soil by the fence will be planted with some perennial plants come the spring time. We are then going to cover and bark the whole entire plot (apart from the garden and pond area at the back of course) this will then mean we can essentially create the raised beds off site, bring them along and just stake them into the ground then fill them. It will make the whole thing much more manageable and means we won't be fighting with weeds growing through the thick clay soil.
Pretty happy with how it's going now! I'm really feeling as though we're achieving something and the left side isn't looking so scary now!
I also spent the morning on the plot making a Victorian style terrarium! I've been meaning to make one for a while but have gradually collected the materials together. I had a suitable vase for years I just wasn't sure what to do with it! I wanted to do a Victorian style terrarium so that it can basically take care of itself. I find it quite fascinating!
I have researched it a fair bit so I knew what I was doing (ish) so here's what I needed and what I did:
• suitable vase- that you can get your hand in if possible! (It's hard work otherwise)
• something to seal the top- I got a cork
• pebbles
• activated charcoal
• compost
• moss
• plants (slow growing plants that like high humidity- I used small Peruvian plants)
• something decorative (optional)
What I did:
1) Clean the vase.
2) Pour in a layer of pebbles on the bottom of the vase.
3) Put in a layer of activated charcoal. I ordered it from Amazon. The charcoal keeps the water and air clean and stops mould or algae building up.
4) A layer of compost.
5) Plant your plants out- I used three slow growing Peruvian plants. One will go red in the summer for something a bit more interesting to look at.
6) Place your 'decorative object(s)' this isn't essential- but I added a little rock in there just for aesthetics
7) Cover the ground area in moss, covering a fair bit or all of the moss.
8) clean the inside of the vase and place on the cork. If the things that have gone in are dry it will need a light water/spritzing. The soil and moss I used were moist enough.
9) Check on it over the next fortnight or so to make sure there's not any mould growing or too much constant condensation. However, condensation is normal, as how a terrarium works is as the plants respire, the air condenses on the sides of the vase, it then dribbles down and keeps the plants moist. The cycle just continues.
There are different kinds of 'terrariums' a lot of them are made using succulents or cacti- but remember these should not be sealed as they're not jungle plants and therefore do not need a high humidity or a damp surroundings.
