UK gardening - The best thing .........

Author

The best thing .........

'Mike'

2007-09-19, 3:25 am

...... thing you did within the garden?

Built?
Planted?
Designed?
Altered?

In the 21 years we have been here, we have built the greenhouse, moved
paths, laid lawns, dug up lawns, altered flower beds etc etc etc, but the
best thing we did was build a veranda across the back of the house over the
patio.

We can have the Patio doors open when it's raining :-)
We don't need to get the chairs in when it's raining :-)
It keeps a fair amount of wind off the house even though it's open fronted
open sided one side and almost open sided the other side :-)

Apart from some cross posted rubbish, urg seems to have settled down to some
sensible discussions and no aggro, so let's see what can be made of this
post and get some ideas from other people.

By the way the veranda was very easy to build on a DIY basis and if anyone
wants to do one at their house, drop me an email with dimensions and I will
tell you what you need and how to go about it.

Mike

--
www.rneba.org.uk for the latest pictures of the very first reunion and
Inaugural General Meeting. Nothing less than a fantastic success.
The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association.
'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy
www.rneba.org.uk to find your ex-Greenie mess mates
www.iowtours.com for all ex-Service Reunions. More being added regularly
"Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand

Cat(h)

2007-09-19, 9:25 am

On Sep 19, 7:50 am, "'Mike'" <3d...@woolies.com> wrote:
> ..... thing you did within the garden?
>
> Built?
> Planted?
> Designed?
> Altered?
>
> In the 21 years we have been here, we have built the greenhouse, moved
> paths, laid lawns, dug up lawns, altered flower beds etc etc etc, but the
> best thing we did was build a veranda across the back of the house over the
> patio.
>
> We can have the Patio doors open when it's raining :-)
> We don't need to get the chairs in when it's raining :-)
> It keeps a fair amount of wind off the house even though it's open fronted
> open sided one side and almost open sided the other side :-)
>
> Apart from some cross posted rubbish, urg seems to have settled down to some
> sensible discussions and no aggro, so let's see what can be made of this
> post and get some ideas from other people.
>
> By the way the veranda was very easy to build on a DIY basis and if anyone
> wants to do one at their house, drop me an email with dimensions and I will
> tell you what you need and how to go about it.
>
> Mike
>

The best thing we did was also the first thing we did.
We bought a house and garden which used to belong to a builder, and
his garden was a typical builder's garden: lots of blobs of concrete
all over the place, little top soil, weeds up to the neck and an odd
little wall, three sides of a square, the start of god knows what
project, made of concrete blocks, but topped with nice old bricks, of
which there was still a few left. We got our builder to finish off
the square, filled it with top soil (hard work that was, too) and made
it our herb garden. It is in our gravelled patio/suntrap, and you can
sit on the low wall while caressing lavender, sage, thyme, etc etc.
It is fab, a haze of purple in early summer, and needs hacking back
badly at the moment. But I am proud as punch of it :-)
That, and cutting down the leylandii at the front, and replacing them
with wild fuschia grown from cuttings taken in the West of Ireland :-)

What I'm least pleased with is my asparagus bed. I really should
have buried that donkey.

Cat(h)

Uncle Marvo

2007-09-19, 9:25 am

In reply to 'Mike' (3d&6d@woolies.com) who wrote this in
UoidnTdu8Os_W23bnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@bt.com, I, Marvo, say :

>
> By the way the veranda was very easy to build on a DIY basis and if
> anyone wants to do one at their house, drop me an email with
> dimensions and I will tell you what you need and how to go about it.
>
I'm interested in the roof of it. I have built a pergatory[1], which at the
moment is roofless because I haven't quite made the decision. It is
triangular with very stout poles which would support a decent-sized ship,
let alone a roof.

I am torn between plastic (sheeting), sail material, and canvas. I have seen
all three. Any other ideas welcome. I would like it to be reasonably easily
removeable for cleaning after the winter, and possibly storeable in the
summer as it's nice to have no roof, like it is now.

[1] a cross between a pergola and a conservatory. More pergola. Ideas mainly
gleaned from structures at the Hampton Court exhibition earlier, plus some
advice from groundworkers, artists and gardeners. And publicans.

Cat(h)

2007-09-19, 9:25 am

On Sep 19, 2:01 pm, "Uncle Marvo"
<pau...@deletethisbitfortescue.org.uk> wrote:
> In reply to 'Mike' (3d...@woolies.com) who wrote this in
> UoidnTdu8Os_W23bnZ2dneKdnZydn...@bt.com, I, Marvo, say :
>
>
>
>
> I'm interested in the roof of it. I have built a pergatory[1],

Snip

Is this a leaky, drafty, nightmarish kind of a garden
pavillion ?... ;-)

Cat(h)

Martin

2007-09-19, 9:25 am

On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:01:17 +0100, "Uncle Marvo"
<paul.r@deletethisbitfortescue.org.uk> wrote:

>I am torn between plastic (sheeting), sail material, and canvas. I have seen
>all three. Any other ideas welcome. I would like it to be reasonably easily
>removeable for cleaning after the winter, and possibly storeable in the
>summer as it's nice to have no roof, like it is now.
>
>[1] a cross between a pergola and a conservatory. More pergola. Ideas mainly
>gleaned from structures at the Hampton Court exhibition earlier, plus some
>advice from groundworkers, artists and gardeners. And publicans.
>

You need something like this Adrain(TM) floating conservatory
http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Album=C6X6IGND

It's easily removed by passing under a low bridge
--

Martin

Uncle Marvo

2007-09-19, 9:25 am

In reply to Martin (me@address.invalid) who wrote this in
ag72f313ln4ek4tccnkigujk1116cq571n@4ax.com, I, Marvo, say :

> On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:01:17 +0100, "Uncle Marvo"
> <paul.r@deletethisbitfortescue.org.uk> wrote:
>
>
>
> You need something like this Adrain(TM) floating conservatory
> http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Album=C6X6IGND
>
> It's easily removed by passing under a low bridge

Hell's Bells! What a thing!

Uncle Marvo

2007-09-19, 9:25 am

In reply to Cat(h) (cathy_ie@yahoo.com) who wrote this in
1190206769.697090.60120@19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com, I, Marvo, say :

> On Sep 19, 2:01 pm, "Uncle Marvo"
> <pau...@deletethisbitfortescue.org.uk> wrote:
>
> Snip
>
>
> Is this a leaky, drafty, nightmarish kind of a garden
> pavillion ?... ;-)
>
That's *exactly* what it is :-)

'Mike'

2007-09-19, 9:25 am

"Uncle Marvo" <paul.r@deletethisbitfortescue.org.uk> wrote in message
news:5lckjvF7kq2uU1@mid.individual.net...
> In reply to 'Mike' (3d&6d@woolies.com) who wrote this in
> UoidnTdu8Os_W23bnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@bt.com, I, Marvo, say :
>
> I'm interested in the roof of it. I have built a pergatory[1], which at
> the moment is roofless because I haven't quite made the decision. It is
> triangular with very stout poles which would support a decent-sized ship,
> let alone a roof.
>

Triple wall New Dawn Polycarbonate Sheets. 2.5 Metres x 980 mm Book Price
£146.50 but I got a 55% discount which worked out at £65.92 a sheet.

Special fixings which require no drilling. Super to work with and you can
cut it with a Jig Saw or pocket knife when trimming round a down pipe:-))

Mike

--
www.rneba.org.uk for the latest pictures of the very first reunion and
Inaugural General Meeting. Nothing less than a fantastic success.
The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association.
'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy
www.rneba.org.uk to find your ex-Greenie mess mates
www.iowtours.com for all ex-Service Reunions. More being added regularly
"Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand

Martin

2007-09-19, 9:25 am

On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:19:00 +0100, "Uncle Marvo"
<paul.r@deletethisbitfortescue.org.uk> wrote:

>In reply to Martin (me@address.invalid) who wrote this in
>ag72f313ln4ek4tccnkigujk1116cq571n@4ax.com, I, Marvo, say :
>
>
>Hell's Bells! What a thing!

We were disappointed to see it was being used to grow vines and not what you
would expect in Holland.
--

Martin

Uncle Marvo

2007-09-19, 9:25 am

In reply to 'Mike' (3d&6d@woolies.com) who wrote this in
EI2dnWfKV-qltWzbnZ2dnUVZ8sOonZ2d@bt.com, I, Marvo, say :

> "Uncle Marvo" <paul.r@deletethisbitfortescue.org.uk> wrote in message
> news:5lckjvF7kq2uU1@mid.individual.net...
>
>
> Triple wall New Dawn Polycarbonate Sheets. 2.5 Metres x 980 mm Book
> Price £146.50 but I got a 55% discount which worked out at £65.92 a
> sheet.
> Special fixings which require no drilling. Super to work with and you
> can cut it with a Jig Saw or pocket knife when trimming round a down
> pipe:-))
> Mike

Thanks for that, Mike. I'll look it up. Helene's roof is similar but I
didn't know the material.

Uncle Marvo

2007-09-19, 9:25 am

In reply to Martin (me@address.invalid) who wrote this in
13a2f3pvi7bjt0jg6s4g43a49n65hc67nq@4ax.com, I, Marvo, say :

> On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:19:00 +0100, "Uncle Marvo"
> <paul.r@deletethisbitfortescue.org.uk> wrote:
>
>
> We were disappointed to see it was being used to grow vines and not
> what you would expect in Holland.

Exactly what I'm doing. I have two vines, I don't know how well they'll take
the winter but now they're doing pretty well.

Martin

2007-09-19, 9:25 am

On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:59:21 +0100, "Uncle Marvo"
<paul.r@deletethisbitfortescue.org.uk> wrote:

>In reply to Martin (me@address.invalid) who wrote this in
>13a2f3pvi7bjt0jg6s4g43a49n65hc67nq@4ax.com, I, Marvo, say :
>
>
>Exactly what I'm doing. I have two vines, I don't know how well they'll take
>the winter but now they're doing pretty well.
>

I have a 35 year old vine that has survived several very cold winters growing
outside. It spent from 1974 to 1980 growing in a large box on a third floor
balcony.
--

Martin

Muddymike

2007-09-19, 1:25 pm

"'Mike'" <3d&6d@woolies.com> wrote in message
news:UoidnTdu8Os_W23bnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@bt.com...
> ..... thing you did within the garden?
>
> Built?
> Planted?
> Designed?
> Altered?
>

Best thing I have done this year is build my new shed/workshop. Not only was
the old one an eyesore right in front of you as you came up the drive, but
it leaked and didn't keep the mice out. The project included a new roof
covering the old garage as well as the new shed.

Before
http://www.twango.com/media/Muddymi...ke.10439?sort=5

After
http://www.twango.com/media/Muddymi...ke.10446?sort=5

I have now treated the garage doors to match the new timber and added
gutters.

Mike (the other one)

Bob Hobden

2007-09-19, 1:25 pm

"'Mike'" wrote ((SNIP))
> ..... thing you did within the garden?
>
> Built?
> Planted?
> Designed?
> Altered?
>
Well you would probably say it was burying 4 of our cats. :-)

Seriously though it's an excellent question and my answer at this time is to
have removed a lot of overgrown large leaved ivy from all over the wall
along one side of our garden. I was then able to repoint the badly built old
wall. This has given me back a strip of 2 or 3 ft of garden for me to plant
(happy days) and stopped the rats having somewhere to live/hide. It was a
local plague of rats that prompted the removal of the ivy on the suggestion
of the Rentokil man.
The answer is always time dependant, before that it would have been the
building of our small greenhouse, 25 years ago it would have been building a
3,000 gal pond. Before that the patio.

I might add the rats disappeared the moment I put the phone down having
called in Rentokil and they have never been seen since in neighbouring
gardens. They must have our house bugged.
--
Regards
Bob Hobden

'Mike'

2007-09-19, 1:25 pm

"Bob Hobden" <bobh@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:5ld46gF7nck7U1@mid.individual.net...
>
> I might add the rats disappeared the moment I put the phone down having
> called in Rentokil and they have never been seen since in neighbouring
> gardens. They must have our house bugged.
> --
> Regards
> Bob Hobden
>

Like toothache. Goes once the appointment is made with the Dentist ;-)

(If my memory serves me correct)

Mike

--
www.rneba.org.uk for the latest pictures of the very first reunion and
Inaugural General Meeting. Nothing less than a fantastic success.
The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association.
'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy
www.rneba.org.uk to find your ex-Greenie mess mates
www.iowtours.com for all ex-Service Reunions. More being added regularly
"Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand

Bob Hobden

2007-09-19, 1:25 pm

"Muddymike" wrote after "'Mike'" asked
>
> Best thing I have done this year is build my new shed/workshop. Not only
> was the old one an eyesore right in front of you as you came up the drive,
> but it leaked and didn't keep the mice out. The project included a new
> roof covering the old garage as well as the new shed.
>
> Before
> http://www.twango.com/media/Muddymi...ke.10439?sort=5
>
> After
> http://www.twango.com/media/Muddymi...ke.10446?sort=5
>
> I have now treated the garage doors to match the new timber and added
> gutters.
>
Very nice, am I jealous, you bet, but I'd need the doors a bit taller to
get the 90 (Defender) in there so I could work on it in the dry/warm....

--
Regards
Bob Hobden

2007-09-19, 1:25 pm

"Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> writes
>
>The best thing we did was also the first thing we did.
>We bought a house and garden which used to belong to a builder, and
>his garden was a typical builder's garden: lots of blobs of concrete
>all over the place, little top soil, weeds up to the neck and an odd
>little wall, three sides of a square, the start of god knows what
>project, made of concrete blocks, but topped with nice old bricks, of
>which there was still a few left. We got our builder to finish off
>the square, filled it with top soil (hard work that was, too) and made
>it our herb garden. It is in our gravelled patio/suntrap, and you can
>sit on the low wall while caressing lavender, sage, thyme, etc etc.
>It is fab, a haze of purple in early summer, and needs hacking back
>badly at the moment.

At my last house I had a knot garden in the front filled with herbs. I
loved weeding it, bathed in a different scent each time I inched along
the path.

I've found winter savory is good for extending the flowering season -
flowers late summer.

The best thing we did was to remove all the lawn at the front (and
replace it largely with ponds) and three quarters of the lawn at the
back.

--
Kay

Mary Fisher

2007-09-19, 5:25 pm

"Cat(h)" <cathy_ie@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1190206212.805033.102000@50g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
> On Sep 19, 7:50 am, "'Mike'" <3d...@woolies.com> wrote:

Definitely the greenhouse.

But it wouldn't have been any good if we hadn't taken down the large trees.

And the pond was a definite delight but it only happened because we
discovered and rebuilt the air-raid shelter, the re-built roof of which we
use as a dining area, and the excavated stones we used to contain the
vegetable plots and wall the paths round what were the lawns and of course
the hens which meant that we had to contain the vegetable plots inside wire
runs ...

Then there's the stone bread oven. Oh joy!

Shuttup mother!

Mary

JennyC

2007-09-20, 3:25 am

"Uncle Marvo" <paul.r@deletethisbitfortescue.org.uk> wrote in message
news:5lckjvF7kq2uU1@mid.individual.net...
> In reply to 'Mike' (3d&6d@woolies.com) who wrote this in
> UoidnTdu8Os_W23bnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@bt.com, I, Marvo, say :
>
> I'm interested in the roof of it. I have built a pergatory[1], which at
> the moment is roofless because I haven't quite made the decision. It is
> triangular with very stout poles which would support a decent-sized ship,
> let alone a roof.
>
> I am torn between plastic (sheeting), sail material, and canvas. I have
> seen all three. Any other ideas welcome. I would like it to be reasonably
> easily removeable for cleaning after the winter, and possibly storeable in
> the summer as it's nice to have no roof, like it is now.
>
> [1] a cross between a pergola and a conservatory. More pergola. Ideas
> mainly gleaned from structures at the Hampton Court exhibition earlier,
> plus some advice from groundworkers, artists and gardeners. And publicans.

I would suggest cheap beach mats.
You can tie them on for the summer and they give shade and some shelter.
You could line with plastic sheeting first if you want it to be waterproof.
Take em down in winter.
Once the vines get going you won't need a roof :~))

(http://www.heritage-homeandgarden.c...?products_id=85)

Or something a bit more sturdy

http://www.thatch.co.uk/trolleyed/5/index.htm

http://tinyurl.com/3x5y9c

HTH Jenny

Uncle Marvo

2007-09-20, 9:25 am

In reply to JennyC (Jenny.squirrel@chello.nl) who wrote this in
5len30F7sjjgU1@mid.individual.net, I, Marvo, say :

> "Uncle Marvo" <paul.r@deletethisbitfortescue.org.uk> wrote in message
> news:5lckjvF7kq2uU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> I would suggest cheap beach mats.
> You can tie them on for the summer and they give shade and some
> shelter. You could line with plastic sheeting first if you want it to
> be waterproof. Take em down in winter.
> Once the vines get going you won't need a roof :~))
>
> (http://www.heritage-homeandgarden.c...?products_id=85)
>
> Or something a bit more sturdy
>
> http://www.thatch.co.uk/trolleyed/5/index.htm
>
> http://tinyurl.com/3x5y9c
>
> HTH Jenny

Thanks for those Jenny. Some good ideas there, worth pursuing.

I'll let on what I decided when I've decided.

Muddymike

2007-09-20, 9:25 am

>> After
> Very nice, am I jealous, you bet, but I'd need the doors a bit taller to
> get the 90 (Defender) in there so I could work on it in the dry/warm....
>
> --
> Regards
> Bob Hobden

Hi Bob

Nahh a real Land Rover man does not need to fit the vehicle into the
workshop, I built this;
http://www.twango.com/media/Muddymi...ke.10090?sort=5
in the garden.

Mike

Mary Fisher

2007-09-20, 9:25 am

"Muddymike" <MikeRogers@mattishall.org.uk> wrote in message
news:K4CdnboIW8aAy2_bnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@brightview.com...
>
> Hi Bob
>
> Nahh a real Land Rover man does not need to fit the vehicle into the
> workshop, I built this;
> http://www.twango.com/media/Muddymi...ke.10090?sort=5
> in the garden.
>
> Mike

Well done - the idea of a Drover owner working in the dry/warm is, well, an
oxymoron!

Mary
>
>

Winsford

2007-09-20, 9:25 am

'Mike';748740 Wrote:
> ...... thing you did within the garden?
>
>

The best thing I did was to restore several teak-built Victorian
greenhouses

Next came the Greek-styled pergola - just click on thumbnails for
larger images. More features in the left nav bar.
http://tinyurl.com/yu9bay

--
Winsford

Bob Hobden

2007-09-20, 1:25 pm

"Muddymike" wrote ...
> Nahh a real Land Rover man does not need to fit the vehicle into the
> workshop, I built this;
> http://www.twango.com/media/Muddymi...ke.10090?sort=5
> in the garden.
>

Yes I noticed the Lightweight (Air Portable) hybrid in a previous photo of
yours. Wouldn't be any good as an allotment shed for us tools would be too
easy to pinch. :-)
When I pluck up enough enthusiasm I'm about to change the timing chain and
pensioners etc in the street.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden

Bob Hobden

2007-09-20, 1:25 pm

"Bob Hobden" wrote
>
> "Muddymike" wrote ...
>
> Yes I noticed the Lightweight (Air Portable) hybrid in a previous photo of
> yours. Wouldn't be any good as an allotment shed for us tools would be too
> easy to pinch. :-)
> When I pluck up enough enthusiasm I'm about to change the timing chain and
> pensioners etc in the street.
>
Of course that should be "Tensioners"...bloody spellcheckers.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
17mls W. of London.UK

Simon Isaacs

2007-09-20, 1:25 pm

On Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:01:32 +0100, "Bob Hobden" <bobh@invalid.com>
wrote:

>
>"Muddymike" wrote ...
>
>Yes I noticed the Lightweight (Air Portable) hybrid in a previous photo of
>yours. Wouldn't be any good as an allotment shed for us tools would be too
>easy to pinch. :-)
>When I pluck up enough enthusiasm I'm about to change the timing chain and
>pensioners etc in the street.

I've got to a do an engine and gearbox swap on a 101 Ambi in the
street, including soem welding as I'm making it an auto!!
--
"For those who are missing Blair - aim more
carefully."

To reply direct rot13 me

bURRt the 101 Camper www.simoni.co.uk
200TDi Disco with rotten floor
200 TDi DIsco, "the offroader"
1976 S3 Lightweight

Muddymike

2007-09-20, 5:25 pm

"Bob Hobden" <bobh@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:5lfqqmF7qmnnU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "Muddymike" wrote ...
>
> Yes I noticed the Lightweight (Air Portable) hybrid in a previous photo of
> yours. Wouldn't be any good as an allotment shed for us tools would be too
> easy to pinch. :-)
> When I pluck up enough enthusiasm I'm about to change the timing chain and
> pensioners etc in the street.
>

As you may have worked out, my hybrid is my other hobby, I trial it most
months.

Mike

Mary Fisher

2007-09-21, 9:25 am

"Bob Hobden" <bobh@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:5lfr0vF80pb6U1@mid.individual.net...
>
> Of course that should be "Tensioners"...bloody spellcheckers.

Awww :-( I thought you might be letting out.

Mary

FarmI

2007-09-21, 9:25 am

"'Mike'" <3d&6d@woolies.com> wrote in message

the
> best thing we did was build a veranda across the back of the house over
> the patio.

Snap!

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