The garden ground here at Roskhill is divided into two separate areas. One area is in front of, and to the side of, the Barn itself. The other area lies across the old township road, and is accessed by a pedestrian gate. It is this second part that I generally refer to it as 'The Allotment'. However, the actual area of land in this part of the garden is considerably larger than just the vegetable beds, and over the last few years I have gradually reclaimed a fairly sizeable piece of ground from the wild wilderness that was there before. I've also planted several trees along the top of the river gorge. These trees are mostly 'rescues' that had self-seeded in silly places, and none is taller than me... yet. I have two larches, two scots pines, two spruce, an oak (grown from an acorn and still only about a foot tall, even though it is now five years old) and a mountain ash.
So - this is my 'Secret Garden', as no-one ever goes there - only me and just occasionally Sue. I really like the jumble of natural vegetation that borders the area I have cleared. Wild flowers flourish. The birds and insects love it.
So do I!
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| The yellow flowers are ragwort. I won't let them shed seed! |
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| In the middle foreground is a cotoneaster that came to me as a 6 inch tall single spike. It clearly likes its home next to our septic tank - and the bees love its flowers! |
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| Looking into the Secret Garden over the allotment. Just right of centre is a cherry tree - it does produce cherries which we leave for the birds. Left of centre is the foliage of Jerusalem Artichoke - the roots are like knobby potatoes, and great in soup or when mashed with swede. |
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