July 2026 – Other Projects and Gardens
July has been another busy month, with several gardens at very different stages of development.
Expanding a flowerbed
The first photo shows a flowerbed I’ve been discussing and beginning to shape for a client. Originally, the bed was considerably smaller, but I felt there was an opportunity to do much more with the space by extending it to mirror the flowerbed on the opposite side of the mown pathway.
The area has now been skimmed off, removing the existing weeds while keeping the turf, which has been reused elsewhere as a natural weed-suppressing layer. The new bed has then been heavily mulched with manure to help build the soil and prepare it for planting.
The next stage will be to move some of the existing Persicaria into another hedgeline bed. They are tough plants, but their relatively low-growing habit means they should work well there without overwhelming the space.
The new bed will have a stronger emphasis on grasses, with the potential to introduce some fruit trees and/or bushes with underplanting beneath them.
I particularly like the idea of incorporating edible plants into ornamental spaces. If the clients make use of the fruit, fantastic — and if they don't, it still provides food for wildlife. There doesn't always need to be a distinction between a productive garden and a wildlife garden.
Bishop Sutton front garden
I’ve also been progressing a front garden design in Bishop Sutton.
The concrete footing stage is now out of the way and we're moving on to laying the paving, which is always a satisfying point in a project as the overall structure of the garden starts to become much clearer.
The design incorporates a central planting bed with lawn paths running around it, surrounded by further planting. The aim is to create a front garden that feels structured and purposeful while still being predominantly green and planted.
Regil garden transformation
Finally, this space in Regil is undergoing quite a transformation.
The existing raised beds have been removed, opening up the space for a lower-level gravel garden, potentially incorporating a feature planter.
I’ll be retaining the different levels with sleepers, while the existing wildlife pond will be developed further over time. Along the roadside, smart batten-style fencing will provide a cleaner boundary and help bring the whole space together.
Each of these gardens is at a different point in its development, but I enjoy that variety. Some are about gradually reshaping an existing space, others are moving from design into construction, while others are being completely rethought.
For me, the interesting part is always seeing how the individual pieces eventually come together — creating gardens that are useful, enjoyable and full of life, while still feeling like they belong to the people who use them.
