The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers

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6 January 2012

Herb Garden Beginnings

Despite the inconvenience of Bank holidays, Christmas & New Year; much progress has been achieved all very largely thanks to Chris who has been starting and finishing his working day in the dark and resorting to artificial lighting at both ends of the day!  The new creosote yard is not only finished (and beautifully dated) but being used!  The new log store access path is also finished.

Staffordshire blue pavers and cobbles
'Raking out the joints'












Working in gale force winds, Chris built the first brick pier (and I was allowed to rake out the joints!) This really highlights each individual brick. The idea is to enclose a new Herb Garden and, although we both came up with a design; Chris's was by far the best!  I didn't dare suggest anything so ambitious.  The idea is to use and incorporate all the materials we have on the premises - which includes an oak water butt (overlooked by me) a cast iron Victorian manger with hay rack and reclaimed sets/bricks/path edgers and still retain a rustic appearance.  He and Al have already filled one large skip and another smaller one was delivered today. 
Chris capping the pier
Joints finished!


Whilst doing some quite major repairs to internal plastering, not only has Chris found more hidden oak beams but, also the remains of an original bread oven.  This means that outdoor work has come to a temporary halt!


Hopefully a herb garden will  prove more practical and useful than a rain garden - to which thought was given.  It will mean moving around much topsoil and hopefully providing good drainage as well as shelter.  

The beginnings of Al's new store with verandah

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