Since the start of the Pandemic in 2020, which coincided with us moving into our new home, we have been gradually transforming a patch of lawn into something with greater biodiversity. Through the course of 2 years we have established 120 different plant species and about 350 plants. Below are some snapshots of our experiments and transformation of this piece of land through various stages.
gravel along the edges was collected and repurposed for paths in the new layout. Early months were dedicated towards establishing as much ground cover perennials and structuring shrubs as possible.
Corten Steel edging was used to establish the paths and a small section devoted to vegetable beds. It provided early structuring guides for planting zones when it was completely barren, but now I feel the edging along the sides could had been avoided completely and one could achieve better edge purely through planting.
seeded existing lawn especially in infill patches where the grass had receded with wildflower seeds such as chamomile, cornfield seeds and poppy. In due course the plan would be to let the grass recede completely and a wild flower meadow to take over
The position of the zone dedicated for vegetable patch was based on sun, as this is a North facing garden with two large trees further reducing the sun by casting shade towards the North. The alignment of the path was also influenced by the sun so as to incorporate as much of the zone under the trees towards accommodating the path as possible.
zone under the two trees (Wild Cherry and Confier) is dry shade with acidic soil, which we replenish with compost. This zone has shading loving plants like Japanese Fatsia, Tree Fern, Penstemones, Muscaris, Ferns, Heucheras and Anemones.
Through this process the demand for good quality compost in significant amount forced us to establish a 300 litre composting bin which currently eats up all the kitchen and garden waste (we have refrained from putting cooked food, dairy and meat).
Next stages would be to establish a wild life pond / puddle however small to trigger further bio-diversity in the form of frogs, toads, newts, dragonflies and the rest and attempt to establish a wildflower meadow. We aren't landscape architects or horticulturists so this process involved lot of tests, trials, research, asking colleagues and building an understanding...but it helped us survive the stresses of life.
No comments:
Post a Comment