Garden transitions

It's Spring ...... time to look at the garden properly and tidy up all the Winter debris........ Eurgh !!!


Seriously .... do I have to ?????   Well, yes... I guess I do. 


When I first moved here (1996) I was sooo keen on getting the garden how I wanted it - I did most of the work myself - creating the flower beds, planting the bulbs or roses, creating a place for the swings, slides and climbing frame (with a chipped bark surface) for the kids to play. 


Now THAT was hard work ... I literally cut down weeds that were waist high (this was my Lara Croft moment - in my shorts and strappy t-shirt with big garden boots and hair in a pony tail - yes I had a pretty good figure then and my neighbour mentioned my similarity with the Tomb Raider character .... ahhh I can dream).


Anyway, I digress .......... I LOVED it .... I was younger, fitter and pretty much single. One of my partners during this time helped in his own way by organising my shed ..... 


As you know..I hate spiders, so keeping a clean shed was paramount. He put up shelves and holders for each and every tool - if you looked you would think it was a bit OCD ... but it really helped me and I was very proud of my clean, clear, tidy shed! 


I even loved mowing the lawn - it was therapeutic (it helps that freshly mown grass is one of my favourite smells) 


For a while back then, I thought I was going to inherit my parents love of gardening. BUT I was kidding myself .... I love the GARDEN, NOT gardening!


When it was a necessity and I was the only one doing it, I must have convinced myself that I enjoyed it ..... but in reality, apart from the mowing, the rest was a pain ......I just knew it had to be done, if I wanted to keep on top of my garden. 


However, since Greg has been around things have been very different. First and foremost he absolutely transformed the garden from a sloped one that, although grassed, was pretty much unusable. He shovelled 80 tons of earth (along with a little help from me, the kids and my Dad) to level off the whole garden - suddenly we had a garden where we could put up a gazebo ..... or even a party tent (which we did for our wedding).


I had always wanted a pond but, even when in Lara Croft mode, I did not have the strength or stamina to dig deep enough for that .... so Greg helped me clear the Play Area (the kids had grown up) he dug the pond out and we created a lovely gravelled seated space around it (we did have some professional help to finish off because we were only a couple of weeks away from our wedding and the evening reception was to be held at home!)


Then, with the help of my Dad again, Greg built the patio ...... so you can see how the places to maintain have lessened, only a few flower borders and the grass. 


Greg also does the mowing .........  I do not complain as I can't even bring myself to go in the shed these days because ..... after 5 years of female neglect ..... the shed has become his domain - a typical MAN'S messy shed - don't get me wrong, I certainly don't mind - but it does mean that I am very reluctant to get even the basic tools out for a bit of weeding and tidying.


Hence my decision to have an easy herb garden - very straightforward having the herbs in pots !


SO anyway, now that I don't HAVE to look after the garden.....I don't really want to .... 


Although on days like today I do feel a little guilty, as I am at home and he is working hard. Then again ....... I can always do some ironing, so it looks like I have done something productive on my day off ..... and as long as Greg keeps on top of the gardening ..... I get to enjoy it!


Now that's a WIN/WIN situation if you ask me !!!!!