tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post8950739398686527550..comments2024-01-19T10:38:38.041+00:00Comments on The Gardening Shoe: When A Garden Feels RightSarah Shoesmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-263603363040232312013-03-16T04:08:51.091+00:002013-03-16T04:08:51.091+00:00I couldn't agree more! I enjoyed this post be...I couldn't agree more! I enjoyed this post because so many think that structure is formal when in my mind it is a design element that can not be overlooked. Wonderful points here!My Garden Diarieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295676587780780313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-29015050838735618692013-03-12T18:20:54.516+00:002013-03-12T18:20:54.516+00:00We had that problem and we could never find the ti...We had that problem and we could never find the time or inclination to get rid of them, then we had to move house and put our stuff into storage. We soon found the time to rehome the toys when we were faced with paying to accommodate our belongings!Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-71832454953647390862013-03-11T11:45:58.901+00:002013-03-11T11:45:58.901+00:00Hi Caroline - the rabbits around here are the bunn...Hi Caroline - the rabbits around here are the bunny version of the butcher's dog. There is plenty of food for them to feast upon - tucking into the delights of my borders would be plain greedy! The fence is still doing its job - I have just trudged through the snow to check for paw prints. If my confidence in the fence grows any more, I may try growing the occasional salad crop.Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-24491492485226197572013-03-06T11:27:59.608+00:002013-03-06T11:27:59.608+00:00I imagine the rabbits aren't as pleased about ...I imagine the rabbits aren't as pleased about your fencing as you seem to be, LOL! Thank you for visiting my blog ... and greetings from my corner of Suffolk. Caroline Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05203454486693014969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-11738286287715603022013-03-02T09:29:34.145+00:002013-03-02T09:29:34.145+00:00Thanks Catharine - you do make me laugh!Thanks Catharine - you do make me laugh!Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-73885740066445753162013-03-02T09:28:28.869+00:002013-03-02T09:28:28.869+00:00Please don't lose heart, the greatest thing ab...Please don't lose heart, the greatest thing about plants is that there is so much info available about each one. Start with what you have - know your climate, soil, aspect (shade/sun), situation (coastal, hill etc) and if you match the requirements of your plant to this, you are off to a good start. In any case, if a plant doesn't like it where you have placed it, don't worry, most plants will tolerate a move to somewhere more suitable. Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-4087441513784681692013-03-02T09:11:17.012+00:002013-03-02T09:11:17.012+00:00I agree completely, Sunil. Even informal gardens w...I agree completely, Sunil. Even informal gardens work better for me when there is a readable structure in place.Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-769600959389620732013-03-02T09:08:43.038+00:002013-03-02T09:08:43.038+00:00Thank you very much. I know what you mean about lo...Thank you very much. I know what you mean about loving both formal and cottage garden styles - even though they are very different, each has its own appeal. Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-40097057965641681612013-02-17T07:02:57.825+00:002013-02-17T07:02:57.825+00:00You have lovely pictures of different gardens here...You have lovely pictures of different gardens here. I love English gardens. Both form- and cottage gardens. You have such an adorable dog! Kukkaiselämäähttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05290634140893043265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-87743700592938399782013-02-16T15:47:11.860+00:002013-02-16T15:47:11.860+00:00I keep my garden quite informal, but I do have &qu...I keep my garden quite informal, but I do have "structure" punctuating through it in the form of rose arches and large shrubs as well as other things. I find these help to "anchor" the garden down and they stop your eye from just wandering over everything with vague dis-interest. The planting softens the structure while the structure provides a framework for the plants and somehow, it works quite well for me!Sunil Patelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17998062749546109287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-65886175026397593462013-02-14T20:59:07.746+00:002013-02-14T20:59:07.746+00:00Nice piece indeed on East Rushton and hurray that ...Nice piece indeed on East Rushton and hurray that I do not have to scrawl down a coal face of other comments.Catharine Howard's Garden Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12288511994247422699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-14289049673393047912013-02-14T18:31:14.687+00:002013-02-14T18:31:14.687+00:00Thank you, Sue. I am sorry that you have been stru...Thank you, Sue. I am sorry that you have been struggling to sort out the structure in your garden. So often when things don't seem to work in a garden, structure gets overlooked, but since you can see what you need to do, I think that you are well on your way to finding a solution. Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-63763483502817979042013-02-14T15:38:38.795+00:002013-02-14T15:38:38.795+00:00Previous owner had all sorts of structures in plac...Previous owner had all sorts of structures in place in our garden. I am now trying to add more to that but it is a huge task as I have so little knowledge about plants. KLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06737654325235566310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-71794794260548966822013-02-14T10:58:30.699+00:002013-02-14T10:58:30.699+00:00Thanks Liz. At least you'll have plenty of pic...Thanks Liz. At least you'll have plenty of pickles to eat while you're working on that structure!Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-63694481535808260852013-02-14T10:53:13.580+00:002013-02-14T10:53:13.580+00:00You are fortunate Carolyn; you are also wise, sinc...You are fortunate Carolyn; you are also wise, since some people do away with structure to make room for their favourite plants. <br />Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-82418344960869909942013-02-14T10:49:33.910+00:002013-02-14T10:49:33.910+00:00Goalposts.
They offer height and frame the goalk...Goalposts. <br /><br />They offer height and frame the goalkeeper perfectly. Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-14043233840691085602013-02-14T10:47:40.555+00:002013-02-14T10:47:40.555+00:00Thank you! I would love a little less structure in...Thank you! I would love a little less structure in my life if only to test your theory about losing motivation... it doesn't have anything to do with my desire to do just what I please for a few weeks! <br /><br />The Old Vicarage garden is a lovely place to visit. I think it is one of those gardens with something for everybody. Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-33822406866497783982013-02-14T10:40:32.957+00:002013-02-14T10:40:32.957+00:00Yes - because although icing can be the best bit o...Yes - because although icing can be the best bit of the cake, it is too sickly on its own.Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-62529755013263415182013-02-14T10:34:32.729+00:002013-02-14T10:34:32.729+00:00Hello Le Farm - and welcome! Your second paragraph...Hello Le Farm - and welcome! Your second paragraph sums it up perfectly! <br />Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-27860552330873245032013-02-14T10:24:33.996+00:002013-02-14T10:24:33.996+00:00Hi Claire - I haven't been watching Monty (I a...Hi Claire - I haven't been watching Monty (I am a "Great Night Out" addict), but I have been meaning to catch up and watch this series, so I had better get a wriggle on. <br /><br />Your comments regarding super-structured gardens are interesting. Some people prefer a garden where little changes and their outdoor space is as controlled and tidy as the interior of their home. It is almost as if the plants are furniture. Gardens such as this can be incredibly relaxing for some people, but others find them too static and need to see a little summer flesh on those bones and have the seasons reflected in the planting. For highly structured topiary/hedged gardens, simplicity and editing is key. Too many conflicting shapes and all hell breaks loose!<br /><br />Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-55436261566781171532013-02-14T09:55:54.565+00:002013-02-14T09:55:54.565+00:00I think the key words here are "re-think"...I think the key words here are "re-think" and "alternatives". There are relatively few people on our planet who don't have to stick to a budget and like you say, we have to wait for the money to be available or reconsider our approach to achieving height, for example. This is where creativity really comes into play and sometimes the solution can be better than the very item we originally thought our garden needed. <br /><br />Have there been any TV programmes about what the gardens from the heyday of makeovers look like now?<br />Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-44503145543098914502013-02-14T08:02:41.513+00:002013-02-14T08:02:41.513+00:00Great lead in - had me hooked. I'm still work...Great lead in - had me hooked. I'm still working on the structure for my garden, the hard paving etc is there but it doesn't seem quite right - more tinkering to do next winter.Liz - Suburban Tomatohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15967077073783256161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-13157707875520823852013-02-14T03:54:46.618+00:002013-02-14T03:54:46.618+00:00You are so right about structure and I am so lucky...You are so right about structure and I am so lucky that my property already had a lot of structure when I moved in. I am all about plants I wouldn't have done it myself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-26263376483415095152013-02-14T00:30:00.554+00:002013-02-14T00:30:00.554+00:00Any ideas for a sloping football field of a back y...Any ideas for a sloping football field of a back yard? Just joking, definitely needing some structure here.<br /><br />JenRURAL https://www.blogger.com/profile/11871803235521431504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8607070511807868177.post-80920920295450919762013-02-13T15:54:01.358+00:002013-02-13T15:54:01.358+00:00Thanks Catharine! I didn't imagine the bottle ...Thanks Catharine! I didn't imagine the bottle wall then? How reassuring! Did I imagine the washing machine at the Gibberd Garden? I think it was used to create some kind of rapids... or perhaps it was a kind of white goods gabion. I'm sure I'm not imagining this.... Sarah Shoesmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03410745860215082568noreply@blogger.com