• House & Garden
  • Motherhood
  • Tutorials
  • Ramblings
  • Travel
  • Working from Home
  • Recipes
  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy

Life with Holly

Blog about Interiors, Motherhood and More

Garden

My North-East Facing Garden in February

14 February 2020 Comments : 7

It’s been a while since I updated you on what’s going on in the garden. To be fair, there’s not much going on! We live on a hillside so the garden is sloping. It’s roughly tiered in line with the steps on the path, and has been this way since the house was built around 150 years ago. It’s north-east facing and open to the world with hardly any privacy. Nevertheless, I love my little north-east facing garden and all it’s challenges.

Snowdrops North-East-Facing-Garden-New-Flower-Bed-Plants-for-Shade-by-Life-with-Holly

 

I wrote a blog post a bit ago about my plans for the garden, and I’m happy to say I’ve made a start (only 6 months later!). Our top lawn is nearest the house and at this time of year receives about 36 seconds of sun a day. The houses to the east and south of the garden cast so much shade, then the sun goes behind our house and is so low. Every year I spend ages scarifying the lawn to remove the horrible moss that accumulates and this year was the worst it’s ever been. I finally had enough, complained heartily to Mr R and decided to remove as much of the grass and moss as I could. My idea was to turn the lawn into some flower beds. On my Pinterest board I’ve got a load of ideas saved, and I also found the amazing Instagram account of GNC Garden. This is my dream garden!

Moss in Lawn - North-East-Facing-Garden-New-Flower-Bed-Plants-for-Shade-by-Life-with-Holly

I set to work removing the turf. This was a horrible job that has given me back ache for the last three days. I’m currently walking like an old woman and can barely bend to pick things up. In hindsight a turf stripping machine would have been a good shout, but it was a relatively small area and I wanted it done!

 

To start with I measured the width of the garden. It’s 15ft, so not huge. I decided I wanted a path with two flower beds either side, and I wanted the beds to be huge. I left a strip of about 2ft down the middle with the rest being the flower beds. I used string (well, old strimmer wire as I couldn’t find my string) and some wooden sticks to mark out the line of the beds.

Measuring for new flower beds North-East-Facing-Garden-New-Flower-Bed-Plants-for-Shade-by-Life-with-Holly

I then went along the lines with my half moon spade to mark the edges. I went along the turf to cut it into sections roughly a spade head wide.

 

Then it was a case of using a normal spade and lifting the turf. I dug the spade into the side of the grass and used my knee to force it under the grass. I went along the long edge of each section, then rolled it up and put it to one side. I was rushing as I had the school run to do, so it wasn’t the neatest of jobs, but I managed to get it all done in time.

Removing Turf North-East-Facing-Garden-New-Flower-Bed-Plants-for-Shade-by-Life-with-Holly

I had to ask Mr R to move all the turf out of the front garden for me as I could barely move after doing all this! I’m clearly not as fit as I once was.

New Flower Beds North-East-Facing-Garden-New-Flower-Bed-Plants-for-Shade-by-Life-with-Holly

This afternoon I’ve had an hour in the garden dividing some plants (I hope it’s not too early!) and filling out the new beds. I’ve also had a delivery of some box plants and a couple of Hydrangea Annabelle so wanted to get these in the ground. I moved my obelisks and have planted cuttings of my Claire Austin rose which rooted last year against these. I still need to clear the clematis Freckles foliage off one of them though but the rain started!

Planning New Flower Beds North-East-Facing-Garden-New-Flower-Bed-Plants-for-Shade-by-Life-with-Holly

In my beds now there are box (which I’m hoping to make into small balls for year round structure), the Claire Austin roses on obelisks, hydrangea Annabelle, some astrantia, some hellebores and some bulbs (probably snowdrops and bluebells). I’ve got some late tulips on order so I hope they turn up soon and I’ll have enough time to plant them. I’ve also ordered some more astilbe plants as I love their fluffiness!

New Flower Beds North-East-Facing-Garden-New-Flower-Bed-Plants-for-Shade-by-Life-with-Holly

In my seed propagating area (aka my spare room) I’ve got sweet peas, gaura, cosmos and white foxgloves growing. I’m hoping to plant some of these in the sunnier parts and will let the foxgloves self seed themselves throughout the beds because I love them.

 

Here’s hoping the new beds do well! Thanks for stopping by x

Related

Previous:
A Tutorial for Wood Panelled Walls in the Bathroom
Next:
Weekend Wanders – St Ives Estate, Bingley

Comments

  1. Ris Parker says

    15 February 2020 at 1:22 pm

    Yey very British ☕️ 🥰

    Reply
  2. Matilda R says

    15 February 2020 at 3:40 pm

    I wish I had my own garden where I could grow flowers and herbs, it would be a dream come true!

    Reply
  3. Rachael Broderick says

    16 February 2020 at 12:32 pm

    What a fabulous plan! I’m not at all green-fingered but this post is inspiring!

    Reply
  4. Hannah says

    18 February 2020 at 9:48 pm

    Inspiring me to get out into the garden 🥰💕

    Reply
  5. Xoxocb says

    22 February 2020 at 11:58 pm

    Wow!! I wish I had a yard to garden in but I would probably kill everything…. hope everything grows great for you!

    Reply
    • lifewithholly says

      7 March 2020 at 4:59 pm

      Thank you, me too! I’ll be so disappointed if it doesn’t look good haha! x

      Reply
  6. Rachel says

    14 March 2020 at 3:51 pm

    Can’t wait to see how they grow in! Fabulous inspiration for this coming spring to tackle my own gardening projects!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

Hi! I'm Jo, and welcome to my blog about my life with my daughter Holly. Here you'll find posts on interiors and DIY, our home and garden, our travel and other day to day goings on. Thanks for stopping by!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you decide to purchase the items using the links. Thank you.

Featured Posts

White Tulips in a vase by Life with Holly

Planting Bulbs for Spring

Rustic Grey Pantry Cupboard by Life with Holly - The Art of the Slow Renovation

The Art of the Slow Renovation

Beautiful Yorkshire Countryside - Digley - Life with Holly

Weekend Wander to Digley, Holmfirth

Recent Posts

  • Planting Bulbs for Spring
  • The Art of the Slow Renovation
  • Weekend Wander to Digley, Holmfirth
  • Short Break to Silverdale
  • Tips on Autumn Foraging (Foliage for Free!)

Recent Comments

  • lifewithholly on The Art of the Slow Renovation
  • lifewithholly on The Art of the Slow Renovation
  • lifewithholly on The Art of the Slow Renovation
  • lifewithholly on The Art of the Slow Renovation
  • lifewithholly on Our Master Bedroom Transformation – with Wall Panelling!

Archives

  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018

Categories

  • Dolls House
  • Garden
  • House
  • Lifestyle
  • Motherhood
  • Ramblings
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Tutorials
  • Working from Home

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

@life_with_holly Best Interior Design Instagram Account Winner Badge
HIBS100 Index of Home and Interior Blogs
HIBS100
WeBlogUk members badge - 2020
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Follow my Instagram

life_with_holly

• Mama to Holly
• Wife
• Cohost #periodhomesofinsta
• Renovating our Victorian home with DIYs & upcycles
• on the Evening Standard Top 20 2019 list

After trying to trick my paperwhite daffodils into After trying to trick my paperwhite daffodils into thinking it was winter by having them in the bottom of the fridge for a few weeks, they're having their revenge. I meant to put them in for a few weeks then plant them up before Christmas. I forgot, and only remembered about them a couple of weeks ago. Since then they appear to have gone on strike and are refusing to grow. Even the ones outside in the actual winter are growing, but these ones are not 🙈 At this rate I'll be left with empty pots 😂

#periodhomesofinsta #myhousethismonth #storyofmyhome #neutralhomeedit #neutralhomeinspo #doingneutralright #neutralhomes #vintagehomedecor #vintagehome #myvintagehome #kitchendesign #kitchendinerinspo #kitchengoals #nestandthrive #smallkitchenideas #kitchendecor #farmhousestyle #farmhousekitchen #sahstylists #cottagekitchen #pocketofmyhome #interiormilk #modernrustic #pocketofmyhome #interiorsnapshot #myhyggehome #pasteldecor#homedetails #lightinterior #interiorstyling #stylingtheseasons
Back when my table was a table and not a school de Back when my table was a table and not a school desk covered in homework books and Star Wars activity books... I spend 90% of my day in here now finding out whether clauses are coordinating or subordinate and the like 😩

How are we all doing?

LVT flooring part of previous collaboration with @harveymaria

#periodhomesofinsta #myhousethismonth #storyofmyhome #neutralhomeedit #neutralhomeinspo #doingneutralright #neutralhomes #vintagehomedecor #vintagehome #myvintagehome #kitchendesign #kitchendinerinspo #kitchengoals #nestandthrive #smallkitchenideas #kitchendecor #farmhousestyle #farmhousekitchen #sahstylists #cottagekitchen #pocketofmyhome #interiormilk #modernrustic #pocketofmyhome #interiorsnapshot #myhyggehome #pasteldecor#homedetails #lightinterior #interiorstyling #stylingtheseasons
Sunday! Woohoo! Not that I have any plans today be Sunday! Woohoo! Not that I have any plans today because you know, lockdown and all that. Looks like it'll be a day of walking, roast dinner and the never ending stream of Star Wars that seems to be on my TV at the moment - that bloody theme song is always in my head!

Its Holly's latest obsession, and if she's not watching a film she's watching the Mandalorian or playing an Xbox game to do with it. I'm not feeling the usual screen time guilt though because it's lockdown, the weather has been shit and she can't see her friends. We're surviving, not thriving at the moment x

#interiorideas #interiorinspiration #realinstagramhomes #actualinstagramhomes  #interior_and_living #homeideas  #interiordecorating #interiormilk #victorianlivingroom #originalfeatures #periodhomesofinsta #wherewedwell #originalcharacter #victorianhouse #periodstyle #victorianreno #myhomestyle #myinteriorstyle #victorianhome #periodfeatures #mygreyhome #greysofas #nestandthrive #aconsideredhome #greathomestaketime #slowreno #loungedecor #livingroom #pocketofmyhome #interiorsnapshot
Throwing it back to when my hallway wasn't full of Throwing it back to when my hallway wasn't full of wood 🙈 We've had the wood delivered for a project but so far haven't had the time or inclination to start it. I don't know what's happened to me! I was painting, panelling and shwazzing up everywhere before but I seem to have lost my mojo a bit these days. Maybe this weekend we'll start...?

Swipe to see the panelling progress... 

#interiorideas #interiorinspiration #realinstagramhomes #actualinstagramhomes  #interior_and_living #homeideas  #interiordecorating #interiormilk #victorianhallway #originalfeatures #periodhomesofinsta #wherewedwell #originalcharacter #victorianhouse #periodstyle #victorianreno #myhomestyle #myinteriorstyle #victorianhome #periodfeatures #panelledwalls #wallpanelling #nestandthrive #aconsideredhome #greathomestaketime #slowreno  #hallwayinspiration #entrancehall #pocketofmyhome #interiorsnapshot
A quick transformation Tuesday for you today - it' A quick transformation Tuesday for you today - it's all too easy to be influenced by what you see on the gram, and this is me confessing to that! I loved seeing all the dark walls in other people's houses so wanted one. It was fine for a while, but I couldn't live with it so we came back to the light side. This is definitely more me! Have you been influenced by what you see on here?

#interiorideas #interiorinspiration #realinstagramhomes #actualinstagramhomes  #interior_and_living #homeideas  #interiordecorating #interiormilk #greathomestaketime #periodhomesofinsta #wherewedwell #originalcharacter #victorianhouse #periodstyle #victorianreno #myhomestyle #myinteriorstyle #victorianhome #myslowhome #vintagehomedecoration #vintagehomedecor #myvintagestyle #myvictorianhouselove #howivintage #vintagedecor #myhousethismonth #storyofmyhome #bedroomdecor #thenandnow #transformationtuesday
Anyone else really struggling to take new pics for Anyone else really struggling to take new pics for the Gram? I've either got no time because of home school and all of Holly's zoom calls - I'm basically her PA now - or the house is a tip because we're all trying to work out of it! So here's an old pic of the bathroom. Happy Saturday!

#interiorideas #interiorinspiration #realinstagramhomes #actualinstagramhomes  #interior_and_living #homeideas  #interiordecorating #interiormilk #greathomestaketime #periodhomesofinsta #wherewedwell #originalcharacter #victorianhouse #periodstyle #victorianreno #myhomestyle #myinteriorstyle #victorianhome #myslowhome #vintagehomedecoration #vintagehomedecor #myvintagestyle #myvictorianhouselove #howivintage #vintagedecor #myhousethismonth #storyofmyhome #aconsideredhome #bathroomrenovation #bathroomremodel
I've had freezing cold feet all day today despite I've had freezing cold feet all day today despite three pairs of socks. I need some new slippers as the ones I had before were making me so statically charged I was getting electric shocks off everything - even my plant Malcolm! Sick of being some kind of poor man's Palpatine (one for the Star Wars geeks out there) I need to get some new slippers. Any recommendations for leather soled ones. 

Totally unrelated pic of Holly's room - only this part of it is presentable! I've got plans to channel my inner nana and crochet a blanket for in here but when I'll have time for that in between work, home school and drinking copious amounts of red wine, I'm not sure! 

Brand collaborations tagged.

#interiorideas #interiorinspiration #realinstagramhomes #actualinstagramhomes  #interior_and_living #homeideas  #interiordecorating #interiormilk #greathomestaketime #periodhomesofinsta #wherewedwell #originalcharacter #victorianhouse #periodstyle #victorianreno #myhomestyle #myinteriorstyle #victorianhome #myslowhome #vintagehomedecoration #vintagehomedecor #myvintagestyle #myvictorianhouselove #howivintage #vintagedecor #myhousethismonth #storyofmyhome #girlsroominspo #girlsbedroomdecor #ihavethisthingwithpink
Well. Here we go again... Thank goodness I'm not d Well. Here we go again... Thank goodness I'm not doing Dry January! I'm going to be more like Oscar and take it one day at a time. Hope you're OK x

#periodhomesofinsta #myhousethismonth #storyofmyhome #neutralhomeedit #neutralhomeinspo #doingneutralright #neutralhomes #vintagehomedecor #vintagehome #myvintagehome #victorianhome #victorianhouse #periodhome #oldhouselove #greathomestaketime #slowreno #slowrenovation #myconsideredhome #nestandthrive  #sahstylists  #pocketofmyhome #interiormilk #modernrustic #pocketofmyhome #interiorsnapshot #myhyggehome #pasteldecor#homedetails #lightinterior #interiorstyling #stylingtheseasons
Evening! Exciting times with my evening post, I kn Evening! Exciting times with my evening post, I know. I can't believe it's back to normal (although I use that word VERY lightly...!) tomorrow. The Christmas holidays have gone so fast!

Also, Mel @littleterracedhouse, Lydia @houseofspolland and I have a little group over on Facebook to chat all things DIY and Decor. I've put a link into the bio - come join us!

#periodhomesofinsta #myhousethismonth #storyofmyhome #neutralhomeedit #neutralhomeinspo #doingneutralright #neutralhomes #vintagehomedecor #vintagehome #myvintagehome #myvintagestyle #vintagehomedecoration #crispwhitesheets #cleansheets #bedtime #bedroomgoals #panelledwalls #wallpanelling #nestandthrive #sahstylists  #pocketofmyhome #interiormilk #modernrustic #pocketofmyhome #interiorsnapshot #myhyggehome #pasteldecor#homedetails #lightinterior #interiorstyling #stylingtheseasons
So good to have the house back to normal! It was f So good to have the house back to normal! It was filthy underneath all the decorations, so I've spent the afternoon cleaning and tidying (obvs had to document this for the Gram). Can't beat a good old tidy up! What a wild New Year's Day.

Flooring part of previous PR collaboration. 

#periodhomesofinsta #myhousethismonth #storyofmyhome #neutralhomeedit #neutralhomeinspo #doingneutralright #neutralhomes #vintagehomedecor #vintagehome #myvintagehome #kitchendesign #kitchendinerinspo #kitchengoals #nestandthrive #smallkitchenideas #kitchendecor #farmhousestyle #farmhousekitchen #sahstylists #cottagekitchen #pocketofmyhome #interiormilk #modernrustic #pocketofmyhome #interiorsnapshot #myhyggehome #rusticgamestrong #homedetails #lightinterior #interiorstyling #stylingtheseasons
Load More… Follow on Instagram

2021 Life with Holly. All Rights Reserved. Design by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

Copyright © 2021 · YOON Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in