Author Topic: Cottage garden ideas (Read 6355 times)

pansy potter · « **on:** October 22, 2011, 15:42:02 »

I have a patch at the front of my allotment that I want to make into a cottage garden. I have had one before but I always had trouble getting in between the plants to weed and replant.
I want a design that will have narrow walk ways that will not be too visible from the front.
The area is 16ftx16ft.

grannyjanny · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2011, 16:42:50 »

Will it be a cutting garden too Pansy?

grawrc · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2011, 17:07:27 »

I have little paths through my borders at home. When the plants are in full growth you can't see them at all - they're only about a foot wide - but in the winter they are more obvious, which doesn't really matter since I'm not in the garden that much in winter. The paths allow me access for weeding and planting which is what you want too. I suppose they are about 4 feet apart so I can reach just about everything.

I've just dug up my front garden and am replacing an area that had shrubs with cottage garden flowers - it's an area only about a quarter of yours. So far I have verbena bonariensis, aquilegia, pinks, eryngium, alliums and japanese anemones. I'm going to sow some more over winter for planting out in the spring.

pansy potter · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2011, 17:21:34 »

I dont very often cut plants GJ. Its just for show.
grawrc.... Are the paths stright or going in different angles.
I want to do it right the frst time before I plant the stuff.

Digeroo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2011, 18:16:15 »

I love hollyhocks at the back of a cottage garden. Are you having just flowers or veg as well.

pansy potter · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2011, 18:27:52 »

It was going to be just flowers but now you mention it. A proper cottage garden would have veg in it. I am getting excited now, Better go watch the dancing ;D

grawrc · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2011, 18:34:42 »

My goodness I've got out my scale ruler and my propelling pencil now!!!

if you have an area 16x16 you could do runs of bricks as paths - is a brick about 8" long? - and so you'd end up with 16 squares 3 feet 6 by 3 feet 6 with 3 brick paths (straight ones) up and down and 3 across. Or if you wanted the paths could be 1 foot and you could pattern the bricks.

Then you can work out how many of each plant to the area in each square and whether to do one or more squares of each variety. The structure would be formal but the planting could be riotous!!

My paths are straight - sort of - well as straight as I ever get!! ;D ;D

Unwashed · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2011, 20:08:14 »

I don't actually have either of these, but I'm a big Geoff Hamilton fan and you might do worse than have a look at Geoff Hamiltons's Cottage Gardens. That said I wasn't totally grabbed by Geoff's Artisan Garden, but the series at the time that really did impress me was Gay Search's Front Gardens, and that might have some useful ideas too.

grawrc · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2011, 21:17:42 »

Well Simon, now we know what you need for Xmas!! ;) ;)

I acquired them last year when I was doing a garden design course at the Edinburgh Botanics. Now I'm afraid I've become one of those gardening saddos that measures everything several times before sowing or planting and has a scale plan of the garden. To be honest it is helping with my previous planting excesses.

Agree with you about Geoff Hamilton and Gay Search though.

pansy potter · « **Reply #9 on:** October 23, 2011, 07:56:31 »

Thanks for the info.I think I will start to scavenge some bricks for my project. I will see if the library has those books

brown thumb · « **Reply #10 on:** October 23, 2011, 09:38:47 »

how lucky are you to have all that available space to plant an cottage garden very envious my fave way of planting got me thinking can i squeeeeessseee i space for one on my lotty no available space at home more like a court yard holly hocks delphiniums foxgloves at the back lupins and very important pinks and carnations plus dont forget the honesty a little bit of heaven on earth

pansy potter · « **Reply #11 on:** October 23, 2011, 12:58:28 »

Was speaking to my friend at the allotment this morning about my cottage garden and the need for bricks and what do you know. As soon as I mentioned bricks "How many would you like". Tomorrow I shall be collecting them ;D.

grannyjanny · « **Reply #12 on:** October 23, 2011, 13:09:03 »

Please take lots of photos so we can see how it develops Pansy.

pansy potter · « **Reply #13 on:** October 31, 2011, 18:36:28 »

Here is the brick path layout

pansy potter · « **Reply #14 on:** October 31, 2011, 18:38:34 »

This is it with some of the planting done

grannyjanny · « **Reply #15 on:** October 31, 2011, 18:40:49 »

Looking good Pansy ;D.

Ruth Rocket · « **Reply #16 on:** October 31, 2011, 19:29:33 »

This is lovely Pansy, very inspirational, keep posting the pics as it grows!!!!! X

Digeroo · « **Reply #17 on:** October 31, 2011, 21:18:55 »

There seems to be large gaps between the paths. Can I suggest a few stepping stones between the brick area, so you will have to tread on the soil if you want to pick the produce.

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #18 on:** October 31, 2011, 23:28:32 »

Your soil looks wonderful.

What is the secret to keeping weeds from coming up between your bricks?
I've about given up on brick paths because so many weed seeds here like to germinate in the
cracks and are hard to pull.

betula · « **Reply #19 on:** November 01, 2011, 03:22:18 »

Coming on a treat :)

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Author Topic: Cottage garden ideas (Read 6355 times)