bothy

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THE BOTHY… CONTINUED

                                                                                        

Finally got the Bothy & work area  organized so I can work there and overwinter some cuttings and tender plants. No, it is not yet finished, we still lack all the windows required.  Unlike Connie of  Heartwood Roses, I have no experience with carpentry so I depend on occasional labor when I can get it. (see Connie’s greenhouse here)

                                                                                         

The pots are stored, (they will be moved later when the sink is installed in its place) the potting bench is a good height, and we incorporated a ‘drainage bench’. This should make our spring transplant marathon go smoothly with less backache.

                                                                                      

Cuttings will go into the cold frame for the winter. Below

                                                                                                    

Two comfortable chairs, an extra fridge & some storage….

                                                                                          

now for the tea making facilities….. electric kettle at  Target this week for sure!

 

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THE BOTHY

                                                 

For years I have wanted a greenhouse /potting shed /garden house/ conservatory…  any structure in the garden to serve the above purposes would do. Not to be confused with a tool shed, we have one of those.

                                                       

Over the years , what I had heard from clients who built any one of the above, is that they were  expensive… One client calls  hers “The Taj” another “The Potting Chateau” … you get the idea…  

Then,  I saw the structure Susanne Hudson built in her garden. Soon as I saw Susanne’s Folly, I knew mine was within reach.

                                                                

Susanne is one of those Designers who can make something  out of nothing!! She built this  conservatory with found windows.

                                                          

Same idea as what Bunny Williams did with windows  & pilasters she rescued from a Hudson River estate. Below.

                                                           

I had to work with what I had, the abandoned chicken coop (terrible story …. dogs chewing through wire… feathers everywhere…..heartbreaking!).

‘Thrown together’ by my husband and untrained labor when I was out of town (I’m apparently too ‘demanding’!)  It was the focal point in the Potager! I don’t even have a photo and believe me…that’s a good thing!

Last week  Susanne Hudson surprised me with a visit . As fate would have it,  she had WINDOWS  in her van and she left them for me!

                                                       

Today  I am 8 windows closer to completing  my garden structure …. the BOTHY.

                                                                   

Edith Hope suggested the name when I posted a potting shed. She commented that it needed a tattered but comfortable armchair and tea making facilities. Then she would call it A BOTHY.

(A one room hut or cottage where unmarried male servants  lodged… Also an unlocked shelter where the wayfarer could seek shelter.)

I’m almost there!

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THIS ‘N’ THAT…

This is the busiest season in and about the garden.

                                                                                      

Seedlings must be nurtured in the house,

                                                                          

 the semi-finished Bothy is being organised… with a nod to its previous tenants.

                                                                                 

Weeds are rampant  and everything needs attention at once!

                                                                                       

Still, the garden is beautiful and feeds my soul.

                                                                               

The potager,is putting forth such succulent delights as ‘Gourmet  Lettuce  Mix’ ,’ Italian Kale’ &  ‘Red Mesclun Mix’.

                                                                                          Finally the arbor has found its home. Poor thing , one has moved her about so often…

                                                                                     

I like the way it ties into the Bothy. Evergreens will be planted on both sides of the arbor, forming a hedge. This will serve as the entrance to the Potager and the end of the ‘Pleasure Garden” (so Edwardian don’t you think?)

© all photos 2011

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ALMOST ROADKILL!

Look who I rescued today.

                                                                                             

There she was…. sauntering across the highway.

                                                                                          

Unaware of the danger, she was almost roadkill!!

 She will live in the ( just being built ) Bothy.

We are converting the old chicken coop………

                                                                                                       

still under construction, but I love it already!

                                                                                               

Shelves need to be added along with a comfortable armchair… tattered of course, and tea making facilities.  To be continued.