vii: Sage Advice
Dreams and schemes Callum Halstead
When I sold my last house, I didn't know what sort of garden I would be moving to, so I brought with me as much of my plant collection as I could, just in case. After nine long months of searching, whilst simultaneously caring for the four hundred or so potted plants that I brought with me, I have finally found somewhere for us all to live. Let me tell you, that feels very nice. At long last, I will be able to get some of my plants back in the ground and enjoy tending a real garden, rather than something akin to the plant sales area of B&Q.
meticulously cared for, providing sanctuary for a man traumatised during the war. All that remains of his garden are his cold-frames, a very dated looking Rose with shocking-pink blooms (Rosa spp.), and possibly the old Plum tree (Prunus domestica). The rest has now reverted almost entirely to scrubby grass— more or less, a blank canvas. The garden is split across seven different levels, with some terraces more useable than others. Given all this empty space, and considerably fewer useable plants than I thought I'd have, the question is "what now?"
Most of my plants thrive in shady, sheltered spots, but my new garden occupies an open, south-facing slope on the Fife coast. This presents some interesting new challenges. The upper two thirds of the garden are above roof height, exposed to the salty coastal air and transitory squalls that blow in across the Forth. Right now, my shade-loving woodland plants are all cowering in the relative shelter of the small courtyard behind the house, at the bottom of the hill. They can't be very impressed with me.
I'm very out of my horticultural comfort zone, and it could take me some time to formulate and commit to a plan of action. I am, however, very excited at the prospect of creating something new. Here are some of the thoughts currently racing through my mind at this very early stage, as I begin a new relationship with this curious and challenging garden. As and when you find yourself in unfamiliar terrain, with a new garden to plan, I hope some of these suggestions might help guide your approach.
My new neighbours inform me that once, many years ago, the garden I've inherited was
It will take time to fully understand your new garden's microclimate, particularly if you are
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