Every homeowner needs a project, right?
We bought in 2017, moving in six weeks shy of Christmas that year and in the time since I’ve been looking to tackle the garden.
To be fair, it’s been coming along in stages.
Fences have been painted, trees have been topped, ivy has been cleared from walls, old trellis removed and more.
Last summer’s power washing is a distant memory and with the days opening up to the summer, it’s time to get stuck in and get planning.
The before shots






At the first weekend of April, this is how things are stacking up. Timber from topped trees follows the fence line, there at least a year now; the scrap branches and trellis still occupying a space initially cleared for a shed. The patio, power-washed last summer had turned green again as the winter rain pools and drains downslope from the garden.
The doghouse has seen better days and could do with a lick of paint, fencing boards need a repair or replacement, the tank area could do with cleaning out and the side of the house has become entirely neglected.
Grand designs
So the idea, at least for now involves either a van load of scrub going to the local dump/recycling centre or getting my hands on a garden shredder/chipper and reusing the scrap as a base for raised beds along the back wall.
The patio seating area could be extended, which might lead to a bigger job.
Outdoor lighting, fencing, a dedicated cooking area and raised seating area separate to the patio square are all on the menu. With zero budget committed (or available at the minute, at least there are the summer months to spend on it all.
In the meantime, I’ve spent €13 on a new edging tool so I can start to at least get a handle on where the grass meets the paths around the house.