So why ''The front Yard Blog?'' Part 1

Well, over the years the back garden has been nibbled (or with reference to the pond chomped (3000 gals) away by such things as decking, greenhouse and lawn but has always had a more landscaped, shrub type look to it. However the garden is dominated by a couple of huge trees which shade a great deal of the garden between 12 - 3pm during the summer, somewhat limiting the gardening activities at the far end of the property.

As we tend to spend most of the summer with the doors open, sitting on the deck and eating out (weather permitting) there was never the inclination to start stripping out sections for a veg plot as our lounge opens directly into this space. However as very enthusiastic cooks (250+ books and counting) we have always had plenty of herbs dotted around and as of six years ago, a greenhouse for a few tomatoes and chillis.

On the arrival our our first child and buoyed with the need 'provide' I launched into the allotment scene, hacking and taming a wilderness only to have to give it up when a change of job meant I no longer had the time to maintain the plot. Gutting now knowing how difficult allotments are now to come by but also due to a further change of job three years later which would have allowed me the time needed!

However during this time and the fact that the lounge was now at the rear of the house, the front garden was becoming a little unruly and neglected. As we only passed through the space to gain entry to the house, there seemed little point in spending a fortune on new plants for the neighbours in the street to enjoy and so a flippant comment of '.. I should pull the bloody lot up and fill it with veg' started to take shape.

So, three growing seasons ago, recession on the way and second child due, the decision was made to rip out the tatty shrubs and gravel, turning it all over to veg.

To be continued..... (assuming you're not bored to death by now)

So this is how the garden looked three seasons ago with # 1 helper supervising the work!