GARDEN: Portager Phase 1 - Humble Beginnings

Humble Beginnings Indeed. . .

Just a few shots to give you an idea what I mission it has been just to complete PHASE 1 - PREPARING THE SPACE.

Below: 3 photos from original state to final state of the portager before planting and layout can start.

Below: The area directly next to the portager will be converted into 2 parking spaces. So what we did here was to transplant the lavendar bushes further back behind and next to the small tree. We then transplanted some of the grass to the empty spot where the lavender bushes were before. Opening up more space for the parking area.

GARDEN: Plan, plan, plan, plan AND plan . . .

As I grow, not only in age, but also in my life experience, my marraige and in trusting in others - I realise more and more that I need to listen more and more to my husband.

He reminded me how important it is to plan a portager and to not just jump in and randomly expect to get Rome built in a day!

So I went out and got some tools that I have found very useful in my planning phase.

1. A lever arch file - This I am using to organise all the ideas I have seen in magazines and interesting articles I have found on gardening, growing veggetables, use of herbs, etc. I will share some of the content on this blog as time goes on!

2. A garden notebook - And I just fell inlove with this note book with the vintage feel, the gorgeous butterflies - DON'T DREAM YOUR LIFE, but instead LIVE YOUR DREAM! Which just reminds me that everything and anything you can imagine is possible if you just set your mind to it!!!

I will use this note book to make notes on the plants I plant, their growth progress, layout of the portager scetches, etc, etc, etc!!!!! If I am lucky and some inspiration flows through my veins, I may just write a poem or two.

GARDEN: Our portager location!!!!!!

Yeeeesssss, we selected a spot that receives the minimum hours of sunlight a day! It is close to a tap. It will not break the lovely lawn. And it will become a focal point to the main garden.

Below: The approximate layout. The red lined area "behind" the small trees will be fore shade loving veg and will not be very visable unless entered into. We may add a small arch inbetween the trees to lead to the small back strip.

Below: Just a close up of the area. Compost bags ready and waiting. White string has been strung to indicate the area! And now the hard work starts!!!!!

As you can see from the photos, the lawn and garden in general is recovering nicely from the winter! Now is the perfect time to plant a vegetable garden. If we delay any longer it will be too hot and the small plants and seelings may not make it.

Do you like the spot?

IDEAS: Veg Garden

Here are a few more portager / veg garden ideas I liked:

Below: This is an excellent idea for someone that lives in a townhouse and have only a small garden or even just a wall is really all you need. You don't even need to spend money on containers, focus on living green and re-use old coffee tins, etc. Just make sure you make little holes in the bottom!

Below: Another portager connecting onto a garden shed and planting/potting surfaces. This portager has been built up with little walls into various terraces! This is a great idea.

Below: Another portager connecting onto a wooden deck with some interesting metal art in the background. This is the type of space that will enspire an artist or work from home landscape designer!

Below: Another portager  with beds bing in-line and very square, but following through with the patterns in the beds itself!

GARDEN: What is a PORTAGER

So, the idea is to have a Portager or as we may say in SA; a veggie patch. But we will be breaking some of the rules and keeping the ones we like.

And you ask me, what is a portager?

Below: A classic traditional example! But as you can imagine a little out of my reach ;-)

Definition and discription:

The traditional kitchen garden, also known as a potager (in French, jardin potager) or in Scotland a kailyard, is a space separate from the rest of the residential garden – the ornamental plants and lawn areas. Most vegetable gardens are still miniature versions of old family farm plots, but the kitchen garden is different not only in its history, but also its design.

The kitchen garden may serve as the central feature of an ornamental, all-season landscape, or it may be little more than a humble vegetable plot. It is a source of herbs, vegetables, and fruits, but it is often also a structured garden space with a design based on repetitive geometric patterns.

The kitchen garden has year-round visual appeal and can incorporate permanent perennials or woody shrub plantings around (or among) the annuals.

Below: A good geometric patterned example of a portager, with a lovely entrance arch and picket fencing all around!

Below: Still very formal with paving, focal points and beautifully landscaped

Below: This portager seems less formal, but in fact, it is not at all. Here they have made due with the available space, added wooden fencing. The climate and feeding must be excellent if you look at the plants. And I just love the little garden shed with french furniture, the perfect place for an afternoon cuppa tea with some mint in!

VEGETABLE GARDEN: Think before you dig!

Vegetable and herb gardens need around 6 hours

of sunlight a day! The more the better.

So for the first couple of weeks in the new house I have been eyeing out all the spots that could possibly work for a veggie patch or a portager.  My idea is to combine the two.

It can not be close to the Kitchen, as the kitchen is on the South side of the house. I also do not want to "break" the large lush larn we inherited. Our property has a mini-forest on the one side -

no sunshine there, well not nearly enough for a veg garden. There is a + - 2 m strip of

garden on the other side of the driveway which I thought would be perfect and then I realised

the neighbours on that side also had a urban forest going with large, large, large trees - the results, too much shade there too.

So after much discussion and ummming and aahhhing we have finally earmarked a spot!!!!

Details will follow.

IDEA: Herb Garden

I love this picture soooo much! A small strip has been converted into a full fledged herb garden and the best thing about it is that you will never struggle to get access to your herbs and it is so close to the house. Herbs love being used, it encourages more growth!

So pick, pick and pick some more!

IDEA: Functional Entrance Hall

Ohhhh, how I wish we had a bigger entrance hall.

It will not fit a cupboard!

It will not fit a chair!

It currently has an antique ball and claw server with a large picture resting on it, the best place for this picture! But just look at the idea below! Just so fabulous, especially for a family with kids!!!

IDEA: Theamed - Bedroom in Paris

The reality is. . . Bedrooms are dull!!!!

Bedrooms are very private places and for a newly married couple or all couples it should be a romantic relaxed space. But yet this area is sometimes overlooked, because other areas in the home needs attention.

So here's an idea: How about a Paris themed bedroom!!!

Just add a few simple elements and crisp white linen! You can even use the elements you select as storage space for all those unwanted not so pleasant on the eye bits and bobs and just hide them away.

Instant romance and relaxation will be the result.

IDEA: Just lounging around - Churchhill style

I have been looking at various style couches: Upholstered, slipcover, L shape, corner lounge, white, natural colours... I have nearly "looked" myself silly at all designs, so now it is time to start sharing.

There are so many things to consider when you buy a new lounge suite: Your lifestyle, the style of the house you are living in, flooring, roofing, etc, etc, etc - so many things influence this decision.

I think it will take a while of living in the new space to know what will be the right option for us.

Below: I love the dull greys, natural colours, white and dull browns inbetween!!!!

Below: Simplicity at it's best - but with so much charm!!!!

Below: I fond a Daybed/chaiser that suits this style at Corricraft. How stunning is this!

Below: And a couch fro coricraft that looks nearly exactly like the ones in the Picture.

Unfortunately fully ubholstered, i.e. no slip covers that one can take off and wash. Not really ideal for our lifestyle, more for a formal lounge. But still very gorgeous!