If my garden plan is to come together this year, it requires the construction of new raised beds. The sketch below , depicts each raised bed as a square.

Rather than buying new raised beds , it has been more of a case of venturing down to the end of the orchard, and returning with a moss covered concrete building block in my wheelbarrow . I really like how they blend in with our hard paved garden, and it is also a great way to recycle. So far, two additional raised beds have been constructed – which leaves four to be made. So that’s 36 (extremely heavy ) blocks yet to be retrieved…

They have been filled with well rotted manure and grass clippings. Whilst retrieving the blocks, I happened to come across a whole heap of well rotted beech tree leaf mould, and this has been put on as a top layer. They are slowly being planted up with late summer flowering tall perennials and annuals. And just like last year, these new raised beds will be looked after in a No Dig way

I have spent my wet bank holiday looking out onto the garden from the greenhouse. Dahlias, Dill, Tithonia and Sunflowers have been pricked out. Most importantly, seeds that until this point had been omitted in buying have been ordered.

Earlier this morning the peas were planted out. By the time this image was taken, the labels were a little rain soaked, but just about readable – well they had received an entire day of rain .

I very much hope that you too, might have found some great new garden recycling ideas. I am delighted with my new raised beds !