He got to work digging weeds out of the paving slabs whilst I cut the grass. Both are pretty tiring jobs so by the time Mr Griffiths got to us we were quite worn out!

The garden in itself is looking much better than it was when we first arrived after summer, but there’s still work to be done. We’re going to really look at cutting back some of the plants that are so overgrown the path is covered, as this can stop wheelchairs going up and down.

Got a free Monday afternoon? Why not come down and visit us?! We would love to see you!

We haven’t been having as much rain so things had only grown a little – the grass only needed a small trim.

We’re now just waiting for the frost to take quite a few of the plants – they’re just too big to handle!

For example, the sunflower seeds left for the birds have sometimes fallen into the soil and we have the colourful flowers popping up everywhere! Also, one small flower planted ages ago and feared on its last legs has revived and taken over a huge area!

Therefore for most of the session we were working on digging weeds and moss out of the cracks between paving slabs, not the most glamorous or fun job but it has to be done!

There’s still a lot of work, but we’re getting on top of it!

When we arrived at the garden both Harvey and myself were stopped n our tracks. Unfortunately the hospital has been closed for much of the holiday, and with all this rain we have been getting the garden had grown like a jungle.

The grass was longer than I had ever seen it, all the plants have grown right over the border, weeds in all the path cracks, it’s madness! However there’s good news – we’re back now!

We spent pretty much the whole time there cutting the grass – it was such a mammoth job. We’ve started on the rest so within a few weeks we should have it a bit more under control. At least it isn’t sunny so the children aren’t gazing out of the window wishing they were outside!

And to end on a final piece of good news the arbour has arrived and been placed correctly and well – so that looks great at least!

I’ll keep you updated with what’s going on, but for now check out these pictures and see the madness for yourself!

Every week things improve even more and it’s wonderful to see just how colourful and full it’s all looking. A massive help has been the installation of a tap and hose (although it did take us a rather embarrassingly long amount of time to put the hose together…)

The garden is also now home to a great selection of “tacky” treats from the seaside – lots of twirling colourful things! I think it’s true to say that no garden is complete without some tacky toys! All we need now is a gnome…!

There are so many plants the garden is positively bursting in bloom. Flowers and colour erupt all over the ground. We’re going to plant a few more things here and there, especially some crawlers up the railings, but it’s doing brilliantly.

Neither the arbour or bench are in place yet, we need some expert help for that, but that should be sorted soon.

Obviously summer holidays are round the corner and whilst the watering will be taken care of by the nursery we will be going in a few times to do the rest.

So that’s an update on the garden and to edit an old saying slightly - ‘things can only get even better’…

Please note – pictures should be going up later tonight and things will be changed (such as the picture at the top!).

The garden is coming on amazingly, with some beautiful flowers growing. It’s so full we’re finding it difficult to fit anything else in! The children have started going outside, what with this glorious weather and all the work the Nursery has been doing with their play area, and apparently they have been splashing in the bird bath and really smelling the grass and flowers, taking in the aroma.

So I’ll write more later, but it’s all going well!

We have just got hold of some seeds for the garden and the flowers that grow should look brilliant. They all produce a lot of seeds themselves so they’re certainly a long term ‘investment’ for the garden!

That’s it for now, but expect some more updates to be coming soon.

When we arrived we were all instantly hit by the shear ambience of the flowers – there are so many different varieties and colours!

Throughout the day we worked harder than we ever have before – cutting the grass to the perfect length with shears, clearing up, and the biggest job that we had ever faced – planting a mammoth 22 shrubs! Remember, this is all in just two hours – and that includes travelling there with them all! By the time we were finished each one of us was completely worn out, hungry, and suffering from severe back ache!
However as I turned to leave I knew that we had done something fantastic. The garden now looks really beautiful – I’m so pleased with what we had achieved.

It’s now even starting to attract public attention – and in a good way this time! In the past it was just a dump for the people passing by – somewhere to dispose of old bottles and cigarette butts. Today many people stopped to simply look at the flowers and take it all in.

It certainly seemed like ‘open day’ to us as not only were people stopping outside the garden but we also had visitors to see our work first hand. The lady who originally designed the garden and her husband came along to help decide where to plant the shrubs, and to get a feel for how it had come together. Last time they had visited was when it Jilly Cooper opened it, and they were certainly pleased with what had been done since then. Various visitors to the Nursery, and the staff, came out to see our work as well, so at points it was busier than I had ever seen it!

Outside the Nursery a new work of art had been installed. It fitted in so well, and looked so ‘at home’ that at first we didn’t see it! However once we had it pointed out to us we couldn’t think how - it’s definitely not small! It fits perfectly where it now lives and certainly adds to the feel of the Nursery.

Overall it was an extremely busy week, but one that has certainly been most rewarding.

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