Magical Gardens

I love my garden as it is a magical place. When I first moved to my home four years ago, the garden was just grass with a rockery in the middle, dividing the garden into two. Beyond the summer house was another garden - overgrown and home to a pile of ash from years of bonfires.

The first thing I did was set about marking out a pond. I love ponds and was determined to create a wildlife haven. I dug it out, lined it and started planting. Now it's developed and home to frogs and newts, plus fish, which I have to add I did not put it in the pond. They appeared one winter.

After the pond I marked out the borders and began digging and improving the soil before planting a mix of cottage garden plants - foxgloves, hollyhocks, sedums, granny's bonnet, plus many more. I also created a herb garden just outside the back door. Filled with the scents of Lavender, Rosemary, Lemon Balm, Mint, Fennel and Hyssop.

I use the herbs for cooking, as well as for medicinal purposes. In fact when I look at the list of plants in my garden, I would say a majority of them can be used for these purposes. Our ancestors used more plants than we ever did for such purposes.

Beyond the summerhouse there is a third garden, which is the vegetable patch. Potatoes, carrots, beetroot, courgettes, tomatoes and salad leaves plus fruit trees (apple and plum) as well as gooseberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants. I am very self-sufficient and even have chickens too.

So, as well as providing me with food, the garden provides me with a haven to relax and unwind. It has many secret corners to sit and watch the world. Protecting my garden is the Greenman. I have many Greenman plaques dotted around the garden offering their protection. Hopefully they're helping make my garden grow!