As a novice gardener, I am into my 5th season and as my friends and family know, at the start, I needed the garden sorted out, by someone else. I planted a variety of shrubs, flowers and heather's and although there was little summer in 1998, they survived, even after the floods. 

Below is the "Before & After" Shots I'll add more as time goes on.

The "Before" Shot's Jan 1997	The "Before" Shot's Jan 1997
The "After" Shot's Jul 1999	The "After" Shot's Jul 1999
Taken 22 Sep 1999 My 1st Flowering Clematis (well the only surviving one, no thanks to the wind)

I started 2000 with a vengeance.  As you can tell by my colour scheme.  My biggest headache is still the wind I have addressed the problem by installing a trellis fence line, I'm considering using Bamboo as a way of enhancing the windbreak, then I will try to grow Hollyhocks, without fear of them snapping. 

MY MILLENNIUM PROJECT

My Millennium Project to revamp my top garden and add a big splash of colour is well under way, below is the first of many pictures throughout 2000, this is the top view of the garden looking inwards.  The Jul 99 picture looking through the trellis is the one looking out and gives a glimpse of what was here before I started the project.  Enjoy:

12 May 2000

The lawn will disappear shortly as I extend the center bedding area to the marking post in the middle of the picture, a 2ft wide gravel path will then go around the oval shaped bedding area and the borders will then extend to the gravel to complete the shape that I am striving for. This however may take till the end of July or early Aug, Unless an army of helpers arrive suddenly.	I recently had this trellis fence line added, there is still another 2 pieces to be added on top of the fence at the bottom of the picture with the blue post on top. Hanging baskets with petunias will adorn all the posts.

More photos will be added as things progress.

30 May 2000 Garden view showing step-up decking to compliment existing deck area	30 May 2000 Garden view showing bedding area prior to everything being moved to better area to allow more Clematis to be grown against the trellis	30 May 2000 Picture showing new step-up decking

Above pictures show the step-up decking to the now, round garden (pictured below), I edged the trellis and finished off the front and side of the hut with with the grooved decking

From 2000 to 2002 many changes took place but mainly during that period I let the garden mature and evolve.  I had an idea what I wanted but like all good plans I took another route.  Below is an attempt to show the garden off  in panoramic view (click on the separate images for better detail).

May 2002

The below picture is an experiment of 8 portrait length pictures (using Unlead Cool 360 software) edited & cropped to create the panoramic montage, click on image and see.

The 5th Year

My main headache is deciding what to do with the other end of the garden. You know the one, beyond the trellis towards the pots in the distance, passing the new potting shed then turning left.

Next Project Outward View As you can see it is in need of... well... something!! The lawn is one big sponge so I've decided it's a loss and will be removed and quartz gravel will replace it. I have to accommodate a whirligig and umbrella from time to time.	Inward View Since I took this picture I have added and changed things already. There is also my ambitious plan to get French Doors leading out into the garden, with the contrasting ridged decking....watch this space!!
Outward View the renovated garden 2003/2004 As you can see there has been a marked improvement. The raised beds have been well worth doing as it allows me to sit and tend to the plants at the same time. No excuse's for not weeding now.	Inward View 2003/2004 French doors installed (05/03) and new decking (04/04). All we need now is the sun!!!!! then the lounger will be getting used... ;o)