It’s really starting to look like a garden now. I’ve been planting and sowing and generally keeping very busy out there.
Stephen made a door for the cat enclosure so I can start to level the ground around it and then put some planters of herbs next to it.
That’ll save space on the patio which I can use for some of the veggies that are ready to plant out.
I’ve already planted up a couple of the courgette plants into a deep grow bag.
I’m using an old frame to train them up, and can easily attach canes to the sides for some taller support when I need it. I’ve had some problems with the local wildlife being attracted to the new beds so I’ve given my courgettes some protection while they get established.
It’s one thing to feed the birds all winter but they now think that I’m putting out a splendid new buffet for them. I need to figure out how to net the strawberries that are hanging from the stand as I’ve surprised pigeons and blackbirds on there so far, and I’d quite like to eat some of the berries myself.
I’ve had to start to replace all the twine that I used to divide my raised beds into square feet as something had been at it and some had been broken. I’m suspecting Mrs. Blackbird may be the culprit as she has been rummaging for small twigs, roots etc. I think the twine may have looked like good nest material. Something has been digging in the raised beds too, but I’m not sure what. It could be birds, squirrels, foxes or the local cats.
Whatever it was, I’m taking steps to protect where I’ve just added plants and seeds. I’ve used green wire to replace the twine too. I don’t think that’ll break so easily.
This bed has got onions, pak choi, a pepper plant, marigolds and nasturtiums. I’ve sown radishes and carrots too. We found the makings of some frames to cover the beds, so Stephen has helped me to assemble those and I’ve covered the first one with mesh to keep the wildlife out.
I’ve got loads to do yet, but I’m really enjoying myself out there.
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A slight obsession with books 
May 27, 2015 at 7:35 PM
your garden is coming along splendidly
everything you’ve planted looks lush and green – shoo birds! shoo!
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May 27, 2015 at 10:10 PM
Thanks. I’m really chuffed with the courgettes. First time trying them and I was surprised at how easy they were to grow from seed. I’m just hoping they crop as nicely 🙂
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May 27, 2015 at 3:52 PM
You have my dream garden! Kitty enclosure and all! 😀 Currently, my cats are only allowed out back with a leash (yes, they will walk on the leash). Our back yard is small though…so while I really want a small greenhouse, I don’t think we’ll have room for the enclosure as well. Hoping to convert our covered porch into an enclosed porch which I think the cats will also enjoy 🙂
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May 27, 2015 at 4:11 PM
It was a bit of a nightmare but we’ve done a lot of work on it over the past two years. Both our cats are kept indoors, hence the enclosure, but we have taken Sammie out there on her leash. I like them to get some fresh air and it’s a different environment for them to enjoy too.
I’ve seen a lot of examples of a catio online, (enclosed patios) and would have loved to do that but it wasn’t practical with the space we had. I bet you could do something similar with your porch though 🙂
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May 27, 2015 at 7:17 PM
What are you putting in the cat enclosure? Furniture or wooden shelves and steps?
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May 27, 2015 at 10:11 PM
We want to build some sort of shelter for them and also something to climb on. We have a small tree that needs to come down and we’re thinking of using the branches in there. We haven’t really thought any further than that. I can see it being an ongoing project 🙂
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May 28, 2015 at 3:25 PM
Sounds like fun! Can’t wait to see how it turns out, kitties in action 😉
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May 27, 2015 at 2:30 PM
I think I need to get into gardening. Everything you have shown looks so awesome! I’m not much of an outdoorsy person, but lately I have been thinking about gardening and planting vegetables.
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May 27, 2015 at 4:12 PM
Growing veg isn’t hard and it’s so satisfying. All you need to start is a grow bag, and a sunny spot to put it in, plus some tomato plants to put in it. All the info you need to care for them is online and there’s nothing like the taste of a sun-warmed tomato, fresh off the vine 🙂
Hope you have a go. I’d love to see what you do.
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May 27, 2015 at 4:26 PM
You make it look and sound so easy. My neighbor has a garden in his back yard and it seems every year he makes it different to keep the critters out. I do know that the bunnies live under a bush in my yard and so my neighbor isn’t happy when they visit his garden. I don’t think I will get to a veggie garden this year. I will try my hand at a small flower garden this year. My children always said I have a black thumb. I think I have to prove them wrong 😉
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May 27, 2015 at 10:14 PM
Bunnies are lovely but they do like to munch on garden plants.
I’m sure you have green fingers. You just need to find something that you want to grow and just do it. Bear in mind that if you like using herbs in the kitchen, it’s great to have them growing outside so you can just pop out and pick them as you want them. Most are very easy to grow, and pretty too so you can mix them in with the flowers 🙂
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May 27, 2015 at 7:43 AM
A cat enclosure, huh. I certainly hadn’t seen that one coming! Couldn’t you maybe train the cats the scare the birds away? 😛 Good luck protecting your seedlings, anyway
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May 27, 2015 at 9:30 AM
Some of the birds round here are bigger than little Frodo at the moment. Not that he’d be scared of them. He seems to have no fear at all 🙂
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