More Meadow


Last year's 'meadow' planting was a beautiful thing - a definite success and first on my list of garden must do's for 2013.

I intend to increase the area  a little, though a little may become a fair bit if I'm feeling energetic enough to strip the turf and dig over the soil, something which should be easier than last year when, following drought and subsequent high temperatures in March, was seriously back- breaking and left me full of regret at even attempting the thing.


I've ordered seed from Pictorial Meadows again. This was a little tricky this year (more choice) as they've introduced more seed mixes than 2012 following Professor Nigel Dunnet's success with planting beautiful, vast areas at the London Olympics.  I was almost ready to buy the new 'Blue Wave' mix, which is described as 'reflecting the shimmering blue waters of the Aqua Centre' but plumped for the safety of the Classic mix, which I planted last year and was amazed at the colour changes from red through to gold during the course of the season.


To be continued...

Comments

  1. FlowerLady Lorraine29 January 2013 at 22:44

    Oh how beautiful!! I look forward to seeing how these gardens look this year.

    FlowerLady

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  2. Sammie07050230 January 2013 at 00:54

    So beautiful! An unqualified success. I've been lurking around your blog for some time and I have really enjoyed watching your projects come to fruition.
    --Emily

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  3. sweetbay30 January 2013 at 01:33

    Your meadow was such an astounding success last year, a repeat sounds like an excellent idea!

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    1. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)30 January 2013 at 09:04

      Cheers Sweetbay, I hope (weather permitting) for the same as last year on a greater scale.

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  4. sharon30 January 2013 at 03:33

    divine....I am jealous

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  5. Gardens at Waters East30 January 2013 at 18:32

    It is all looking good. The meadow flowers sure are a nice addition. I will say, you deserve lots of credit because I know from experience just how much work it is. Wish you well with the addition you are planning, though again, I do not envy the work involved. Jack

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    1. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)30 January 2013 at 19:07

      Thanks Jack. I'm glad someone appreciates the hard graft in getting the planting space ready! cheers.

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  6. VW30 January 2013 at 18:32

    Those are amazing views of your meadow! I'm so glad that your hard work paid off so beautifully. Good luck increasing the flowers in the coming year.

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    1. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)30 January 2013 at 19:11

      Thanks VW. I think the effort put into the ground preparation paid off - I'm just trying to get motivated to do it all again.

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  7. Dewberry / Amanita30 January 2013 at 18:55

    I love these meadows! They look so peaceful!

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    1. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)30 January 2013 at 19:13

      Dewberry thanks. They certainly are a peaceful space to walk through down the garden path.

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  8. Jen31 January 2013 at 06:21

    So do you have to order seed and break ground each year you want a meadow, or just when you are making a new meadow area?

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    1. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)31 January 2013 at 09:27

      I will have to break the ground again this year. Last year I dug it over with a spade a spit deep and then rotivated that with a flimsy electric rotovator which did create a fine tilth. I'm hoping to be able to just rotovate it this year rather than the back breaking spade work. I'll sow the seed sometime early or mid April.

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  9. Rhodesia31 January 2013 at 16:11

    I am so looking forward to spring, not long to go now I hope. Love those mixed flower meadows they are gorgeous, and I bet the wild life love them as well. Keep well Diane

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    1. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)31 January 2013 at 17:44

      Hello Diane. You, me, the same - Spring can't come quick enough. The insects love the meadow.

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  10. Karen1 February 2013 at 00:28

    Wow, that meadow planting is something else, beautiful.

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    1. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)1 February 2013 at 09:18

      Thanks Karen, hope the heat has calmed down in NSW

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  11. Tatyana@MySecretGarden3 February 2013 at 01:34

    To go to that meadow and get lost... And, there is no need to weed... Wonderful!

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    1. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)3 February 2013 at 20:53

      Thanks Tatyana. The only weeding I do if for the occasional sow thistle but that's about it. The 4 Parasol Pines you can see in the meadow are starting to grow now, so in a few years they should look great and I can do away with the support posts.

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  12. Anna3 February 2013 at 23:22

    Wow - I'm speechless - well almost. The meadow looks as if it's been there for ever Rob - you must have had a big grin on your face to see that magic come about. What months were the photos taken in ?

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    1. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)4 February 2013 at 10:21

      Thanks Anna. The pics were taken in June and then late July. The poppies give way to coreopsis, rudbekia etc. as the season progresses changing the colours from reds to golds punctuated with blue, particularly corn flowers.

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  13. Jordi12 February 2013 at 19:41

    ja m'agradaria tenir aquests prats a catalunya, però amb tant sol i calor aquí només puc conrear un jardí sec,
    una abraçada des de Catalunya i un grapat de raigs sol

    et je voudrais avoir ces prairies en Catalogne, mais avec beaucoup de soleil et de chaleur ici je ne peux que pousser un jardin sec
    un câlin de la Catalogne et une poignée de rayons de soleil

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    1. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)13 February 2013 at 14:28

      gràcies jordi, necessito el sol de l'estiu i la calor després d'aquest hivern humit

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  14. Maria at inredningsvis2 March 2013 at 15:18

    BEAUTIFUL post:) I long for summer right now.

    If you want to see a lovely shop..check out my new post:)

    have a great weekend dear

    LOVE Maria from inredningsvis.se
    (sweden)

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  15. Phil Lowe3 March 2013 at 16:25

    stunningly lovely!

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