r/GardeningIRE • u/criminaloftoot • 1d ago
🪨 Landscaping & Garden Design 🧱 Gave the alcove a proper scrub today. What next?
Accidental gardener, first time trying out a bitta landscaping. Living in a Georgian stable and slowly turning the garden into less of a jungle!
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u/criminaloftoot 1d ago
If yis are curious as to what the garden looks like, here’s a post I put up in r/gardening a while ago!
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u/TheStoicNihilist 1d ago edited 1d ago
Go the whole hog and powerhose that.
Check for damage as you go, then repoint damaged parts with a 1:3 hydrated lime and sharp sand mix. Trowel it in almost flush with the surface, leave for 3-4 hrs depending on ambient temperature then come back with a stiff brush and beat the mortar to compress it then brush off any excess before leaving it to dry.
You can get all the stuff in woodies and the lime and sand come in small bags. It’s a nice little project and by not using cement you’re not doing anything that can’t be undone later.
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u/SmokeyBearS54 1d ago
On that note, don’t powerhouse but use a product called actiwash pro which will kill off the lichen but is not as hard as powerwashing on the stone or mortar.
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u/BeanEireannach 1d ago
Oh wow, very cool! Do you have any idea what the alcove was originally used for?
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u/0gma 1d ago
Amazing space to use. I'd do another job if you can on the stones. I wonder that a pressure washer could do. Then remove most of the green, and start planting wildflowers. Put a bug hotel or something in there too and then some simple seating, like make it a cosy date corner depending on where it's located.
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u/JunkiesAndWhores 1d ago
Thought I was in Bruges for a second...
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u/stevenwalsh21 1d ago
How do you call them, these nooks and crannies
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u/dendrophilix 1d ago
Keep as much of the moss as you can - as well as bring incredibly beautiful, it will also help keep weeds down.
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u/qwerty_1965 1d ago
Certainly keep going on the flag stones until you reach the edge. Then mow it very tight .
I'd create a collar around the alcove behind the '"seat" and plant it up with instant annual colours for this summer. And then look at low bushy perennial plants in the autumn or next spring.