Green Man Creations - Cumbria

Just been advised that some bogus friend requests have gone out from me! It’s not me, probably a scam, so don’t accept any! Thanks all! 😊

I have these Phormiums for sale, surplus stock from a contract. They are £30 each, all four for £100! They are in a 10 litre pot, retail price would be around 50 quid each!
Collection by arrangement CA17 4NQ

I’ve had this under my hat for a while, but now able to share my news! I have been invited to help install a show garden for the International Garden Festival at Chaumont, in the Loire Valley. The design is the only UK entry, one of 20 show gardens, chosen from over 150 entries! The team are heading for France today to make a start! Updates through the week!

An example of “Rainscaping”! A clever concept to create some beauty from a basic functional necessity.

This must be one of the biggest Bluebell bulbs I’ve ever seen! Found it hiding under a large piece of limestone that I was rearranging! Potting it up till I find somewhere for it!

Lucky to catch the sun on this Hammemelis this morning. Witch Hazel is really stunning this time of year!

Recycling at its best! Amazing what can be done with some old timber, pallet planks and a sawbench! The client is keen on reusing materials where possible, and likes things a bit quirky. Carefully pulled the old climbing roses back while we replaced the structure, next job is to tie the roses back in, pruning and shaping as I go.

Given a new lease of life to this lovely oak table recently. It had lost it’s beauty a little, and had stains and marks on it. A careful sanding down, and a few coats of varnish later, it’s looking good and will be of service for many more years.

During the winter weather, I turn my hand to projects that can be done under cover. Obviously this is for recycling boxes, although I can build log stores or whatever. Can be stained to blend in with the garden.

Pleased to meet you, little lichen hand.
Photo: Kerrie Ann Gardner 🌿

I can see my house from here!
Bit of property maintenance for a neighbour today, at least I can go home for lunch!🤣🤣🤣

The Meditation Spiral looking good with a touch of frost on it!

Over in Ambleside this week. Pruning climbing roses and Wisteria, and waders on in the beck, to clear holly that was obstructing the view of the waterfall!

Despite the droughty conditions recently, the spiral has developed nicely! Not as green as I would have liked, but usable for the client’s event tomorrow! A few good showers of rain, and will look even better!

Delighted to make a start on this Meditation Spiral today! The client only gave me short notice as she has an event in a few weeks! The basic idea is to use the spiral to “go within” and let go of emotional baggage at the centre, then walk outwards feeling lighter! I’ll post an update in a couple of weeks!

A few shots from the east facing front garden, the hot weather has brought the blooms to life!

At last the railings are just about done! It has been a privilege to help preserve some of our fine heritage, with the added bonus of them being an essential part of the design and renovation of this Victorian garden in the Eden Valley.

That’s the beer garden tidied up for the weekend. Now…. if only there was time to sit in the sun! Maybe later! 🤣🤣🤣

Major surgery on an overgrown Beech hedge today! Beech is usually cut in July, to allow time for new growth to occur. It is the new growth that keeps hold of the lovely brown leaves through winter.

Little bit of humour here…

The restoration of the Victorian garden is progressing nicely, despite the unseasonably cold and wet weather! The curtilage of a garden is just as important as the garden itself, as it provides a frame for the contents of the garden. These railings are listed, presumably as they escaped being scrapped during the war effort in the forties! So, it’s a good wire brushing, filling with a metal based paste, and the first coat of primer is being applied! A long job, but it will be worth it!

Another recent project has been building this chicken run. Steel frame and weldmesh make it vermin proof! The chickens are coming soon! Needed several pairs of hands so big thanks to Steven and Ez for their help! Customer is very pleased!

Through April I have been renovating some old lawns, scarifying the moss out, aeration with a hollow tiner, and top dressing with seed and fertiliser. Topped off with sand and raked in. One lawn hadn’t been touched for ten years, the result was 70 barrow loads of moss! The sward will be breathing a sigh of relief!

This customer is keen on being green, so we replaced a rotten pergola with a new one using recycled timber. Managed to tie a rope round the rose to pull it away while the new frame was installed, then tied the rose back in with some careful pruning! A little bit rustic, and customer is happy!

Lovely greenhouse from Elite Greenhouses. Looking good in charcoal grey! It came as a kit, complete with matching staging and thermal opening vents!

Interesting little project today, putting up a weather station! Measures wind speed, pressure, rainfall etc., all sent to a receiver box in the house. It even predicts rain!

I am taking orders for these beautiful toadstools! Hopefully they will be in stock in next couple of weeks. Various sizes available, no two are alike! Guide prices are as follows:-
Small £15
Medium £30
Large £45 (not pictured)
They will be similar to these shown, these are a representative example.
Local delivery available, ask for details!
Message me if interested please.

The polytunnel is taking shape. Been quite impressed with this kit from Keder Greenhouses. They are installed throughout the Highlands and Western Isles, and are designed to withstand the wild weather and gales! The raised bed was built to even out the sloping ground, and some quality topsoil was added before the frame construction.
Another satisfied customer!