A garden in the making

I love a garden. I love gardening, no question about that. But starting a new garden from scratch…on raw farmland, on slopes, on rocksolid ground makes me re ask the question…do I really…I mean reaallly love gardening. To my own detriment…sigh…unfortunately, yes I do. I do love a garden and I do love gardening. With all its backaches and dirt and broken nails and sunburnt skin. I’m so crazy, I love even that too! and while I complain with utter self pity at night about my aching back and aching elbow, I think of the smell of fresh earth, of the fragrance of fennel and lavenders, the beauty of white Iceberg roses against the dark soil, the chickens digging just as hard as me to reach the abundance of earth worms in the fertile soil. I think of the infusion of camomile tea directly from the garden, the succulent veggies from our potager…and I complain even harder but wit a wide smile, because tomorrow I’ll be out there again, seeking again the sun, the soil, the fragrances and this pain for all the indescribable pleasure it gives me.

..stairs lading to future water feature with potager at the left and garden to the right – 2012..

garden in 2012 large

1..view on the “four à pain” – 2010..

The garden is far from finished and it will change completely again next season. But this is what happens to a garden, at least to mine..all of my gardens I first have to live in it for a while, before I really know what it asks for.

1..view on the “four à pain” – 2012..

2..view on the house2010..

2..view on the house -2012..

3..the very first diggings of the potager – 2010..

3..changing the potager  – 2011..

3..potager – 2012..

..view on the garden from the potager – 2012..

..white dahlias in the garden – 2012..

..star dahlia among the echinops..

..dahlias, echinops and Gubi..

..white marguerites around the cherry tree..

..whites, greens and greys for the garden, with touches of blue – 2012..

..the work horse for mowing the lawns  on our difficult terrain..

..the work horse for making new beds on farm land..

It will probably..no, not probably, definitely still take some time before we can move into our home and before we will be done with mud and stones and dust, but in the meantime, I can at least pick a rose or two for the house and get my daily dose of exercise by daily digging up the magnitude of weeds that takes over the garden the minute I turn my back. I suppose it is just a normal part of this garden in the making at Coin Perdu.

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9 responses

  1. annie

    Oh, noble, noble, Ronelle… Poor noble noble, Ronelle. …There, now. You can quote
    me ever night as you rub at your aches. I don’t suppose you have a tub, yet, for good hot soaks? You certainly need one, but I grew up without indoor plumbing so I know what it can be like and that this may not yet be an option. The portager is indeed a rugged project. and it will be awhile before you see the results. But the flower garden is thriving, beautifully, and already shows how much hard work, love and daily attention you have put into it. I really am inspired by Coin Perdu so thank you for sharing it with us.

    annie

    July 14, 2012 at 2:47 pm

  2. .

    July 14, 2012 at 2:56 pm

  3. I am still having problems posting on your blog! …but wanted to stop by to tell you how inspired I am by your gardens. So beautiful in such a short time! I am sure the gain is worth all your pain. ;D

    July 14, 2012 at 6:50 pm

  4. Zoe

    the dahlias and your horse, seen through the sprinkler… what a beautiful dream (and exquisite photograph).

    July 14, 2012 at 9:24 pm

  5. Absoilutely beautiful Ronelle – tangled and blowsy and full of beautiful colour combinations – your gardening is like your sketching, free and expressive :>)

    It’s going to be heavenly when done,

    July 15, 2012 at 5:03 pm

  6. Ronelle, seeing your beautiful garden and what a long way you have come is an inspiration to me. It is beautiful and it brings me lots of joy to look at your lovely garden through your photographs!

    I 🙂

    July 15, 2012 at 9:42 pm

  7. Oh Ronelle– THIS is devine! What a fun project you have in front of you. I’ll be following your progress for sure! Enjoy this!!!!

    July 20, 2012 at 10:19 pm

  8. Pingback: Frittata à la “Mon Chéri”..and a late summer “potager” (veggie garden). « Myfrenchkitchen

  9. Just found this post. I love the way the house is looking in that photo from below. It looks like you have made lots of progress. When will you be able to move in?

    August 8, 2012 at 5:33 pm

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