The Flamstead Gardens Association hosts a garden competition every summer and this year I was selected as their judge! The FGA organises the Flamstead Front of House Competition, whereby all the front gardens in the village are judged twice in the time from April to August. The one that is judged the best for colour, design, length of growing season etc. receives an award at the village show. The FGA is also responsible for the organisation of the Flamstead Village Show, whic

This week my design for a new patio in Park Street is really taking shape. Old decking has been replaced with sandstone paving edged in red brick. Harry is hard at work digging out the turf to prepare a new planting bed which will enclose the greenhouse and a smart new circular vegetable patch. The next job is to build a pergola which will cover a seat with gabion supports like the image at the bottom ...