The new planting and THAT lawn

Now, Molly, the Springer Spaniel, is a wonderful dog; friendly, caring and doesn't run off or escape from the garden. The only trouble is; she can be a bit of a bitch and that's unfortunate. It means we can never manage to keep a decent lawn. Even if I tried re-turfing it, the result would be the same; a tatty, muddy (at times), mouldy (in places), moss infested mess.

So we decided to take drastic action.

We moved most of the plants from the bottom bed where they don't get enough light, dug over the area, fed it with farmyard manure and planted shrubs.

In case you can't read the names, they are: (L-R) New Zealand Flax, Amelanchier, Buddleia Davidii, Cornus Sanguinea (Midwinter Fire), Philadelphus Aureus, Pieris (Forest Flame), Olearia Haastii, Cornus Alba Sibirica, Nandina (Firestorm) and, hidden off to the right, Jasminum Stephanense. (I think it's obvious from the varietal names what we're trying to achieve. The next thing to do, after the nesting season, is to cut the laurel hedge hard back to let in much more light.

Then we called in the suppliers to lay our new ARTIFICIAL lawn.

They stripped it, prepped it, laid a membrane to stop weeds and then laid what they call 'the carpet'.

After a lot of sanding (kiln dried) and brushing, this is how it looks.

I'm very pleased; apparently the dog will love it because it stays warm. It's great to sit on because it dries quickly and doesn't feel damp. But, most of all, and best of all: I WILL NEVER HAVE TO WASTE MY TIME MOWING IT - EVER AGAIN.