Gabion Wall

Developing the 'Ruin' in the Garden

I think that M has some great ideas but this is definitely one of his better ideas.............a Gabion Wall to frame the 'Ruin' and swallow up the rubble that forms most of the remains of the pigsty.

The starting point for the project is the collapsed pigsty and some additional rubble that has ended up on top of it as the best place to store it untilwe decide how to deal with it - preferaly recycle somewhere in the garden or courtyard - another project for this year!

The Courtyard project has helped a bit as some of the bricks are being used as hardcore for the paved area - there will be a separate page for that project!.  The greenery on the right is a random poppy plant which I have now relocated in the main garden

The first Gabion Cages in place waiting to be faced with the stone from the garden and backfilled with rubble.

Stabilising the middle cage so that we can construct all threein a straight line without too much difficulty.  It's amazing how much stone and rubble they hold.

Making progress and whilst it may not be immediately obvious the rubble pile behind the cages is reducing.

We think it looks great and even better the rubble pile behind has virtually gone.  Next stage is to turn it into another bed in the garden - probably a rockery type as the earth is not great quality and still a lot of rubble still in it so hopefully it will suit rockery plants: time will tell.

Close up of the facing stone, which has created further space along the top of the garden to extend that bed - when I get the time!

As usual we seem to end up moving 'stuff' in this case rubble and then undoing it - on this occasion to put weed mat at the back of the Gabion wall 'just in case.

There is a small space at the adjoining wall which will need a bit of thought so that we can 'fill' it with earth and still get access at the side..............

 Also, at the other side adjoining the wall - which needs some TLC - careful backfilling required.

 Ready for weed-mat and then re-filling with rubble.

Starting to fill the 'bed' with the soil taken form the bed in the courtard which was sieved and stored in a large builders bag at the bottom of the garden.The stones cover the top of the weed-mat and 'join' it all up - hopefully!

 At the top of the garden the flowerbed has been extended a bit to allow access around the Gabion wall into the corner space - currently filled with bricks but in time may be used as a storage area for garden equipment.

 Still a bit of work to do to make this 'useful!

The wheel barrow has finally given up the ghost - the handle split - it's done us proud but is heading for the great wheelbarrow yard in the sky - otherwise known as the Stanford-in-the Vale land-fill!

So we are now the proud owners of a 120ltr galvanised wheelbarrow.  It was an interesting trip to Wickes as M is away at the minute so had the 1 series BMW coupe - just as well I am good at jigsaws as eventually made the 'piece fit'!