The Secret Garden

[veggiechicken]

As I'm sure you know, "The Secret Garden" is a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett which is about to be released as a film (the latest of several adaptations).

I know the gist of the story and have the book but I cannot bring myself to read it in case it ruins my imaginary version of the Secret garden I hope to find somewhere in my own garden. Of course, there isn't a secret garden- I've been over it with a fine tooth comb so maybe, its time to make one.

In my imagination, a Secret Garden is a place that is not visible from the house or to neighbours. Its hidden behind hedges, walls or fences. It doesn't have to be big, maybe big enough for a garden seat, somewhere to sit with a book out of sight, to dream or paint or just sit and talk to the plants and animals.

A simple secret garden could be an enclosed bit at the bottom of the garden, or by dividing the garden with a hedge that runs diagonally across it, to give a hidden triangle behind it.

Do any Grapes have a Secret Garden? Could you share it with us please?

[Scarlet]

I'd love a secret garden but I know the minute I had one everyone would know where to look for me as it is now, whenever they come looking I'm nowhere to be found.

My garden is very open. I would love just a willow or hazel "house" cos I don't like the sun much....but fear suckers!!

[Mamzie]

I have one plus a favourite place - my secret garden is our arbour, cwtched into the wall, above my sons pond he built 2 years ago. I love watching the fish and tadpoles, and can see my wild bird area from it. My secret treat is the hot tub (it does help me do hydrotherapy at home through )





My son has worked hard on his pond. We have fish, frogs and newts, along with varied pond insects. I can watch it for ages x

[burnie]

We have little corners not visible to neighbours, not really a secret garden as such, but it might well become a project for this summer, to include a small pond to watch wildlife.

[veggiechicken]

Mamzie, your garden looks fablas
Hot tub as well!!

[Mamzie]

Mamzie, your garden looks fablas
Hot tub as well!!

Thank you. I will confess it's my husband, son and father that does the heavy work through.

The second and third photo on my "how does your garden grow" thread shows what was in the poor neglected garden when we bought the house as a derelict. The boys did good, the pond was 18 months old in the photos above.

The conifer is being removed in the next month through, it seems to be quite unsteady and we will replant with a few mixed native hedging/trees x

https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...en_100858.html

[Small pumpkin]

I will have. I’ll have a seating area hiding behind a big bolder with stunning views over the loch.
I’ll take a photo next time I’m at the plot.

[veggiechicken]

Thank you. I will confess it's my husband, son and father that does the heavy work through.

Nothing to confess! If you'd done it all yourself you'd be SuperWomanMamzie. You're the brains behind the brawn.

[veggiechicken]

I will have. I’ll have a seating area hiding behind a big bolder with stunning views over the loch.
I’ll take a photo next time I’m at the plot.

Sounds gorgeous, Sp

[burnie]

I will have. I’ll have a seating area hiding behind a big bolder with stunning views over the loch.
I’ll take a photo next time I’m at the plot.

With a store for the midgie nets close by...……………?

[JanieB]

For 1 year only I lived in a terraced cottage in a row of 12. The gardens were/are enclosed by an 8ft wall. There is a small pedestrian gate into the terrace and a path that goes straight ahead to the front doors. To the right are the gardens. There are no fences. It is known in the town as "The Secret Garden". If I ever had to leave this house I would love to live back there.

[greenishfing]

At the moment my allotment is cold, bare and flat. There are a few leafless trees in there and sheds and greenhouses but nowhere private to hide. However in Summer things are different. When the sweetcorn are fully grown, the french beans are at the top of their canes, the sweet peas are in bloom and you can't see through the greenhouses for new growth there are plenty spots to hide away where it is impossible to be seen from outside the allotment.

[Small pumpkin]

Here’s the photos I promised.

This is a little farther up the hill behind our plot ( we have permission to use it anyway).

We’ll be putting a seat on top of this rock behind the gorse ( gorse will get tidied a little)



This is the view from up there

[Snadger]

The only memory I have from reading The Secret Garden is of the robin sitting on the spade handle.

I have purposely left a spade stuck into the ground of my garden but have yet to see the robin sit on the handle.

I live in hope!

[veggiechicken]

I've started reading the Book - I thought I should!!
Last night, before I fell asleep the girl had found the door into the Secret Garden and made her first visit............