My Husband Is Not A Gardener

It’s true. My husband is not a gardener, nor does he profess to be. He likes looking at Gardens. He likes choosing and buying (!) plants. We always have to check out the TLC corner of any Garden Centre we visit. Of course, if that was the only area that we/he made a selection from, we would have a very strange garden indeed, full of Berberis, Mahonia and some very sick plants!

My Husband Is Not a Gardener But…

My husband has two trades, and therefore, is extremely useful in the Garden. If he had been an Electrician we would, no doubt, have had lots of lighting effects, as well as power supplies were I most need it. But he trained first as a Wood Machinist, and Woodworking is certainly one of his hobbies (the other being Motorbikes which is not quite so useful to me). Then he re-trained as a Plumber.

The perfect combination as the husband of a Gardener! Over the years he has sorted the Garden tap and made housing for it. He has built sheds – and I do mean sheds (plural). He has built raised beds, and made seating. He worked out and set up the plumbing for the waterfall and stream. Even made bird boxes and tables, and a 3-bay compost bin. In fact, I only have to ask and my husband will make the latest desire of my gardening heart. Bliss!

Combined Skills Put to Good Use

When we needed a framework for the Orchard beds to support the Cordon Fruit trees he got to work. The entire thing is made from copper pipes with soldered joints, sturdy, won’t rot and is gradually taken on a patina of Verdi Gris.

I found a sweet gate for the centre section between the Orchard beds on eBay (of course!) and although I have yet to paint it, when its hung, it will complete the boundary to the lawn and give the illusion of greater depth to the garden beyond. But I have had one more idea for this area, and set my heart on having an archway over the gate. So dear hubby set to, with copper pipe and blow-torch, again………

And this is it………..

This picture was taken 10 days after installation but it had already taken on a patina. Once the Gate is hung,  the picture will be perfect.

My Husband may not be a gardener but his skills in carpentry and plumbing have helped to make this Garden what it is. He happily applies his trades to make whatever it is that we need, and is justifiable proud with the results.

Through the Archway you can see the Bug Hotel which we built. You can read about that in the post How to Make a Bug Hotel and Why You Need One.

On top of the Bug house you can see a Planting Trough which we also made and you can read How To Make a Hypertufa Trough here