July is nearly over already.© John Bottomley
Jul 25, 2001
In Western Australia on July 26 2001 the average Perth rainfall is standing at 74.2 mm (2.96 inches). The monthly average for July is set at 173 mm (6.92 inches); therefore we need another 98.8 mm (3.95 inches) in 5 days. An almost impossible ask, one may say, as there is only one cold front approaching the west coast right now. Having said all that, this is nothing compared with the Great Southern where the drought is very serious indeed. I spent a few days with my daughter there last week and the crops, if planted, are in need of a lot of rain. Let us hope some rain arrives there very soon.
I am re-designing part of the back garden and came across some very old magazines the other day. One in particular Good Gardening in Australia and New Zealand, published in the summer of 1975 would you believe, was very helpful.
On page 14-15 of that issue there was a style of garden that looks as though it will fit in very well with my plans. I have an area completely surrounded by trees and there is lots of shade. So, something like rhododendrons or azaleas would do well here. I must remember to take a "before" picture before it is too late.
The garden design is taking shape and I am going to cover the area with grey slabs and plant small ground covers between the slabs. The design in the magazine suggests that crushed brick and tile between the slabs enhances the colour. However, I am not so sure because there does seem possibility of giving myself a lot of weeding to do later on. I will see if I can get any ideas that will cut down the weeds that are bound to grow between the slabs in the crushed brick and tile.
There certainly is a lot to be said for the idea and it is fairly low maintenance.
Another spot I have an eye to change are the pathways. I believe we have too many different styles of paving bricks around the place. I am busy taking up odd bits of path and looking around the market place for a similar pattern of "Moroccan leather" style of brick the house is built from. That would leave us with just two different styles of brick paving, which I think is enough.
I think that is all for now. Yet, there does seem to be a problem with the types of bushes we have around the place. My garden supplier suggests that azaleas would do quite well under the trees in the area mentioned above, as rhododendron has survived quite successfully.. Also dichondra and violets would do well as far as ground cover is concerned. However, I will let you know what happens when I have finished the heavy work and begin the work of planting out flowers, groundcovers and bushes.
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