GARDENING

Spring has arrived and my walks with the dogs lead me through the thorn trees that are now covered in fluffy egg-yolk yellow blossom with a faint whiff of marzipan - like mimosa.

Our new walk gives us a different perspective on the Roundhouse and its garden, looking rather smart with a fresh coat of lime wash.

We have finished building the terraced garden in front of the bedrooms and, basing our design on the principles of xeriscaping, we plant local specimens that need little water. 

Most of our plants are cuttings from the cactus and succulents that grow on the land.  We use gravel to prevent the wind drying out the soil.  Later, in the rainy season, we will plant small areas of grass.

Stones add a sculptural aspect to our planting.

We buy a hundred young pine trees from the local agricultural college to be planted outside of the garden wall.  With only one metre between them they will grow to form a wind belt against the prevailing wind........

.......and install some more mature pines inside the garden.