Friday 11 July 2014

Thistles versus Gravel


I expect you remember me telling about the waist high thistles in a neighbours enclosed garden and the beautiful Painted Lady butterflies that emerged from them a few weeks ago.

This morning I felt the whole house vibrating and went to investigate outside. We don't get earthquakes of significant magnitude to cause that kind of experience over here, so I was a bit mystified.
My *neighbour with the thistles* was having the workmen in and everything was being raised to the ground, dug up and the earth hammered flat and covered with a membrane. This was later covered over with a thick layer of shingle.
The whole garden is now gravel.
This is what happens when someone absolutely hates gardening.

I'm glad the butterflies had a chance to hatch out before this happened, though I guess there'll be none next year.
One good thing to come out of it is that the yellow thistle flowers didn't have time to develop into seed. Last year I had quite a job to pull out the baby thistles that sprung up all over my garden.

However, I guess the cats will now come over to use my garden for their toilet needs as unless they enjoy digging about in gravel mine might be more appealing. Come to think of it, they may look on the gravel as a giant cat tray. Eek!


17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely shot of the downy thistles! Not so sure about the gravel though...

Wisewebwoman said...

I'm not much of a gardener but I can't imagine gravelling. I don't even tarmac my driveway because of environmental impact.

How very sad for you to overlook a gravel patch. And poor butterflies :(

XO
WWW

Gosia said...

In my opinion now it's better situation because your garden will be clean.

cheshire wife said...

It won't be long before weeds start to grow in the gravel.

cheshire wife said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rethink Street said...

I have very mixed feelings about gardening. On the one hand it's a tedious nuisance - a bit like hoovering. On the other hand it's a miraculous reminder of the power of nature - plants (weeds) will grow, no matter what we mere humans want them to do!
p.s. I wish you all the best with Harry's care - I hope he and you are doing okay.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Not thistles - good
No butterflies - bad

I think the cats will use her place hopefully.

Love ~ Eddie

Wendy said...

Oh yuck - a gravel garden! Why do some people do that? I hope the butterflies find another place to breed.
Hugs

Hilary said...

It is your mission to sprinkle catnip on the gravel to ensure that the cats stay there. ;)

Suldog said...

I've never quite understood not wanting any garden/lawn/plants at all. Even if one doesn't care for gardening, doesn't nature fascinate even a little bit? I love to just sit down and watch an ant for a minute or two; seeing a cat stroll through the yard (or, better, a bunny; even a skunk) is a treat; butterflies are beautiful things; and birds sing sweet songs. Gravel just lies there being hot in the sun and wet in the rain.

Jackie said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the garden being turned into a "parking lot. "
Hopefully, the creatures of the wild found someplace to go.
I love gardening. Therapy for me: digging in the dirt and planting flowers.
Beautiful photo of the thistles.
Love you,
Jackie

Brian Miller said...

i am glad the butterflies had a chance to escape as well...oy...i am reminded of a guy in florida...one day he ripped his whole yard out...and covered it in rocks...it was the craziest thing...but he seemed happy...

Jinksy said...

That plant is having a seriously bad hair day! LOL

Shammickite said...

That's a shame.... a back yard with a bit of green is so much nicer than a back yard covered in gravel. All he had to do was mow the thistles once or twice to tidy the place up. Or maybe move to an apartment with a nice concrete parking lot outside.

Rose said...

I can't imagine covering a whole garden with gravel, unless your neighbor plans a rock garden. Maybe the butterflies will come visit you instead. Hope all is well, Maggie.

Suburbia said...

Lets hope it leaves your garden cat poo free!

Secret Agent Woman said...

Oh, that's so sad. Who would prefer gravel to plants?