Fire Pit & Mediterranean Garden Project - April 2024 Update

Today’s video is an update to my Fire Pit garden project series, with the sunken patio and raised exotic / Mediterranean beds really starting to come together after a lot of digging and barrows of crushed stone for the base! With large and rare palms, unusual yuccas, beautiful flowers and exotic evergreens I really hope the planting will be set off by my hard landscaping and walking choices. It’s taken a lot of hard work but now I can focus on some planting swaps following the extremely wet winter and get onto the exciting cobble wall building! I hope you enjoy this update and feel free to let me know your thoughts and ideas.
0:00 Intro
3:23 New Mediterranean garden path & desert island raised bed
6:28 Fire pit sunken patio & raised palm / yucca arid beds update
If you enjoy my videos and would like to say thanks for the price of a coffee then please head over to my Ko-fi here, any kind donations would be appreciated and all money is put towards creating more exciting content: ko-fi.com/georgesjunglegarden

[@YorkshireKRIS]

Good update. I think the paths looking good as are all the plants that have made it through winter. Great mix of arid and arid looking plants around the fire pit.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Kris, it's been great to see the changes over a week. Just at that tricky stage now where you need to put in a lot of work without seeing immediate results but it'll all be worth it when it comes to the finishing touches. I'm excited to see how the cobble wall changes the view and thanks, I love the variety of the plants too!

[@johnvenables1763]

Great job George, the view down the length of the garden is great.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks John! I do like how it opens up and has the focal points of the Jubutia and olive behind - it’s almost a shame to lose those plants in mixed planting borders! It’s certainly a different style to the rest of the garden but hopefully the transition develops well with the cobble walls and plant repetition. Getting there now 😃

[@wesleyhackney]

Man you have been busy! Plus I’m impressed with the amount of dirt and stones you have moved manually. I’ve done it so I know how hard it is. You’ve got to be proud of your progress

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and yes I have! It was a tiring week but great to see so much dramatic visual progress on the last day. I’m usually quite self critical of my progress and planting (in a healthy way!) but I’ve got to say I did really find it encouraging how things are turning out and this may just be my favourite part of the garden eventually 😃

[@darren9279]

Garden looks absolutely amazing George 🌴🌴

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Darren! 😃

[@kathrynleithall5906]

Wow! Looking so, so good! Oh & I love the metal cacti too!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Kathryn! I know it’s taking a while but it’s certainly starting to shape up now! Thanks, I love the cactus and it works very well visually with the blue-green yuccas 😊

[@DJSupaflyguy]

Sod the fire pit it’ll soon need to be a ball pit 😂👌👌👌👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, we can soon fill it with plastic balls for birthdays! (Mainly mine 😂)

[@DJSupaflyguy]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden 😂😂

[@BlaBla-cq5yk]

Congratulations for this outstanding work, George. Greetings from Frankfurt. My best, Chris

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Chris, I’m pleased you approve - it’s starting to come together now! Thanks and all the best with your spring plans and projects too 😊

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Truly impressive mate. The path is absolutely fabulous, amazing how it helps to define the beds with a lovely contrast even in it's unfinished form. Palms look superb particularly the jubaea, jubutia and the vulcano. Gonna be great to see the final product. Whatever time it takes it'll be worth it. Brutal work but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger 💪 💪👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Mr Calzone, dare I say that it even adds a little more of that arid formality you are famous for! Hopefully the palms will really be pushing some growth out this year, I’m going to try to get the cobble walls built next month so the feature palm bed is contained and easier to water etc. Thanks! It realistically won’t be until next year before I can clad the walls and do the patio (potentially) but I’m looking forward to seeing more progress - plus hopefully I’ll have recovered from this work by then 😂

[@TheLittleGreenBee]

Wow you’ve really put some work in looking fantastic

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you so much, trying to have a real push at making progress before summer!

[@mathewbetts4756]

Looking good George! looking forward to seeing the finished result.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! It'll be a while before it's anything like finished but there'll hopefully be progress with the cobble wall very soon!

[@johnsandham1415]

Looking great George, really progressing nicely 👏👏

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks John, it’s amazing what you can do in a short period without distractions! 😃

[@janinewoodbridge3814]

Well done its looking great can't wait to see the continuous process Janine 😀

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Janine, hopefully you won't have to wait as long before the next update!

[@user-nu1hz1mt7s]

goeorge thats amazing buddy you have SMASHED that project and that was not a easy job !! kudos to you brother

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! It was four days of hard work but all worth it when things started to come together on the Friday. I'm pleased it's starting to come together at last!

[@irismoles9369]

Wow George you have been busy it’s looking good thanks for the update

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you so much Iris, hard work but big visual changes and I’m pleased I put the time in! 😃

[@alanhunter2009]

Looking really good, George. Anyone can tell how much effort, (and expense), you have put into the garden. Keep up the good work. I was going to say it will soon be finished but with a garden you are never really finished at all, as things are changing all the time. Forever and ever and ever...........

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Alan! Yes, it's certainly taken real effort last week! As for the expense, it adds up but as you can probably imagine, any hard landscaping materials have been purchased as efficiently as possible, I've reused as much soil as I can and I've not paid anyone to assist with the labour to leave money for the plants that I can't just make myself! If I can create an 'end' result that looks more top end than the budget, is the best home for some of these magnificent plants to thrive and I've (mostly) enjoyed working on and learnt a lot of the way I'll be very happy. Never being finished is part of the fun and I'm sure I'd be bored if it was simply a case of completing a static display! Getting the cobble walls done is the next goal, hopefully following up with the benches later this year then cladding the block walls and the patio can wait until time, budget and inspiration allow for an end result I'm proud of. Once those are done, the real fun of seeing the planting develop can begin!

[@markchitty6505]

That is a lot of work and manual labour, digging by hand as well !!! looks great though buddy, and now you can see what the finished result will look like, give or take ... great vid as always and thanks for sharing George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Mark! Yes, it took a lot of work with my head down for most of the week but absolutely worth it for the visual satisfaction of getting a glimpse at it really coming together on Friday. Hopefully onto the cobbles soon!

[@Tminus89]

Looking very nice George! Great progress

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! It was great to see the week’s work come together on Friday when the path was going down 😃

[@cinosechizen]

Really looks promising, good job. I remember when I did mine It is not as big as your garden, I can still remember the back-breaking pain loading the wheel burrow with dug-up soil and then again for putting in gravel. Thats the thing that I hate the most but enjoyed everything after that adding fence wall, border and plants. :)

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! Yes, it's definitely not a quick job you'll easily do over a few hours but like with everything, you get out what you put in don't you and so much of these jobs is heavily weighted towards the preparation and hard graft at the beginning. Obviously I've got a lot of my planting already done but for me, I'm excited to work on the cobble walls as that'll really define the entrance and finishing off the planting to the edges of the borders. The main patio and block wall cladding will have to wait but now I've broken the back of the main landscaping (and not mine, luckily!) those jobs certainly seem more doable. Well done for your hard work with your own project, it certainly adds to the feeling of satisfaction seeing the end result doesn't it!

[@dannyhampshire9077]

Looking great and another fantastic video

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Danny! I didn’t have time to film a video during the week but I’m pleased I made the time to have an early morning run around with the camera on Sunday showing some progress at last! 😃

[@VanGorogh]

Good job George! Looks fab!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, it’s great to (finally) see some progress 😃

[@craignorthern9480]

Looks amazing George brilliant job. I've been waiting for this 😅

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha thanks Craig! Yeah, it’s been a while coming and it probably won’t be until next year before I can clad the walls and get the patio etc down but I’m looking forward to getting the cobble walls hopefully done next month 😃

[@ybernier1925]

stunning work george

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you so much, it’s coming together now! 😃

[@GrowParadise]

What are transformative job! It’s looking incredible George, your patience and hard work is paying off big time 👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Craig! It's certainly a different style to the other areas of the garden but (practical growing benefits aside) I'm pleased I put the effort into sinking the seating area down and raising the beds up as it completely changes the feel of the area. Hopefully we both get some warmer / sunnier weather to our gardens with very soon!

[@MikeB-qh2do]

Well your firepit area looks amazing George. It's inspiring me to do something like this in mine !! 😄

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you, it's great to see it coming together! If you enjoy these kind of plants then they'll certainly thrive in raised beds and a sunny position and to me, they really add to the visual interest and feeling of the sunken patio seating area.

[@nicciohagan9590]

Beautiful!!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, it’s coming together now 😃

[@danwilson5160]

Really incredible looking garden, easily looks like somewhere in the French Riviera, Spain or Cyprus now. The holes between the cobbles are really good for smaller succulents like some flowering Lewisias, sempervivums, Echeveria elegans, Aechmea recurvata, Abromeitiella brevifolia and smaller agaves like victoriae-reginae would look great in there and it'd have the added benefit of keeping water from accumulating in the rosette.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Dan and thank you very much, it's my first time tackling a project like this and it's really satisfying seeing it come together into something which largely works visually and matches the concept and evolution of ideas over the past few years. Thank you very much for your plant suggestions, I've got some Sempervivums and other Sedums saved up ready but I'll certainly look into the other bromeliads you mention and Lewisia are a new one to me but would work very well and enjoy the conditions. I'll be leaving some gaps in the cobbles to create some nice planting pockets and having a good amount of horticultural grit behind it so it should be the perfect home for some of those beauties! Thanks again for your kind words and input, apologies for my delayed reply!

[@maxthecat14]

Looking good.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much!

[@PaulConnor100]

George your garden is looking amazing the meandering dark crusher path gives a nice contrast and makes the plants pop .I know the work is brutal and easy to rush it but don't ,a nice water feature at some stage would finish it off and plenty of space to hide the source. 😉

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Paul! The path certainly adds a lot doesn't it and I'm leaning towards a bound gravel finish to the majority of the path (once I've got the cobble walls and main patio done). No rushing here! I know there's bits like the back of the borders where I've had to make compromises at this stage but when it comes to the cladding of the walls etc. I very much want to wait until budget, time and inspiration allow for a proper job I'll be happy with long term. I don't think I'll have a water feature at this end of the garden but we'll see, there's room to work something in I'm sure!

[@steverichardson4374]

Morning mate some body bean a bissie man well done look fantastic and I bet your going two enjoy your time in the garden nice one

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Cheers, yes indeed! Thanks and it’s great to see it starting to come together! I enjoy the process as much as anything but when it’s cold, windy and rainy you can’t help but look forward to those warm, sunny evenings can you 😊

[@Islandgirl4ever2]

Sounds like we have the same weather here in the middle of France.. OMGGG, but sooo cold the past few days!! Tonight is supposed to go down to 0C!! cheers!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Oh dear, no fun is it! We had a milder start to the year but proper consistent spring weather is certainly being slow to make an appearance! I hope your garden is doing OK and we both get more warmer weather to enjoy them very soon!

[@GrowTropicalMK]

Excellent. It will all be worth it in the end !

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you! I’m enjoying most of the journey too, I’m not one for sitting around in the garden much but working on the cobbles and finishing the planting will be very enjoyable as well 😃

[@thomaskrell3379]

Your garden project is looking very good! I am currently setting up a 5x6m garden shed in my garden. So I am also very busy! All the best from Germany! 😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Thomas and wow, that's a large shed! All the best with your project too thanks!

[@BeatriceGardens]

Omg you have really been working hard. Well done, George you must be feeling really proud of yourself. 😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! Yes, a lot of work without seeing immediate results but it all comes together in the end doesn't it! Yes, I'm usually very self-critical but I've got to say, I've had a couple of glimpses that this is mostly coming together very well and I'm excited to share how it develops!

[@davidaveyard3206]

I also have a large (long) garden so I can appreciate the time and effort that goes into that . Looks fantastic . Great videos keep it up 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! Yes, it certainly makes a difference doesn’t it! The garden is about 65-70m long so bringing the crusher from the front of the house is around an 80m trip - combining that with muddy areas makes for hard work but it’ll be worth it in the end 😃

[@davidaveyard3206]

Great effort ! 👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to the more creative and less back-breaking elements though!

[@davidaveyard3206]

I've got so far to go with mine but at least im not suffering alone 🤣 🫡

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, we’re all in it together! You’ll get there!

[@FloraBelep]

Well done ! I think a pittosporum tobira or several tobira nana (dwarf form) would really fit in your beautiful arid bed. The round thick foliage would go well with the spiky and thin foliage of your yuccas, nolinas... and they love sun and well-drained soil. Anyway, congrats for this job and this video. Always so inspiring !

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much and that’s a great suggestion! I’d often thought about one for my desert island type beds as they visually link the Mediterranean planting with the jungle lushness well and like you say, enjoy the same conditions. Maybe on the larger mound near the big palms could work well and help soften the angular planting already there 😃

[@samanthalonghurst-howes1465]

Your garden is looking amazing George. You truly are inspiring. Can’t wait to see its progress. Xxx

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, that's really kind of you! I'm pleased you're enjoying the journey and I hope the 'end' result really captures my original vision and the changes and evolutions I've included along the way. It's great to see some real visual progress after a long time of not being able to tackle the larger job and the weather being so bad - it'll hopefully not be as long until the next update!

[@regalportraits3921]

So excited for you!!! Fabulous space that will only get better each day as the plants explode. I bet you're strong man training came in really useful.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, hopefully so! It'll really feel dramatically different as the roses grow, yuccas and palms get taller and Eucalyptus trees quickly get larger - that'll hopefully create a feeling of being surrounded by plants and sun! Haha yes, it's been a while since I did a lot of the strongman specific training but it's absolutely helpful. The stronger you are, the less tasks like pushing a heavy barrow take a toll and I used to often train high volume for 2/3 hours so whilst I wouldn't exactly want to jump into a marathon, you still retain the ability to cope with consecutive days of hard manual work. I'll definitely be pleased when it comes to the easier and more creative tasks though!

[@tonyworrall7379]

Congratulations George. You've made incredible progress. I love it.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Tony, it’s kind of you to say so! 😃

[@missdimples1982]

Wow you have been super busy, the path looks amazing! Really shows the plants off more. Puts my work in the garden this weekend to shame 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much and don't worry, it's been a significantly steadier week this week after that mad little spell! There's no putting anyone to shame, progress is progress and sometimes just starting a job or tidying an area up can have huge results on your garden, projects and motivation. Hopefully we both get some sunnier, warmer weather to enjoy being outside in very soon!

[@missdimples1982]

@GeorgesJungleGarden I have been trying to lay a path from some old bricks, but it's a tough job between work and rain, butI do feel great being outside and working whilst listening to the birds

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Lovely, you're not wrong about the rain! Hopefully the birdsong and a bit of sunny weather next week will make it more enjoyable and help it really come together!

[@wiebestuive824]

The fire pit area starts looking great, George. Thanks for uploading!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! It was great to see the visual progress of the path going down on Friday after a week of working hard in the grim weather!

[@haroldbetterson1877]

Yayyyy

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha thanks, some progress at last!!!

[@TropicalDanUK]

It's looking so cool! I had to do similar to you, dig out tonnes of clay and then barrow in 8 bags of crusher/mot1 - killed me. I like the sleepers as benches. I wish I could grow some taller Eucs but my house and a road are too close and I know occasionally they like to just drop an unsuspecting branch! You just need some solar lights now or string lights over the top.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Dan! Yes, once you've been there you know the pain and struggle! If it wasn't for my previous training and a real desire to make the absolute most of a short window for progress there's no way I'd have been able to do as much without ending up in a heap! The sleepers have nicely weathered since I got them and the plan is to have three of them wide around the walls, with the corners nicely cut in and the front edge nicely rounded. I think they work well with the other reused and older materials and will hopefully get more character over time. As for the Eucs, yeah, I wouldn't want them to be growing much closer to the house. Obviously they very much develop to their surroundings but even without the risk of some species being prone to dropping branches, a 20-30m+ tree is a serious consideration and time will tell whether the right choice for even here! It's funny you say that about lights, I've got some lined up ready to order once I've got some money saved up later in the year - they'll hopefully make it look really special as the sun starts to drop.

[@mandytyers4481]

I notice next door has poly tunnels, is it a nursery ? George your garden looks great . I think first time I've seen to the very bottom. It's huge..love the pathway. Its surprising what you can get done in a relatively short space of time. Well done .love it .❤

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Mandy! Yes, I've often thought people underestimate how much you can get done in a day or series of days when you put your mind to it. There's so many projects that drag out ages and you can't really attempt in a shorter window but once you have the opportunity to commit and motivation to make it happen, you can get so much done! Yes, the bottom end of the garden has evolved quite a bit and is certainly a different style to the middle but I hope over time, it'll really gel together well and be a botanic garden journey through warmer climates. A relatively large garden and a big project but I'm excited to see it visually coming together. The two polytunnels you'll see next door are my neighbour's and he grows vegetables in them, the larger greenhouse and polytunnel behind used to be a nursery but are now mainly used for vegetables, growing flowers and as a workshop / storage. If it was a nursery I'd have absolutely no money left haha!

[@derekscheshirepalmgardenuk5345]

You should be very proud of yourself George, especially with your parental duties. The firepit is really taking shape now...

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Derek, it's great to see some visual progress after a long time of not being able to commit a block of time to it (some of those parental duties you mention!). I'm looking forward to seeing the yuccas and palms start to grow again in the spring sun and warmth - as I'm sure you are too!

[@Mattyzetec1]

That path has done wonders in bringing the whole garden together. I love the fire pit area, that place will be stunning in the summer with the fire pit going and a beer in hand 😄

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you, I think it has too! I'm looking forward to getting on with the cobble walls next which will hopefully make it flow even more. It would be nice to enjoy it in some capacity this summer even if it means bringing the rattan table and chairs up!

[@fraserdavidson2366]

What a magnificent difference, George. The path brings so much, defining beds but also changing the whole perspective. We are now starting to see what you could see in your mind. I did not think it would be possible for me to like your garden any more than I did. But man, I am truly blown away with this transformation. Love it, George. A week of work very well spent. Outstanding.

[@39chevy44]

What a great achievement George, hopefully now that you have made a start things will fall into place for you to enjoy your hard work this summer.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Fraser for your hugely kind words, apologies for my delayed response! The path really has brought it together so much and seeing it come together on the Friday morning really made the trudging up and down with maybe 100+ barrows completely worth it! I don't always get areas of my own garden right and I took a risk with the raised beds and large rocks but it's great to see it developing now and I'm pleased you're enjoying it too. Cheers for the support and all the best - hopefully you won't have to wait as long for the next update!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much and apologies for the delayed reply - yes, it really is motivating to have put the work in and got the hardest block of work out of the way, most of the remaining tasks can be a day here and there and are certainly more enjoyable / creative opportunities which I'm looking forwards to. It certainly won't be finished this summer and I don't want to rush the cladding of the block walls and the patio until time and budget allow for a proper job but now I've got the crusher down, it would certainly be cool to enjoy it in some capacity this summer. I hope you can find the time to enjoy some sun in yours later this week and all the best.

[@sarahleecobb1136]

Welll done George, you deserve every relaxing evening round the fire once it’s finished 😁

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Sarah! I’m not one for relaxing by sitting around as you can probably imagine but I’m really looking forward to the feeling of it coming together more and enjoying being in the space for sure! I’m going to try my best to get the cobble walls done in May and hopefully the sleeper benches then even though the patio won’t be down and the walls rendered, we’ll be able to enjoy the space 😊

[@shineamenmbs3107]

You can't hide the huge amount of work you've accomplished! The garden looks huge and gorgeous! That new C. humilis 'compacta' in a pot is superb! So beautiful and impressive Eucalyptus glaucescens! Short comment only George, to spare your gardening time! Cheers!🙋‍♂🌿

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Bernard, we're getting closer to the feeling of warmer places even if the weather isn't currently there! I've actually planted out the 'Compacta' centrally this weekend, replacing the Yucca filifera where it creates a lovely centrepiece, not too tall but nicely linking the main Chamaerops raised bed. The Eucalyptus is growing incredibly well - it would be nice if it straightened up a bit more but ultimately trees grow with the prevailing winds don't they and you can definitely see the trunk strengthening on the opposite side. We'll see how much taller it gets this year! Thanks as always and all the best.

[@shineamenmbs3107]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thank you very much for your time George. I am fascinated by Eucalyptus trees! I'm sure "he" doesn't care much about winds (I hope at least). All the best! Let's keep the faith about the weather...🙋‍♂🌤☀

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

The faith is always there! Yes, there's something about them isn't there - the bark, the fast growth, the aroma, the sparse yet completely exotic appearance. If I had some more land I'd definitely experiment with some more forms and varieties along with some unusual conifers too!

[@milkweeddreams8828]

WOW, it's really getting there, I feel your pain and excitement...one more wall to paint on the house, bananas trimmed, 5 new racks coming on, and a bamboo tunnel trimmed ...it never ends, but the beauty in the end and the sunsets, make it all worth the effort and I get to have fresh bananas and loquat plums for breaky...we got dis George...but, I need more cobbles...lol...!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much and forgive my delayed reply, it's been a busy week! Wow, it sounds like you've been very productive too. You're completely right about the sunsets, they certainly bring peace and make a hard (or relaxing) day outside feel so much more special. I can't say I'm lucky enough to eat fresh bananas and loquat plums for breakfast but enjoy, that sounds like a delicious treat! Good luck on the cobble hunt, I'd send you some over but the postage might be a little bit expensive...

[@heatherfindler6950]

Looking really good George. The path has made a huge difference. Your hard work is paying off!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much Heather! It was hard having to run up and down in the wind and rain but seeing the uniformity of the path and transformation of the surface on Friday made it all worthwhile! Trying to juggle a couple of May days to complete the cobble walls then it’s really coming together 😃

[@WillEberli]

Fantastic. As a Californian, I approve of this 100%. Great work!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much! Your Californian praise and kindness is much appreciated! It’s a slow journey but it’s coming together visually now 😃

[@emmagunston446]

You always have to start your videos infront of that flipping gunnera don't you? 😉 Showoff! George, you have worked your flipping socks off, it's looking absolutely amazing and you can really see how close your vision is now. Well done you! I love the rusty cactus 🌵 it's the perfect spot. I'm always so very impressed with how you remember sooooo many names of all the different plants. Especially when you have so flipping many. Thanks for taking us on the journey with you, I love watching your progress. Emma

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hey Emma, apologies for the delayed reply, finally getting caught up with comments etc after a couple of weeks of juggling! Yep, I featured the Gunnera in the start of my next (more sedate and conventional) video just because of this comment! I'm not going to start them in front of the piles of mud and my stacks of building materials am I haha?! Thank you, I'm pleased you appreciate where it's heading and I'm even more pleased that it's going in the right direction for my plans and vision too! It's obviously evolved over time and there's some elements that need a bit of working in but it'll happen. Yes, the rusty cactus works well there doesn't it! A complete impulse buy on an already expensive weekend but it works! Thanks for your support as always and I'll keep trying to share the developments as they happen, hopefully there won't be long to wait before the cobble walls can be built and that'll be an exciting experiment! As for the plant names, I've got one of those brains where things like plant names and numberplates sink in and stay there but actually useful day-to-day stuff I don't really care about struggles to find a home. Might as well work with it! Thanks again and I hope you're having a great weekend.

[@tropicalpdx1341]

I'm going to reiterate many of the same comments, but the path even though its not finished has made a major impact. It really defines the spaces and looking back toward the house it gives you that sense of wondering what is beyond your immediate field of vision. I also love the big boulders you used in the beds right before the firepit, they have more impact now. After this video I think we can all see your vision and I'm looing forward to seeing the area get finished off.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much for your kind words and insights. Yes, the path really helps define the separate planting areas as you say and it was worth working hard all week to see it come together on Friday! I had to guess at the positioning of the boulders originally but they certainly work so much better now they’re surrounded by the paths and will hopefully be more at home still when the path is finished, the cobble walls built and with some more scrambling plants and succulents. It’ll likely be next year before I can clad the block walls and get the patio down but I’m looking forward to getting on with the cobble walls next month 😊

[@jameshowarth5547]

Fantastic George, your hard work is paying off your garden is looking amazing 👏

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much James! It’s been an exciting week seeing it really start to come together for the first time - hopefully I’ll be able to get on with the cobble walls next month too 😃

[@dandandan389]

The little clip of the back machine at Shape Changers brought back some memories!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes Dan! Ridiculously over engineered machines and some cool equipment too 😂 A farmers walk video would perhaps have been more appropriate but that one came up first!

[@dandandan389]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden or the Husafel stone carry from 2016!, didn't you win that event?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, that would have been perfect Dan! That was probably my strongest event and favourite performance ever, I remember getting to 60m and thinking, I've done enough and don't need to show off which was an unusual feeling. I think I got the grip just right and it all came together - unlike other events where they just feel like death from the start and you literally wouldn't be doing it without the crowd!

[@dandandan389]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden I did a nice casual 20m in practice the week before then completely failed it on comp day ........standard

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, typical isn’t it! It’s unfair in comps, you only get 1 to 2 hours rest between events which is nowhere near the amount of time you’d get at Shape Changers 😂

[@petermessenger6898]

Outstanding work Chris, 10/10 for work effort. It’s going to be the don when it’s finished

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Peter! It's George - Kris would definitely have finished it all already by now haha! I'm looking forward to seeing it come together and I'll be pleased I put all the effort in when the weather wasn't quite as nice.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

George the garden looks AWESOME so far!! When you said the yucca was totally mushy, I was like “ohhhh yuck” I know exactly what you mean… you do still need a proper water feature though 😉

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much, it's (finally) coming together nicely! Yeah, the yucca even has that 'rotten Agave' scent which is pretty disgusting! As for the water feature, I'll be building a large trough near the brick shed closer to the house one day but who knows what may make an appearance in the future...

[@davegilman6046]

Awesome video as always George - the hard work will all be worth it! PS - what's the enormous greenhouse structure on the horizon when you're panning out at the end? It looks gigantic! 😮

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you, I’m sure it will and it’s shaping up to possibly be my favourite area of the garden! That’s a greenhouse setup a couple of doors down, very large but used to be a nursery. These days it’s very much used as storage and a workshop but they do grow some flowers and veg in there too 😊

[@Gtumrths]

I would have made the paths a little mor curvy, so after it’s planted you almost cannot see to the end. Plus you would have had more space for really big plants.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, to be honest that’s something I considered but whilst I do enjoy a sense of mystery and adventure, I also appreciate a more practical side to my garden. There’s areas of my jungle garden closer to the house that are all about obscured views and restricting the path but for this section I wanted to bring a bit of formality and a really special view. The central palm bed will be more of a visual obstacle as it grows but I think in the context of the rest of the garden, the opening up and focal points of the Jubutia and olive behind will hopefully work well 😃

[@deborahlee1072]

Wonderful 🤩Have you thought about introducing an Azalea or Clematis to you flower beds?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you! I might potentially include more Clematis when I get onto the verticals, we'll see! Some of the lovely summer flowering varieties will add to the backdrop of evergreens etc. I don't currently grow any Azaleas but they're certainly a great choice for bringing beautiful leaves and flowers to shadier areas of the garden! Great ideas!

[@jimmyalvinewart6361]

Hi George. You have a brilliant garden.. I have an area of my garden which is on a slight slope and gets baked in sun for most of the day. I don't know if I should keep improving the soil and plant more exotic/ tropical plants or go down the Mediterranean garden look. Could you offer any advice please on what to do with this area of my garden. Thanks. Also, please keep the videos coming

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Jimmy and thanks! I certainly plan to keep juggling the videos and my garden journey here. As for your garden, sunny areas offer options for either the tropical or exotic / Mediterranean look as you’ve suggested and both are very possible. Personally I think the mention of the slope might sway it towards growing tougher plants which don’t require as great a depth of soil and watering- Euphorbia, Trachycarpus, Chamaerops, Phormium, grasses etc. You can pick and choose the selection you want but that’s the style I’d lean into rather than pushing for a lot of big leaves.

[@jimmyalvinewart6361]

Hi George. What grasses would you recommend. Also, do you offer any garden advice service. I am happy to pay a fee for your expert knowledge in helping me understand my garden. After looking at my garden again, it is slightly sloped. I would not call it a steep slope. When I water the plants towards the middle and end of the border, the water runs away quite quickly. Would a good MULCH help with this.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Jimmy, apologies for the delayed reply, and I’ll try to help as best I can. Unfortunately I don’t have the time to do paid garden design work and assistance, as much as I’d like to but my job, channel and own garden endeavours fill my hours right now. I appreciate you asking though and I’ll try and give you some ideas. A mulch will definitely help but I think more vegetation is also key. When it comes to grasses, I’d recommend sites like Beth Chatto or Pan Global where you can scan through the range and see what likes your conditions but most Miscanthus are tall, will grow on a slope no problem and will work with a jungle or Med style. In my arid area I’ve used Stipa tenuissima, Chionochloa rubra, Festuca glauca and Stipa gigantea as they thrive in the sunnier conditions and soil there and for me, really compliment the Mediterranean aesthetic. Other than Hakonechloa and other grasses which prefer more shade, most available should thrive on your slope and you’re often better repeating multiples to tie the whole border together 😊

[@palmsexoticsuk2194]

Was that a big lebowski quote when you said the red rot poker really ties the garden together? 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha not intentionally but who knows what might find it's way into these unplanned and off the cuff videos!

[@bellsibub9951]

Good job! I am not a fan of those spider/yucca, apart from that weird looking one, but I did like the look of that greeny/yellowy bush you didn't mention. What is it? I want one...

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks! No worries, I get that they're not everyone's choice and for me, they really work visually when blended with other larger larger leaved plants and contrasting darker greens / browns etc. As for the greeny /yellowy bush, could it be the Euphorbia next to my Eucalyptus trees? I believe that's 'Silver Swan' or something similar - there's a few variegated varieties which have that effect.

[@bellsibub9951]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanx george, that's on my shopping list!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, you can often pick up a lot of the variegated Euphorbias for around a tenner at larger garden centres and nurseries. The silvery / white ones seem to be tough as well as attractive which is a bonus!

[@bellsibub9951]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden A tenner is very reasonable!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Very true, an excuse to go shopping at the weekend!

[@DJSupaflyguy]

How much was the sculpture if you don’t mind me asking ?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, it was on a bit of a special deal when I got it but you can buy them from here: www.chi-africa.com/shop/large-cactus-new