Richard Potem has won consecutive awards at Bath in Bloom with his back-yard makeover
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'My garden gets me out of the flat into a small oasis of flowers that nobody would think was there.'
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I live in a flat in Weston, Bath, which had a back yard that was used for dumping rubbish – until 2004 when I decided I should tidy it up a little. I cleared it all out down to basics – then the obsession began. Walled all the way around, the garden is only 12 x 19ft (3.5 x 6m) and, because it is not possible to have large beds, I've now got a collection of 43 different hanging baskets and containers with a few tubs around the sides instead of a border.
I take great pleasure in my garden. It gets me out of the flat into a small oasis of flowers that nobody would think was there. It's nice to sit out with friends and discuss what can be done within a small space. Having seen what I've done, some of my friends have taken more interest in their own small spaces.
Tip for watering pots
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It can be a chore keeping all those containers from drying out, so I mix the soil with a little
silica gel and then put upturned plastic bottles with the bottoms cut off (keep the tops on
and drill a small hole in the top) into the containers. I then pack a little cotton wool in to the neck of the bottle and fill with water, which stops the water from running out the hole too quickly and reduces the amount of times I need to water.
Among the flowers, I've included cucumber, ornamental gourd, Chinese gooseberry and cherry tomato plants. I try to vary the plants around the garden so that wherever you look there is something different or unusual growing.
In 2005, I entered Bath in Bloom and came second in the 'Small Garden Not Seen from the Pavement' category, and in 2006 I was a gold-award and category winner. This year, I have entered the private winner's category.
Richard Potem, Bath
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Gallery, or
email me with your digital images and text. Alternatively, send text and photographs by snail mail to Sarah Brocklehurst, Magicalia Publishing Ltd, Berwick House, 8-10 Knoll Rise, Orpington, Kent, BR6 OEL.
denotes Subscriber-only content | Wednesday 23 July 2008 | Help | Glossary 
