Check back soon to read all about Alan S's Garden
25 April 2013 22:29:14

property tax and garden
my neighbour told me that an auctioneer had valued his house at a certain figure for property tax purposes and that mine would be the same as our houses are the same size
i questioned thsi because i have spent a long time on my garden, planting trees, shrubs, roses and bulbs etc. i have the drive tarmaced, house insulated with the beads, new condenser boiler etc none of which he has
he said that the property tax is relevant only to the actual house not the garden etc
he also said that a garden is only a nice frame to a house but is not included in the sale price of a house.
i again questioned this and said that any house that is being advertised for sale the sales pitch includes phrases like 'mature garden' 'well maintained' etc and that of course the garden adds value to the property
of course i dont want to pay extra in property tax but i would feel hard done by if both our houses were up for sale and the same price tag was put on both when there is a huge difference in the finish to each house.
04 March 2013 00:07:31

au naturel
do you leave plant litter on the ground or do you rake it up?
i am between 2 minds-if i leave it its adding nutrients, if i rake it up nice and tidy i leave it looking it nice and reduce the spread of disease......
23 September 2012 22:51:52

rudbeckia
this is one of the last flowering shrubs in the garden. its full of sun-like discs of deep yellow flowers....staving of the winter
23 September 2012 22:46:18

autumn crocus
this poor little divil was well-hidden under a mass of dying peony leaves
23 September 2012 22:42:03

daffodils growing in september
was out weeding when i happened across some little spring leaves showing above soil level. dont ever remember this happening so early