Little By Little

Gardens in Tuscany have never been so beautiful, in my eyes at least.  With the cooler air and the changing of the seasons the landscapes take on a whole new vibrancy.  Lately at Bella Terra we have been dividing our time between serious ground moving and hands on gardening.  Fences have been crafted from Chestnut poles in the traditional Tuscan style.  Hillside gardens have been shored up and secured using a no cement environmentally friendly system and a monastic inspired culinary herb garden designed and planted.

Over the Autumn our to-do lists are positively overflowing but all with good stuff.  Our sheds are full to the brim with 1000s of bulbs and corms and we are chomping at the bit to start on an adventure playground and tree-house fort for a family near Pescia.

For now though we are continuing our work on two wonderful gardens near Arezzo and Montespertoli both of which will in time grow to be truly beautiful.  We have planted climbing roses, aromatic herbs, lavender beds, Russian sage borders, banks and banks of iris, Box Hedging and now we are working on wild flower meadows.

Whilst I truly love working outside I am also looking forward to getting back to the drawing board this Autumn.  I have been inspired by a good friend to work on a collection of 'one stop pots' where we can provide 'instant' garden solutions for rooftop and patio gardens.  Lightweight, low maintenance and hassle free, so watch this space.

Below are a few in progress shots of projects on the go...

This garden was sliding down the hill

Chestnut uprights and horizontal metal supports secure the bank

This Eco method uses 'zero' cement

Terraces are manageable and ready for planting

Classic Tuscan fencing

The timber fence sits gently amongst the woodland setting

3 months old, the early stages of a formal kitchen garden

Dry Stone Walls, Herbs, Lemons, Apples and a quiet space to relax

Rules and Regs Tuscan Style

Working in Tuscany is a joy but there are elements of this work that can prove tricky.  Take permissions for example, what might seem like a simple gardening job can turn into a legal nightmare if you don't seek the legal permissions and conduct a survey.

Whilst we have worked on projects in several different regions of Tuscany there are no set rules, each Commune will have its own structure for obtaining permissions therefore we always advise seeking the help of an experienced local Geometra.

Things to consider when planning a garden and checking for permissions include:

• Boundaries
• Rights of Way
• Access
• Heights of Garden Structures
• Ground Moving activities
• Pergola Designs - with or without a covers
• Materials - local suppliers
• Water Courses - above and below ground
• Protected environments
• Communal Use
• Visibility from other Communes and Churches

Phew, yes it is a bit of a minefield and well worth checking out all queries with an expert before undertaking larger landscaping work.  I always work with nature rather than against her and this is vital in Tuscany with such wildly variable climates and I try create harmonious gardens that sit well within the environment.  Taking this approach and using locally sourced natural materials will always prove beneficial when seeking legal permissions for gardening work.

For more info on planning a Tuscan Garden call Sharon on: 334 599 5702