polkadotjen you need to look out for different root stocks when buying an apple tree. Apples are grafted onto different roots so you end up with different sized trees. M27 and M9 are the smallest - and you can keep them compact by pruning and cordoning. If you are only having one apple tree make sure it is self pollinating - Cox's Orange Pippin needs another variety to pollinate properly though new self fertile forms have been developed. Good luck with your move.

I have a large fig tree on my patio and lots of veg I plant in fish boxes picked up from the beach. I had a large vegetable garden but this gets smaller every year because I can't resist planting fruit trees - so far I have a 3 apple trees, pear, plum, cherry and apricot trees. Currently cropping onions, leeks, artichokes, rhubarb, potatoes, salad leaves and watercress from the garden - the strawberries will soon be ready to eat. Lots of herbs outside the kitchen door as well.

I begun to write this suggestion out when I released i had a drawing for a similar garden. So tweak it to suit Hide new steps behind new raised bed of rose carpet (or lavender) which are very easy to maintain which can also be used as seating Water feature with the spout can be hidden in the hedge, Use a galvanised mesh (heavy) an inch or so below water, you don't want children falling in. Skim walls to match in with new beds, the brick is a bit dull. Second level plant hydrangea From top of steps enter landing area to raised lawn, use angle iron for perfect straight lines. Low hedges: Use Rosemary rather than Buxus as it can have an unpleasant odour if planted on mass especially near patio areas. I would replace the fence with something sturdier and would allow for trellis which will give privacy but not annoy the neighbors by blocking too much light You could also use the trellis at low hedging to stop children falling off or use http://www.tecni-cable.co.uk/ systems for a safe but see through fence, it wont stop the determined child to climb over but will definitely prevent accidents Rather than having a 'veg patch' you could make sure that everything has to earn its keep. So plant fruit trees, berry bushes, vegetables, herbs and so on. If you need any help contact me. Regards Cian

Oh my word! Dyson is adorable! so ickle!! Now I wanna find a Rune (his name - like rune stones.. not like Rooney 😂) sized box to put him in. Thanks for the 3rd design! I'm always impressed how you come up with such interesting designs (compared to my rectangle of grass with straight boarders I'd envisioned) I think we still prefer the 1st design in part because Chris want's to keep more of the grass. I'd be tempted though to put some sort of low fence to deter Rune from eating crops so maybe I could put some plants against it and growing up that to help disguise? I think the old paving slabs is the best way forward atm instead of the stones... I never truly appreciated how many stones there were just around the garden... just around on the grass.. close to the house and rubble left from the building work, random ones on the small remaining bit of patio that I think have been kicked in from the driveway... Ironically the pile of new ones all in one place are the easiest to keep him away from! (doing the driveway has also jumped up to a higher priority for the year! 🙈) Does Dyson like your Dyson? (assuming you have one) I managed to terrify him the other day when I tried to clear up some of the bits of grass we'd brought back in with us (despite having a treat at the time!)