Like everything else at my house, the garden is a perpetual work in progress — probably still a few years away from matching the picture in my head.
The challenge is that every improvement comes with a trade-off. Prioritise one thing in 2026, and something else slips down the list until 2027. Two steps forward, one step back, but that’s how progress gets made.
This year, the focus is on lighting and painting in the back garden. Next year it’ll be back to plants, trees, and flowers. The paving is also due for a thorough jet wash to bring it back to life. Then there’s the small matter of a new shed…
For now, here’s a look at some of the progress from 2026.
Dr Martin James 