Terrace renewed

Autumn 2012 - before the cut-back

The decking terrace is built of wood, and so it needs to be preserved against the elements from time to time. Last year we decided the time had come for it to be completely re-varnished ("lasure" is what is used in this area, to protect against the effects of sun, wind and rain). We'd grown scented and flowering plants over the balustrade, so all that had to be cut back in order to get at the wood. Most of this was done last autumn, but we didn't have enough good dry weather during that season to get the lasure applied.

Hard pruning effected - not for the benefit of the plants!

This week the forecast is excellent, and the wood was dry so that it could be rubbed down and have the lasure applied. I cut back the remaining plants so that Mike could get at the balustrade, and over two days he applied a good coat of lasure to both the balustrade and the deck itself. This is the first time the whole job has been re-done since it was originally built (it was finished in spring 2005). The steps were replaced last year after some of the supporting timbers were discovered to be rotting, but the remainder has needed no maintenance.

Once the lasure was thoroughly dry, I was able to begin training some of the plants back up on to the woodwork. With luck it won't be too long before we have a good display again.

Beginning to re-clothe the woodwork with greenery