The location for the new garden is an over-grown but sun-lit gravel courtyard behind the old barn. I tested the location this past year with a temporary veg patch, to make sure plants received enough light and were sufficiently sheltered. All went well. The only real problem, predictably enough, came from the rabbits.
The plan now is to use a digger to scrape off the remaining gravel and level the soil. Then 10 beds will be set into the ground, and the area around them turfed. The beds will be edged with something cheap for this next year, because I want to make sure that the design works well. Once I'm comfortable that it's working, I'll install a permanent edging, probably using reclaimed railway sleepers.
Jack Drewe, a friendly local landscaper and garden maintenance firm, is doing all the groundwork. Stay tuned for more updates. Jack and the digger, and groundhog, below...