Ashley Ball goes to drink it all in at a garden in Monk Bretton...
THERE is not much that can improve a nice garden... but a bar will do.
Mark Harrison laughs with a knowing smile when asked if he has ever been as popular with friends and family since his bar, the Dog House, became a part of his already impressive space.
It sits prettily in a converted summerhouse and comes with a record player, plenty of drinks and a small sofa.
There are space for many visitors in the what’s much more than just a beer garden which has been built from scratch.
Mark’s regulars are actually the birds and bees which are well-catered for with an array of flowers and feeders.
Mark said: “I’m not a gardener as such but I like to dabble.
“I looked at it one summer and thought I needed to do something.
“It started with a seating area, then a border and then a summerhouse.
“Then I matched the boarder on the other side and so it goes on.
“I will have no grass left.”
Mark has tough days at work as a support worker for Mencap with adults with learning difficulties and challenging behaviour.
His garden is a perfect place to unwind afterwards and not just because he can pour himself a pint.
“I have always wanted a pub at the bottom of my garden. It’s only small but it’s cosy,” he added.
“I don’t struggle with my mental health as such but I think gardening for your mental health is fantastic. This is the best therapy.
“It wakes you up in a good mood.
“I have tried with vegetables like my dad used to but I am not the best with them.
“On my days off, especially when it’s sunny, I’ll just crack on in the garden.
“Don’t ask me the names of all the plants, but I like to get the bees in.
“The clover in the lawn is a carpet for the bees so I don’t always cut it even though I am a bit OCD.
“I think with the lockdown during Covid times, even though I was still working, I found my mojo back with gardening.
“It was a blank canvas in the garden and now I love it.”
Entries for this year’s competition are now closed and voting will open on our website once all the gardens have been featured.
