I am not sure that I will ever gravitate to the gardening standard where I would be comfortable contributing to a monthly "Through the Garden Gate" series as so many of my fellow and very talented bloggers do. Being able to nurture and paint with plants as well as words is maybe just beyond the pale for me. However, in our new place, we are one further rung up the horticultural ladder. We have a garden gate. And like the whole garden, it will need some TLC soon. A few weeks ago, at the end of February, we carried out some preliminary measuring of the perimeter at the front of the house. We'd popped outside for our mid-morning beverage, taking advantage of a lull in the weathers. The area is approximately 50' x 30' and in the past had been laid out quite formally, judging by old photographs we have seen. As a consequence of the modernisation work which had been carried out on the property, this garden was swept away, leaving us a blank canvas. Initial thoughts are ...