|
|
Post by ambersparkle on Feb 23, 2019 9:54:55 GMT
Thought it was time to add the Garden Thread, as things are beginning to move now. Some of my Seeds have arrived, so am feeling all twitchy. When SIL comes up, am going to get him to look out my heated Propagator, from the Garden Shed. Don't believe in starting Veg off too early, in my humble Opinion, they always catch up, anyway. Want to make more of my Pond,, this year, last year Yellow Iris, had all but taken it over, and beautiful as it was the Birds had very little to splash in, and do love to see them doing that, then they sit on the Fence, and shake their Feathers, lovely to watch. I wonder if I will be able to grow Spring Onions, this year, there must be a secret to it, cos no matter which Variety I grow, they are weedy little things, not worth biting! Giving 'Little Gem', Lettuce a go this Year, usually grow' 'All Year Round', or a soft Leaved Variety, as that is what I like, but always good to have a change. Daffodills bulking up in the big Border, having a look every Day, from the Doorway, wonderful time of the Year. |
|
|
|
Post by brightspark on Feb 23, 2019 10:43:14 GMT
We have always had daffodils and crocus in tubs, but just a bit of wind and the daffodils go over, so this year we have the mini daffodils, only about 8 inches tall, and so pretty, and the purple crocuses are just showing themselves. The snowdrops have lasted really well in clumps around the garden. It's the best time of the year, I reckon. OH went in the garden yesterday to smarten up a small area that used to house an enormous phormium, sadly snow sitting in it must have killed it - shame as we'd had it for more than 20 years - OH had created a cartwheel surrounding it, which needed re-setting. He lifted one of the paviors only to find a large hibernating toad, so he carefully placed it back, and said that it's a job to come back to in a few weeks. The local swans have sent off their young'uns for the fresh spring start (!) of a new family. However, one of them really, really wants to stay, and we're seeing the cob going to extraordinary lengths to shoo it away. I saw a little later, the young one has returned. He's obviously one of the current trend that wants to stay at home with Mum & Dad!!  |
|
|
|
Post by brightspark on Feb 23, 2019 10:49:06 GMT
I would really love to have some veggies, etc. When we first moved here, we had a veg patch doing really well. Our neighbour had a landscape gardener come in and planted maple trees. Our veg patch is now in the shade all year, and several attempts to grow things have proved fruitless (sorry about the pun!), so we make do with the shrubs - gooseberries, blackberries, blackcurrants and raspberries. Also the espaliers of hard fruits. Vegetables are not too expensive generally, so that's how it is.  |
|
|
|
Post by ambersparkle on Feb 23, 2019 15:02:59 GMT
That is a shame, Iris, but things like Lettuce will grow in Shade, and maybe some other things too, does it get no Sun at all? Your little Swan must still be saving for a Deposit, Val! Managed to put my heavy Cardigan on, and went down to the bottom of the Garden, the Air smelt lovely. Loads of Pansies have seeded themselves in the good Compost in the Tubs, and looking lovely, but they will have to be moved, will find somewhere for them. The Carnations, I planted from 'Bits', from a beautiful Bunch I had from a Friend, last year. can't even remember the Colour, just that they stood out. and wanted to keep them, are romping away, so pruned them a bit. also, a couple of small Roses, I had been given through the Winter, need to re pot them, and will if it is okay tomorrow. Just punching Holes in two Plastic Bird Ball Containers, these are so useful for starting off the first Lettuce, Radish, and Spring Onion. SIL getting me a Fish Supper, so no Effort required towards Dinner, and have a selection of Puds, in the Fridge, so all sorted. Can't wait to get my first Seeds in tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
Post by ambersparkle on Feb 24, 2019 10:10:25 GMT
Started my Gardening Diary, last Night, it is amazing how interesting reading your old Diaries back, is. SIL, had to remove the lovely Yellow Iris from the Pond, last year, after flowering, as it was becoming a Thug, and taking over, will miss it this year, but had to be done. My first Job, if I get outside, is to dig up all the self seeded Pansies, and plant them in new Compost, and new Tubs, have got long Tubs up the Ramp, but first, will have to clear last year's Debris, am saying this casually, but the reality is, I am not able to do much at one Time, so probably get a bit done.
|
|
|
|
Post by ambersparkle on Apr 22, 2019 13:34:50 GMT
What a difference two Months make, though the Garden has to be planted up a bit, and the Spring Flowers have gone over, just took some Daffs out today, the Maple Tree has unfurled, it is so gorgeous, many Years ago, a Neighbour had One, and I did not have Room, every time I passed, thought I will have one , one Day, when I get a Garden, big enough.
It is a greedy Blighter though, have to feed around it, constantly.
Well, have in, just Carrots, Lettuce, and Radish, but have intentions of putting Bush Tomatoes, in the Cold Frame, outside, Cucumbers, did so well for me last year. Courgettes, Red Onions, ordinary Onions, Peas, and Beans. All these are grown off the Ground, and get very good results from them. Away to make Dinner. t x
|
|
|
|
Post by ambersparkle on Apr 25, 2019 13:54:49 GMT
Three Bush Tomatoes arrived today, in a sorry State, have them standing in Water to perk up, that is my second buy from Ebay, that have not been happy with, the Broad Beans had been allowed to become too leggy, and had been sown too close together. Plants are pretty resilient though, and will be looked after from now on.
Yesterday, received six White Bacopa, very tiny, but healthy, they were in good condition, but too small to go in Pots, will have to grow them on. Radish, are through, that is first Veggies of the Year, afraid I can no longer bite them, but like them sliced in a Salad, or Sandwich. Am away to batter some Fish, ta ta the noo!
|
|
|
|
Post by ambersparkle on May 1, 2019 9:16:55 GMT
Yesterday, took out the last of the Tulips from the big Planters, these are now going to be home to Peas, and Beans, am trying a new Bean with a very good write up, called 'Safari', a strange Name for a Bean, but it is supposed to be a good cropper, for a longer time, well, they will tell you anything to sell, but we will see.
Am going to pot up a few Cucumber Seeds, have got Plants ordered, but their Stems are so brittle, it pays to have back up.
In the Planters and Tubs, now have Sweet William, and can't remember the name, still have loads to put in up the Ramp, but getting there. Carer will be through the Door, so better go.
|
|
|
|
Post by ambersparkle on May 8, 2019 12:10:41 GMT
Nothing much happening in the Garden, because the Weather is so awful, but my Blue Poppy, Meconopsis Baily, has survived the Winter, and has Buds on it, well, one Bud, on a single Stem. Never managed to grow one before, so don't know whether there will be more Flowers.
What is growing now, is Lettuce, Radish, Carrot, and Red Onions, not bad considering the Weather.
Bought an enormous plastic Bowl with a Lid, meant to be for letting your Bread Dough, rise, but just like a mini Greenhouse, nothing like the price of the proper thing, plus, it has a handy knob, I can just lift off.
|
|
|
|
Post by brightspark on May 8, 2019 13:18:48 GMT
Tina, you're doing really well with your planting, especially with the weather.
We were shopping this morning, and on the way home it looked like it had just snowed!!! The hailstones had completely covered the footpaths, and was a couple of inches deep. We were just 15 minutes away (shopping) yet no hailstones there! The temperature changes are up and down this year aren't they!!
|
|
|
|
Post by ambersparkle on May 10, 2019 8:23:00 GMT
My first plantings a couple of Weeks ago, were Lettuce, some in Cold Frame, some outside, Radish, and Carrots. The Radish, and Carrots, are through, but no sign of the Lettuce, but the Lettuce in the Cold Frame, which is constantly open to the Elements, is growing apace.
Strawberries, have plenty of lovely White Flowers on, and have fed them, the first feed of the Year.
Calendulas, are coming on well, think I will make a Salve this Year, as have all the other things except the Petals, but will grow extra, as don't want to tear them out of the Border.
Loads of Blossom on Apple, and Plum Trees, and Gooseberry Bush is loaded with tiny Goosegogs. Don't know what I will do with it all, the Cupboards are still full of last year's Jam, and Chutney.
|
|
|
|
Post by brightspark on May 10, 2019 11:49:54 GMT
I think Tina, you'll be making the jams, and covering them in pretty fabrics, and give them away as gifts. You certainly have lots in your growing patch! A bit envious, if I'm honest!!  |
|
|
|
Post by ambersparkle on May 11, 2019 13:48:17 GMT
Ian, came up, so asked him if he could weed the Raspberries for me, he replied in the affirmative, bless him, so they are done, fed, new top Soil. Iput in my Dahlia Seeds, and also my Lavender Plugs.
Three Cucumbers arrived today, too soon to put mine in, so watered it and put in cold Frame.Red Onions doing well, still got a couple to plug any Gaps, I wonder why Birds like to pull them out
|
|
|
|
Post by ambersparkle on May 15, 2019 13:29:31 GMT
Put my Cucumber in it's forever Home, but am covering at Night. Everything growing well, have only the Rose Patch to weed, and a Friend is coming to help me do it tomorrow.
Put Tomato, Golden Sunrise, in today, have it in a Plastic Bird Ball Container, I find these Containers so handy, there is a good depth, and they have a Handle, so can be moved if need be.
Asked a Friend to get me two Sweet Pepper Plants, and one Chilli, she has got me, three Chilli, Hot, hotter, and ahrrrrrr, she said she brought me three, as she did not know how hot a Plant I wanted, oh well, will get on Ebay, and see what they have. No Sweet Peppers, must have them.
|
|
|
|
Post by ambersparkle on May 16, 2019 12:42:30 GMT
When Friend arrved, she had actually bought me, one sweet Pepper, and two Chllies, as Chilles, can overwinter indoors, decided to keep both, and so planted them on the Ramp. So down one side have, Flowers, then two big Tubs Strawberries, then Flowers.and so on, a sort of Potager, and plant plenty of French Marigolds, so never have a Problem with Greenfly.
On the other Side, have more Strawberries, then behind them, Red Onions, boy, are those Beasties confused. Just pricked out the frst Lettuce
|
|
