Lavender, they smell divine,i have a sprig in the kitchen windowsill to smell as it drys,mmm summer is lavender flowers.I kept catching them photographing the busy bee's, and they released that delicious smell into the air
Monday, July 31, 2006
Lavender, they smell divine,i have a sprig in the kitchen windowsill to smell as it drys,mmm summer is lavender flowers.I kept catching them photographing the busy bee's, and they released that delicious smell into the air
My best bee pic(it took a lot of shots to get those.We are talking about twenty go's they are so quick between lavender flowers)
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Sunday morning
It rained last night. Beautiful calming rain drops fell on the garden and windowpan es , and into the tree's. After two weeks of hot sunshine thats what it needed.About to see how things look this morning.
The sun is shining. The Cockatiel has been moved from Mats empty room down to the front room so she can see us. I have a joint of roast lamb to cook. Violin to play and scales to practise.
Last holiday day, before returning to work on Tuesday.Eeek.
The sun is shining. The Cockatiel has been moved from Mats empty room down to the front room so she can see us. I have a joint of roast lamb to cook. Violin to play and scales to practise.
Last holiday day, before returning to work on Tuesday.Eeek.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Quiet reflection
Its Saturday night, the weather has finally cooled slightly, and it spat rain for a bit. The garden needs some rain, the grass is still yellow and brown all over.
There are a few flowers still to come yet. Some parts are going to seed now. They have been flowering for a few months though. The seed collecting has begun. Where i will grow them i dont know. I am considering buying a big grow house, that i have seen in the seeds brochures.
I have answered all the comments i think.Carol wrote i blogged lots! Too many pictures to comment. I love the new camera so thats why i photograph lots.
Im nearly at the end of my two weeks off work. Next week its back to the grindstone, after gardening for a fortnight fulltime.
Im browned nicely now, and feel destressed. It wont take long for it to become a dream, and happy memories.
I'm having new idea's for the gardens continuing development. New plants and flowers to acquire then plant.
I looked at fruit tree's today on Dobies website. mmmm Apple tree's, cherry tree's, and some blackberry bushes..
I want to work on the raised veggie garden, and again clash with the hungry slugs and snails who devoured my previous attempts to grow edible things.
A herb garden is high up on my list of things to do.The Front window border will be revamped into...(watch this space..its a secret).
A garden is best when its continually evolving and developing your style and tastes. I love the way it looks but some reflection has been critical. Im working out new strategys to overcome the local conditions that has effected my planting.
The weather has been freaky, so hot flamingo's thought they were in east africa. A long hot spell makes you appreciate rain, sweet heavenly rain replenshing the earth. Things look brighter and more vibrant after rainfall here on the hillside.
There are a few flowers still to come yet. Some parts are going to seed now. They have been flowering for a few months though. The seed collecting has begun. Where i will grow them i dont know. I am considering buying a big grow house, that i have seen in the seeds brochures.
I have answered all the comments i think.Carol wrote i blogged lots! Too many pictures to comment. I love the new camera so thats why i photograph lots.
Im nearly at the end of my two weeks off work. Next week its back to the grindstone, after gardening for a fortnight fulltime.
Im browned nicely now, and feel destressed. It wont take long for it to become a dream, and happy memories.
I'm having new idea's for the gardens continuing development. New plants and flowers to acquire then plant.
I looked at fruit tree's today on Dobies website. mmmm Apple tree's, cherry tree's, and some blackberry bushes..
I want to work on the raised veggie garden, and again clash with the hungry slugs and snails who devoured my previous attempts to grow edible things.
A herb garden is high up on my list of things to do.The Front window border will be revamped into...(watch this space..its a secret).
A garden is best when its continually evolving and developing your style and tastes. I love the way it looks but some reflection has been critical. Im working out new strategys to overcome the local conditions that has effected my planting.
The weather has been freaky, so hot flamingo's thought they were in east africa. A long hot spell makes you appreciate rain, sweet heavenly rain replenshing the earth. Things look brighter and more vibrant after rainfall here on the hillside.
Pink Flamingo's sighted in Two blogs
Thanks Christa, I smiled when i saw the opening picture of a pair of Phoenicopterus plasticus overlooking a community garden in Washington DC.
She mentioned my name in the context of blogging about the Kitch American pink flamingo lawn ornament.
Pictured to the left is my London Zoo bought pink flamingo figurine.She even has a little frog peeking out from under her long legs in the rushes.
http://cc-calendula.blogspot.com/2006/07/pink-flamingo-sightings_28.html
Thats the link to her fabulous post.She admits to laughing when she see's them, but would not have them on her side of the fence.
I have looked on ebay but they are more expensive to buy here then the $11.45 she found them for.
The other blog i mention was behind the pink flamingo post.
http://botanicalbahche.blogspot.com/2006/07/its-hot-enough-to-hatch-flamingo.html
The Hedonistic plant hunter who had a plastic heron (Alfred) to stop real ones stealing the ponds fish.She said he was a step above the pink flamingo.
http://botanicalbahche.blogspot.com/2006/07/alfred.html
I googled the Plastic Pink Flamingo and found my information about the guy who made them famous back in the fifty's.
I dont even know if i will find a place for them in my garden.They might work in Florida, but can they work in Sunny Yorkshire?
I will buy a pair soon, maybe just for posterity sake.I read a comment on Christa's blog about them being hoisted up a flag pole.They were a buddy's present to the girl for decorating the front of a tent.
You have made me smile Christa, seeing them in the (un) natural environment of a community garden.Where did my credit card go? Time to dial 1-800 PINK FLAMINGO....
Friday, July 28, 2006
Sallyanne playing her new electric guitar, two musicians now.A violinist, and a guitarist with an Amp...
Guitar day
We spent a gorgeous day going shopping together. Sallyanne ordered our new suite. I bought two garden seats, one red, and one blue. We had a cup of tea in the Cafe where we met three years ago....
Sallyanne fufilled a life dream by buying a electric guitair with pics, amp, and carry bag. She needs some books now how to play the guitair.
It was sunny, hot again, thirty six degree's in the sun. I took an enormous amount of photo's (one hundred and twenty three!!). I reduced it to thirteen, just posted.
There is a new gardening website which describes it as cross between magasine/newspaper for gardeners, which posts articles of interests for green thumbs.
Interesting that here to be a good gardener is to be green fingered. In the USA it is green thumb.
the link is: http://gardening.nimbleferret.com/
I found it terribly hard to sit in the nice blue chair sunbathing. Sallyanne sat in shades, with a mini mister (like my bigger plant mister) and coke zero.
I kept getting up to take more photo's, experimenting with the camera. Looking at what was growing.
The potted Dahlia has large flower buds, tomato like which are opening slowly. I think the flowers will be white as there is a hint of folded petals visible.
The Gladiolus has flowered.It was buds yesterday, and flowered overnight.I think they look like satin sails, catching the sunlight and breeze.My main worry is keeping the glad's upright as they only have small sticks for support.
The evening primrose have got big fat buds on them, although they suffered in the heat. One sunflower has died in heat shock. The morning glories and busy lizzies do not like the heat.My late flowering foxglove will not flower, all the buds have turned brown and shrivelled.
The main point is im incapable of sitting for still for too long.I need to be taking pics, pulling weeds, and sniffing flowers.Examining the garden close up.
I love the seat though.I will try to take time to survey the empire...but its difficult not to start doing some gardening jobs.
Good night world.Keep on growing.
Sallyanne fufilled a life dream by buying a electric guitair with pics, amp, and carry bag. She needs some books now how to play the guitair.
It was sunny, hot again, thirty six degree's in the sun. I took an enormous amount of photo's (one hundred and twenty three!!). I reduced it to thirteen, just posted.
There is a new gardening website which describes it as cross between magasine/newspaper for gardeners, which posts articles of interests for green thumbs.
Interesting that here to be a good gardener is to be green fingered. In the USA it is green thumb.
the link is: http://gardening.nimbleferret.com/
I found it terribly hard to sit in the nice blue chair sunbathing. Sallyanne sat in shades, with a mini mister (like my bigger plant mister) and coke zero.
I kept getting up to take more photo's, experimenting with the camera. Looking at what was growing.
The potted Dahlia has large flower buds, tomato like which are opening slowly. I think the flowers will be white as there is a hint of folded petals visible.
The Gladiolus has flowered.It was buds yesterday, and flowered overnight.I think they look like satin sails, catching the sunlight and breeze.My main worry is keeping the glad's upright as they only have small sticks for support.
The evening primrose have got big fat buds on them, although they suffered in the heat. One sunflower has died in heat shock. The morning glories and busy lizzies do not like the heat.My late flowering foxglove will not flower, all the buds have turned brown and shrivelled.
The main point is im incapable of sitting for still for too long.I need to be taking pics, pulling weeds, and sniffing flowers.Examining the garden close up.
I love the seat though.I will try to take time to survey the empire...but its difficult not to start doing some gardening jobs.
Good night world.Keep on growing.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Love in the mist, i got an urge to go outside to photgraph it.Lo and behold a beautiful blue/violet flower.Any later and it would have dropped the petals.Nigella reminds me of a female celebrity cook here...
Mother in laws tongue, with off spring.Note flower buds growing up in the big pot.I did some research and they said the plant was poisonous.Sanseveiria
Letting the grass grow
I have just seen Doug Greens feet on his post: http://doug-greens-gardening.blogspot.com/2006/07/this-could-be-my-most-important-post.html
The point is do you have time set aside to sit in the garden with your feet up to see what you have done to your gardening empire. He feels some people garden for exercise, some for status, some to keep up with the neighbours. I do it for:
1) the pleasure of tending some dirt and growing things of beauty in there
2) A place of relaxation for the family, adults and kids alike all enjoy the garden.
3) Going outdoors in the sunshine, wind, rain, snow, etc
4) Watching wildlife, at the moment that is birds, bee's, and butterflies
5) The therapeutic benefits of gardening, squatting down problems dissapeear as you work out what has grown since your last walk around, and what beasties have been nibbling your dahlia's
6) Continuing a family tradition, where my green fingers come from in the deep and distant past.Gardening is in my blood.Why else would i feel deja vu doing certain jobs?
Its true that i have not yet got a comfy chair. Sallyanne says she wants to buy a gardening furniture set with chairs and table. You need to relax sometimes with the sole purpose of sitting in the garden drinking your fav beverage (mine is coffee!!) and just absorbing the beauty.
Some people only go outside to WORK in the garden. After all the planning, watering, weeding, mowing, tending, and frustrations you need to chill.
To watch the grass growing under your feet as the title says.
The point is do you have time set aside to sit in the garden with your feet up to see what you have done to your gardening empire. He feels some people garden for exercise, some for status, some to keep up with the neighbours. I do it for:
1) the pleasure of tending some dirt and growing things of beauty in there
2) A place of relaxation for the family, adults and kids alike all enjoy the garden.
3) Going outdoors in the sunshine, wind, rain, snow, etc
4) Watching wildlife, at the moment that is birds, bee's, and butterflies
5) The therapeutic benefits of gardening, squatting down problems dissapeear as you work out what has grown since your last walk around, and what beasties have been nibbling your dahlia's
6) Continuing a family tradition, where my green fingers come from in the deep and distant past.Gardening is in my blood.Why else would i feel deja vu doing certain jobs?
Its true that i have not yet got a comfy chair. Sallyanne says she wants to buy a gardening furniture set with chairs and table. You need to relax sometimes with the sole purpose of sitting in the garden drinking your fav beverage (mine is coffee!!) and just absorbing the beauty.
Some people only go outside to WORK in the garden. After all the planning, watering, weeding, mowing, tending, and frustrations you need to chill.
To watch the grass growing under your feet as the title says.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Happy days
I went to the bank and got some money so i could buy Sallyanne some birthday presents, card, and some flowers. Twenty roses (ten each of red and pink cut roses) , with some gypsophila for babys breath around the flowers. I posted my arranged flowers.
I have been using my carnations as a cut flower, with reds, pinks, and the odd white flower. They smell beautiful, a sensuous sweet scent. The cottage pinks lose the scent battle, although there blooms are slightly bigger. I guess i could dead head some carnation buds to make the main flower bigger.
I have two or three nigella (love in the mist) growing by the barren front window border.that is not a success as i planted loads. The soil conditions are not right to germinate them. Across the log roll they must be better.
I got a thermometer today for the garden. Sallyanne wants it indoors so it is in the kitchen window for now. Thirty degree's centigrade today (it has Fahrenheit too for those USA people who use that measurement, 88 degrees fahrenheit).
The garden is holding up. The two weakest links are the morning glories and sunflowers which wilt all the time.
I saw some potted Hydrangea's today but never bought one. I have my cuttings rooting in soil, in the micro environment of a coke bottle. I think a seperate stem has grown from the soil, so things must be working underfoot.
I want to start a plants wishlist and have information by each flower/plant name. Peoples blogs give me ideas daily for new plants.
I got my David Austin rose catalogue today which smells lovely, freshly printed magasines always smell nice to me.mmmm.
http://www.davidaustinroses.com/english/
The photography is sumptuous, the names delicate but fanciful, and the information about rose types, and history is fantastic.The owner looks so spritely for 8o years old, married for 50.
He single handedly revived the rose in the UK, and made it as popular today in the UK and worldwide as previously. When he started off as a young nurseryman people were not buying them.
Old roses you would love this, he has a selection of old roses from Medieval times, and from the crusades.I need a large loan now to buy some yummy roses for my garden.
I dont think they will post them untill the growing season is over. So, plenty of time to read it and absorb it, and plan which rose goes where....
I have been using my carnations as a cut flower, with reds, pinks, and the odd white flower. They smell beautiful, a sensuous sweet scent. The cottage pinks lose the scent battle, although there blooms are slightly bigger. I guess i could dead head some carnation buds to make the main flower bigger.
I have two or three nigella (love in the mist) growing by the barren front window border.that is not a success as i planted loads. The soil conditions are not right to germinate them. Across the log roll they must be better.
I got a thermometer today for the garden. Sallyanne wants it indoors so it is in the kitchen window for now. Thirty degree's centigrade today (it has Fahrenheit too for those USA people who use that measurement, 88 degrees fahrenheit).
The garden is holding up. The two weakest links are the morning glories and sunflowers which wilt all the time.
I saw some potted Hydrangea's today but never bought one. I have my cuttings rooting in soil, in the micro environment of a coke bottle. I think a seperate stem has grown from the soil, so things must be working underfoot.
I want to start a plants wishlist and have information by each flower/plant name. Peoples blogs give me ideas daily for new plants.
I got my David Austin rose catalogue today which smells lovely, freshly printed magasines always smell nice to me.mmmm.
http://www.davidaustinroses.com/english/
The photography is sumptuous, the names delicate but fanciful, and the information about rose types, and history is fantastic.The owner looks so spritely for 8o years old, married for 50.
He single handedly revived the rose in the UK, and made it as popular today in the UK and worldwide as previously. When he started off as a young nurseryman people were not buying them.
Old roses you would love this, he has a selection of old roses from Medieval times, and from the crusades.I need a large loan now to buy some yummy roses for my garden.
I dont think they will post them untill the growing season is over. So, plenty of time to read it and absorb it, and plan which rose goes where....
One more Word...
..... added to the Blogs title. Snappy's, or is that two words? I came up with my very imaginitive title eighteen months ago, when i was doing two blogs. The other one stopped, but the garden kept on keeping me hooked. Reading other peoples blogs kept me interested during the winter lay off.
As soon as spring was around the corner the garden bug bit again, and i have been posting nearly daily. Its ritualistic but keeps the stress away by writing. I have not been as snappy with my garden healing my stress and problems.
It was Sallyanne's nickname for me.Even the web address has it: snappycrocsgarden, so Snappys garden blog it will be.
I was looking at my Hydrangea cuttings, which are in soil in a cut coke bottle, (would they grow better in a pepsi bottle?) My question to you knowledgeable bloggers is how long does it have to stay in that sheltered environment?
It has roots down to the bottom of the pot, and between the leaf stems there are signs of new growth.It survived the trip from Wakefield MAU (medical admissions unit) to Castleford in my bag at the begginning of the heat wave.
Im hoping for some blue flowers next year.I am pleased that a cutting has actually survived. I went and bought rooting powder for the cuttings. I wander how Frans are doing? Being off work i have not seen her to enquire into her cuttings health?
I am weaning it off the humidified pop bottle atmosphere, and hope the leafs wont droop. I saved them once after they got the Wilts bad (ha ha is that a new word?when your plants leafs and stems go limp and keel over like drunken sailors).
The new camera has been magic. Suddenly i can post true colours on the computer whereas before certain colours would not be photographed. Purple and blue were almost impossible to get a true likeness. The zooming lens is cool as well, my fav picture is the Liatris, and the geranium which was never shown before by me.
I have read my daily list of Fav blogs. Next job is to write them all down on the sidebar...
The sun shone, i got more tanned and burnt, the garden looks brilliant, even my sad front window border looks okay.Im still planning next years floral assault, and herbs/fruit/veg.
This years blackberries are a month away from being ripe.I want to make a blackberry and apple pie,yum yum.
As soon as spring was around the corner the garden bug bit again, and i have been posting nearly daily. Its ritualistic but keeps the stress away by writing. I have not been as snappy with my garden healing my stress and problems.
It was Sallyanne's nickname for me.Even the web address has it: snappycrocsgarden, so Snappys garden blog it will be.
I was looking at my Hydrangea cuttings, which are in soil in a cut coke bottle, (would they grow better in a pepsi bottle?) My question to you knowledgeable bloggers is how long does it have to stay in that sheltered environment?
It has roots down to the bottom of the pot, and between the leaf stems there are signs of new growth.It survived the trip from Wakefield MAU (medical admissions unit) to Castleford in my bag at the begginning of the heat wave.
Im hoping for some blue flowers next year.I am pleased that a cutting has actually survived. I went and bought rooting powder for the cuttings. I wander how Frans are doing? Being off work i have not seen her to enquire into her cuttings health?
I am weaning it off the humidified pop bottle atmosphere, and hope the leafs wont droop. I saved them once after they got the Wilts bad (ha ha is that a new word?when your plants leafs and stems go limp and keel over like drunken sailors).
The new camera has been magic. Suddenly i can post true colours on the computer whereas before certain colours would not be photographed. Purple and blue were almost impossible to get a true likeness. The zooming lens is cool as well, my fav picture is the Liatris, and the geranium which was never shown before by me.
I have read my daily list of Fav blogs. Next job is to write them all down on the sidebar...
The sun shone, i got more tanned and burnt, the garden looks brilliant, even my sad front window border looks okay.Im still planning next years floral assault, and herbs/fruit/veg.
This years blackberries are a month away from being ripe.I want to make a blackberry and apple pie,yum yum.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Feeling Hot, hot, hot
Another day, another scorcher.Its thirty degree's C outside.I got a new mobile phone today with a 3.2 megapix digital camera.I have already posted a few.
I cut the back grass and have been cutting edges.But needed a sun break.Heat has been making headlines in the USA for the wrong reasons.Be careful people when its hot!Sunblock, fluids, and shade!!
I work in a hot hospital environment but when its hot we get cooked.I love being outdoors, in the heat, and breeze.Being dive bombed by wasps and bee's.No stings yet!
The garden looks perfect now.I will take some photo's later in the evening light as they are better than in full sun.
Liatris is now in my favourite summer bulbs category.The purple fluffy flower heads have opened at the top moving down.I cant detect a smell but the wasp was lulled to sleep by the Liatris purple lullaby.More post later.
I cut the back grass and have been cutting edges.But needed a sun break.Heat has been making headlines in the USA for the wrong reasons.Be careful people when its hot!Sunblock, fluids, and shade!!
I work in a hot hospital environment but when its hot we get cooked.I love being outdoors, in the heat, and breeze.Being dive bombed by wasps and bee's.No stings yet!
The garden looks perfect now.I will take some photo's later in the evening light as they are better than in full sun.
Liatris is now in my favourite summer bulbs category.The purple fluffy flower heads have opened at the top moving down.I cant detect a smell but the wasp was lulled to sleep by the Liatris purple lullaby.More post later.
Liatris (probably the same wasp.when i just checked he was still on the flower), this is the first year they have flowered.I love them already
Monday, July 24, 2006
Sanctuary links
I got photos from two sites: http://community.webshots.com/album/331650198fRFdHa and the other site was: http://www.ozshots.com/20001014_William_Ricketts_Sanctuary/
The Victoria information leaflet was on: http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=216
I have never been there but when Sallyanne and me get to Australia i will take her there..
The Victoria information leaflet was on: http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=216
I have never been there but when Sallyanne and me get to Australia i will take her there..
Nurturing the earth
To follow my enjoy the beauty post here is my glimpse of this in action. In 1898 William Ricketts was born. He moved to the mount Dandenong in 1934, 30 odd miles from Melbourne in Australia. He was an artist, a violinist, and a deeply spiritual man. His life work began to make a sanctuary, blending the natural and spiritual together. He handmade aboriginal styled sculptures and blended them into the lush mount dandenong environment. He had spent time with central Australian Aboriginal tribes for a period over 11 years. Every sculpted figure is based on a living person.He never made generic sculptures.) .He went to India for a spiritual retreat and found he had empathy for the Indians.
He wrote some fine poetic prose encapsulating his beliefs. A quote is:
"Life is love.All you to all me, for being part of nature we are all brothers to the birds and tree's. Will you then join with us in the sacredness of beauty, because at our highest we are part of the beauty of the world. we know we are part of its creator and design and so in this expression of our minds and hearts and hands we give back to god what emenates from god"
I have lifted from two photo collections, and the Victoria goverment leaflet for the sanctuary.I will leave the addresses after the photo's.
He wrote some fine poetic prose encapsulating his beliefs. A quote is:
"Life is love.All you to all me, for being part of nature we are all brothers to the birds and tree's. Will you then join with us in the sacredness of beauty, because at our highest we are part of the beauty of the world. we know we are part of its creator and design and so in this expression of our minds and hearts and hands we give back to god what emenates from god"
I have lifted from two photo collections, and the Victoria goverment leaflet for the sanctuary.I will leave the addresses after the photo's.
Enjoying the Beauty
Britt has written some lovely words about enjoying her garden through long summer days, reading Carol Kapek, and realising she was surrounded by beauty and tranquility.
http://brittarnhildshouseinthewoods.typepad.com/brittarnhilds_house_in_th/2006/07/take_time_to_en.html
I totally feel that when im checking the flowers, taking photo's, cutting the grass, or just sat still looking at the garden. Its an english sentiment, and probably international too. Being in a natural environment surrounded by birds, bee's, wasps, butterflies, ants and all living things. The microenvironment you made but cannot control, besides weeding.
This past week is what i have been doing. Enjoying the beauty of my garden. I often leave comments like remember to enjoy the roses.
With work pressures, bills, family problems,etc its too easy to lose sight of the simple things. The wander of growth, of flowers colours and scents, how insects pollenate flowers and continue the next generation of flowers. The rhythm of the seasons, and flowers growing in each. The changing weather, and growing conditions.The effect on your soil, the stuff of garden life.
Sometime you need to put the tools down, pull up a chair, and commune with your garden. Just look, listen, smell, and be still. Next post is about a wanderful place, from down under.
http://brittarnhildshouseinthewoods.typepad.com/brittarnhilds_house_in_th/2006/07/take_time_to_en.html
I totally feel that when im checking the flowers, taking photo's, cutting the grass, or just sat still looking at the garden. Its an english sentiment, and probably international too. Being in a natural environment surrounded by birds, bee's, wasps, butterflies, ants and all living things. The microenvironment you made but cannot control, besides weeding.
This past week is what i have been doing. Enjoying the beauty of my garden. I often leave comments like remember to enjoy the roses.
With work pressures, bills, family problems,etc its too easy to lose sight of the simple things. The wander of growth, of flowers colours and scents, how insects pollenate flowers and continue the next generation of flowers. The rhythm of the seasons, and flowers growing in each. The changing weather, and growing conditions.The effect on your soil, the stuff of garden life.
Sometime you need to put the tools down, pull up a chair, and commune with your garden. Just look, listen, smell, and be still. Next post is about a wanderful place, from down under.
Late night
Im over halfway through my annual leave now, away from the hospital and work. I have been out in the garden, watching films, playing the violin, and getting under Sallyanne's feet. I have got sun tanned a bit more.
I have been watching things grow, taking lots of photo's, commenting on other peoples blogs, and generally enjoying the garden.
Its ritualistic now, doing the garden blog. I thought about adding SNAPPY to the blogs title.What do you all think?I worried about the links people have made for me.
I have been corresponding with Alaska, and Australia. Seed swapping, and stories about growing up are two themes.
I want to do a post about a magical place i discovered last night, through cable and the internet, connected to art and gardening..
Garden wise my Hydrangea cuttings have been living in a cut coke bottle whilst new leafs are developing. Joy of joys the little green leaf buds have appeared, which means the rooting powder has worked. The plants are taking moisture and nutrients from the soil, and the cut half sail leafs are doing enough photosynthesis without too much moisture loss.
The morning glories have snaked up to about seven feet. Soon they will meet ,the left and right plants, like lovers on a ship..
The rain yesterday invigorated the wilting violas. Now the plants stand up tall, instead of droopy and down. My Erysimums are being decimated by slugs i think. I need some pellets or a beer trap so try and preserve them. I found they are called wall flowers, even though they dont look like the wall flowers i had before.
The Liatris has the top bud opened today, but i want to wait for a few more to open before posting a pic.
I showed my self seeded (but gardener grew them on, and planted them in rows) violas in yellow, and purples from light violet to dark purple to the johnny jump ups. My viola cornuta have reverted some to white flowers with yellow edging.
Mendel eat your heart out!
(http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BC/Gregor_Mendel.html )
I studied him during my A'level biology, and watching the flower colours of Violas develop and change reminds me of him. He truly did change the world with his genetic theory.
I have seen masses of bee's, the BBC reported that bee numbers were down,http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5201218.stm
But they seem happy enough with my lavender and snapdragons.
I love summer, even when im sweating now as i type this downstairs.Good night world, may all your gardens grow beautifully....
I have been watching things grow, taking lots of photo's, commenting on other peoples blogs, and generally enjoying the garden.
Its ritualistic now, doing the garden blog. I thought about adding SNAPPY to the blogs title.What do you all think?I worried about the links people have made for me.
I have been corresponding with Alaska, and Australia. Seed swapping, and stories about growing up are two themes.
I want to do a post about a magical place i discovered last night, through cable and the internet, connected to art and gardening..
Garden wise my Hydrangea cuttings have been living in a cut coke bottle whilst new leafs are developing. Joy of joys the little green leaf buds have appeared, which means the rooting powder has worked. The plants are taking moisture and nutrients from the soil, and the cut half sail leafs are doing enough photosynthesis without too much moisture loss.
The morning glories have snaked up to about seven feet. Soon they will meet ,the left and right plants, like lovers on a ship..
The rain yesterday invigorated the wilting violas. Now the plants stand up tall, instead of droopy and down. My Erysimums are being decimated by slugs i think. I need some pellets or a beer trap so try and preserve them. I found they are called wall flowers, even though they dont look like the wall flowers i had before.
The Liatris has the top bud opened today, but i want to wait for a few more to open before posting a pic.
I showed my self seeded (but gardener grew them on, and planted them in rows) violas in yellow, and purples from light violet to dark purple to the johnny jump ups. My viola cornuta have reverted some to white flowers with yellow edging.
Mendel eat your heart out!
(http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BC/Gregor_Mendel.html )
I studied him during my A'level biology, and watching the flower colours of Violas develop and change reminds me of him. He truly did change the world with his genetic theory.
I have seen masses of bee's, the BBC reported that bee numbers were down,http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5201218.stm
But they seem happy enough with my lavender and snapdragons.
I love summer, even when im sweating now as i type this downstairs.Good night world, may all your gardens grow beautifully....
Sunday, July 23, 2006
The morning glories have reached the top nearly of the archway.Can see the difference between dwarf and normal sunflowers...
Saturday, July 22, 2006
To stop cats sitting on the chairs, turn it upside down...Ahem the Cat proceeds to sit on recessed section of chair.Tia looking sooooooooo cute!
This is a normal position to relax in, wedged between the green bin and brick wall.miowwwwwwwwwwwww,my tin opener...
Friday, July 21, 2006
Gardening Therapy
Stuart found a cool gardening link in a Wisconsin paper, about how a women with cancer started gardening, helping her get through the difficult times through tilling the soil and nurturing plants.
http://www.gardening4dummies.com/2006/07/woman_beats_cancer_by_gardening.html
The BBC has an article about people with mental health problems working at Battersea garden project one day at a week. The man they interview said it gave him satisfaction from growing things, the feeling of achievement.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5083742.stm
When i have been stressed from the daily battles of working in an acute area of the NHS i retreat into the garden. After about ten minutes the stresses evaporate.
Is it hard to admire plants, flowers, scents, and sounds and stay stressed out? I think most of the bloggers who garden feel those positive feelings. The hard work, the nurturing, the sense of excitement when something grows well.
I have looked at meditation gardens, sensory gardens, and think in the future i will try to design one of them. The front window border will be my first attempt next year.
http://www.gardening4dummies.com/2006/07/woman_beats_cancer_by_gardening.html
The BBC has an article about people with mental health problems working at Battersea garden project one day at a week. The man they interview said it gave him satisfaction from growing things, the feeling of achievement.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5083742.stm
When i have been stressed from the daily battles of working in an acute area of the NHS i retreat into the garden. After about ten minutes the stresses evaporate.
Is it hard to admire plants, flowers, scents, and sounds and stay stressed out? I think most of the bloggers who garden feel those positive feelings. The hard work, the nurturing, the sense of excitement when something grows well.
I have looked at meditation gardens, sensory gardens, and think in the future i will try to design one of them. The front window border will be my first attempt next year.
Would you have these in your garden?
Following a comment from Myrtle (http://botanicalbahche.blogspot.com/) I began to research about pink flamingo's. Lawn ornaments from 1950's america that tap into the same rich vein as garden gnomes. The question is would you have a place in your garden for them?
My source information said a man called Don Featherstone came up with the original design from national geographic pictures of wild flamingoes.
http://home.nycap.rr.com/useless/pink_flamingo/
They have been sold in pairs ever since. I have seen them briefly untill today. There are Americans who collect them much like i do frogs.
They have been taken on holiday by enthusiasts, stolen by students, and had websites made about them.
Ahem, I have looked on Ebay and found a pair. Roll on payday.
When i was younger my grandparents took me and my sister to Flamingoland in North Yorkshire. here: http://www.flamingoland.co.uk/index.htm
I feel for those Darn pink birds now with the surge of anti-flamingo feelings.I will be interested in the comments...
Pinks of carnations and snapdragons.love the contrasting foliage.The late foxglove is middle right in photo
Two violas, actually different colours.One is plum coloured, the other is burgundy.Serendipity violas as i have never got these colours before..
Thursday, July 20, 2006
RHS Flower show at Tatton Park
This is the north of Englands equivelant of Chelsea flower show.Did not see any gnomes (I know they are banned, so that is tongue in cheek.) But the most beautiful, colourfull imaginative displays both in show gardens and plant exhibitor stands.I watched a BBC programme about their highlights.Collections of Hosta's, Orchids, Dahlia's etc.
I have flicked through the site, you can again see 360degrees pics of the main show gardens.
I watched the exhibitors getting nervous, rearranged plants, and watered them in the blazing heat.They were as anxious as long tail cats next to rocking chairs!
How do you get to exhibit at these shows?Some of them wanted the coveted medals for best display, and best at show.I guess my garden is displayed for people to look at, like a show garden.Watch this space, maybe one day Snappy will be at Tatton Park, or Chelsea....
The link is : http://www.rhs.org.uk/tatton/2006/index.asp
The photo is Lucy Hunters show garden out of Africa, inspired by the 1930's colonial story of Karen Blixen.mmm coffee plantations...
Seed collecting
My aim now is to try and collect seeds from the nice flowering plants, and store them in my red envelopes.Ready for next year.I will grow loads from seeds, as i have only grown my morning glories, sunflowers, and evening primroses.I guess i need a grow house even though the last one broke and blew down the garden into a broken heap.
Today i collected Nasturtium seeds like big green balloons which break into three or four smaller seeds.These need drying.
I'm getting a supply of seeds from my solitary french marigold so next year expect masses of french marigolds in the square border.
The sunflower little leo have given up about fifty seeds.The birds can eat the rest.I already collected foxglove seeds (even though both my plants are perrennials??thought they were biannual plants.Crazy...
The weather was hot, but no as baking as last few days.It even rained a bit.I do need rain though to green up my grass which is dry and browning...
The viola cornuta have already given me seeds so they can run to seed in the square border.I might buy some more bedding plants next week as they have been decimated by the heat.
I watered the pots.My dahlia has three flower buds on the main stem, and some buds on side stems.I cant wait to see what colour the flower will be.It has grown beautifully from the bulb.
My Liatris are looking gorgeous with red flower buds up and down the stem.I have walked past one thats flowering.Why do other peoples gardens get flowers before yours?A few hundred yards apart??
The patience is a virtue im working on.I love the rhythm of the seasons, the variable weather conditions, the daily battle with pests, and the colours and shape of all that flowers.
I watched the gardeners world team reporting from Tatton Park garden in Cheshire.That will be my next post after this....
Today i collected Nasturtium seeds like big green balloons which break into three or four smaller seeds.These need drying.
I'm getting a supply of seeds from my solitary french marigold so next year expect masses of french marigolds in the square border.
The sunflower little leo have given up about fifty seeds.The birds can eat the rest.I already collected foxglove seeds (even though both my plants are perrennials??thought they were biannual plants.Crazy...
The weather was hot, but no as baking as last few days.It even rained a bit.I do need rain though to green up my grass which is dry and browning...
The viola cornuta have already given me seeds so they can run to seed in the square border.I might buy some more bedding plants next week as they have been decimated by the heat.
I watered the pots.My dahlia has three flower buds on the main stem, and some buds on side stems.I cant wait to see what colour the flower will be.It has grown beautifully from the bulb.
My Liatris are looking gorgeous with red flower buds up and down the stem.I have walked past one thats flowering.Why do other peoples gardens get flowers before yours?A few hundred yards apart??
The patience is a virtue im working on.I love the rhythm of the seasons, the variable weather conditions, the daily battle with pests, and the colours and shape of all that flowers.
I watched the gardeners world team reporting from Tatton Park garden in Cheshire.That will be my next post after this....
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Viola with gorgeous burgundy flower.I have never bought any of this colour, serendipity i think.Bird drop??
Stillness of the Night
Another sweltering day, which broke July Records for maximum temperature (36.2 degrees C) and baked most of the UK. I spent most of the day in the garden, sat with Sallyanne, moving plants i want to propogate. Some burgundy violas, the johnny jump up, and my solitary french marigold (which i have seeds for from a dead flower).
Sallyanne sat in a paddling pool with Chelsea and Jess. I had to use the water to water the garden to stop the kids falling in it.
I took a few photo's. Then blogger swallowed my post, so this is mark two.
A sad day for two reasons too.One is natural progression, Mat has moved out with his girlfriend to Burnley. With his brother for a fresh start, and job on offer. I told Ant to buy me a busy lizzie with his first wages.
The other sadness is that It has been two years since my Nanna died in York hospital. Heather Hamilton.
Just after me and Sallyanne got married.
Nan loved the simple things in life, and i am trying to keep her spirit going. With her cross on my neck (not been off since 2004), and keepsakes from her house. The love of family and togetherness, through the ups and downs of life.
The container garden is a living memorial but flowering beautifully.The gnomes are keeping an eye of my garden and me.
I will go outside soon and take in the cooler night air, and listen to the stillness of the night.The white birch tree and borders rustling.Meditation time before bedtime..
Sallyanne sat in a paddling pool with Chelsea and Jess. I had to use the water to water the garden to stop the kids falling in it.
I took a few photo's. Then blogger swallowed my post, so this is mark two.
A sad day for two reasons too.One is natural progression, Mat has moved out with his girlfriend to Burnley. With his brother for a fresh start, and job on offer. I told Ant to buy me a busy lizzie with his first wages.
The other sadness is that It has been two years since my Nanna died in York hospital. Heather Hamilton.
Just after me and Sallyanne got married.
Nan loved the simple things in life, and i am trying to keep her spirit going. With her cross on my neck (not been off since 2004), and keepsakes from her house. The love of family and togetherness, through the ups and downs of life.
The container garden is a living memorial but flowering beautifully.The gnomes are keeping an eye of my garden and me.
I will go outside soon and take in the cooler night air, and listen to the stillness of the night.The white birch tree and borders rustling.Meditation time before bedtime..
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Finding Mr Flowerdew..
I read a cool blog today about the mysterious mr Flowerdew http://thegoldengecko.blogspot.com/2006/07/finding-mr-flowerdew.html
The article that made Trey write was Alameda Claires, about looking for a TV personality to galvanise gardeners in the USA like Bob Flowerdew, on BBC gardeners question time
http://alamedagarden.blogspot.com/2006/07/where-is-our-bob-flowerdew.html
To be fair i have not heard of the great man, but Claire found her article in the Washington post. This article mentioned other outstanding British gardeners such as Alan Titchmarsh, Monty Don, Rachel De Thame, Pippa Greenwood, etc.
I have heard of them , and they are briliant gardeners who have done a lot to get people interested, and in the garden with the stuff of growing flowers and veggies.
Trey thinks the Americans next Flowerdew will be a blogger. I read about fifty gardening blogs daily. Seeing what grows and the photo's.
They are a source of wisdom, joy, and beauty. There are big personalities within the blogging community. They have a niche audience, gardeners who have an online presence.
Look at the location of gardeners? From Alameda, to Pensylvania, to Britain, to Germany, to Australia. The readers of Blogs have a global audience.
My point is that we all need Bob Flowerdews, people to inspire us with their love of gardens and gardening. They dont have to have some TV show, or radio slot. They could be blogging now.
I love Old roses, Sigrun, Carol from Germany, Maria from Finland, Steven "florida weave" from Pennsylvania, Claire from Alameda, and so on....
They are my Bob Flowerdews in the blogosphere. They write beautifully, take photo's, and further the community that is steadily growing.
If people can see your passion they may take it and run with it. All the older gardeners now started young once. The flames pass between generations.
Keep on blogging and may you inspire a whole new army of gardeners inspired by your daily writing and pictures.
The article that made Trey write was Alameda Claires, about looking for a TV personality to galvanise gardeners in the USA like Bob Flowerdew, on BBC gardeners question time
http://alamedagarden.blogspot.com/2006/07/where-is-our-bob-flowerdew.html
To be fair i have not heard of the great man, but Claire found her article in the Washington post. This article mentioned other outstanding British gardeners such as Alan Titchmarsh, Monty Don, Rachel De Thame, Pippa Greenwood, etc.
I have heard of them , and they are briliant gardeners who have done a lot to get people interested, and in the garden with the stuff of growing flowers and veggies.
Trey thinks the Americans next Flowerdew will be a blogger. I read about fifty gardening blogs daily. Seeing what grows and the photo's.
They are a source of wisdom, joy, and beauty. There are big personalities within the blogging community. They have a niche audience, gardeners who have an online presence.
Look at the location of gardeners? From Alameda, to Pensylvania, to Britain, to Germany, to Australia. The readers of Blogs have a global audience.
My point is that we all need Bob Flowerdews, people to inspire us with their love of gardens and gardening. They dont have to have some TV show, or radio slot. They could be blogging now.
I love Old roses, Sigrun, Carol from Germany, Maria from Finland, Steven "florida weave" from Pennsylvania, Claire from Alameda, and so on....
They are my Bob Flowerdews in the blogosphere. They write beautifully, take photo's, and further the community that is steadily growing.
If people can see your passion they may take it and run with it. All the older gardeners now started young once. The flames pass between generations.
Keep on blogging and may you inspire a whole new army of gardeners inspired by your daily writing and pictures.
My other passion:the 1950's german violin, a little bit of Germany in Yorkshire. It is beautifully made, and sounds heavenly .My teacher plays it like a professional violinist (He is). I need to keep practising taking the lesson, then i can draw that sound out of it.
Sigrun's german seeds
Arrived today, after her mr Wanderful posted them.Thank you so much Sigrun.The seeds are now planted.The hollyhocks in a six hole container, and the Aqualegia's in the ground by the kitchen window border.It will look beautiful next year i hope.She also sent a cute postcard of roses with orange balls (or oranges) which i will display later.Even the seeds were in pretty decorative envelopes.What a star you are Sigrun.I have your address so when things are better i will post you a suprise back...
We all need a bit of luck, and green fingers.The front window border looks okay this morning, a bit sparse but it still has plants surviving.The maples are happy in their new pots by the backdoor.I have the problem now too many pots to display on my small table...
It is hot 32 degree's centigrade (80ish in Fahrenheit) which is too hot for my poor delicate english cottage garden plants which are wilting as im writing.I will water later on when its cooler.The only plants that are growing are the tomato plants.We will see if they bear any fruit this year.I used an asda beef steak tomatoe for my seed supplier.I was amazed when they germinated after using uncle toms method.Success even when not expected is good.
This is an early post for me, about one pm.it is so hot outside that im inside now cooling down.
I will take a few photo's later.Someone commented i had shown my whole garden but this is not true.I guess its a lot of different impressions.It is big enough for me to have over fifty plant types growing.I photograph what is interesting, or colourful, or problem i need to share.
Which is better?macroshots of individual flowers, or wide shots showing their growing position?I like a mixture actually.I think both have beauty in them, but i feel a good mix means for a balanced blog.
Anyway more posts later.Thanks Sigrun, my german angel!what is german for Angel??
We all need a bit of luck, and green fingers.The front window border looks okay this morning, a bit sparse but it still has plants surviving.The maples are happy in their new pots by the backdoor.I have the problem now too many pots to display on my small table...
It is hot 32 degree's centigrade (80ish in Fahrenheit) which is too hot for my poor delicate english cottage garden plants which are wilting as im writing.I will water later on when its cooler.The only plants that are growing are the tomato plants.We will see if they bear any fruit this year.I used an asda beef steak tomatoe for my seed supplier.I was amazed when they germinated after using uncle toms method.Success even when not expected is good.
This is an early post for me, about one pm.it is so hot outside that im inside now cooling down.
I will take a few photo's later.Someone commented i had shown my whole garden but this is not true.I guess its a lot of different impressions.It is big enough for me to have over fifty plant types growing.I photograph what is interesting, or colourful, or problem i need to share.
Which is better?macroshots of individual flowers, or wide shots showing their growing position?I like a mixture actually.I think both have beauty in them, but i feel a good mix means for a balanced blog.
Anyway more posts later.Thanks Sigrun, my german angel!what is german for Angel??
Monday, July 17, 2006
Could not find an image of hollyhock black knight so here is the seed packet.These are on my wishlist now.They look magic in the garden i saw them in..
My moonscape
It was hot, damn hot...thirty one degree's with no wind to cool me down.I did emergency watering on my wilting specimins (if morning glories are tropical why does heat wilt them?).
We went to Kellys where i tidied up the existing rock garden weeding, sorting the stones out into colours.Trimmed the dead fir tree branches off then water the garden.What is the bonsai minuturised tree in the middle?Any suggestions?
The plant near the back had big sticky leaves that smelt a combination of apple/tomato plant?I think it is a flowering plant bu dont know what yet...
My own garden looks green in places.The front window border had totally dried out.I made a decision to repot my japenese maples which were not fully displayed in the moon like dry soil and rocks.That leaves some leggy oxalis, three evening primroses, snapdragons that had wilted, and some strap leafed summer bulbs, cant remember which..
The before shot is just that.I dont know what to put in there.My initial thoughts tonight were that it needs deep digging with plenty of organic matter.The water/nutrient holding capacity would be improved.I think a layer of bark chippings would help retain moisture.
I have no plants and no money to buy any more untill payday.I will plan in my head untill i can get some new plants.
Steven said how green and lush the borders look.They have had compost dug in, and mulch layers every year.The soil only drys on the surface.
The front window gets the sun from 5am untill about 1pm, so a lot of heat.Its east facing the border.The back garden is west facing and gets sun from around 2pm untill sunset.
Today was my first annual leave day, hurray, thirteen more to go.Its like being at school, with the joy of holidays.Lie ins, gardening, watering, photo's, studying my course, playing the violin, doing seeds, taking cuttings, browsing seed and plant catalogues.
Walking to Kellys we walked past a garden that has black flowers.I will get the name and find a picture.I love them!!
Thanks to all for daily comments.The page loads on statcounter go up.Over 8,200 now in 18 months.Im glad that gardeners found their way to voice their opinions, stories and photo's on the internet, and that the whole experience has been made more easy to share.Instead of your friends and family members now your audience can be international.
Looking through many garden gates at beautiful and unusual plants and flowers.Different tastes, and opinions about what is good...
And inspiration for me in filling my moonscape front window border, what difference months make between being really lush to dried out and dusty.Ah the joys of gardening.I love it!!
We went to Kellys where i tidied up the existing rock garden weeding, sorting the stones out into colours.Trimmed the dead fir tree branches off then water the garden.What is the bonsai minuturised tree in the middle?Any suggestions?
The plant near the back had big sticky leaves that smelt a combination of apple/tomato plant?I think it is a flowering plant bu dont know what yet...
My own garden looks green in places.The front window border had totally dried out.I made a decision to repot my japenese maples which were not fully displayed in the moon like dry soil and rocks.That leaves some leggy oxalis, three evening primroses, snapdragons that had wilted, and some strap leafed summer bulbs, cant remember which..
The before shot is just that.I dont know what to put in there.My initial thoughts tonight were that it needs deep digging with plenty of organic matter.The water/nutrient holding capacity would be improved.I think a layer of bark chippings would help retain moisture.
I have no plants and no money to buy any more untill payday.I will plan in my head untill i can get some new plants.
Steven said how green and lush the borders look.They have had compost dug in, and mulch layers every year.The soil only drys on the surface.
The front window gets the sun from 5am untill about 1pm, so a lot of heat.Its east facing the border.The back garden is west facing and gets sun from around 2pm untill sunset.
Today was my first annual leave day, hurray, thirteen more to go.Its like being at school, with the joy of holidays.Lie ins, gardening, watering, photo's, studying my course, playing the violin, doing seeds, taking cuttings, browsing seed and plant catalogues.
Walking to Kellys we walked past a garden that has black flowers.I will get the name and find a picture.I love them!!
Thanks to all for daily comments.The page loads on statcounter go up.Over 8,200 now in 18 months.Im glad that gardeners found their way to voice their opinions, stories and photo's on the internet, and that the whole experience has been made more easy to share.Instead of your friends and family members now your audience can be international.
Looking through many garden gates at beautiful and unusual plants and flowers.Different tastes, and opinions about what is good...
And inspiration for me in filling my moonscape front window border, what difference months make between being really lush to dried out and dusty.Ah the joys of gardening.I love it!!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Summer sunday
My USB cable has snapped one of the metal pins that goes into the connector, that fits to the computer.Which means i have 33 pics on my phone that are stuck there.I either need a new usb cable or a new camera with new cable.
Its HOT outside today, stifling hot air that burns you quietly, with the wind blowing a cool breeze.I have seen bee's in the dozens, flys, spiders, hovering wasps or hornets, and three butterflies.Some plain white ones, and a red one.
The green grass is looking dry in places, and is not growing that fast in the heat.My dandelion patch dances in the wind, as do all the border plants.
Blue lavender flowers. The snapdragons look great in their hues of white, pink, and red on three sides of the long/kitchen border.
I cut down the foxglove alba last night as it had finished flowering.The foxglove merantensis has a few stray flowers, but i have cut off most of the seedheads.I am collecting some seeds for next years plants.
Guess what?My grown from seed foxglove that was beneath the other two foxgloves has grown a central flower bud.My homegrown one will flower after a year and a half.I hope to have a usb cable for that picture!!
I repotted my tomato plants (grown from supermarket tomatoes scooped out seeds) and gave them plant food.
The sunflowers have three or four sunflower heads on each plant.The little leo's i mean.The roses sunshine have finished their display, now its over to frosty morning with delicate white petals edged with red.They smell really fragrant and sweet.
I have two weeks off so expect lots of garden posts, and pics if i can get another usb cable.I am hiding from the heat for a while as i got too hot earlier weeding and looking at whats growing.
Butterflies, birds, and bee's....its been gorgeous to be outside today in my garden.Life is better with small pleasures that add up to contentment.
More post later, just going to lie down after my dinner..zzzzz
Its HOT outside today, stifling hot air that burns you quietly, with the wind blowing a cool breeze.I have seen bee's in the dozens, flys, spiders, hovering wasps or hornets, and three butterflies.Some plain white ones, and a red one.
The green grass is looking dry in places, and is not growing that fast in the heat.My dandelion patch dances in the wind, as do all the border plants.
Blue lavender flowers. The snapdragons look great in their hues of white, pink, and red on three sides of the long/kitchen border.
I cut down the foxglove alba last night as it had finished flowering.The foxglove merantensis has a few stray flowers, but i have cut off most of the seedheads.I am collecting some seeds for next years plants.
Guess what?My grown from seed foxglove that was beneath the other two foxgloves has grown a central flower bud.My homegrown one will flower after a year and a half.I hope to have a usb cable for that picture!!
I repotted my tomato plants (grown from supermarket tomatoes scooped out seeds) and gave them plant food.
The sunflowers have three or four sunflower heads on each plant.The little leo's i mean.The roses sunshine have finished their display, now its over to frosty morning with delicate white petals edged with red.They smell really fragrant and sweet.
I have two weeks off so expect lots of garden posts, and pics if i can get another usb cable.I am hiding from the heat for a while as i got too hot earlier weeding and looking at whats growing.
Butterflies, birds, and bee's....its been gorgeous to be outside today in my garden.Life is better with small pleasures that add up to contentment.
More post later, just going to lie down after my dinner..zzzzz
Hydrangea update
I took my wilted root powdered hydrangea cuttings and put them back in a bottle of water, lo and behold one cuttings leafs have got their stiffness back.I trimmed the big leafs to half the size to try and limit transpiration.Fingers crossed now.
I just read the flower colour is controlled by the Ph of the soil, pink in alkaline, blue in acidic.Gardeners can add aluminium to the soil to make it Acidic, and the plants take up the aluminum to make the blue compound in the flowers.
How did i miss these plants for all these years?Do they take appreciation of age to realise the flower bracts are beautiful.On the MAU there is a large selection of Hydrangeas growing by the firedoor.When the door is open people stand outside face to face with the eight foot hydrangea bush.The flowers change colour from blue near the door, to lilac, to pink further away.A little hydrangea borders it with white flowers.The middle bush has pink flowers.
The bracts are like small footballs with the flowers forming a patchwork effect.They did not smell i think.
I hope my cuttings take root now...
I just read the flower colour is controlled by the Ph of the soil, pink in alkaline, blue in acidic.Gardeners can add aluminium to the soil to make it Acidic, and the plants take up the aluminum to make the blue compound in the flowers.
How did i miss these plants for all these years?Do they take appreciation of age to realise the flower bracts are beautiful.On the MAU there is a large selection of Hydrangeas growing by the firedoor.When the door is open people stand outside face to face with the eight foot hydrangea bush.The flowers change colour from blue near the door, to lilac, to pink further away.A little hydrangea borders it with white flowers.The middle bush has pink flowers.
The bracts are like small footballs with the flowers forming a patchwork effect.They did not smell i think.
I hope my cuttings take root now...
