Finally we were able to say goodbye to Mum on Wednesday of this week. It has been a long time coming and very emotional.
So now the wagon train is packing up and about to head north again. We had two major family birthdays this week, my 50th on Thursday and Dad's 80th yesterday which were both very enjoyable, but now it's time to think about returning home. Naturally, the day we have chosen, is also the day sleet/snow is forecast ! Just luvverly !
The sub arctic toms are growing steadily away, being turned every couple of hours so they get the light equally all round. One more sub arctic, the tardy one, to pot up before we leave. 4 Totem have now germinated, but don't appear to be as far advanced as the SAT even though they were sown on the same day. 4/5 Gypsy peppers finally made it through and really do need potting on quite quickly but that will oop north.
Mum's Love-In-The-Mist have germinated nicely now, pretty evenly across the tray. All the broad beans could really do with being in the ground now, but they're looking pretty good so at least I'll have something to plant out in the allotment when I get up there.
Oh, I forgot to say ................ I've given up the evil weed ! No, silly, not mare's tail ..... I stopped smoking on 19th March, day of mum's funeral and day before my 50th. Seemed like a reasonable day to pick ! Not doing bad so far, bit of a struggle this morning though, so just off to find my patches !
Watch that wind out there, looks pretty blowy today.
xxx
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Bit blustery but no damage
Blessed be. We seem to have survived intact both north and south.
A tardy tomato and pepper plant have now poked their noses through as have the Green Windsors.
The only thing left in the propogator are Mum's Love-in-the-Mist which have begun to germinate and there I must stop sowing otherwise I'll not get everything in the car.
Some of the toms could really do with potting up but that will have to wait until Easter Monday when I'm back oop north.
Blue tits are still decorating their box and we even had a chaffinch drop by the other day.
Have been trying for day's to get over to Mum's place and give her borders a bit of a prune but always get side-tracked and end up packing and sorting rather than being out in the garden. There's one bush in particular that I want to take an interest in and will take pics and post to try and ID it. Pinkish blossom and smells of almonds apparently ........... watch this space with your Botanic book at the ready.
Cheeriebye.
A tardy tomato and pepper plant have now poked their noses through as have the Green Windsors.
The only thing left in the propogator are Mum's Love-in-the-Mist which have begun to germinate and there I must stop sowing otherwise I'll not get everything in the car.
Some of the toms could really do with potting up but that will have to wait until Easter Monday when I'm back oop north.
Blue tits are still decorating their box and we even had a chaffinch drop by the other day.
Have been trying for day's to get over to Mum's place and give her borders a bit of a prune but always get side-tracked and end up packing and sorting rather than being out in the garden. There's one bush in particular that I want to take an interest in and will take pics and post to try and ID it. Pinkish blossom and smells of almonds apparently ........... watch this space with your Botanic book at the ready.
Cheeriebye.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Full of surprises
That's the toms and chillis germinated. The rate isn't so hot, about 3 in 5. Was a little dissapointed in that but that will do for the time being especially if they all get decapitated on the journey back, then I won't have lost so many.
Discovered an envelope of Green Windsor broad beans that I sent Mum last year so have sown 6 of them.
And the blue tits have moved in which is so exciting. I've never had anything nesting back at home so to watch these wee things popping in and out is just great to see.
Due to get the worst storm this winter over the weekend. There goes the remaining panes of the greenhouse at home ! Fingers crossed for minimal smashage!
Good luck folks and batten down the hatches.
Discovered an envelope of Green Windsor broad beans that I sent Mum last year so have sown 6 of them.
And the blue tits have moved in which is so exciting. I've never had anything nesting back at home so to watch these wee things popping in and out is just great to see.
Due to get the worst storm this winter over the weekend. There goes the remaining panes of the greenhouse at home ! Fingers crossed for minimal smashage!
Good luck folks and batten down the hatches.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Kicking my heels
As I'm not going to be getting back home until the end of the Easter weekend, I thought I'd better get on and sow something.
I'd got the other half to bring me down a few seed packets on his most recent trip, so off I trotted to my favourite shop in the world and bought some seed compost and a new cheapo leccie propogater (always thought I should get a second and now I have!).
So on 27/2 I sowed some Totem and Sub Arctic Plenty toms. After last years debacle with the toms, I decided to limit the number of varieties grown this year. I grew Totem the previous season and was pleased with the results. Not an astounding quantity, but then what am I aiming for ? Feeding the street ? I think I prefer bush varieties, being more easily kept under control so Totem is underway. Sub Arctic Plenty caught the imagination, setting easily in colder weather, which will suit me down to the ground back up in Glasgow. From memory (see packet is elsewhere as I type and blowed if I can remember where I've put it !) they are a bush/tumbling variety which will lend themselves to my topsy turvey bucket idea if I ever get it off the ground. If not, they can go on some staging in a black bucket.
My only cordon variety this year will be Gardeners Delight basically because they were my heaviest cropper last year.
Upon the recommendation of someone who memory escapes me, I decided to try some Gypsy peppers this year. So they are in the third container in the prop.
So that's me started !
Also done this week was to pot up my Aquadulce Claudia broad beans sown on 21st (?) December which are still stuck down south. I have 6 very healthy plants, one of which is reaching for the stars. I've pinched them all out hoping to keep them to a reasonable height for transporting home dans la petite rouge voiture neuveau. I carefully separated the roots and have stuck each of the loo roll inners in individual smallish pots. Obviously this is an experiment borne out of necessity. I'm hoping that by the time I get them back up the road, they will have got a nice little root system that won't mind being transplanted.
I hate to think hoe my second sowing (oop north) are doing. Poor wee things were all leggy when I left. I really have noticed the difference in light levels/temperature between the two regions and the effects it has on my babies. Perhaps there is a good reason to move back south !
I've still to sow The Sutton bbs, but hopefully I'll still have time when I return home.
Mum gave me some hyacinth and allium bulbs last autumn which are in a pot on the patio down here. The blue and pink hyacinths are coming through nicely, with one blue one having a double bloom.
The forsythia is beginning to bloom down here and I'm wondering how my cuttings are getting on at home. They really should be in the ground already so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I'd like to get going on some more sowing, but the poor car would object, so I'm having to keep my hands in my pockets ....... for now !
Right, that's the mobile's battery about to chuck it, so better get this posted.
xxxx
I'd got the other half to bring me down a few seed packets on his most recent trip, so off I trotted to my favourite shop in the world and bought some seed compost and a new cheapo leccie propogater (always thought I should get a second and now I have!).
So on 27/2 I sowed some Totem and Sub Arctic Plenty toms. After last years debacle with the toms, I decided to limit the number of varieties grown this year. I grew Totem the previous season and was pleased with the results. Not an astounding quantity, but then what am I aiming for ? Feeding the street ? I think I prefer bush varieties, being more easily kept under control so Totem is underway. Sub Arctic Plenty caught the imagination, setting easily in colder weather, which will suit me down to the ground back up in Glasgow. From memory (see packet is elsewhere as I type and blowed if I can remember where I've put it !) they are a bush/tumbling variety which will lend themselves to my topsy turvey bucket idea if I ever get it off the ground. If not, they can go on some staging in a black bucket.
My only cordon variety this year will be Gardeners Delight basically because they were my heaviest cropper last year.
Upon the recommendation of someone who memory escapes me, I decided to try some Gypsy peppers this year. So they are in the third container in the prop.
So that's me started !
Also done this week was to pot up my Aquadulce Claudia broad beans sown on 21st (?) December which are still stuck down south. I have 6 very healthy plants, one of which is reaching for the stars. I've pinched them all out hoping to keep them to a reasonable height for transporting home dans la petite rouge voiture neuveau. I carefully separated the roots and have stuck each of the loo roll inners in individual smallish pots. Obviously this is an experiment borne out of necessity. I'm hoping that by the time I get them back up the road, they will have got a nice little root system that won't mind being transplanted.
I hate to think hoe my second sowing (oop north) are doing. Poor wee things were all leggy when I left. I really have noticed the difference in light levels/temperature between the two regions and the effects it has on my babies. Perhaps there is a good reason to move back south !
I've still to sow The Sutton bbs, but hopefully I'll still have time when I return home.
Mum gave me some hyacinth and allium bulbs last autumn which are in a pot on the patio down here. The blue and pink hyacinths are coming through nicely, with one blue one having a double bloom.
The forsythia is beginning to bloom down here and I'm wondering how my cuttings are getting on at home. They really should be in the ground already so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I'd like to get going on some more sowing, but the poor car would object, so I'm having to keep my hands in my pockets ....... for now !
Right, that's the mobile's battery about to chuck it, so better get this posted.
xxxx
Thursday, February 28, 2008
My Mum - Janet
Sadly passed away on Saturday last.
Since the end of October, I've more or less decamped down south to help my Dad take care of Mum (and also look after him) but managed to get back north for 3 weeks at the end of January.
We've been coming down every weekend since and the weekend before last, Mum was just so unwell that I stayed south again. Eventually on the 23rd February at 10.15am, she eventually gave up the battle and went peacefully before we had got up to the hospice to see her that morning ! Contrary to the last. Didn't want to upset us, I guess.
So, goodbye Mum, see you later and love you loads. Will look after the fuchsias and little red car, I promise, cross my heart. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Since the end of October, I've more or less decamped down south to help my Dad take care of Mum (and also look after him) but managed to get back north for 3 weeks at the end of January.
We've been coming down every weekend since and the weekend before last, Mum was just so unwell that I stayed south again. Eventually on the 23rd February at 10.15am, she eventually gave up the battle and went peacefully before we had got up to the hospice to see her that morning ! Contrary to the last. Didn't want to upset us, I guess.
So, goodbye Mum, see you later and love you loads. Will look after the fuchsias and little red car, I promise, cross my heart. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Janet Bryer
30/3/32 - 23/2/08
30/3/32 - 23/2/08
Thursday, February 14, 2008
At last, a bit of action !
Got home from work early yesterday and the sun (yes, you heard it here first), the SUN, was still out, so out came the secateurs and I attacked the privet hedge that escaped a prune last autumn.
Still nowhere near completed but I felt rather virtuous that I'd actually set foot in the garden again.
Tonight was even better (if you can call another smashed greenhouse pane better). I must have missed an unsecured one during the last inspection. This time it's one of the triangular ones - goddammit, so a bit of sawing to shape will have to be done with a sheet of perspex rescued from the other battered g/h.
Still I had a good hour out there, tidying, sweeping up the smashed glass, throwing stuff in bins and a bit of a fork over of various beds. Composted some Pak Choi that had been sitting there doing nothing but feeding the slimey ones.
The soil that I'd forked, appears to have plenty of worms doing their stuff and is nowhere near as clay-like and heavy as when I first started two seasons ago, so something must be going right.
I've decided that given my limited free time for the foreseeable future, that I'm going to have to rather ungraciously decline her upstairs kind offer to look after her garden this year. So the carrot bath and compost bin will have to come over to my side of the plot and I think I've located their new homes. To be fair, her side is much improved on when I first arrived (a year earlier than her) and she'll just have to learn to mow the lawn and cut her bloody hedges herself.
I'll do her a favour and sow some nasturtiums and calendula in a month or so, and from then on she's on her own ! She's got a couple of nice shrubs now and if my forsythia cuttings raise themselves from the twigs they have become, she's got a reasonable start.
Am back off south tomorrow morning for the weekend and hope to bringing home new wheels - I've promised Mum faithfully that I'll look after her baby for her, so that will be a huge help up here as I've only managed to get to the lottie once since my return.
Mum's Primroses are blooming delightfully, but the pansies don't appear to want to know. Perhaps when the temperature rises a bit, they'll put on an energy burst. All Mum's presents are now rather special and I'd hate to see them all bite the dust. The wallflowers out in "her" side bed are a bit hit and miss as well, but they'll stay there forever and hopefully by next year there will be a lovely show.
Clouds are looming big and dark now ........ tut tut rain again ?
Cheerio for now.
Still nowhere near completed but I felt rather virtuous that I'd actually set foot in the garden again.
Tonight was even better (if you can call another smashed greenhouse pane better). I must have missed an unsecured one during the last inspection. This time it's one of the triangular ones - goddammit, so a bit of sawing to shape will have to be done with a sheet of perspex rescued from the other battered g/h.
Still I had a good hour out there, tidying, sweeping up the smashed glass, throwing stuff in bins and a bit of a fork over of various beds. Composted some Pak Choi that had been sitting there doing nothing but feeding the slimey ones.
The soil that I'd forked, appears to have plenty of worms doing their stuff and is nowhere near as clay-like and heavy as when I first started two seasons ago, so something must be going right.
I've decided that given my limited free time for the foreseeable future, that I'm going to have to rather ungraciously decline her upstairs kind offer to look after her garden this year. So the carrot bath and compost bin will have to come over to my side of the plot and I think I've located their new homes. To be fair, her side is much improved on when I first arrived (a year earlier than her) and she'll just have to learn to mow the lawn and cut her bloody hedges herself.
I'll do her a favour and sow some nasturtiums and calendula in a month or so, and from then on she's on her own ! She's got a couple of nice shrubs now and if my forsythia cuttings raise themselves from the twigs they have become, she's got a reasonable start.
Am back off south tomorrow morning for the weekend and hope to bringing home new wheels - I've promised Mum faithfully that I'll look after her baby for her, so that will be a huge help up here as I've only managed to get to the lottie once since my return.
Mum's Primroses are blooming delightfully, but the pansies don't appear to want to know. Perhaps when the temperature rises a bit, they'll put on an energy burst. All Mum's presents are now rather special and I'd hate to see them all bite the dust. The wallflowers out in "her" side bed are a bit hit and miss as well, but they'll stay there forever and hopefully by next year there will be a lovely show.
Clouds are looming big and dark now ........ tut tut rain again ?
Cheerio for now.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Ever get the feeling you're being picked on ?
If there's not enough of a crisis to be dealing with darn sarf, I've been laid low with a really nasty man-flu type bug leaving me with not enough energy to raise a smile let alone any children in pots !
The weather (whilst not as bad as elsewhere in the country) is pretty pretty rubbish.
The greenhouses are still waiting to be repaired. Have got spare clips now, but no enthusiasm to get out there in howling gales to replace the unbroken panes. The current gaps in the glazing appear to be allowing the wind to blow straight through without causing damage to anything else.
The car has now died which creates it's own problems and highlights how reliant I am on the damn thing.
Just to show willing, I sowed a tray of Lettuce Valdor seeds the other day which are meant to be sown over the winter. Can't see any sign of spring, so perhaps I'm not too late.
Observations from the window:
Blueberry Chandler has some nice new buds on the bush. T'other blueberry (Sunshine Blue ?) remains in leaf and green.
Rosemary bush is looking just fab and appears to be coping well with the not so Mediterranean weather that we're getting atm.
The perpetual spinach could really do with being cut back (or eaten even) but the fact that it has lasted thus far without being demolished by any animals or inclement weather really has encouraged me to get another bed going.
Got a free pack of Tomato Sub Arctic Plenty with GYO mag this month which is the first useful pack of seeds that I've got excited about for a while. Masses of early, large cherry fruits which don't need pinching out and like cool weather ..... that'll do for me ! May try a few of these alongside the other cherry toms in baskets that I was going to try this year.
So that's about it for the time being. Really need to get a wiggle on and get myself sorted, but for the time being ....... back to bed with Richard Hammond and a cup of tea!
Happy weekend people !
xx
The weather (whilst not as bad as elsewhere in the country) is pretty pretty rubbish.
The greenhouses are still waiting to be repaired. Have got spare clips now, but no enthusiasm to get out there in howling gales to replace the unbroken panes. The current gaps in the glazing appear to be allowing the wind to blow straight through without causing damage to anything else.
The car has now died which creates it's own problems and highlights how reliant I am on the damn thing.
Just to show willing, I sowed a tray of Lettuce Valdor seeds the other day which are meant to be sown over the winter. Can't see any sign of spring, so perhaps I'm not too late.
Observations from the window:
Blueberry Chandler has some nice new buds on the bush. T'other blueberry (Sunshine Blue ?) remains in leaf and green.
Rosemary bush is looking just fab and appears to be coping well with the not so Mediterranean weather that we're getting atm.
The perpetual spinach could really do with being cut back (or eaten even) but the fact that it has lasted thus far without being demolished by any animals or inclement weather really has encouraged me to get another bed going.
Got a free pack of Tomato Sub Arctic Plenty with GYO mag this month which is the first useful pack of seeds that I've got excited about for a while. Masses of early, large cherry fruits which don't need pinching out and like cool weather ..... that'll do for me ! May try a few of these alongside the other cherry toms in baskets that I was going to try this year.
So that's about it for the time being. Really need to get a wiggle on and get myself sorted, but for the time being ....... back to bed with Richard Hammond and a cup of tea!
Happy weekend people !
xx
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Hi hunnies - I'm HOME !
Got back into Glasgow about 7pm last night. I knew I was in Glasgow - it was raining.
Even in the dark, I had to have a stroll around the plot - CARNAGE seems to be an appropriate word. WAR ZONE are two others that immediately sprung to mind.
Both greenhouses took direct hits a couple of weeks ago and the saintly other half managed to clear up a couple of bucket loads of pea size smashed toughened glass last weekend.
I seem to have got back into the routine of early morning visits to the computer and am now going through a pile of mail ....... most of it seed catalogues.
Just got to find the enthusiasm again. Right - sleeves up and let's go !
xxx
Even in the dark, I had to have a stroll around the plot - CARNAGE seems to be an appropriate word. WAR ZONE are two others that immediately sprung to mind.
Both greenhouses took direct hits a couple of weeks ago and the saintly other half managed to clear up a couple of bucket loads of pea size smashed toughened glass last weekend.
I seem to have got back into the routine of early morning visits to the computer and am now going through a pile of mail ....... most of it seed catalogues.
Just got to find the enthusiasm again. Right - sleeves up and let's go !
xxx
Monday, December 10, 2007
Still down south
and not a bit of gardening done. It's been a long time, far too long, but no way round it.
So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and every one of you. Let's hope 2008 get's better.
xxxx
So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and every one of you. Let's hope 2008 get's better.
xxxx
Monday, October 29, 2007
Absenteeism will not be tolerated
Nor will ignoring the blog !
Just spent a weekend in some very pleasant company of other like minded peeps in a really lovely part of NE England but close enough to the Scottish border that they accepted my Scottish £20 without so much of a bat of an eyelid. Wouldn't get that service darn sarf ! They'd hold the note up to the light for half hour to check for running ink, and then declare it unacceptable currency due to the fact that "there's plenty of dodgy ones abart".
Sadly ill-health in the family means a quick scoot darn sarf tomorrow for a few days, or more, don't know yet, so both the lottie and the plot are having to take care of themselves for a bit.
Will dig some turnips and take them with me though as they are really looking like they should be in the pot rather than the soil. The perpetual spinach is currently acting as a green manure, the carrots in the bath are probably feeding the slugs and the rhubarb is finally dying down nicely.
The poor jerusalem artichokes have taken another direct hit from a bad wind (I thought they were the ones to create the wind) a couple of nights ago, but will have to be left until I get back.
Big greenhouse is now empty of growing things, just got loads of black buckets in there drying out to make the riddling easier, oh and one pot of fuschias under fleece. All the toms have gone so first job on my return will be to give it a good wash down and disinfect ready to insulate over the winter. I've decided to only heat the Hall's g/h this winter and need to get the mini plastic g/h covers suitably cleaned and installed to add to the protection.
The successes of the season on the plot were:
Broad beans (will be going up to the lottie next year though)
Turnips (Still going strong)
Carrots (Second year of success in the bath, to be recommended)
Perpetual Spinach (Just keeps growing and growing)
Rhubarb (but as it was only transplanted this year I've not been able to touch it)
Garlic (harvested enough to keep me going well into next year)
Salad leaves and little gem lettuces (need to concentrate on them more but they did ok)
French marigolds did their bit ............ borders are STILL producing and those in the g/h did a good job of keeping the whitefly down
The disasters:
Tomatoes (too many plants of too many different varieties without a proper watering plan) - going to consolidate next year and concentrate on bush (Totem) and tumbling baskets with perhaps the odd Gardeners Delight thrown in for good measure. Got really fed up with all the side shooting and training of the cordon varieties.
Aubergines (just not enough of a return to justify allocated half the small greenhouse to them)
Hestia dwarf runners (late start followed by an erratic watering plan didn't achieve the desired results - won't bother next year)
Those that could have done better and will try again:
Peas (but they'll be up at the lottie)
Chillies and Peppers (not enough tlc afforded to the babies to make them produce much)
Strawberries (a better planting and spacing plan required - think I may throw some in the hanging baskets rather than the petunias - far more useful)
Basil - lime and purple - did next to nothing, but then i did next to nothing to encourage them either. Will definitely try again.
The rosemary bush took well to it's new raised bed home which I think will be turned over to the 'erbs next year.
The fruit bushes really need to get in the ground rather than keeping them cramped in pots. Was going to get some rasps, but have now decided to plant spuds in that border (just got to get some on order). May still get a Tayberry for the square bed in front of the deck, I'll see how things go, but better get it on order quick.
The Alstroemeria surprised me by blooming twice ! Will treat it to a bit of potting up and some new soil.
The Sunshine Blue blueberries are still ripening and would get another bowlful if only I could be bothered to get out there and pick them. Doesn't appear that the birds want them as they've been unnetted for a good few weeks now.
I will try and deadhead some pansies today inbetween packing, they look as if they could do with it !
The Spanish Palms sown from seed are doing really well. One has been delivered darn sarf and two others to go around Christmas time, leaving one for me. I'm always amazed when I managed to get something to grow from seed so was really pleased with my 100% success record in the Spanish Palm stakes ! Passion Fruit plants also germinated well and am hoping for a take over bid by them next year.
Senecio greyii cuttings have settled in well and will get a haircut to reshape. Jasmine creeping up the deck has done nicely, honeysuckle succumbed to mildew again but it's starting to sprout again now ! Dad's forsythia cuttings are doing well in their pots, as is the lovely pink shrub that I nicked from his neighbour. They really need to get in the ground now, but that means clearing the border and won't happen for a while. Am thinking of just keeping them in the pots until the spring.
I've run out of composting room. All three darleks on the plot are full as is the giant one at the plot. There are various old compost bags of cuttings and other flotsam and jetsam strewn around the place. Need to give the plot darleks a turn and riddle to see what can be used now to create some space.
Overall thoughts on the year ............. less is more ! Having outgrown the plot and bits of neighbour's garden, I was pleased to get the lottie as it will give me the space next year to grow a great variety of successionals like broad bean and peas. Didn't realise you could have BBs running right through the summer. However last year of creating the plot, and then this season concentrating on the lottie really has taken up 150% of my time. The OH sees me when he sees me but is impressed by some of my efforts.
I hope that next year, I'll be a bit more organised given the fact that all the hard landscaping is now done.
Oh .............. and I must get a bigger freezer !
Laters folks.
xx
Just spent a weekend in some very pleasant company of other like minded peeps in a really lovely part of NE England but close enough to the Scottish border that they accepted my Scottish £20 without so much of a bat of an eyelid. Wouldn't get that service darn sarf ! They'd hold the note up to the light for half hour to check for running ink, and then declare it unacceptable currency due to the fact that "there's plenty of dodgy ones abart".
Sadly ill-health in the family means a quick scoot darn sarf tomorrow for a few days, or more, don't know yet, so both the lottie and the plot are having to take care of themselves for a bit.
Will dig some turnips and take them with me though as they are really looking like they should be in the pot rather than the soil. The perpetual spinach is currently acting as a green manure, the carrots in the bath are probably feeding the slugs and the rhubarb is finally dying down nicely.
The poor jerusalem artichokes have taken another direct hit from a bad wind (I thought they were the ones to create the wind) a couple of nights ago, but will have to be left until I get back.
Big greenhouse is now empty of growing things, just got loads of black buckets in there drying out to make the riddling easier, oh and one pot of fuschias under fleece. All the toms have gone so first job on my return will be to give it a good wash down and disinfect ready to insulate over the winter. I've decided to only heat the Hall's g/h this winter and need to get the mini plastic g/h covers suitably cleaned and installed to add to the protection.
The successes of the season on the plot were:
Broad beans (will be going up to the lottie next year though)
Turnips (Still going strong)
Carrots (Second year of success in the bath, to be recommended)
Perpetual Spinach (Just keeps growing and growing)
Rhubarb (but as it was only transplanted this year I've not been able to touch it)
Garlic (harvested enough to keep me going well into next year)
Salad leaves and little gem lettuces (need to concentrate on them more but they did ok)
French marigolds did their bit ............ borders are STILL producing and those in the g/h did a good job of keeping the whitefly down
The disasters:
Tomatoes (too many plants of too many different varieties without a proper watering plan) - going to consolidate next year and concentrate on bush (Totem) and tumbling baskets with perhaps the odd Gardeners Delight thrown in for good measure. Got really fed up with all the side shooting and training of the cordon varieties.
Aubergines (just not enough of a return to justify allocated half the small greenhouse to them)
Hestia dwarf runners (late start followed by an erratic watering plan didn't achieve the desired results - won't bother next year)
Those that could have done better and will try again:
Peas (but they'll be up at the lottie)
Chillies and Peppers (not enough tlc afforded to the babies to make them produce much)
Strawberries (a better planting and spacing plan required - think I may throw some in the hanging baskets rather than the petunias - far more useful)
Basil - lime and purple - did next to nothing, but then i did next to nothing to encourage them either. Will definitely try again.
The rosemary bush took well to it's new raised bed home which I think will be turned over to the 'erbs next year.
The fruit bushes really need to get in the ground rather than keeping them cramped in pots. Was going to get some rasps, but have now decided to plant spuds in that border (just got to get some on order). May still get a Tayberry for the square bed in front of the deck, I'll see how things go, but better get it on order quick.
The Alstroemeria surprised me by blooming twice ! Will treat it to a bit of potting up and some new soil.
The Sunshine Blue blueberries are still ripening and would get another bowlful if only I could be bothered to get out there and pick them. Doesn't appear that the birds want them as they've been unnetted for a good few weeks now.
I will try and deadhead some pansies today inbetween packing, they look as if they could do with it !
The Spanish Palms sown from seed are doing really well. One has been delivered darn sarf and two others to go around Christmas time, leaving one for me. I'm always amazed when I managed to get something to grow from seed so was really pleased with my 100% success record in the Spanish Palm stakes ! Passion Fruit plants also germinated well and am hoping for a take over bid by them next year.
Senecio greyii cuttings have settled in well and will get a haircut to reshape. Jasmine creeping up the deck has done nicely, honeysuckle succumbed to mildew again but it's starting to sprout again now ! Dad's forsythia cuttings are doing well in their pots, as is the lovely pink shrub that I nicked from his neighbour. They really need to get in the ground now, but that means clearing the border and won't happen for a while. Am thinking of just keeping them in the pots until the spring.
I've run out of composting room. All three darleks on the plot are full as is the giant one at the plot. There are various old compost bags of cuttings and other flotsam and jetsam strewn around the place. Need to give the plot darleks a turn and riddle to see what can be used now to create some space.
Overall thoughts on the year ............. less is more ! Having outgrown the plot and bits of neighbour's garden, I was pleased to get the lottie as it will give me the space next year to grow a great variety of successionals like broad bean and peas. Didn't realise you could have BBs running right through the summer. However last year of creating the plot, and then this season concentrating on the lottie really has taken up 150% of my time. The OH sees me when he sees me but is impressed by some of my efforts.
I hope that next year, I'll be a bit more organised given the fact that all the hard landscaping is now done.
Oh .............. and I must get a bigger freezer !
Laters folks.
xx
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Family matters
kept me away from both the plot and the lottie at the weekend. First night back on the plot last night.
Still trying to clear out the greenhouses to clean and prepare for the winter.
New next door neighbours who I think tried to jump through the hedge ! Big gap in in now which will need wiring together ! Found a football under the hedge my side, no broken greenhouse panes - thank god for toughened glass. I can see we're going to have trouble here.
Turnips are now increasing in size and will lift a few more soon. Miner is still getting at the spinach so will counter attack tonight.
Shed is just overflowing with new toys donated by lil bro who's on his way to Menorca to live. New shelves are already full to bursting.
Stuff for the compost heap coming out of my ears. Need to get that up the plot quick. Need to get broad beans, peas and sweet peas sown ........... or I may just leave them til I've caught up with everything. Cauliflowers have been moved to the greenhouse, but are going all leggy. Think I'll just ditch them too.
No time, no help, too much to do, nights drawing in far too fast and work is a pain. Weather is very blowy and dark today, tut tut looks like rain ! Winter is on it's way.
Can you tell I'm depressed ??? lol
Still trying to clear out the greenhouses to clean and prepare for the winter.
New next door neighbours who I think tried to jump through the hedge ! Big gap in in now which will need wiring together ! Found a football under the hedge my side, no broken greenhouse panes - thank god for toughened glass. I can see we're going to have trouble here.
Turnips are now increasing in size and will lift a few more soon. Miner is still getting at the spinach so will counter attack tonight.
Shed is just overflowing with new toys donated by lil bro who's on his way to Menorca to live. New shelves are already full to bursting.
Stuff for the compost heap coming out of my ears. Need to get that up the plot quick. Need to get broad beans, peas and sweet peas sown ........... or I may just leave them til I've caught up with everything. Cauliflowers have been moved to the greenhouse, but are going all leggy. Think I'll just ditch them too.
No time, no help, too much to do, nights drawing in far too fast and work is a pain. Weather is very blowy and dark today, tut tut looks like rain ! Winter is on it's way.
Can you tell I'm depressed ??? lol
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
This week is plot week
The plot has been sadly neglected due to it's younger lottie sibling taking up all my time this year. It's had the odd afternoon here and there but pretty much told to look after itself.
As the evenings are drawing in and sunset is somewhere just before 7pm now, I can spend a couple of hours a night on the plot tidying and winding down. The weather in true style of Britishness has surprised us all, and yesterday was like a summer's day. The greenhouse got a drink, and various bits of plot got cut away and shoved in compost bags as I've run out of space in the bins.
The Naughty marietta marigolds still keep blooming though even though I've not deadheaded them in weeks. The sweetpeas have all finally been cut down and my total lack of attention to depodding means that I've got a fair few seed pods for next year (which I really must get round to sowing soon).
The pink shrub cuttings that I stole from Dad's next door neighbour have taken really well, and one or two of them are in fact in bloom. They, along with the forsythia are going to be kept in the cold frame over the winter and planted along the border (haven't decided which one yet) in Spring.
I'll get out there again tonight and do the royal tour but here are a couple of pics just for tasters. Don't ask me what variety the tomato is as I haven't a clue.
The aubs are Black Beauty although you'd never know it. I don't know if they're under ripe, over ripe, whether they've ever been ripe or if they're just protesting at being ignored, but they'll get eaten anyway. Just going to look for a ratatouille recipe now. From 8 plants this is all I got so I should be grateful for small mercies.
I gave the deck a good wash down and tidy up yesterday, but it really needs a power spray and another coating of linseed oil before the winter. Most of the fuchsias are under cover now and lots are sprouting already!
I've discovered that I love perpetual spinach. Had another lovely load last night and is definitely something that I'll grow again. I'm trying not to sow too much now as I want to try and get myself back on an even footing before all the chaos starts again next year, but I may just start another tray of PS under cover to get me through the dark winter.
The cauliflower seedlings have been moved to the greenhouse but I forgot to count how many finally came through. They're rather leggy though and need thinning as there's two or three in some cells and none in others. Fickle things.
See you later alligator.
As the evenings are drawing in and sunset is somewhere just before 7pm now, I can spend a couple of hours a night on the plot tidying and winding down. The weather in true style of Britishness has surprised us all, and yesterday was like a summer's day. The greenhouse got a drink, and various bits of plot got cut away and shoved in compost bags as I've run out of space in the bins.
The Naughty marietta marigolds still keep blooming though even though I've not deadheaded them in weeks. The sweetpeas have all finally been cut down and my total lack of attention to depodding means that I've got a fair few seed pods for next year (which I really must get round to sowing soon).
The pink shrub cuttings that I stole from Dad's next door neighbour have taken really well, and one or two of them are in fact in bloom. They, along with the forsythia are going to be kept in the cold frame over the winter and planted along the border (haven't decided which one yet) in Spring.
I'll get out there again tonight and do the royal tour but here are a couple of pics just for tasters. Don't ask me what variety the tomato is as I haven't a clue.
The aubs are Black Beauty although you'd never know it. I don't know if they're under ripe, over ripe, whether they've ever been ripe or if they're just protesting at being ignored, but they'll get eaten anyway. Just going to look for a ratatouille recipe now. From 8 plants this is all I got so I should be grateful for small mercies.I gave the deck a good wash down and tidy up yesterday, but it really needs a power spray and another coating of linseed oil before the winter. Most of the fuchsias are under cover now and lots are sprouting already!
I've discovered that I love perpetual spinach. Had another lovely load last night and is definitely something that I'll grow again. I'm trying not to sow too much now as I want to try and get myself back on an even footing before all the chaos starts again next year, but I may just start another tray of PS under cover to get me through the dark winter.
The cauliflower seedlings have been moved to the greenhouse but I forgot to count how many finally came through. They're rather leggy though and need thinning as there's two or three in some cells and none in others. Fickle things.
See you later alligator.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Progress and pansies
Everything is rush rush rush atm so the poor plot is still being ignored in favour of it's new cousin up at the lottie.
Tomatoes are now being picked on a regular basis, but I wouldn't say they were the tastiest in the world. Fuchsias need cutting back and putting in the greenhouse, but the chillies would have to move over !
The courgettes are done now and should be dug up, but all the bins are full so I'm just slinging everything in a compost bag and creating a new pile up at the lottie.
The wall flowers went in last week, some had been potted on, some not. The potted on ones look lovely and lush, those that hadn't look a bit feeble. Round in the front border, some urchins (birds ?) actually pulled a couple of plugs out of the soil. We do however have some
lovely pansies (thanks Mum). Could believe my eyes when I saw this black one ! The primroses are destined for the lottie.
The pansies in smaller pots/troughs are definitely further ahead than those in the whisky barrel (I've a sense of deja vu here, so I may have typed that already). I guess restricted roots are pushing them upwards, so a couple of spares in pots when in the barrel to fill it out a bit.
Have been picking the hestia runners but they're a bit stringy. Think I left them (ignored them) for too long. Sent the OH out last night to pick a handful before the predicted frosts struck and he came back with what looked a pea pod ! Turned out to be a sweetpea pod ! Perhaps he's trying to poison me or something ! :-O Needless to say, I had to go out and harvest the beans myself.
Spinach and turnips are doing well. Must get round to eating some of the spinach. All I seem to do is cut off leaf minered leaves and compost them. Haven't eaten any yet ! Just about beating the slugs to the carrots ! My friend up at the lottie offered me some of his as I think he's drowing in carrots. I politely declined !
My raspberry supplier can't sell me 5 canes, so I'm seriously thinking of ditching that idea and moving the gooseberries and currants to that border leaving the square bed for ............... erm ..... something else ! Potatoes perhaps ! Now that's a good idea KP. Won't have room for them up at the lottie and I was pretty much blight free on the plot ...... will go and have a read up !
Thinking, always thinking !
Tomatoes are now being picked on a regular basis, but I wouldn't say they were the tastiest in the world. Fuchsias need cutting back and putting in the greenhouse, but the chillies would have to move over !
The courgettes are done now and should be dug up, but all the bins are full so I'm just slinging everything in a compost bag and creating a new pile up at the lottie.The wall flowers went in last week, some had been potted on, some not. The potted on ones look lovely and lush, those that hadn't look a bit feeble. Round in the front border, some urchins (birds ?) actually pulled a couple of plugs out of the soil. We do however have some
lovely pansies (thanks Mum). Could believe my eyes when I saw this black one ! The primroses are destined for the lottie.The pansies in smaller pots/troughs are definitely further ahead than those in the whisky barrel (I've a sense of deja vu here, so I may have typed that already). I guess restricted roots are pushing them upwards, so a couple of spares in pots when in the barrel to fill it out a bit.
Have been picking the hestia runners but they're a bit stringy. Think I left them (ignored them) for too long. Sent the OH out last night to pick a handful before the predicted frosts struck and he came back with what looked a pea pod ! Turned out to be a sweetpea pod ! Perhaps he's trying to poison me or something ! :-O Needless to say, I had to go out and harvest the beans myself.Spinach and turnips are doing well. Must get round to eating some of the spinach. All I seem to do is cut off leaf minered leaves and compost them. Haven't eaten any yet ! Just about beating the slugs to the carrots ! My friend up at the lottie offered me some of his as I think he's drowing in carrots. I politely declined !
My raspberry supplier can't sell me 5 canes, so I'm seriously thinking of ditching that idea and moving the gooseberries and currants to that border leaving the square bed for ............... erm ..... something else ! Potatoes perhaps ! Now that's a good idea KP. Won't have room for them up at the lottie and I was pretty much blight free on the plot ...... will go and have a read up !
Thinking, always thinking !
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Brass monkeys
Would have had their fleece, hat and mitts on last night, so I thought I'd better get the bedding plants in before it was too cold.
So in went about 70 odd wall flowers tonight. Some had been grown on (the first box arrived squished if you remember but I managed to rescue about half of a box of 70). The second box arrived in an equally sat on state, but I'd not managed to get them in pots so about another 35 have gone in small ! Trouble is it's howling a gale again tonight accompanied by some not very warm rain but apparently the temp will be up on last night.
At least they've been watered in !
Just got to pansies and primroses to go now !
So in went about 70 odd wall flowers tonight. Some had been grown on (the first box arrived squished if you remember but I managed to rescue about half of a box of 70). The second box arrived in an equally sat on state, but I'd not managed to get them in pots so about another 35 have gone in small ! Trouble is it's howling a gale again tonight accompanied by some not very warm rain but apparently the temp will be up on last night.
At least they've been watered in !
Just got to pansies and primroses to go now !
Monday, September 17, 2007
And then the rains came
Woke up to find the wet weather of Saturday had drifted over to Sunday with a vengance.
Pouring rain plus driving wind put paid to any work being done at the lottie, so I toddled off to B&Q looking for a new bracket to replace the broken one on the shower rail. No joy there, back to a bit of twine to hold it together.
Then popped into Ikea to see what their Gorm shelving range was like. Ideal shed shelves I was thinking. Came out with a huge stock pot as well so one very satisfied customer.
So the rest of the day was clearing, building, and reloading up the shed ..... and if you think it's messy, you should have seen it before !
The poor JAs are looking a bit bare in the middle where the ties were. Just have to see if they stay upright !
Picked another bowl of various goodies, Supersprout's Pineapple tomato, some Black Cherry toms amongst other red things. Managed to save 30 seeds from the SS tom so will have some for next year and with my new downsizing arrangements, will have some to give away too.
Now you know my love for all things purple, and now I have purple turnips ! Look a wee bit skinny so I hope they fatten up now we've had a good soaking.
Something's been at my spinach though. I've been doing my usual cut off the ugly leaves and try to ignore them, but they just keep coming. The consensus is Leaf miner. Hope the damn thing leaves some for me ! I usually get this on the beetroot, but at least the roots still grow, whereas the leaves are a pretty important part of the make up of spinach. As soon as Dawn get's up I'll go out and see what the wee beastie has ravaged overnight and if necessary investigate an appropriate "systematic insecticide" ! What's one of them when it's at home ? I wish the books would give brand names ! I've got a whole shelf full but which to use ? Decisions, decisions. :-D
Pouring rain plus driving wind put paid to any work being done at the lottie, so I toddled off to B&Q looking for a new bracket to replace the broken one on the shower rail. No joy there, back to a bit of twine to hold it together.
Then popped into Ikea to see what their Gorm shelving range was like. Ideal shed shelves I was thinking. Came out with a huge stock pot as well so one very satisfied customer.
So the rest of the day was clearing, building, and reloading up the shed ..... and if you think it's messy, you should have seen it before !
The poor JAs are looking a bit bare in the middle where the ties were. Just have to see if they stay upright !
Picked another bowl of various goodies, Supersprout's Pineapple tomato, some Black Cherry toms amongst other red things. Managed to save 30 seeds from the SS tom so will have some for next year and with my new downsizing arrangements, will have some to give away too.
Now you know my love for all things purple, and now I have purple turnips ! Look a wee bit skinny so I hope they fatten up now we've had a good soaking.
Something's been at my spinach though. I've been doing my usual cut off the ugly leaves and try to ignore them, but they just keep coming. The consensus is Leaf miner. Hope the damn thing leaves some for me ! I usually get this on the beetroot, but at least the roots still grow, whereas the leaves are a pretty important part of the make up of spinach. As soon as Dawn get's up I'll go out and see what the wee beastie has ravaged overnight and if necessary investigate an appropriate "systematic insecticide" ! What's one of them when it's at home ? I wish the books would give brand names ! I've got a whole shelf full but which to use ? Decisions, decisions. :-D
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Rain at long last
but also accompanied by quite strong winds. Lost a Jerusalem Artichoke stem which snapped clean in half despite being roped to the decking.
Hope everything else will be grateful for the drink.
Succumbed to the lure of Morrisons and bought two more Clematis. Being a sucker for purple, I got Elsa Spath and The President. Potted them up last night before the winds hit. Don't look any worse for wear.
Turnip leaves are exploding, just hope there's some root swelling action going on down below.
Tomatoes are struggling on, picking about 10 cherries a day now. Got another small bowl of blueberries last night and if I hunted in the bush I'm sure I could find more Hestia runners.
I've been emptying the black buckets and recycling the compost, keeping it for the lottie. Also got rid of two pepper plants that were looking awfully yellow and sickly. More victims to my complete neglect of the greenhouses this year. Fuchsias are just bouncing around in the breeze as are the pansies. Must get the side border planted up soon.
More wall flowers arrives, but just as sat on as the last box. Maybe the postie just doesn't like wallflowers ! I'll be able to rescue nearly the whole box though, so I've got mum's money's worth.
xxx
Hope everything else will be grateful for the drink.
Succumbed to the lure of Morrisons and bought two more Clematis. Being a sucker for purple, I got Elsa Spath and The President. Potted them up last night before the winds hit. Don't look any worse for wear.
Turnip leaves are exploding, just hope there's some root swelling action going on down below.
Tomatoes are struggling on, picking about 10 cherries a day now. Got another small bowl of blueberries last night and if I hunted in the bush I'm sure I could find more Hestia runners.
I've been emptying the black buckets and recycling the compost, keeping it for the lottie. Also got rid of two pepper plants that were looking awfully yellow and sickly. More victims to my complete neglect of the greenhouses this year. Fuchsias are just bouncing around in the breeze as are the pansies. Must get the side border planted up soon.
More wall flowers arrives, but just as sat on as the last box. Maybe the postie just doesn't like wallflowers ! I'll be able to rescue nearly the whole box though, so I've got mum's money's worth.
xxx
Sunday, September 09, 2007
About time I got the camera out on the plot
.... which has been sadly neglected. I have turned the next door compost bin though which was very dry. However needs must (as the other two bins are now full), so I turned, ejected all the big lleylandi cuttings from last year that I'd just thrown in there to keep out of the way, added some moisture and newspaper and now can get on with the business of building a proper heap.
The shed is just overflowing with all sorts atm. I'm definitely in need of some secure shelving before I disappear under a pile of pots and feeds. The green greenhouse tubing effort that has done me so well so far, is creaking under the weight. Had a look in an old IKEA catalogue there and I reckon the Gorm(less) range would suit my purposes very well. Will get out there with a tape measure tonight.
Right onto the important stuff - the crops !
These are marmande on the left (I think). Trouble is they're rotting before ripening. I've lost about three on this truss. Not got a clue about the ones on the right - possibly Legend. Again some strange markings at the top. I may just pick them and shove them in a drawer to see what happens.
What's left of the lettuce patch. There is another trough of cut and come again leaves somewhere, but Mr Sluggy is eating more of them than we are. I've sown some more within the same trough and have some Valdor lettuce on the go but they're nowhere near planting out stage yet.
The rhubarb patch has really taken off a treat. Next year - crumble !
The forsythia cuttings that I took from Dad's garden earlier in the year and really getting established now. There's a pink flowering bush in there as well which were taken from his next door neighbour as well. I'll keep them in the cold frame until spring and then they're going along the communal border for when I'm not nicking "her upstairs" garden ! The polycarb sheeting is covering a late bucket of rainbow carrits ! Hopefully have them by Christmas.
These chillies are in the same corner as the aubs. I'll definitely have to pick a few of them soon. I think they're quite mild (although could be dreadfully wrong here) - just fry an eat - it will be a a taste adventure.
My two aubergines (can't find the other one) have been chucked in a corner of the little greenhouse and left to get on with it. I might be able to harvest the bigger one shortly though now I've got some ripening tops to make some ratatouille with. It will only be one portion though and not the freezer load that I was hoping for. I'm definitely not an aubergine growing type person. That's two years now I've failed with them. I'll try a couple of token Black Beauty's next next but for fun only ! :-P
Something's attacking the spinach! Not got a clue what. The leaves have patches of papery patches. So I just cut them off and hope for the best ! One plant was complete sheared off at the base but not a slug trail to be seen. The turnips seem to be settling in quite well though.
Don't even want to talk about the greenhouse ! The majority of the ripening toms are the Gardners Delight, everything else is just starting to set ! A bit bloody late to put in an effort now ! (although it could be due to my rather haphazard watering efforts this year).
Mum's brown marigolds that share a hanging basket with some cherry toms have escaped Mr Sluggy's attention which can't be said for the one's in the ground. They keep doing well even though they're rather crowding out the toms !
The deck is looking a bit leggy now I've given the fuchsias a haircut when all the leaves looked as if they'd caught some kind of nasty disease. Since then, we've had no rain to speak of so the disease rate has slowed down considerably. Everything is still blooming though.
Sarah's Delta doing ok but could do better. Will give it some more attention next year. With some pinching and filling out, it would look lovely. I really don't like the way older blooms go from blue to pink, or in Deep Purple's case, from purple to pink. I really love Deep Purple though and have taken some cuttings for next year. Burnt the first batch to a crisp in the propogator (which was in direct sunlight). Second batch have carefully been put down on the floor away from the early morning sun.
Some of Mum's Can Can pansies blooming. The one's in the smaller trough have definitely grown into larger plants than the one's in the whisky barrel. Root restriction I guess.
Took my first crop of Hestia Runner beans this morning. Plenty more wee beans to come if we can get an elongation frost free period.
Clematis Durandii and passion flower. About half a dozen blooms on the clematis this year and jolly nice they look too. No blooms on the passion flower yet but I suppose they'd do better next year having had a year's growth.
Either Gartenperle or Tumbling Tom. Cannae mind which now. Labelling hasn't been top priority this year. Had a few picks, but nowhere near as heavy cropping as the Gartenperles last year despite plenty of blooms.
Diascia Apple Bloomsom has really done well. I've had this a couple of years now, but this year is the first time it has gone bananas. Going over now, but will definitely try and look after it for next year.
This is the second blooming period for my wee cactus in the bathroom - Mammillaria Spinosissima. Poor wee thing just gets ignored totally. It's now about 6" tall so congratulations for it's efforts.
The Naughty Marietta marigolds along the border keep beating me in the dead heading race but they continue to bloom and bring a bright splash of sunshine to the garden. The courgettes are all but done. There's still a couple of fruit growing, but I will hoik the spent ones out tonight.
I've had one or two pickings off the blueberry bushes, and can see from the window that I need to have another pick. I really need to sort out the soft fruit beds. I want a raspberry bed and a tayberry. The soil for both really need enriching before I order. I need to negotiate with the supplier as well. I really haven't got room for 10 canes which come as standard so I'm hoping he'll let me have just the 5. I was in a garden centre yesterday and they were selling buy two get one free for £4.99 per plant !!! Thieving bar stewards ! Suffice to say their plants stayed where they were. I was a good girl and only ended coming out with a pack of copper fungicide which I've often read about but never had in stock. Something else for the creaking shelf !
Right, off to pick some carrits. There's a cake baking competition at work and my contribution is the carrits for carrit cake ! I don't bake ! Don't like this at all though, 6.39am and it's still very dawn like. Red clouds too, not a good sign.
TTFN
xx
The shed is just overflowing with all sorts atm. I'm definitely in need of some secure shelving before I disappear under a pile of pots and feeds. The green greenhouse tubing effort that has done me so well so far, is creaking under the weight. Had a look in an old IKEA catalogue there and I reckon the Gorm(less) range would suit my purposes very well. Will get out there with a tape measure tonight.
Right onto the important stuff - the crops !
These are marmande on the left (I think). Trouble is they're rotting before ripening. I've lost about three on this truss. Not got a clue about the ones on the right - possibly Legend. Again some strange markings at the top. I may just pick them and shove them in a drawer to see what happens.
What's left of the lettuce patch. There is another trough of cut and come again leaves somewhere, but Mr Sluggy is eating more of them than we are. I've sown some more within the same trough and have some Valdor lettuce on the go but they're nowhere near planting out stage yet.
The rhubarb patch has really taken off a treat. Next year - crumble !
The forsythia cuttings that I took from Dad's garden earlier in the year and really getting established now. There's a pink flowering bush in there as well which were taken from his next door neighbour as well. I'll keep them in the cold frame until spring and then they're going along the communal border for when I'm not nicking "her upstairs" garden ! The polycarb sheeting is covering a late bucket of rainbow carrits ! Hopefully have them by Christmas.
These chillies are in the same corner as the aubs. I'll definitely have to pick a few of them soon. I think they're quite mild (although could be dreadfully wrong here) - just fry an eat - it will be a a taste adventure.
My two aubergines (can't find the other one) have been chucked in a corner of the little greenhouse and left to get on with it. I might be able to harvest the bigger one shortly though now I've got some ripening tops to make some ratatouille with. It will only be one portion though and not the freezer load that I was hoping for. I'm definitely not an aubergine growing type person. That's two years now I've failed with them. I'll try a couple of token Black Beauty's next next but for fun only ! :-P
Something's attacking the spinach! Not got a clue what. The leaves have patches of papery patches. So I just cut them off and hope for the best ! One plant was complete sheared off at the base but not a slug trail to be seen. The turnips seem to be settling in quite well though.
Don't even want to talk about the greenhouse ! The majority of the ripening toms are the Gardners Delight, everything else is just starting to set ! A bit bloody late to put in an effort now ! (although it could be due to my rather haphazard watering efforts this year).
Mum's brown marigolds that share a hanging basket with some cherry toms have escaped Mr Sluggy's attention which can't be said for the one's in the ground. They keep doing well even though they're rather crowding out the toms !
The deck is looking a bit leggy now I've given the fuchsias a haircut when all the leaves looked as if they'd caught some kind of nasty disease. Since then, we've had no rain to speak of so the disease rate has slowed down considerably. Everything is still blooming though.
Sarah's Delta doing ok but could do better. Will give it some more attention next year. With some pinching and filling out, it would look lovely. I really don't like the way older blooms go from blue to pink, or in Deep Purple's case, from purple to pink. I really love Deep Purple though and have taken some cuttings for next year. Burnt the first batch to a crisp in the propogator (which was in direct sunlight). Second batch have carefully been put down on the floor away from the early morning sun.
Some of Mum's Can Can pansies blooming. The one's in the smaller trough have definitely grown into larger plants than the one's in the whisky barrel. Root restriction I guess.
Took my first crop of Hestia Runner beans this morning. Plenty more wee beans to come if we can get an elongation frost free period.
Clematis Durandii and passion flower. About half a dozen blooms on the clematis this year and jolly nice they look too. No blooms on the passion flower yet but I suppose they'd do better next year having had a year's growth.
Either Gartenperle or Tumbling Tom. Cannae mind which now. Labelling hasn't been top priority this year. Had a few picks, but nowhere near as heavy cropping as the Gartenperles last year despite plenty of blooms.
Diascia Apple Bloomsom has really done well. I've had this a couple of years now, but this year is the first time it has gone bananas. Going over now, but will definitely try and look after it for next year.
This is the second blooming period for my wee cactus in the bathroom - Mammillaria Spinosissima. Poor wee thing just gets ignored totally. It's now about 6" tall so congratulations for it's efforts.The Naughty Marietta marigolds along the border keep beating me in the dead heading race but they continue to bloom and bring a bright splash of sunshine to the garden. The courgettes are all but done. There's still a couple of fruit growing, but I will hoik the spent ones out tonight.
I've had one or two pickings off the blueberry bushes, and can see from the window that I need to have another pick. I really need to sort out the soft fruit beds. I want a raspberry bed and a tayberry. The soil for both really need enriching before I order. I need to negotiate with the supplier as well. I really haven't got room for 10 canes which come as standard so I'm hoping he'll let me have just the 5. I was in a garden centre yesterday and they were selling buy two get one free for £4.99 per plant !!! Thieving bar stewards ! Suffice to say their plants stayed where they were. I was a good girl and only ended coming out with a pack of copper fungicide which I've often read about but never had in stock. Something else for the creaking shelf !
Right, off to pick some carrits. There's a cake baking competition at work and my contribution is the carrits for carrit cake ! I don't bake ! Don't like this at all though, 6.39am and it's still very dawn like. Red clouds too, not a good sign.
TTFN
xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
