Tuesday 26 August 2014

Da daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

For some unknown reason, I do not have a before photo. This area had become a bit of a dumping ground. The bar b que was also here, which meant whoever was cooking was very much left out of the chat. That has now been rectified.


I am so glad I found a home for my ball pool, I always loved it when it was on the patio. We are going to search out a solar powered pump for this, so no need for electrics. Just need to decide on what types of pebbles to use.

Then I think a nice sun lounger for me. Not that I am likely to sit there for long. I am quite naughty, I always find something to do, I very rarely sit and enjoy my garden, I wish I could, but I always spot something that needs picking, weeding, chopping or dug in!!!!!


Really chuffed, think it will look good next year with some extra planting.

Saturday 23 August 2014

What a Mess!

The garden is a total mess at the moment, due too extending the jungle bed! I had hoped the plants would have a couple of months settling in before the cooler temps arrived!! We are forecast a ground frost tonight!!! Shock! Horror! Its still August!!

Anyway the first bed has been dug and the main plants put in. You can see we have moved the trough of bamboo a bit further down the garden to offer some shelter from the winds.


Off course whilst we worked on this bed we got talking about what to do with the opposite side of the garden. This is where my beautiful Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa) had been until it got the awful Verticillium Wilt. and got chopped down! So we discussed varying ideas and came up with a plan.
The digging and clearing began today.


The Camaerops Humilis, was moved from the raised bed by the pond, to up here. The raised bed was very dry, and needed copious amounts of water for this Palm, so we decided to move it. We have more work to do here but hopefully should be finished soon.


The raised bed by the pond is now looking rather empty, but I have plans for this, which involves plants that do not like water!!


The pond has been good this year. We have so many baby fish that we will have to give some away, but we will see how many survive the winter first!


Looking up the garden at the very black cloud, we see my gorgeous sunflowers. These are a new seed for me this year and they have surpassed all my expectations!


Well until next time!

Friday 8 August 2014

Beautiful Morning

It was gorgeous this morning, cool enough for me to enjoy without dripping everywhere. So toddled down the garden and took a few pics!




I love mornings like this!


My multi headed Sunflower, so gorgeous, I really must find the seed packet with the name of this one as it is so cool!


Bindweed, gets in everywhere!!!!!


I just love banana leaves.

Feeling relaxed until I realise I have 3 weeks to get the new jungle bed sorted, as I have to go into hospital for an op then!!!!

Sunday 3 August 2014

New Jungle Bed Begins

Today has been the first day in ages that I have been able to work in the garden, I really enjoyed myself, although my back has been playing up as I did some major digging in K's garden the other day when I was there waiting for the delivery of their new shed. I don't think its been dug over for years and unfortunately I did over do it but don't tell hubby!!!

I am really loving the jungle bed at the top, it is looking gorgeous at the mo.


I like that I have a few flowers mixed in this year. The Cleome in this picture, is an amazing plant and goes on and on. I am definitely   growing these again, I have also got some Rudbeckia's mixed in and the Agapanthus I am going to dig up and put into post as I have found out they flower better when pot bound!


So the veg bed is now emptyish! I need to clear all the gravel, move the trough with the bamboo in to the end of the bed on the right. Use the boards to edge the new bed, dig in some compost and 'Bobs you Uncle'! Although I do need some help at the mo, so it will be a slow process.


This Cyathea is not hardy so is left in a big pot but I will move it to the top bed and semi sink it. The Rudbeckia's have done so well.


The Passionflower has been amazing this year and I have quite a few large fruits which I shall be trying out when they ripen


Isn't this Zebra Grass amazing, just lovely. The stripes are so defined.


A while back we bought some cactus to see how we did with them, obviously what ever we are doing must be good as they are flowering madly!!


I planted some new sunflowers at the beginning of the year I am thrilled with them as they are huge and an added bonus, multi headed too!


My Cycas Revoluta has finally finished its flush and doesn't it look a-m-a-z-i-n-g. Now I know what I need to do to get it to flush, I am hoping this will happen each year. They are hardy to -7C but I may keep it potted up for a while and sink the pot before I plant it out permenantly.


Here is Tango, he doesn't like me at the moment as he has been to the vet because his right back leg keeps giving way. It turned out it was his back not his leg, so he has to have a tablet morning and night. I tried to crush it in some fish which he wouldn't eat, then some yoghurt, same result, So now he has to have it chucked down his throat. So he avoids me at all costs. :(