A Day with Sunshine.

We had a glorious day yesterday, really cheered me up. Started me thinking and looking through the plant catalogues which started arriving just after Christmas.

A photo to prove it was actually sunny, but one thing the sun does is show up the dirty windows!! But can you see whats on the windowsill...

Yep my gorgeous orchid. Funny plants, thrive on neglect, you just have to remember to occasionally water.

I have more or less decided on what I am doing out the front, something a bit different and may not work because it is north facing, but that has never stopped me giving it a go.
When out dog walking around the town (because its less muddy) I enjoy seeing what other people do. One thing that looks lovely (I think) is roses or honeysuckle round the doorway. This got me thinking..... being a cottage the height of the front door and the fact that the porch roof runs from the house towards the front door means there is not a lot of head room to actually have something growing round the door, but then, I thought there is nothing stopping me growing something either side of the doorway instead.

So I am on the lookout for some largish pots that I could stand an obelisk type of structure in. I will probably only use annuals in them, but we will see. Keep watching to find out what I do. Can't wait for spring.

Do your remember back in November I murdered my Hiniba?

Well they look very dead! But I have been assured that as long as they are not slimy or smelly there is till hope.

Happy New Year 2018

Happy New Year!

I got a camera for Christmas, so I can at long last take some decent photos.

The wind has been very bad today

I don't think I have ever seen the fronds on the palm like this.

Fortunately my protection structures remained upright and in one piece.

The fence panels are finally giving up.

They have been up for near 15 years and should really have been replaced before now, but its not our fence.

So I wedge them, tack chicken wire (as you can see below) so the dog can't get into the neighbours. Come Spring time, we shall invite the neighbours round to have a look!

The Arid bed is looking good

and cover seems to be holding up well to the wind too.

I might have to look at replacing the wood which supports all the gravel. I know the bed wasn't  constructed very long ago, but I used wood that had been the edging of the old veg beds and sadly it is rotting quite badly.

Life in the greenhouse continues

my palm is looking really bad, its a Washingtonia Robusta I have had it a number of years. Each summer I plant it out and it goes mental growing like crazy, then each autumn I dig it up and bring it in, as its not hardy. I usually lose a few fronds but this is the worst ever, it does not smell good either, so it maybe bye, bye time.

 Everything else seems fine

All my cuttings look good.

Just have to watch if the weather gets warmer

Quite fascinating some of the colours of the leaves.

The small Agave middle left is not looking good. I often wonder why some years the plants are fine then others even though you have done nothing different they curl up and die. Its rude!

My sonchus palmensis sees to be coping with greenhouse life, I hope it comes through ok as I am eager to see how it continues once its back out in the garden. I intend to start some more from seed as well as I really love them.

Cyphomandra Betacea is still fruiting and is looking good.

I even took some leaves off one of my succulents and they have rooted already.

All seems rosy in the greenhouse.

If you remember I treated our decking with Osmo Anti slip decking oil. I can highly recommend it. It was not cheap but totally, totally worth it, the patio at the top is like an ice rink, where as this decking is totally none slip!

Skiing across the Patio.

At this time of year you have to take your life in both hands when you cross my patio, its down right lethal!

It always used to be the decking in front of hubbies office, but since I painted it with the OSMO  anti slip decking paint, so far no problems. Just need to do something with the patio.

Finally put up my final structures to protect a couple of my Butias. I was told they where hardy, which they are, to a certain extent, but my large butia has been exceptionally slow, in fact dead slow and stop! So this year I thought I would  protect them from the elements and by covering them and fleecing the growth tip. It might make no difference at all but everyone seems to think we may have a bad winter, so the protection would help anyway!

I am hopeless with sawing wood etc, I cheated and bought 4 Extendable Clothes Props from Wilko's

made a frame using bamboo canes, then a tarpaulin and clips... hey presto!

We shall see.

The greenhouse is looking full

Everything is green and still alive, lol!

Under the arid bed cover, all s looking good.

My tree ferns have done so well this year, I think my neighbours 'huge' Baytree is offering them protection from the sun and the frost!

Wishing anyone who reads this a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. xx