| Growit Posted on Saturday, November 10, 2007 - 07:53 pm: |   |
Right! I really have to get this going or I just won't bother and it will be so useful.
I have so many lists and ideas written down on scraps of paper (that I can never find) of what I want to do and what I am going to do in all the different gardens I work in (plus my own) that it is just getting too complicated.
Not much to put today as all I have done is housework (SO BORING!) ran around town getting rid of stuff. Dropped off belated birthday present for J and stopped for cup of tea and a chat. made the last three curtains for our VW. It is now blue and will have red curtains, blue and cream seat covers and a red and cream check floor. it is hard to believe that it is the same van we picked up 2 years ago for next to nothing as it was a complete heap of sh..!
There now I have done a journal entry. Just hope I can stick with it and make full use of it to organise my disorganised life! |
| Growit Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 05:26 pm: | |
Started making Xmas presents today. Had to cheat a bit as didn't get to harvest many herbs from my garden this year as it was such a wet Summer.
My first three bottles; chili vinegar, chili and garlic vinegar and rosemary oil.
Finished off all the fiddly bits for the van curtains and hung them. Look quite good if I do say so myself (I hate sewing!)
Managed to get out in the garden for no more than half hour as it started to rain and was quite cold today. Just did a bit of tidying up and put all the baby euphorbs in a pot to use in my gardens. My two rosemary cuttings have taken as well so will need to find a home for them. Dug in the hedgehog pot in the front garden so my resident hedgehog will be nice and snug this Winter.
Spoke to Sis about going up for her birthday next weekend. Told her I would bring the boys and did she want me to bring any food for lunch as they have hollow legs! Mum is going to be there too so will be a nice family get together. It will also be my nieces' 3rd birthday (already!) so must remember to take her present up too and if I can really get my act together Xmas presents for all of them too. She has orchards out the back of her house which have now been harvested so when we go up we can pick whats left which means loads of apples and pears. Yummy!
Went to SIL for roast dinner this evening which was nice as it means I didn't have to cook. Showed her Zuzus glass totems. She is seriously impressed and is going to have a go too (she is much more arty/crafty than me) She is on Etsy and makes the most amazing things.
FIL was there for dinner too and wants me to do his garden again next week. Planted up his raised wall garden around the patio last week. Hopefully should look amazing in a couple of weeks. All the bulbs are starting to come up and I split the Schizostyles and spread the clumps around. Planted 30+ pansies, trimmed the silver thyme and the Winter savoury and scattered the seeds of the Antirhinums ready for next year.
Cs garden tomorrow hope the weather warms up a bit. |
| Flowerfreak Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 08:14 am: | |
Hiya [OoGBoO] !!! 
lol, this was my type of system too, before I started my journal. I wasn't sure if the journal would help or not, but it has actually reduced the number of garden notes & such scattered all over.
Good luck :) |
| Growit Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 12:35 pm: | |
Hya [OoGBoO] sorry can't remember what you are meant to have in your bowl.
I do hope it makes a difference. I keep forgetting to look at my notes or I wash them cos I forget to take them out of my pockets. It's a complete nightmare.It also doesn't come across as very professional when I can't remember what I suggested from one week to the next. |
| Growit Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 12:59 pm: | |
4 hours this morning at this garden.
How lovely is that?! and this is the view from the back of the house
 There are only about 5/10 houses in the area.
I worked on the back patio area today. Split some Heucheras and Geraniums to fill a small bed that I took a past it Lavender out of. Cut back all the dead stuff right along the back and cleared around these roses (4 of them)
 that are growing along the wall outside in the meadow. They had not been done in years and I had a major battle on my hands to extract couch grass and creeping buttercup.
Also rescued this:-
 Clematis. I think it is Duchess of Albany. It was completely smothered by deadnettle and couch. Hopefully will look lovely now (well next year.) Took some cuttings and layered just in case the cuttings don't take as it is a bit late really.
Next week...weed and mulch all the front beds.
Went shopping (covered in mud)came home had shower and lunch made some herbal preparations for acne (youngest son has spots) and came on here. |
| Growit Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 07:10 pm: | |
NOTE TO SELF...DON'T FORGET CUTTINGS OF PITTOSPORUM. ON WED!!!!!!! ( Basal ripewood cuttings late autumn in a cold frame) |
| Growit Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 01:12 pm: | |
FILs garden today. Redid the length of my wedding border which was a heaving mass of stingers and brambles and self sown saplings. My poor back. It has not been touched since my MIL died more than 4 years ago. It was quite upsetting doing it as it brought back so many happy memories. My Mum and MIL planning what flowers to grow for my wedding. (both keen gardeners and flower arrangers) Pouring through catalogues and gardening books together. I wanted blue, yellow and white flowers. My Mum bought the plants and MIL planted them. All that was left of the plants was a few labels and some Campanulas. It had become so overgrown since MIL died that there was nothing left *sigh*
NOTE TO SELF....Take some baby Euphorbs to fill in some gaps next week. |
| Growit Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 03:53 pm: | |
Darn I forgot the cuttings. Better tattoo it on my head for next week weather permitting as it has suddenly got very cold....brrrr.
Wed was Cats garden. Massive border completely revamped. It had been planted so badly by a landscaping company. Shrubs too close and all different. Such a hotchpotch. I have taken out all of the shrubs, bar three, and matched the remaining Choisya with another I found at the back of the garden. The shrubs worth saving are now in a holding bed waiting for a new home.
Before 
After
Actually this week I planted everything in it. Moved the one remaining Choisya to one end and planted the other the other end and planted some Allium/daff bulbs too but forgot to take my camera....Bugger! |
| Growit Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 04:39 pm: | |
Thurs. My fave garden.
Started to dig main border to match archway that has been fitted as you come out the front door. The soil is full of gault clay so wanted to wait for a frosty period to dig it and leave it to weather.   Dug out the first two rows and then used the first line of turf to build up the bog garden.
 This is where the majority of the water collects from the underground springs. I have also planted four willows around the area so hopefully should stop the garden flooding so much. This Summer the rain was so bad that the water came right up to the house!
Planted all the stuff from Cats garden that she didn't want (bluebells, aquilegias, lysimachia, alchemilla)at the back by the little stream. I can't wait to see what it will look like this Spring. This is a picture of how it looked last year so I can compare around March time.
Friday. Brrrrr! -4C last night and a cold and frosty morning. Don't work on Friday which was just as well the ground was like concrete. Looked so pretty though so after melting a hole on my pond and defrosting the water for the birds and feeding them I took some pics in my garden.  
Spent the rest of the day packing presents etc. to take to my sisters house tomorrow and housework (ugghh!)
K and J came round for coffee. K is huge with this pregnancy. All out front. You wouldn't know she was pregnant until she turns around. She has 6 weeks to go and is in that breathless stage that I remember so well. Must keep an eye out for a good present for this one (she doesn't know the sex and doesn't want to know) Maybe when I go to my sisters tomorrow I might get a chance to nip down the town.
Fed P this evening. He must be able to smell food I swear. Him and hubby have now gone to pub so home alone....loverley. |
| Growit Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 05:02 pm: | |
Spent lovely day with Sis and family. Went out picking before lunch.
  The crab apples are never picked and look so beautiful at this time of the year when all the leaves have fallen. Various different colours grown as well from darkest purple/red to orangey/yellow so pretty. Picked a whole carrier bag full for making crab apple jelly and butter for Xmas presents and also picked 3 bags full of apples and 2 of pears. All the neighbours get some when we get home as we could never eat them all.
My niece is so pretty with her mix of German and Cuban blood and she has the fieriest temper already. A sure sign of Latin American blood. She is talking (now 2 years old) but it is very difficult to understand her as she speaks a mixture of English, Spanish, German, Arabic and Chinese! Not bi-lingual but cinq-lingual if that is a word. She will have no problem travelling when she is old enough LOL! |
| Growit Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 07:55 pm: | |
Doubt whether I will be able to work tomorrow the weather is so foul at the moment.
Cs garden today. Weeded and mulched two of the beds and swept the leaves up around them cos I can't stand a border looking all nice and put to bed and then leaves blowing all over it.
The start of the Celandine attack begins! C just buries them and tries to ignore them but they are such an invasive weed and I am sure must be competing for nutrients in the soil so before he could chuck the mulch on for me to spread I distracted him long enough to dig them out in both beds. Doubt I got all of them as they have so many little nodules that break off it is an almost impossible task but I have managed to rid a garden of ground elder. I am sure I can get rid of these.
Just as I finished the heavens opened up and I had to do the fastest clear up ever and still managed to be completely soaked by the time I go in the car. I was going to go to the shops and get some muslin and waxed circles etc. for jars so I could start making crab apple jelly and lavender bath soothers for Christmas but I was so wet, cold and muddy I just came home and jumped in the shower.
Got into my PJs around 3pm not expecting to have to go anywhere when hubby rang up saying the van was playing up so he couldn't do any shopping on the way home. Got out of comfy PJs put clothes on, went to shops. Got out of the car in the biggest downpour going, got soaked. came out of shops, got even more soaked. Came home. Got out of car. Unloaded shopping. Got even more soaked and had to get changed again!! Now feel like I have not achieved anything. I have to get at least one thing made or done everyday for Christmas or I just won't be finished in time. Problem of having such a large extended family I guess. Not that I would want it any other way but there are just not enough hours in the day to do all the things I have to do and hubby keeps on at me for Xmas card design for this year as well! Better get my finkin 'ead on. |
| Growit Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 07:57 pm: | |
Aaaagghh! My journal has gone all wide. How annoying. |
| Growit Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 11:32 am: | |
Went to work this morning but only managed 3.5 hours. Most of that was spent in the drizzle and it was also very misty today. At around 12 it really started to rain and my gloves were so wet and sticky I just couldn't do anything so packed up and came home.
I am now sitting in front of my window looking at my garden and seeing all the jobs I still have not managed to do. I sort out everyone elses garden for the Winter but it leaves so little time to do my own. Invariably when I do have the time the ground is frozen or it is raining. Oh well.
Very few birds around at the moment. All I have seen in my garden of late are magpies (horrible birds) the odd crow and my resident blackbirds and robin. Must find out where my mistle thrushes go. Do they migrate? Do they stay in England or go abroad? Its a mystery. Did see at least 6 longtailed tits earlier in the week. They have to be my favourite bird. So small and yet so feisty. I wish they would nest in one of my nest boxes. Maybe next year. While I am thinking about birds...where do the bats go? I know they hibernate for the WInter but where? I have yet to find out where they are living but it must be very close by as they are in my garden every evening in the Summer. Would be sooooo cool if they have a nest in my roof somewhere but I doubt it as I never hear any scratching or anything.
Must stop now. kids will be back from school soon. If I am going to get on with anything now is the time! |
| Growit Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 02:05 pm: | |
Just made two more apple crumbles and a load of muffins. I still have 2 carrier bags full of apples and a bag full of pears. What shall I make next that doesn't need butter I have run out Eeek!(as Lisa and DJ like to say) |
Mmm, Moira, your vinegars sound yummy! Your van looks terrific. I love the colors. Hahaha!
Geez, do you think those people with the white house might want to swap with me? LOL. What a gorgeous house.
What's that plant in the 3rd pic of your garden from Nov. 16? It looks just like my Cardoon.
I know what a pain in the neck Celandine is because we have it everywhere here, despite the fact that I have been pulling it out ever since we got here. I noticed, though, that it holds up really well to the frost and snow and was considering planting some in my Allium garden to hold interest further into the season. But then I read about your Celandine so now I'm thinking maybe I should just keep pulling mine every time I see it. Haha!
Haha!
We get bats in our attic once in a while. We never hear them, but they leave a nice pile of nutrients for me to use. We get them in our barn, too.
Can you can them? |
| Growit Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 04:14 pm: | |
Thankyou, thankyou and thankyou. The van will end up looking rather patriotic but not intentionally so. It had to be blue and red (Hubbys business colours) and I wanted something else to break it up a bit so some of the the floor and the frontseats are cream. Not quite red, white and blue but nearly.
It is up for sale but unless you become a millionairess overnight I don't think it will be within your budget LOL! House prices in England are outrageous.
Its a globe artichoke. Not quite as big as a cardoon but much tastier. It is one of over 35 that grew from a pkt of seeds with 'sow by date' 1999!I had to give lots away I never expected anywhere near that many to germinate.
I would do Dj. I think it is an import into the States and is on the invasive plant list. I tried to find info on the web about what it takes from the soil (nutrients) but couldn't find anything but it smothers woodland floors in UK and kills off natural flora like bluebells and snowdrops so not a good plant.
I have looked but there are no signs of droppings anywhere which either means they are not in my house or their droppings are! YUK!
Yes intending to do some but I need a new jelly bag and some more jar wax sheet thingys and cellophane. No chance of that until the weekend. They do not sell them in my local town. I have to drive to the next one. Any other suggestions that I can do right now? I am having a baking moment. |
I have Greater Celandine. I don't think that one is listed as invasive, although I think it should be. I don't even think its flowers are showy enough to warrant being that invasive. LOL. I just think it has pretty foliage. And it grows here, which is really a plus. Hahaha!!
Baked pears. I don't know how many a person could eat at one sitting, though. HAHAHA!! Make a post to the current WFD thread in the food forum. I'll bet someone there knows what to do with a lot of pears and no butter. (Don't you have the stuff and time to make your own butter? HAHAHA!!!)
Figures, I always like the expensive things in life!
Ah! That explains it. 35!! Too bad you didn't have enough space. You could have made a lot of money drying them for bouquets. (or at least they are very expensive here)
Well, if your roof suddenly collapses from one ton of hidden batrients, then you'll know. Haha! |
Does this apply to you?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7103566.stm |
| Growit Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 06:59 pm: | |
Yes it does. I think they have 'overnewsed' it though for a good story. The discs were lost in the internal mail system and on their own won't be much use to anyone apart from setting up a mobile phone account or similar. Never any money in my bank account LOL! so unlikely to affect me. I would be more concerned if I had small children as all of their details are on it.
It seems to have become a political tool more than anything else. Lots of mud slinging between the different political parties. I have heard it about 20 zillion times today from every possible angle and to tell you the truth now I'm bored with it. I wish the News was just that. The way it used to be. Something happens. It is reported. The end. Now we have to listen to every Tom, Dick and Harrys viewpoint on what may or may not happen....*yawn*.
Baked pears for tea tomorrow then. I can't be bothered now. After spending four hours in the kitchen I am over my baking moment HAHA! I have already posted in the food forum. Must check and see if anyone came up with anything. If you happen to have a spare cow on your farm I could make my own butter LOL!
Now I am worried about bat droppings falling on my head in my sleep. If they are anywhere they are in the flat roof that runs along the back of my bungalow over my bedroom Eeek! |
Me, too. I'd also like to see them stop reporting about themselves. News anchors' lives are not news. I'd also like to see them stop wasting time recapping what they just told me and stop telling me half of what is coming up next. Just report the story once in its entirety and move on, no introduction required. And if they are going to insist on having news at 4:30, 5, 5:30, and 6, then report different news at each time!
LOL |
