Greenforks

Wet and Dry

easygardener — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:02:59 +0000

Large fat buds are staring to appear on the surface of the pond. It is hard to see them amongst the aquatic plants that are thriving in the water.

Two buds appearing above the water

Eventually the buds will open and this will be the result. They add a touch of exotic colour to the pond which is essentially made up of shades of green at this time of year.

Water lily

At the bottom of the garden we have a large Eucalyptus tree. I think it is going to have to go because it will soon be too large for the garden and it seems to be absorbing all the moisture from the soil. Many of the plants nearby are suffering including my ferns. I was baffled to see that one fern was suffering more than the others. It was lying completely flat.

Then I discovered the reason why.

Cozzie takes a nap

She opened one eye when I complained, then yawned and went back to sleep.

Birdseed adds to the garden

easygardener — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:38:37 +0000

I have a number of bird feeders in the garden and during the summer I use a basic seed mix, leaving the better quality (and more expensive) seed for later in the year when winter approaches.

Bird feeder

Oddly enough the birds do not appreciate this and spend half their time throwing the “rubbish” seed onto the ground in their search for choice sunflower seeds. This results in a lot of mysterious mixed greenery at the foot of the feeders and in the borders nearby.

Mysterious greenery

The grasses can be quite pretty but I would not want them seeding everywhere – that way lies chaos and swamped plants!

Unknown grass

Another unknown

Most of it I pull up. But occasionally there is a pleasant surprise. The birds must have dropped some of the Sunflower seeds.

Sunflowers

And I get the benefit.

Sunflower

Once the seeds develop on the flower, the birds will have another feeding station…..and the circle of life will continue.

Back home and ignoring the garden until tomorrow

easygardener — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:03:36 +0000

We are back home from our holiday on the Greek island of Ithica. It was very relaxing and there was lots of sun. I loved the beautiful view from the balcony of the house we were staying in.

View of the harbour from the balcony

There was even a small swimming pool to keep us cool. Twice a day a flock of Swallows would sweep down and briefly dip themselves into the water before flying off again. Amazing to watch.

The pool

I read a lot of books and we went for walks. There were little churches to look at….

Church

…..and amazing scenery – rarely any other people around.

One of the walks

Special indeed was the walk that ended on a high note – especially on a hot day!

A cold beer!

I am ignoring the garden for the moment. I can see a very tall weed from the window but I am staying calm -until tomorrow!

The summer garden does its own thing

easygardener — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:29:55 +0000

There have been a number of distractions at Greenforks lately and I have not been able to spend much time on the main flower borders (or on blogging and commenting for that matter!). The vegetable plot is looking good but the flower borders are full of weeds. Luckily they are also full of flowers too so the weeds are not obvious.

Greenhouse

Side border

Gate out to the vegetable plot

Bench seat almost hidden by plants

New garden seat

The pond and Georgie (she is looking for frogs)

It just goes to show that the flower borders can manage themselves for one season at least – and that the camera can make weeds magically disappear.

On Saturday I am going to Greece for two weeks so will not be blogging for a while. I am hoping to be more organised by the time I return – I am desperate to get back to regular blogging and hope the break will provide a kick start to my mushy brain!

Cyber silence and other distractions

easygardener — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:41:12 +0000

You may have noticed that I have not been blogging recently. My computer started making siren noises as if the Emergency Services were arriving – all that was missing were the flashing blue warning lights. It was an intermittent fault but very unnerving. I found myself reluctant to turn the thing on. The Web Designer took it apart and decided the fan to the power supply had given up the ghost. Eventually a new part was fitted and (fingers crossed) all is blissful silence.

Computer before surgery

Lack of computer means my desk is a mess as this is the holding area for to-do tasks. There are reminders, seeds and plants to be added to my spreadsheet and accounts to do. I hardly dare mention the new Rice Cooker which is out of the picture on the left (sitting there until I find a place for it in the kitchen).

Messy desk

As if that was not enough of a distraction the Web Designer and J are still fixing up their new house.There is lots of decorating and building work to do so. I have been painting walls which I find quite soothing but I think my talent for multi tasking is fading as I get older. I am like my cats – easily distracted when something catches my eye and only able to focus on one thing at a time. Apart from the decorating there is further temptation – the blank canvas that is WD and J’s garden.

Garden at the new house

A lawn! I haven’t had one of those for years in my own garden. In the borders we have discovered a pink Paeony, a Rose, a variegated Iris and a Grass and Bamboo, all unidentified of course. I have to remember not to look at the garden while I am painting – I might have to go outside to investigate. That would not do.

The perfect garden

easygardener — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:09:21 +0000

The garden has taken on a life of its own despite me spending very little time doing any actual work in it. Flowers are everywhere.

Wisteria florabunda, Cercis siliquastrum and Eucalyptus parviflora

It seems I have to do very little. Does a garden even need a gardener if results are as good as this?

Enkianthus perulatus

Some plant pairings even happen by accident when a wild flower drops into the garden. I could not have done better myself.

Forget-Me Not (Myosotis sylvatica) and Ophiopogon planiscarpus 'Nigrescens'

I have even discovered that Tulips can be very attractive – even tall ones. I have only grown small species ones up to now. Gardening prejudices are often hard to overcome and can last years!

Tulipa 'Andre Rieu'

Perhaps the garden does not need me at all? I get out the garden chairs and sit down. What is that over there? Oh no…my peace is destroyed…the garden is tormenting me. I go and get a trowel and a fork while the garden gives a satisfied laugh. It knows how to keep a gardener on her toes.

Dandelion in seed and Welsh Poppy

Malvern Spring Show – where virtual bloggers become a reality

easygardener — Tue, 11 May 2010 10:35:12 +0000

The Digger and I enjoyed our trip to the Malvern Spring Show where a garden bloggers’ get together took place. It was fascinating to meet people who I had virtually “known” for over a year and others who I had never met before. It was especially lovely meeting Frances, Gail, Yolanda and Ewa who came over from the USA, Netherlands and Poland.

It was our first visit to the show and we enjoyed it immensely. There were lots of plants and garden sundries to buy. Everyone was walking around with full bags and trolleys.

Happy shoppers

I saw these carved wood garden seats and loved them. I decided we could squeeze one single chair into the back of the car, though it did take a while to manoeuvre it in !

I must have one of those!

Best of all were the show gardens. They are always interesting to look at whether you like them or not. There is always a chance there will be some feature or planting I can use in my own garden. I would love to have the log arch in the third picture below.

The Inside Out Garden

The Wisdom & Youth Garden

The Owl & The Pussycat Garden

The Resource Garden

There were plants of course and many were for sale. I was quite restrained and only bought nine plants in total including three species Pelargoniums. These Alliums and Echium pininana caught my eye in one of the show gardens.

Alliums and Echiums

There was also entertainment at the Show as you can see. Cleve West, James Alexander-Sinclair and Joe Swift demonstrate their dancing skills. The lengths some people will go to to get a round of applause!

Three Men Went To Mow - step 1

Three Men Went To Mow - step 2

Many thanks to VP and The Patient Gardener for organising this very entertaining weekend.

Seeds, Muffins and Malvern

easygardener — Mon, 03 May 2010 20:47:26 +0000

I am still way behind in the garden this year, quite how that has happened I do not know. Finally I have got round to sowing some vegetable seeds which I am keeping in the greenhouse. Hopefully this will allow them to get off to a good start. I also have seedlings of Tomatoes, Chilli Peppers, Cucumbers and Squash.

Seeds in greenhouse

I am not blogging or commenting as often for some reason – I do apologise. I could blame The Web Designer and his wife J who moved in with us while looking for a new house. They have found one but it needs a lot of work so naturally they prefer staying on in more comfortable surroundings. In truth it is lovely having them here as they have taken on a share of the cooking (hurrah!) and J has shown a talent for making scrumptious muffins (yum!).

Nor can I make much progress in the garden this coming weekend as I have been tempted by the garden bloggers’ get together at Malvern. The Digger and I are looking forward to the Malvern Spring Show and meeting people who have so far only existed in cyberspace.

I have a plan of campaign.

I will not buy too many plants
I will learn something about garden design that I can apply to my own garden (extremely unlikely but I live in hope)
I will not obsess about expensive garden features and sculpture that I cannot afford
If I take my sunglasses the weather will be sunny

Ready for the Show!

In with the new fence out with the old

easygardener — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:19:48 +0000

We have had a new garden fence installed. I find a new fence very satisfying, even if ours does look very new at the moment. I am sure it will look very weathered by next year.

New fence

This gave me an opportunity to remove the garden arbour and paint the roof. The cat walks by in disgust – she refuses to sit there unless the cushions are in place.

Newly painted Arbour seat

By the time the seat was back in place the Daphne nearby was flowering.

Daphne tangutica

The flowers are extremely fragrant and a beautiful colour. Daphnes are one of my favourite shrubs and would feature in my top ten list of “Shrubs that are a must for the garden”.

The fragrant flowers

A Famous Belgian

easygardener — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 09:54:48 +0000

We have been to Belgium for a few days, staying in Brussels. There is lots to see there, including a famous Belgian who is not Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. I mean of course the Manneken Pis (Flemish for ‘Little man urinating’).

Here he is in all his glory.

The Manneken Pis doing what he does best

Note the nonchalant pose

There is a tradition of dressing him up in a series of costumes. Perhaps they have stopped doing that. We pop into a nearby bar for a drink. But look, what have we here – a crowd has gathered near the Manneken Pis. What can it mean?

A larger crowd has gathered

Well I never!

He has changed into something less comfortable!

The man in black

It shows that fictional vampires are popular all over the world, though I think present day vampires would find that cape very uncool – especially now that it is very, very damp.