Last Post 1363 days 1 hour ago
31 August 2009 22:28:32
We have returned from our holidays, which was peaceful and relaxing, to a world of chaos and madness. Even though we had all the school stuff organised before we went, it still was mayhem trying to get everything organised yesterday evening. It was trying to organise the invasion of a small country. To boot Meath put in a bad performance at the office yesterday.
On a good note the cuttings Mary ( flitters ) gave me survived the journey home and have all being transplanted. However the lawn was not mowed for two weeks before we went due to rain. Now I have returned to the everglades and not a chance of mowing with this weather. The cabbages I sowed 2 weeks before I went have being devoured by green catterpillars and the weeds have being running riot. With the rain today the back yard flooded and the dogs are making muck everywhere. I have to pull the onions but I seem to have mislaided my sub aqua equipment. The hanging baskets and flower containers died when I was away ( they drowned) and there is just this mass of dead plants lying and hanging around the place. It is like a scene from a horror movie, oh and everyone sent their bills while I was away.
I think its time to go fishing.
28 August 2009 22:16:32
Up to recently Herself indoors never bothered with the garden. It was my domain and she never cared what I planted or dug up. She ignored this part of our kingdom and left it totally to my rule. I fear this is changing. I know I wrote about this before but I thought it might have being a phase wth her and it would pass and everything would return to normal.
However after visiting Flitters and Rachels gardens there is a gleam in her eye. Today we were in Aldi's to purchase a few climbers. She now has started to discuss with me the creation of new flowerbeds. Phormium seems to be the in plant with her. She has started to glance at a few gardening books I bought on holidays. I can see little rest for me during the winter. I think my sole rule of the garden is coming to an end. The only place of retreat for me now is if I barracade myself into the greenhouse. A winter of discontent could be upon me.
26 August 2009 19:13:37
herself indoors with Rachel and Norman
Today we were invited to Rachels to view the garden and a spot of lunch. The garden is really a prize winner and no words from me will do justice, so the best soluction is to view Rachels photos. I loved the garden and the tour. The green house will make any gardener jealous that has a small one. It is a couple of feet short of an aircraft hangar. The flowerbeds are a mass of bees and butterflys and you don-t have them in your garden growing weeds. The garden is a floral display of colour, scent and beauty and would be the envy of most gardeners.
The spot of lunch that Rachel invited us to was a banquet and one would be hard pressed to match it in any restaurant. The best china and silverware was on display and both families ate well. There is nothing like " GOOD COMPANY, GOOD FOOD AND GOOD CONVERSATION" to make the time fly by. It was a pleasure to meet Rachel and her family and they were so warm and welcoming us to their home.
It is always a pleasure and a joy to meet new people but it is an honour to make new friends. It has being a joy to visit the gardens I was invited to and the hospitality that was shown to me and my family was unbelievable. It has made a hugh impact on our holiday and we cannot thank everybody enough.
25 August 2009 21:55:44
Mary give another plant
Yesterday I had the honour to visit Flitters ( Mary ) garden. First of all, may I say what a gracious and generous host that wecomed us to her house and garden. Her house and balcony overlooks a stunning view. Her front garden is fabulous but the back garden is pure brilliant. Mary has plants, shrubs and trees growing along side each other and all blend together to make a fabulous garden. The plant and shrub beds wind and weave their way around perfect lawns. The lawns and their care are down to marys husband and they are perfect.
Mary brought with her a spade and secateurs on her tour around the garden and both were in constant use. No matter what plant, Mary gave a cutting, dug up a clump or gave seeds. We left with a boot load of plants. We spent yesterday evening getting containers to keep them safe for the journey home.
mary has greenfingers and seems to have the gift that no matter what she plants grows, the proof being in a lemon and bannana tree growing and giving fruit. I learned a lot from mary yesterday and it is always a pleasure to learn from such a gracious and learned master. Thank you Mary for such an informative and entertaining visit.
21 August 2009 22:22:55
johnstown house
Today I went to Johnstown house outside Wexford town. It is a garden mainly of lawns, mature trees and water features. It is beautifully laid out and is absolutely beautiful to stroll through. It is a typical estate design with large lawns and walks. The walled garden is beautiful and I say in its early days was a hive of activity. It seems to be split into two, floral and fruit. The fruit end of the garden is closed off. The glass house is spectacular but I think It is starting to need a bit of TLC or it fall into disrepair.
The main house is not open to the public, which is a shame. It is a beautiful building from the outside. behind it is an amazing water feature with walks. The main house and grounds are sculpted to match and blend with each other.
The stables are converted into an agriculture musuem and is fasnicating. Anyone that visits Wexford is missing out if they leave this of their plans for places to visit. It is absolutely fasnicating and covers all aspects of Irish life in agriculture. It is one of the best places I have ever visit.
I will put up photos when I return home as broadband to slow down here
20 August 2009 22:48:13
a gardener at play
I was reading in todays journals of some gardeners the problem they were having with to much water after yesterdays rains. Had a bit of a problem with water myself
17 August 2009 23:19:37
D-day was fought here
Greetings from the sunny south east. I have never come across as many garden centres in the space of three hours on my trip down here. You could throw a stone and hit a garden centre. I think herself indoors was of the opinion that I was bringing her on a tour of garden centres in wexford for her holidays. The weather is grand, beaches lovely and the grub and beer is hitting the spot. I have picked up a habit since Olga,s visit. I am now staring intensely into gardens and checking out what they are growing. I have now started to drive slowly so I can do this.
It is hard to believe from the beautiful picture below that D-day was fought here. Hundreds of soldiers, barb wire, battleships, tanks and sea defences. Then Tom Hanks stepped ashore in the hope of saving "Private Ryan". This is the beautiful beach used for the film and a place where I spent part of the day working on my tan
13 August 2009 23:44:26
When Olga was here in Meath I brought her to two villages competing in the tidy towns competion. I will not name these towns for the simple reason I have to live in this county. The first village did not impress her as she said it was to false and gawdy with all its window boxes and hanging baskets. She was of the Impression that it was too forced. The second village really impressed her.
She was highly impressed with the next village and got out to photograph everything. She stopped and admired every plant, structure and garden. I on the other hand could see the window curtains moving. I could see men and woman moving down the street in front of us tidying and fixing misplaced flowers hurriedly. Olga moved on, peering into all gardens photographing everything and pausing to discuss with me the merits of certain plants. I with one eye watched the watchers as they viewed our progress thru the village. Olga continued on her journey of fasnication and awe of this village. I on the other hand began to have a very scary thought. I am of the opinion that the "WATCHERS" believe we were from the tidy towns committee and if Olga joyful face and gasps of joy at different garden features were to go by, these "WATCHERS" maybe of the opinion that they could have won in a caterogy of the competition. I on the other hand will not drive thru this village for a couple of months just to be on the safe side, in case they might not win anything. better to be safe than sorry
13 August 2009 23:23:42
At the close of business i am on holidays for a fortnight. We are travelling to Wexford for the fortnight and i am looking forward to it. But tomorrow is a very busy day, trying to leave everything organised for my father who is going to look after everything for me.
When I come back the real work starts on putting a garden of shape, function and interest into being. I will rest well for the two weeks before the major work starts over the winter.
12 August 2009 22:45:52
Today an invitation was given to Olga and myself to visit Johnplotmans garden and i wish to thank him for the visit. It is always nice to see someone elses garden. I was a hughely entertaining day and I left a lot wiser than I arrived. John was gracious in his time and knowledge. It is a joy to listen to other gardeners talk about their methods of growing, their ideas and their plans for their garden. Thank you John for a great afternoon in your garden.
12 August 2009 22:28:22
Olga has come and gone and anyone that gets the oppurunity to meet the lady will be infused and invigorated for her passion and knowledge of all things gardening. She has a unbelievable passion for plants and planting schemes. She has a wicked sense of humour and it was a pleasure to have her stay with us. Anyone who has the oppurunity to meet Olga will be the richer for it and their garden will be the better for it. I hope she visits next year and allows more time for her visit to the Royal county
10 August 2009 22:06:11
Olga comes to Meath tomorrow and is spending two days here with the family and me. I should have the garden at its best for her, but at this minute of time it is far from perfect. A few days away from it, due to work commitements and the weeds have got a bit of a hold. The roses are faded and jaded and the hanging baskets are finished. Everything is in decline. Then tonite I log on and see some of the gardens she has visited and they are in a state of perfection. I will be up all night tidying the garden for her visit. It is the first time anyone has ever come to pay a visit to my garden and I will be interested in her ideas for the improvement of my garden as it is going under the knife for reconstruction over the winter.
09 August 2009 20:34:16
turf in footings
During the summer weather I work on the local bog saving the turf. Nowadays it is cut by machine, but I remember when it was done with the slain. I remember when the cattle were skulled the discarded horns would be collected to make the hand grips for the slains. The turf would be brought out to the spread banks either by pony or donkey.
Today it is cut by machine, but everything else is done as it was through the generations. When it is laid out on the spreadbank to dry and get a skin, it is then footed. In other parts of the country it is put into castles. It is then clamped, this is done if the weather was to break before you could get it home. When it is brought home it is reeked in the yard to keep it dry over the winter.
It is a skill now become redundant to the advancement of technology. The world has gone and got itself fast, and sometimes not all for the good. The years must be starting to catch up on me when I am starting to look over my shoulder at yester year
06 August 2009 21:43:57
RED SKY OR RAIN ON THE WAY
Every night I browse around other peoples gardening site and am amazed by what people grow and put in their garden. However I see the most common discussion on everybodies site is the Weather. This has set me thinking.
If we did not have the weather to discuss The Irishman-woman would be part of the quietiest race ever to live on the planet. What in the name of God would we discuss ? I even go as far as say the irish race would die out, since it is the greatest icebreaker since, "does your mother know your out", or "do you come here often".
however I live in awe of those that can predict the weather. Evelyn cusack and Met Eireann get it hard to get it right with their satelites and fancy computer generated models. However the irish have their own way of predicting the weather. I know a auld fella that can tell you three days in advance if its going to rain. He says his arthritis gives him serious jip when rain is on the way. Then you have "red sky at night" and all that codology, or if a cow lies down rain is expected. I have heard it say a lot of berries on the holly, sign of a hard winter. Seagulls inland a sign of storm at sea. I am sure their are other sayings and words of wisdom on the weather, but all I know is this, just as your about to do something it feckin rains.
The wisest words I have heard about the weather is this. ALL OF US CAN TAKE A LESSON FROM THE WEATHER AS IT PAYS NO ATTENTION TO CRITICISM.
06 August 2009 13:46:25
I have heard from Gerry regarding my spud problem and he has give some good news. He reckons it is slugs due to the wetness of the ground and manure used. This is great news, even though this years crop is a loss. It means I can grow again next year and following Gerrys recommendation in using a early variety.
I am no poorer for the loss of the crop. I have learnt something new and I got three months enjoyment out of the planting of them. I got plenty of exercise digging and spraying, learnt new things as I went along and am now a bit wiser than I was three months ago. The only disadvantage is that I won-t be making my own leek and potato soup. Next year hopefully I will have better success.
04 August 2009 21:37:52
he is in there
I have managed to save the spuds from the blight by cutting off the stalks and leaving the spuds in the drills. However I have now a more serious problem and this one is not easily solved. My potato crop has being attacked by a little beggar called wire worm. Well it is known around here by that name but it probaly has some fancy latin name somewhere, but no matter what its called its heralds the end of spud growing for me for the next 5-6 years, unless I open a new veg garden elsewhere.
The little fella drills his way into the spud, eats his way thru it and leaves. He can go thru a spud plot in no time. the old timers tell me that i will have to cease growing for a few years in the present plot. I will ask Gerry what advise he has on the matter, but for some reason I am not hopeful.