fran m's Journal

2010, a clean slate

2010, a clean slate

What better way to say goodbye to 2009, than a pure white, fresh fall of snow. Pure white way of saying farewell to a less than good year, a clean start to 2010, it has really been great getting to know you all, and looking forword to getting to know you all better in 2010, upwards and onwards to much better things, in all ways.

 ENJOY, AND MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT IT BRINGS TO US ALL.

Driftwood Piece

It's cracking me up :-)

I was in the shed yesterday and was looking at my driftwood. I was surprised how much lighter it was already, it is drying out well. But sadly a large crack has appeared down its length. I may be thinking this one out again. Time will tell.

Problems Problems......

Weather

Summer Day

It is one terrible night out there, just looking at some photos from bloom '09. It was a great summer's day when I went. Thought you might like to see some more, will post shortly.

My Wish for 2010

A new dawn for all

My Gardening wish for 2010,

Small change

Fist day in weeks there is no frost on the car, it is windy and milder alright. But the weatherman said last night that this cold spell will run on till about 6th Janurary, this would make it the longest severe cold spell on record for Ireland. If travelling please take care, still bad areas out there, mainly the midlands and the west. Off to day, so might get a little done in garden before other commitments  :-(

PS Just listening to the radio, it is due to get worse again over the next few days, possible down to -10 in places.

January 2010

Work area to be

Plans for the next month or so have been finalised in the mind. But a lot will depend on what the weather does and hopefully disruptions wont be to much. I am planning to get the last of the wilderness cut and clear back this entire area. This hopefully will be easier as a lot of it has died down naturally.

The work area behind the shed needs a lot of soil brought in to build it up to the level needed. This is no big problem as there is a mound of topsoil in the far corner from extension work some years ago. Along with the areas where I am planning to put the two raised beds to start with, this whole mound will be covered with plastic to kill the weeds off. Some ideas are stirring from the Carlow trip in connection with this area , but that will be another days work completely.

The area behind the shed will be paved, and used as a work, potting area, storage area for pots etc. Am keeping eyes open for wood etc that can be used as a n exterior workbench for summer / fine weather potting area. Time and some decent weather is all that is needed.

For Learner Birdwatchers

Worth a look

I don't know much about birdwatching, what I do know my father taught me, the rest I have picked up from this book, ' The Complete Guide to Ireland's Birds by Eric Dempsey and Michael O'Cleary. It is really great for learners and people with a basic interest in birds. There are no pictures in the book it is all drawings and paintings. Many of the birds have two and three coloured drawings or sketches of the birds, often in flight and standing, which is great in helping to identify birds you are unsure of.

Onions on my mind

Of Bamboo Interest

100 ft Bamboo

This is a picture of Aoife in the Philippines, the Bamboos to the right of her are growing in the bottom of a gorge, they were reaching 100 ft and bigger. In these parts of the world, these canes grow so big and are so strong that they are used as scaffolding on major building sights, I saw them in used myself on a 15 floor building complex.

Something different for the Pond

Water Dragon

As part of my chill out day, I have been sorting out photos on memory cards. We were in the Philippines two years ago. This photo was taken in a church grounds. It would look well in any country I think. There was a sensor on it some where and as you got nearer it would spout more water. Came across other photos that would be of interest for other journals

FranM's Birdwatch

I'm watching you too

Mulled wine on the go, yeah it's early but this is my chill day.

Sitting here watching the birds, wood pigeon robins, great tits, blue tits, robins, chaff finches, green finches, wren, linnets and two collard doves, No partridge yet !!

Batteries gone in camera, will get photos again.

A day to switch off

Winter colour

Hope you all had a good day, and all feeling fresh as daisies, hehe. This is my one total lazy day of the year, I love St. Stephens Day, it is a total chill day, all pressure is off, and I love to sit back and get a fire going. Intend to study a book I got from Maria " Allotments Month by Month" me thinks the raised beds may not be as big an issue as I thought. Back to work tomorrow, so am going to enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

Nature moves on, regardless.....

Christmas Eve morning

Keeping up the recent side tracking of garden.ie to birds.ie, I have just spent the last hour at the patio doors with tea and toast, watching the birds at the feeders. It really is time well spent, and just to keep up with Jacinta, I have two Blackcaps in the garden, not seen these for 7/8 years.

Two down, one to go........

Just looked this morning, a second of my three Amaryllis is showing signs of life. I find this hard to understand. All three were planted at the same time, all in the same window sill, and are weeks apart from in showing signs of life. The flowering period will stretched out, so maybe not so bad then.

A few last things to do, then switch off time, in a big way. Enjoy.

What is the flower you are waiting for?

OK might be a little early, but the days are now going in the right direction for us gardeners.

The Snowdrop is the flower that really means the most for me. It is such a great little flower, making it's way up through the often frozen ground, and producing those white flowers, in a simple, but strong statement, growth is back in the garden in all it's Glory.

COLD

Season's Greetings

Greetings one and all

Just a quick note to wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year.

It has been a great pleasure and even greater learning curve, getting to know you all on the site. It was even better meeting you all who could make it, in Carlow, hopefully there will be other meetings next year.

Enjoy the break, and if travelling drive carefully, and may your God go with you whatever you conceive him to be.

Water loving plants

This is a simple but really interesting effect.

You need a glass vase or pot, One Sweet Flag,  (Acorus Gramineus 'Variegatus') which is a pond plant, and some coloured gravel.

Half fill the pot with gravel, place the plant in the centre of the pot, fill the pot to just blow the rim with gravel, half fill with water, never allow the water to dry out, place in a well lit area but not direct full sun. The photo in the book is very small, but it give a great effect, this is recommended for use in bathrooms, as the plant does well in those conditions.

For Gismo

Old Boots

Hi Gismo, was looking through the book I picked up today, saw this picture and thought of you and your boots. Might give you an idea.

A book and a half.........

Best buy for 2009

Took a few minutes off a lunch break to have a look in Chapters book shop in town. 35 minutes later and a lot of will power I left with just one book, but as the saying goes, " I'll be back".

The book I bought is Success with Containers. 220 pages on using containers to grow all kinds of everything in, really great ideas, will pass them on in time.  120 pages on house plants, and different ways and means of using different containers and plants. 40 pages of plantnames, guide and much more.

There is plenty of advice on all kinds of planting ideas, shubs, flowers, veg, herbs and fruit. But best of all the princely sum of €4.99 Great ideas are coming your way.

Crazy idea, maybe........

Sometimes, what seem the silliest ideas, develop into something.

How many members are on garden.ie?

How much do those members spend in garden centers in a year?

Would those members be willing to pay a small fee for a card, that might give 10% discount to garden.ie members?

Would The Irish Garden think of following this idea up in 2010?

This is just me thinking silly........... or is it?

Garden Design

I think the final draft of the Wilderness has been finally decided. I will be putting some raised beds for the veg. The far corner, which has a 4 ft bank of soil ( from extension work ) will hopefully be planted using ideas seen in the Arboretum. A grass area will reseeded and brought back to some kind of a decent lawn, with a few fruit trees ( maybe ). That is the plan anyway.

This garden of mine has to be the strangest shape you will ever see. Over the Christmas break I am planning to draw a scale plan of the garden, along with this I am going to start a proper garden diary ( thanks john plotman ) so both the drawing and the diary will help me keep a record of what works best for the garden and the plants I have in it.

Hopefully this is the first New Years resolution that will be stuck to 100%

Bird feeders

Since putting the bird feeders out recently I noticed in the last week or so that they did not need to be filled as often as normal. I was off work yesterday, and found the reason why. Magpies, they were trying to get at the feeders, trying and trying and every now and then they would grab on and have a good feed. This was keeping the small birds away.

So a few lenghts of string later, and all feeders are hanging from branches via string. This makes the feeders swing to much, which prevents the magpies getting near the food, try as hard as they could, they seemed to get fed up and flew away.

Hopefully that will solved the problem.

Strawberry Fields Forever.

Favorite Plant

Christmas Apple

This decorative apple is my favorite plant for this time of year. Reason shows itself. These little apples will get a brighter red as frosts increase, and will last well into March if lucky. The birds will clear them then, they must have to ripen as they seem to pick at them now and then, then all of a sudden they are gone.

Not happy about this, need advise, please.

Takes all sorts....

Libertia Peregrinans

Libertia

During the walk around the Arboretum on Sunday we saw a super display of Libertia. I had just discovered another plant that I have in the garden, but did not know the name. It produces the purest white flower you will ever see.

It did not flower well this year, hopefully due to the bad weather, and hopefully due to the plants being overcrowded. I have now split these plants and have replanted some. I have 6 plants in pots if anyone is interested.

I got a great buzz, when I thought I found out the name on Sunday, mine is slightly different than what we saw. So some googling was done, and plant was found. Thanks to every one on teaching each other, plant names, advice, opinions, and tips.

Am I right in thinking that if this plant was over crowded, it might prevent flowering?

Arbouretum Walkaround

I found the walk around the Arbouretum yesterday, really good. The idea of group planting worked so well. Even on a cold winters day, the amount of colour and interest was fantastic. The 1,3,5,7 idea of planting was new to me, so simple but effective. Variegated plants grow slower than normal plants, never knew this, but answered a few questions for me straight away.

It was cold, but well worth doing. I think every one learnt something.

Leucothoes

Great day out

Well done Gismo, won the race to get first report posted. It was a great day. Meeting people after having so many conversations online, it is fab to finally meet the real people. The walk around the garden was good, my Latin improved also.....

Thank you, for the strawberry plants, I have plants I divided recently and once I know they have taken I will be in touch. Thought I had lost my camera, found it down the side of the seat when I got home.

Happy Christmas to one and all.

Good start to the day

Great to be meeting everyone later on, really looking foreword to connecting real people to their sites, you know what I mean. Just looked at me 3 dormant Amarylis bulbs, and hay presto, one has just pushed a fresh green tip up. Never say die, As Rachel said, give up when bulb rots away.

What a find.....

Grevilla ( Flowering Christmas Tree )

Went to get the Christmas Tree this morning, and came home with two, one the normal standard tree and the other, a flowering Christmas Tree ( Greillea ) A plant from Australia / New Guinea. It has a xmas tree shape, flowers from now for about 3/4 months depending on the weather. This is something really different to have at this time of year, and is just about to bust into full bloom. Will post more photos later on.

No garden time today,

I was just outside, still dark, but it will be a good day. The birds must  sense it to, it is like a spring chorus out there, great to hear it all. Busy day, going to get the tree, decorations out of attic etc,etc. Then leaving the car in to be valeted for the journey tomorrow, while the car is been done, getting my hair cut, then off to collect my suits from dry cleaners, not sure what suit to ware, oh yeah, 4 sheets of wrapping paper to wrap the pressie, pressure, who needs it? Who ever picked the 13th thank you, thank you, thank you, others are heading to town for shopping and I am missing the trip :- ((

See you all tomorrow :-))

Problems of a tidied shed

What is it?

Issue number one of a tidied shed has just cropped up. I am missing an envelope of plant lables. Can anyone help put a name on this plant. I bougnt it at Bloom this year, it produces a cone shaped flower with the red cone coming through the flowers.

Bird Houses

Expert help

There are a lot of people on the site who really know their plants and the proper plant names which is great. Well done you all.

However, there are others, myself included, who, has a lot to learn. Now I do know I can google the proper names, but I do find it surprising how often the common names are not there.

Would I be asking a lot of, "ye gifted folk in the know", could you post the common names (in brackets) to help us learners, catch up, Thanks, in expectation.

From little acorns......

I spent a little time last night looking back at peoples journals, so, you might ask. These entries were from over a year ago. Journals were posted, and posted and posted. Often with no comments at all.  Today, when a journal is posted, it is nothing strange to see 12, 15, 20 comments and more been made in return.

To those pioneers who persisted, with the site, in those barren days, thank you. 

Rhodochiton

I chickened out yesterday, and moved the Rhodochiton in to the shed. Despite the fleece, I really wanted to get it through the winter, better chance in the shed. Re-potted, a few canes for support, and will put fleece on later, the roof of the shed is insulated so the keeps temp from betting to low.

If it comes through, it should give a great show next summer. Fingers crossed.

Garden Help

Long long ago, I was out doing a few things in the garden. Maria came out and offered to help. This was a nice surprise, to say she enjoys the garden, is very very true. As for wanting to take part in doing the garden, ah, thanks but no thanks. So when I got the offer of help, I was trilled.

I had grown Fennel for the first time. It was a beauty.  A few bits needed to be cut back, yellowing etc. " You can trim the back a little " I said. Went to get something out of the shed. " What will I do with this" ?...... Maria was standing there holding 4 ft. of Fennel.

Lesson one started, difference between trimming and chopping.

Amaryllis

Wood for raised veg beds.

I have lengths of wood, 6" x 6" that is pressure treated. I know that pressure treated wood is a no no for veg beds. But this wood is 5/6 years old, has been exposed to the weather completely, would this wood be safe to use, or do I  just get untreated wood. Any thoughts?

Onions Planted

I got some onions from Jacinta, that were surplus to requirments, thanks again. I had planned to get some planters to grow them in, I started thinking about the cost, and was thinking about all the space I have. So I decided to dig and area 2 x 4 at the side of the shed, dug, cleared, and dug again. I was expecting the soil to be heavier, but it broke up easy enough.

 So there are now 45 onions planted happily in the ground. Roll on the French Onion Soup. As I was finishing I spotted a cat watching me, I knew what he was thinking, so out came a piece of chicken wire, he will be sick when he comes back.

Also spent some time at the back of the shed. Got a little clearing done. Had to cut some of the old Railway fench post out. Enough for one day, late night last night. Feet up time, me thinks. :-)

RAIN STOPPED PLAY

Winter project

Rain got in the way of my best laid plans for today. None the less, got a fair bit done. Collected up all the leaves from out on the road, job was made easier that leaves were wet. Before the first barrow was full, there were two robins joined me, they had a great feed. I then cleared front beds of the last of the leaves.

To be ready for Christmas, I planted two planters for the front door with red and white Cyclamen. Another four went into one of the beds, they look great, a little lonely, may have to get more. Re-potted some summer bedding, going to try and keep them in the shed over winter, as an experiment only.

Had a look at the area behind the shed, that's as far I got. This area will be paved, and used as a work area, storage area, whatever else is needed. Will need it for the spring so this is a winter project, all going well.

I did note that the bulbs seemed to have slowed in growth, presume this is due to the recent frosts, nature always corrects itself. Kaffir lilies are still flowering well, spotted a flower on my Salvia Hotlips, and there are flower buds on one of the Fuchsia, two are so well along that a little sun and they will be in flower. Some of the free bulbs from Mr. Middleton's are well up, thought they were weeds, leaves are unknown to me, so will did out labels and google them.

Just to Keep you all quite

Will be well used.

OK, just to prove, job finished. I am posting pictures of the shed. This picture shows new work bench that I made at long last. That bench has been on wish list for many a year.

Plans for today.

There are new cablelink TV cables being fitted in the estate at the moment, 5/6 large vans parked about the place, no problem really. They were working in our cul de sac the other day, when for the first time ever, the council arrived with a road sweeper to clean up the leaves, I was trilled to see this when I came home from work, as it was on my list of things to do. A large amount of leaves gather in the corner at our hedge. All leaves are still there, due to the parked vans, things just go against you at times.

Also want to plant some onions I got recently, (thanks Jacinta). I am then going to start and clear the area at the back of the shed, I want to turn this into a work area. (not good for much else). I hope to finally pave it and set up a small all weather potting table, for working on planters etc. trying to save the old back.

There is also a garden seat, that has been in the shed for weeks, drying, I am hoping to get a coat of sealer on it as well. Then and only then, if and only if there is time, and if and only if there are batteries in the camera, I might take some photos of the shed. Then maybe not.......... Did he sort it did he not? is more fun. Have a good day, whatever, you do. Enjoy.

What have I got myself in to?

I have often been told, for many different reasons, Fran you talk before you think. Well I talked myself into it this time, and no one to blame but me, me, me and me again.

"I am driving to the Arboritum, does any one want a lift,"

One, two, ok, no problem, can deal with that.

Three, eh, right eh, ehmmm, yes, I will cope.

 HELPPPPPPPPP, 4 women in one car, be warned ladies you will get there, not sure about your getting home.

Two rules and two rules only.

1.   No back sit drivers.

2.   One person speaks at a time.

Follow these simple rules, and you just might get home.

Junior Market Gardener

I don't know why I am so worried about trying my hand at veg growing next year. Its not as if I haven't done it before, I even earned a living from it. I used to supply the neighours at home with,

Salad @ 5 pennies a head           Bunch of Radish @ 3 pennies

Bunch of Scallions @ 5 pennies

The word pennies says enough about when this all took place.

My Dad, gave me a section of the garden, for this purpose. He thaught me about sowing at intervals, to keep the supply going for as long as was possible. The budding millionaire can still remember the trill of going to water the seeds one day, and seeing the first peepings a green, along a few straight lines. The money I saved that year went towards an Actionman Jeep. There was never a toy so well looked after, as that jeep was.

Strange the summers were really great, back then.

For Jacinta

Name please

Jacinta, this is the one plant that I am unsure of of the cuttings you gave me. Thanks in advance.

AíAlainn, Clara, Bizzybee, Drumanagh

20 DAYS

No it is not another song, But it is 20 days, but to what?

NO... Christmas is 24 days away.

It does not seem that long ago, since we were complaining about the evenings cutting away, we did not get much done due to shortage of light. Now in 20 days, it starts turning in our favour. Before we know it, journals on evening work, will be flooding in. 20 days and counting..........

Reuse / Recycle

Starting to grow from seed for the first time next year. I have started to collect yogurt cartons, been the prime one to start with. I was just tidying up there, and was about to put a clare plastic box that grapes come in, in the bin. I noticed that there is already holes in these, might be used might not.

Does anyone, have other ideas for this kind of recycling and reusing?

Could not get you all in.....

12 Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a garden dot ieeee

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Two Orchids from Liga and a garden dot ieeee

On the third day of Christmas my true gave to me, Three Chilipeppers, Two Orchids from Liga and a Garden dot ieeee.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Four French ClaireE's, Three Chilipeppers, Two Orchids from Liga and a Garden dot ieeee.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Five Gismo's Smiling, Four French ClaireE's, Three Chilipeppers, Two Orchids from Liga and a Garden dot ieeee.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Six Rachel's a Journaling, Five Gismo's Smiling, Four French ClaireE's, Three Chilipeppers, Two Orchids from Liga and a Garden dot ieeee.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Seven Jacinta's Slogging Six Rachel's a Journaling, Five Gismo's Smiling, Four French ClaireE's, Three Chilipeppers, Two Orchids from Liga and a Garden dot ieeee.

On the eight day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Eight Myrtle's Mowing, Seven Jacinta's Slogging Six Rachel's a Journaling, Five Gismo's Smiling, Four French ClaireE's, Three Chilipeppers, Two Orchids from Liga and a Garden dot ieeee.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Nine Meckey's Producing, Eight Myrtle's Mowing, Seven Jacinta's Slogging Six Rachel's a Journaling, Five Gismo's Smiling, Four French ClaireE's, Three Chilipeppers, Two Orchids from Liga and a Garden dot ieeee.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Ten Johnplotmen Potting, Nine Meckey's Producing, Eight Myrtle's Mowing, Seven Jacinta's Slogging Six Rachel's a Journaling, Five Gismo's Smiling, Four French ClaireE's, Three Chilipeppers, Two Orchids from Liga and a Garden dot ieeee.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Eleven Kitty's Studying, Ten Johnplotmen Potting, Nine Meckey's Producing, Eight Myrtle's Mowing, Seven Jacinta's Slogging Six Rachel's a Journaling, Five Gismo's Smiling, Four French ClaireE's, Three Chilipeppers, Two Orchids from Liga and a Garden dot ieeee.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Twelve Spider‘s Wall Building, Eleven Kitty's Studying, Ten Johnplotmen Potting, Nine Meckey's Producing, Eight Myrtle's Mowing, Seven Jacinta's Slogging Six Rachel's a Journaling, Five Gismo's Smiling, Four French ClaireE's, Three Chilipeppers, Two Orchids from Liga and a Garden dot ieeee.

HAPPY CLEAN AND TIDY SHEDS TO ONE AND ALL.......... :-)))