fran m's Journal

What am I?

What am I?

This appeared in the garden two years ago, doing better and better each year, but I dont have a name. To tired this evening to look through any books.

Thanks Rachel

Thanks Rachel

Rachel, these are the Tulips you gave me. Just coming into bloom now. Can I have a name on them please, I want to be able to lable them.

Thanks again.

€5.40 bargain

€5.40 bargain

These are the small plants I got in Lild for €5.40. They were two small to plant alone, so put them together. They have grown so well, I will have to seperate them later this year. Really pleased with these.

If you tried, it wouldn't work.

If you tried, it wouldn't work.

Last Saturday, I was filling the mixed seed bird feeder. Some of the seed spilt on the tray holding my second lot of mangtout. Thought nothing of it. This evening I spotted that some of seeds have germinated. Think some it may be sweetcorn, have two sunflowers also. All this in six days.

Learning curve

Lobelia

These are my second set of Lobelia seedlings, first lot were char grilled by the sun and a muppet who forgot to open the lidl greenhouse.

They are still a very fine seedling but these are stronger looking, and nothing as leggy as the first lot. Think I may have had them in a poor position, that caused them to stretch.

After four weeks I had given up on the Rodohicton seed yesterday, took the tray out to empty in the garden, the phone rang and I put the tray down. Went to empty it today and two seedlings are up, close shave for them.

Vegetables

Veg report

Mangetout

Find it hard to believe I am posting this Journal, but here goes....

Toms not the best, losing them slowly, think I will buy a few plants in and start again next year.

Mangetout doing great 1st lot 18", 2nd lot 3". Sweetcorn been hardened off, another lot just germinated two days ago. Courgettes germinated after 5 days. 1st lot of Garlic doing great, 2nd lot 4 weeks behind. Spuds are just peeking above the ground. Radish are doing ok. Spring onion just up. Parsley coming on great. Lambs lettuce and Mixed Lettuce doing good. $ chilli plants doing fine, smaller than others post ed lately, but doing fine. Unagrants Broad Beans are growing fine. Waiting on peas to show themselves.

In case I am misleading anyone, these are all in small numbers, but I am happy.

Maria is even reminding me to close the Lidl greenhouse and Cold frame.

What am I?

What am I?

Spotted this in a pot today, do not have a clue. Can anyone help......

Suggestions please.

Suggestions please.

This is the view of the garden from the Patio doors, I want to put something special in the pot on the right. I want something that will give year round interest or nearly year round , if you know what mean.

No Acers if you don't mind.........

Seek and ye shall find....

Seek and ye shall find....

When for a walk along the beach this morning, found a nice piece of driftwood. Cut a straight cut on it to allow it stand straight, some stain on it over a few days and it will look great.

Walls of colour

Walls of colour

Have not had Wallflowers for years. I had forgotten just what kind of colour show that they put on. They don't cost much, but put on a great display. Think I will grow them from seed for the fun of it, and to keep the fun of seed sowing, going.

For Rachel

For Rachel

Rachel, thought your would like to see the Philadelphus ( mock orange) you gave me, it is doing great, really pleased with it.

I collected this from shrub from Rachel's last year. It was a little the worst for ware. It had been out of the ground for a few days, Rachel was away, and it was in the sun for the few really hot days we got last year. It had only a few leaves on it when I got it home. Planted it, soaked it, and soaked it with a bucket of water each day, for a few weeks. The few leaves that were on it hung on till the bitter end. I held a tiny amount of hope for it.

A few weeks ago, I spotted a few green buds, yes it had made it through. It shows you the importance of really soaking largish plants and shrub if and when you do move them ;-))))

Thanks again

Lots done.....more to do

Deck open for use.....

Plans for today did not quite work out. Up most of the night, just could not settle or sleep, most unlike me. Was not 100% when I started in the garden this morning, could not get into any heavy work in the front corner area. as I had hoped.

A lot of things in pots needed a good watering, potted on some seedlings. Had a good few plants that had been divided or had been moved from somewhere else, planted most of those around different boarders. Think, (hope) some of the boarders are going to look good.

A power washer was collected from friends, the deck was swept, and power washed. This took much longer than expected, but cleaned up really well. All the furniture was power washed as well, while it was here. The deck is now open, yahoo....

Sorted out the tumbling pots, I was using glazed, slightly rounded pots this year. They do not sit as well as the straight sided terracotta pots. So very fine wire was used to hold the top two in place, all's well..... Will finish planting them in the next few days. Has clouded up now with heavy mist, a slight change is on the way, me thinks.

Now, where's the bottle opener.......

Trees

Sumach bud

Just sitting here having a cuppa, before I heard out to the garden. I love this time of the day, the house is asleep, and time is mine (for a while anyway).

The is a lovely Silver Birch at the end of the garden, I just noticed the fresh green of the buds breaking open. We are here 25 years now, and I have never seen this tree breaking bud so late. Normally the Birch would be way ahead of the Sumach beside the Decking, The Sumac is breaking bud also, that tree has always been far behind all other trees. Strange the effects this winter has had, even on the trees.

That's my thought for the day, enjoy.

Plans

Unknown, but a nice one.

Today was a great day, oh to have been at home,work gets in the way so much, don't you think.

Just finished watching Gardener's World, was absolutely amazed at the way two seedlings were pulled apart compost and all, holding the leaves. Learnt a few things about sowing veg, which was great.

Tomorrow will be spent, in the garden all day ( I have it booked for days ) Have been, hardening off, sunflowers  for two weeks now ( outside ) lost two, the rest seem fine, so the are moving in with the  big boys.

Want to power wash the decking, get the furniture out and cleaned, BBQ out of the shed, and hopefully use it ;-))

I said a while ago, that my Neighbors are extending, and I am losing a wood, tile, and mirror screen. Have been thinking long and hard about this. Will start drawing some plans of what is going to go in, and post them up for your approval ;-))

It is going to be totally different, and as some plans are in line for some work in the house, may not get it sorted till next year. If you have plans for the weekend, I hope they all go well,enjoy.

Sow and Learn

Someone commented the other day, just what I was thinking. I think because of the winter we experienced, I rushed into sowing seeds, especially seen as how I am a complete beginner. I lost Lobelia, the Canna seeds turned to mould and mush, One lot of sweetpea never showed, second lot not much better, three germinated, squirrel grass 20% success, toms germinated, but not looking great.

On the other hand, chillies are looking good, salads doing great, radishes are up, poppies ok, a few others are so so. But this seed sowing is great, who is to say what is going to happen......... Think I'm hooked......

Giant Alliums

Giant Alliums

My giant alliums are showing signs of the tips of the leaves going yellow, I never had these before, is this ok or is there a problem.....

For Drumanagh.......Aquilegia unknown

Aqulegia

This is the Aquilegia I saw yesterday in Mr. Middletons, I picked two of them up today, really really nice plant, and at €2.60 each, nice price. The one thing I was disappointed about was that they did not know the name of it. I was disappointed about this, does any one have a name on this variety, please.

Maintnance of wooden garden furniture---final word

In a previous life I spent over 25 years in the decorating business, so I feel I can speak with a little experience.

If we take any standard piece of wooden furniture. Take it from this time last year, think, how much dew, rain, hail, snow and frost settled on that furniture in the 12 months. Now, think how much moisture penetrated into the wood?

If that moisture is sealed into the wood now, as the weather warms up, that moisture will want and needs to escape from the wood. And it will, by only one method, it will make it's way to the surface, where under the heat of the sun it expands and forces the moisture to expand. This expansion causes the varnish / coatings blister, crack and peel. This is now a problem that will be ongoing.

The one thing I considered before I put down the decking was, the maintenance. In this climate if a Deck is to look well it must be well protected. When laying my deck, I allowed a 4mm gap between the boards. At the end of all the snow, frost and ice we had, I noticed in places that gap had in places, closed completely. The wood, despite been very well protected still absorbed a lot of moisture. It is starting to dry out. The decking will get another coat of sealer this year. But that will not be applied till well into the summer, to allow as much drying out of the wood as possible.

Hope I have not gone on to long, but it is sound advice, and can save a lot of unnecessary work.

Yours in all aspects of gardening, Fran the Man ;-))

Spent €2..... best ever.

Last week at the sale in Kilruddery, I spent a whole €2 on a A4 sized book. Patio and Container Gardening, it is in mint condition, 200 pages of colour photos, ideas and suitable plants for all kinds of situations. The best money I have ever spent, really pleased with this one.

Solar Powered

First Harvest

Working today, and have just made lunch for myself, a salad. For the first time I was went into the garden and from a planter was able to pick my own lettuce leaves. The are a little small, but I over sowed and it needed thinning out. Still covered with dew, it was a great feeling,

and of course, will be the best tasting ever. I was also watering the radish and spring onions seedings, all out of the ground ;-))

Losing my hair........

Acer

Have spent nearly 2 hours trying to upload photos to Pots and Planters Album, kept losing connection and hair........ they are there now.

Sweet

Sweetcorn

Growing some veg for the first time this year. Following sound advice, on growing what you like, I sowed some Sweetcorn. This was sown last Saturday, I was more than happy and surprised to see it appear yesterday. Now that I have some extra paper rolls, I can now sow more seeds tomorrow.

Mobile Planters and Pots

Mobile Planters and Pots

Pots and Planters are great, The effect they give when planted with a special plant and standing alone as a centre piece. Or lots of different pots and planters grouped together can be equally as stunning.

I must admit I am in favour of both but lean big time towards the latter. I am constantly changing and moving them to different to different areas. This is effective in many ways, but mainly in giving such different effects for the effort of changing positions and the visual effect. It can be so productive for the time it takes, and for the effect it produces.

This is the result of 30 minutes work today, and has changed the appearance in the back garden totally. Another bonus is that the pots are hiding the end of the garden.

I saw this idea put to great effect in Clara's garden yesterday. If I can get a little height into some of these pots the effect will even be better.

I will be opening an Album on pots and planters, more for my own records, but you are all welcome to to have a look. As if you could be stopped. Enjoy the weekend.

Evil Eye

Evil Eye

I have been trying to get some photos of the Squirrels for weeks now. Finally today I spotted one coming along the fence, as soon as I appeared above the hedge, he took off. I was not expecting the photo I got. He was back light by the sun, this is a weird shot of so called furry friends, think again folks......

Evil Eyed squirrels never knew we had them in Ireland.

Two for the price of one............

Two for the price of one............

I bought an Acer 'dissectum' the second of the two I got last week. The dissectum was grafted on to another stem, these two leaves are showing at the base of the stem, the leaves are totally different from the grafted section.

If I allow this growth develope, will I end up with two Acers on the one plant?

Acer Planted...... thanks Clara

Acer Planted...... thanks Clara

I got one of my Acers planted today, as I said before, a little small for the planer that it is in, but time will solve that. Filled part of the space with the piece of wood Clara gave me, even if I say, it looks great with the leaf colour. Very happy with this planter now, Thanks again Clara.

Kilruddery House and more...........

Went to Kilruddery House on the far side Bray this morning, there was a bring and buy sale, which had a decent number of plants on sale. Some of them must have been fairly rare due to prices up to €50 for white Peony. I was happy with a lovely Bleeding Hart for €10, when I looked at it closer when I got home, it is ready to be split into three fine plants, so even happier.

I met Clara and her sister there and gave them a lift back to Clara's house. So, of course been that close, I had to have a look see. What a surprise, Rachel was there some evening recently and was amazed by the garden. Well Rachel, you are quite right, it is a fantastic extension of the house. Full of secret areas all hidden from view of the other areas. Pots and planters everywhere, giving year round interest. I dream to get my planters up to that level of interest.

And like all of us gardeners, Clara is making plans and scheming with ideas, it was a great time. Clara gave me a piece of wood that she had gotten in England to be used as a water feature. I had an idea of what I might use it for, and as soon as I got home I went to work, I will post photos later.

Thanks Clara, had a great time. Sadly, I had left my camera on the table as I was leaving, hence no photos.

VALCANO

 I am sure you heard about the Volcanic Ash causing havoc with flights in and out of Ireland and England. I heard on the radio this morning that this happened before, and it was volcanic ash in the air, what gives Turners famous paintings that distinct light effect.

That year, was known as the year of no summer.......ash the on going eruption sent ash into the air for months on end.

Spring Colour

Spring Colour

This is Acer 'summer gold' that I bought last week, great colour, and It is meant to be a real show off in the Autumn, really pleased with this one. The second one I got is only breaking bud, so we will see.

Evening Spring Sunshine

Evening Spring Sunshine

Took this photo late today, very pleased with the colour and new growth in it, I need to do more homework to increase spring and autumn colour.

Rhodochiton

New growth

Really happy to see this new growth on the Rhodochiton that I over wintered in the shed. It has been show signs of new growth for weeks and weeks now, but this is the first really decent big stem to show so far. Have been hardening it off, in a nice sheltered spot in the garden for last two weeks, all seems ok so far.

Oops.... Mistaken Identity at Belvedere

Attention anyone who received a plant from me at Belvedere. I gave out several plants to people that I said were Japanese Anemone, ahhhh...... sorry folks, I think you got Delphinium 'magic fountains' instead. I am just watching the Anemones new growth in the last few days and I think I messed up big time.

If unlike me, and you really know your plants, you will spot my mistake straight away. I will be buy plant labels by the hundreds from now on.

PS Delphinium IS a lovely plant also  :- ()

Sunflowers

Sunflowers

Am planing on planting these Sunflowers today. I planted three over the weekend which were devoured by slugs/snails, strange thing was they eat the stems and not the leaves. These ones will be planted with plenty of protection.

Must say am pleased with these, first time growing them from seed, great that some seeds are idiot proof ;-)))

Giant Allium

Giant Allium

I planted three giant alliums last year. And it does as it says on the pack.

They are growing a rate of knots, I hope they have enough space, they have a long way to go yet.

Nothing ventured............

Nothing ventured............

This what is left of my last Amaryllis, the small one with the much smaller flowers, Maria was quite taken with it ( Yes, winning at last )

Are these two new bulbs, there was four flowers, only two of these bulbs have appeared. Does anyone know what I do if they are baby bulbs, or am I wasting time trying anything with them?

Would love to try out of interest.

For Jacinta.........

For Jacinta.........

Jacinta, this is one of my Foxtail Lilys, it was just like yours before it opened fully.

Pieris 'forest flame'

Pieris 'forest flame'

This is my Pieris that is in the front garden, it is in full flower and new red growth is just appearing. The photo does not show it, but the plant is starting to get a leggy and bare in the centre. Can anything be done to try and bulk it up the  new growth to the centre of the plant. Feeding, pruning any ideas?

Japanese Patience

Japanese Patience

Went on the hunt today for an Acer for the largest pot in my Terracotta Corner. I was in for a surprise, I was prepared to pay some money, but not the kind that was been asked for large plants that would suit this size pot straight away.

€95 - €140 was way beyond my budget. So I ended up with two, Acer 'dissectum' and 'summer gold'. One of the girls suggested planting both in the one pot. I have never seen two different Acres planted that close together. I would love to hear peoples opinions on this.

I am of the opinion they are more a stand alone plant, but am open to suggestions. Either way, patience will be needed as they grow to fit the pots I am planning to put them in.

Magpie Watch !!!!

As veg growing is totally new to me, I am very willing to read and learn from veg growers on the site. So when I saw the grand master with onion sets in peat pots, I had to do that. It is a great way of getting onions growing, and even more so in a fear of bad weather like this one.

So I was trilled to see them planted out and water yesterday afternoon. On returning home  early evening had to have another look at them ( gardening thing),  22 of the onions, peat pots and all were out of the ground.  (No Martin they were not Spring Onions) I replanted them, am going out to cut some chicken wire to lay over them, till they settle in.

Frost, Snow, Ice, Floods, Snails, Slugs, Bugs and now Magpies......... and we enjoy this gardening.................yep......... never a dull moment!!!!!!!!!!!

Great day.

Apple seedling

As my Dad would have said, that was a Pet of Day.

Sun most of the day, warm, no wind, near perfect, sadly did not have the full day to myself. Planted my onion sets that were in peat pots. A lot of good it did, the magpies pulled most of them back up out of the ground, pots and all. AHHHH. Will cover with wire in the morning.

Also sowed Radish, Spring Onion, Lettuce, and a few Peas, I will be planting a few peas every few weeks.

Got about a hour at moving soil from the mound in the far corner, to along the fence in the front corner area. Am hoping to get a little done on this in the evenings to take the pain out of it.

Picked up a Bramley Apple and Conference Pear in Aldi, passed on the cherry blossoms.

One seed that is doing great is the apple seed I planted for fun, will leave it in the cell of a little while yet.

Willow Arch

Willow Arch

OK, so I will have to wait a while, but it will be great. Drumanagh sent me some slips of Willow a few weeks ago, They are doing great.

With all the talk of living arches etc. I thought, why not use these plants to the fullest in my space. I have created a work are at the back of the shed, storage for pots, compost etc etc. There is access to this are from two sides, I am going to put a living arch of Willow from the work area to the front corner garden. It will also create a screen to the work area.

All I need now is time, the Willow is doing it's part, so far.

You looking at me.......

You looking at me.......

Nearly trampled this guy to kindom come this morning, ended up tripping myself to avoid him. He never even moved.

Looking good for today

Beautiful morning out there, Sun, no wind, just what I ordered for a day off. Family things later on today so need to get a few things done.

Onions sets in peat pots will be planted, the front corner will have a little time spent in it. I need to start moving some of the mound of soil to the area along by the fence to raise the level. this task will be done over a period of time. On to the back garden a little time will be spent on the flower bed weeding and loosening up the soil etc. A few last summer bulbs need to be planted along with some cuttings.

Time to move.

Is it just me

Lobelia........ RIP......... :-(

Got in from work, had a quick look around the garden, checked the Lidl greenhouse. I had moved a tray of small but healthy looking White Lobelia seedlings in to it on Sunday, i started them under heat, took the plastic cover off, but decided to to put it back on as Sunday night was to be cold.

Forgot to take the plastic cover off, I now have a tray of sun dried white seedlings. I suppose the sun was just to much, with the plastic top on.

Yet another lesson in gardening learnt for this L plate gardener. So if it stops anyone else doing the same well and good. 

On the up

it is looking good here on the East coast, Sun is up, temp is good for this time of the morning, from now till early next week weather is to be good and temps are to rise each day.

A girl in work yesterday, who was home in Letrim for weekend was talking to an old man who said the next mont is to be very good. This man has a good standing on his forecast via nature etc. here's to some good weather at last.

Rachel hope the weather is good in the S/E, enjoy :-))

Tumbling Pots

Tumbling Pots

Last year at Bloom, I picked up the metal rod that holds the pots together to give this great effect. I really want to have another one set up before Bloom this year.

Does anyone know where I could get one?

What am I please.......

What am I please.......

Could anyone please tell me what this plant is, sadly I can't even remember who gave it to me.

Libertia 'Goldfinger'

Libertia 'Goldfinger'

I have several clumps of Libertia in the garden, they produce a fantastic pure white flower in early summer. One clump, for some reason produced no flowers at all last year, so I decided to split it.

One of my better decisions, will have to wait and see if the flowering improves, but the colour is great, don't know when I noticed this great colour in any of the other plants. Will keep an eye on them to see which does the best for flowers and leaf colour. Maybe it is down to the new position, will keep you all posted.

Bulb Storage...........advice please.

Bulb Storage...........advice please.

All other years a lot of my spring bulbs were left in the pots, an easy and lazy way of storing storing them. But with the plans I have for using the pots summer colour I need to store the bulbs properly.

All advice and peoples different ways of doing this, would be most welcome, to myself and others I am sure, thanks in advance.

First Tulip

First Tulip

My first Tulip is opening, great to see it. In about a week there should be a riot of colour from the Tulips, most are about to open, with a few pots a little ways behind. Spent some time this morning pottering about, could not seed to get myself into full swing.

It was a great morning but windy, clouding up a good bit now, rain not far off I would say.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday

What a great day it was here, a little windy, but a great day to be out and about in the garden. I got stuck into the front garden, weeded and loosen up all the soil. Moved, divided, planted things all over. The one that was not effect by the harsh winter was the weeds, why is that does anyone know.

Some pots were planted up that contain a mixture of all kinds, to give a welcoming display in the area of the front door. I love the different effects that can be achieved by simply switching and moving pots around. What i am planning for this year is to have a longer display due to the use of more pots and a great mixture of plants. I will be posting a photo album called Pots and we can watch and see how things change as the year passes. 

Moved on to the back garden, added a few thing to the side raised bed in the gravel area. Assembled my Lidl green house, and moved some things into it from the house and shed. Very impressed with it, for what it cost. Planted out a few things from the cold frame, hope they will be ok. Finished up by planting some more of the summer bulbs.

On a sad note, at one stage i heard a cry from the embankment, like a bird in distress, As I stood up I realized that the noise was coming towards me. Then I saw a fox with one of the squirrels that often come into the garden in it's mouth. It was a sickening cry as the fox disappeared in the distance. Such is the circle of life.

Changes afoot.

Changes afoot.

A few months ago the neighbours called in to say that they were putting an extension on to the back of the house. I told them I had no problem with them build the extension up to the boundary line. This means my wood/tile/ mirror feature will have to go to allow the works to be carried out. They said they would re-instate it completely once the works are complete. Fair enough.

Since then, the old grey matter was been working overtime. What will go back will be totally different to what you see in the picture. There will be a basic job done by the builder, then Fran the man will take over. It is months off on time scale yet, but all I will say is, watch this space.

Veg Pot

Mangetout

A lovely morning in Shankill first thing, made the most of it as it is clouding up now. I sorted some of the plants from the plant swap last week, thanks again all.

Planted the first lot of Mangetout into a pot, I am thinking of putting a few tumbling toms in as well, what do the experts think, opinions please.

We are free for weekend as kids have gone to Clare with friends. Heading off for a good walk shortly. Planning on getting more done tomorrow.

I will have to open a photo album on Veg, how things have changed, lambs lettuce should be ready for picking very soon. Way to go, have a good weekend.

Grey day

Looking very grey out there today, sadly am in work today, so will get a little garden fix tomorrow for myself.

Just scrolling down through all the different journal titles there, it is great all the different topics that crop up, you never know what you are going to read. Have a great weekend, if traveling, travel safe and enjoy. Happy Easter.

Calandaraprilarius in flower

Calandaraprilarius in flower

I received a Christmas present from my sister, that she got for me from South America, "Calandaraprilarius", Lilys, from the mountains of Peru, It has taken some doing, but I cannot believe it has all worked as the label said. I planted these two bulbs on St. Stephen's Day, and this is where the work started. They are grown in a pot about 4 times bigger than you would normally use, they produce an enormous root ball. The bottom half of the pot is filled with fine gravel. Then a layer of fine grit. The bulbs are then planted in a general compost mixed with 50/50 course sand and wood chippings.

You then water twice a day with warm water, and feed twice a week for the first two months with a strong tomato feed. I have never seen anything grow so fast. I will post photos of the whole sequence start to finish later today.

The strange thing about this lily is that the flower buds and stems grow first, a little like Amaryllis. The leaves have only started to grow in the last three weeks. These can reach 3 - 4 feet in time, long after the flowers have gone. It was a lot of hard work, watering twice a day with the warm water, but looking at these blooms it really was worth it.

Once they are planted by 31^st of December, they are guaranteed to be in flower on the first day of the month of April every year. Without fail. Enjoy the day that's in it ;-))