fran m's Journal

2011

Best everthing to you in 2011

I wish you Health.......... 

So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you Love of friends and family..........

and peace in your heart.

I wish you beauty of Nature.............

That you may enjoy the works of God, whatever you conceive him to be.

I wish you wisdom to choose..............

The things in Life that really matter.

I wish you Generosity...............

So you may enjoy and share all the good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy...................

For the coming year.

I wish you all the best............

Of everything, that you so well deserve.

Happy New year to you all.

Sad and Sickly

Sad and Sickly

The boarders are looking so bad after the snow covering everything up for so long. So much of what was green growth has now turned to pure mush, needs to be cleared away. Am looking to the weekend to get out and clean them up. I even have a few bulbs to plant still. I won't take to long to tidy them up, and will give the whole place a lift.

Special Plants

Special Plants

Rachel brought to my mind today, special plants that have special family connections. A few years after my Dad died, I found a Rhododendron i the corner at the side of the shed. It was in a very bad way.

I did remember the fantastic yellow blooms it had each year.

I have been nursing it for many years now, slowly but surely it has been making good progress. This morning I had a look at it am was so pleased to see it looking so well. lots of buds, leaves looking great. Really trilled with the way it is looking now.

These plants are so important to us in so many ways.

Garlic

Garlic

My first batch of Garlic is looking good despite the weather. 2nd and 3rd batches have still to show any sign of life at all.

Yahooooooo

Yahooooooo

My Rhodochiton was brought into the house looking very very sad for itself before Christmas. It lost all it's leaves and I really thought it was gone for good. Someone said there's did the same, so I left it.

This is what I spotted today, despite how it looked before, there is still life there. This wont be going out till Spring is well and truly with us.

Winter blues well gone after seeing this new growth.

Hard to be optimistic

I try hard to look for an optimistic side of everything or every situation.

I am just in from a walk around the garden. Can not be to hopeful at all. Most things are flattened and seem to have turned to mush under the snow. All we can do is wait and see. I am very glad I got some things into the shad before the snows.

Time will tell...........

Time to look back

Time to look back

Things are a little quite at the moment, as we all know. So I have decided to put up an Album of of Great Dixter that some of us visited in May of this year. Enjoy.

Making a difference

Taken last week

Yesterday, was the first day I had seen the garden in daylight in a week. I was surprised at the amount of snow sitting on top of the Griselinia hedge. So while maria was busy elsewhere, I got a brush out and knocked the snow off the hedge. It did not take long, I was surprised at the condition of the tips of the branches.

They were totally wilted and the leaves wilted/curled. This was about 10.00 o'clock in the morning. The sun was on it for a few hours.

This morning, the difference is fantastic. Despite the cold again last night, the hedge seems to have recovered already.

One job for today is to remove the snow off the decking. I don't want all that snow thawing slowly and sitting on the deck. Will be good to be out for a hour or so, after yesterday's lazy but enjoyable day.

Have a good one.

Could be a long one

Could be a long one

Happy Christmas to you all.

This could be a long night. I am trying to finish Rachel's Crossword. Am stuck on one clue, 23 Across, no idea at all...................

Enjoy and be safe, to you and yours.

Nature is against me, me thinks !!!!!!!!

Front boarder, last night.

I am beginning to think Mother nature does not want me taming the front corner. Last winter the ground was frozen solid for weeks on end. I was hoping to get some heavy prep work completed before end of Janurary, have not even seen bare ground in the last few weeks.

Will get there in the end, I hope !!!!!!

Fallen leaves

Fallen leaves

Collect some fallen leaves,

place them in a book for a couple of months,

pick a nice picture frame to you liking,

spend a few minutes cutting and arranging the leaves,

put picture frame together again.

Call your picture 'Fallen Leaves'.

Frosty ............

Frosty ............

.................. is up to his neck in it, in one of the planters at the front door. Snowing again here at the moment.

For what it's worth......

What will see the spring?

While I in Stephen's Green yesterday, I got talking to an old man feeding the birds. Very quickly I discovered he was a retired gardener from the parks department. We had an all to short chat, I did comment on been worried about the damage the snow was going to have on my plants.

He said a few words to me. I his opinion, snow does not damage most plants, apart from the weight breaking them. So he did advise odd trips around the garden with a sweeping brush.

His thinking was with major snowfalls like this, the real problem starts when the thaw begins. A thaw like this can take days to leave all snow gone. This man's thinking was that the worst damage is done to plants as the melted snow freezes around plants as the temps drop each day as the night sets in. This ice is what causes problem to plants as it freezes and expands in and around the plants.

He finished with the parting words, ''That's my thinking on the matter, for what it's worth''.

Stephens Green. Dublin

Stephens Green. Dublin

Sorry not a great photo, taken on a work phone. The lake in the park was nearly totally frozen over yesterday. Am adding a few other photos out of interest.

Silver Birch

Silver Birch

Last one

Snow Ants

Snow Ants

Nothing seems to stop these ants working............

A rare White Sumach Tree

A rare White Sumach Tree

This is a very rare tree, but I think it will be coming much more common as this weather continues................

Christmas Wishes

Christmas Wishes

To you all, may I please wish a Happy and Safe Christmas. May 2011 bring all you wish for and more, and may we all be here wishing each other the same next year.

Thank you all for your advice and comments on my journals. Thank you all for posting and sharing your photos and ideas, some of which have sown seeds of ideas for my own garden.

Enjoy, and may your God be with you and yous, for the coming year.

Best wishes,

Fran 

Look at this for detail

Look at this for detail

I bought a small Physalis (chinese lantern) at the end of the Summer. There was only a few lanterns on it. I saved these two and put them on a shelf out in the shed. This is what is left of the lantern, just a fine mesh surrounding the red seed ball.

Talk about detail, nature always gives us something new to marvel at

Take

Take

1 Glass Bowl

1 Christmas Ribbon

 2 Christmas Crackers

Mixed Christmas Decorations

Roll the Ribbon around the inside of the bowl, position the crackers around the ribbon at the same time, place the decorations around the top of the bowl. Place in an obvious position and allow to sit for 12 days.

Before they

Before they

even germinate, these Red Ricinus seeds are amazing. Each seed is totally different. These were part of Deborah's seed delivery, have googled all the seeds at this stage, wow what a diffferent garden is on the cards for this year.

These seeds are so beautiful, it is nearly a shame to plant them, I did say, nearly....

Spoke to soon

Winter Sun

I was relieved yesterday to see no snow had fallen. Afraid not so lucky this morning, about over an inch out there, nothing compared to a lot of you around the country.

Took this photo yesterday as the sun was sinking behind the trees on the embankment. Was hoping to get a bit done today, looks like Maria's list of things to do will be finished ;-((

Christmas Carol

On the first day of Christmas my true love to me, a black and white puppy.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Two Orchids from Liga

and a black and white puppy

On the third day of Christmas my true gave to me, Three Sunrises from Clara, Two

Orchids from Liga and a black and white puppy

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Four Dick's a Marketing,

Three Sunrises from Clara, Two Orchids from Liga and a black and white puppy.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Five Jacinta's A Journaling,

Four Dick's a Marketing, Three Sunrises from Clara, Two Orchids from Liga and a

black and white puppy

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Six Rachel's silenced,

Five Jacinta's A Journaling, Four Dick's a Marketing, Three Sunrises from Clara,

Two Orchids from Liga and a black and white puppy.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Seven Myrtle's potting

Six Rachel's silenced, Five Jacinta's A Journaling, Four Dick's a Marketing,

Three Sunrises from Clara, Two Orchids from Liga and a black and white puppy.

On the eight day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Eight Deborah's doing,

Seven Myrtle's potting, Six Rachel's silenced, Five Jacinta's A Journaling,

Four Dick's a Marketing, Three Sunrises from Clara, Two Orchids from Liga

and a black and white puppy

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Nine Periwinkle's winking,

Eight Deborah's doing, Seven Myrtle's potting, Six Rachel's silenced,

Five Jacinta's A Journaling, Four Dick's a Marketing, Three Sunrises from Clara, Two

Orchids from Liga and a black and white puppy.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Ten Johnplotman's

producing, Nine Periwinkle's winking, Eight Deborah's doing, Seven Myrtle's

potting, Six Rachel's silenced, Five Jacinta's A Journaling, Four Dick's a Marketing,

Three Sunrises from Clara, Two Orchids from Liga and a black and white puppy.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Eleven Martin's

Hmmmm ing, Ten Johnplotman's producing, Nine Periwinkle's winking, Eight

Deborah's doing, Seven Myrtle's potting, Six Rachel's silenced, Five Jacinta's A

Journaling, Four Dick's a Marketing, Three Sunrises from Clara, Two Orchids from

Liga and a black and white puppy

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, Twelve FranM's pinching

Togs, Eleven Martin's Hmmmm ing, Ten Johnplotman's producing, Nine Periwinkle's

winking, Eight Deborah's doing, Seven Myrtle's potting, Six Rachel's silenced, Five

Jacinta's A Journaling, Four Dick's a Marketing, Three Sunrises from Clara, Two

Orchids from Liga and a black and white puppy.

Clear

Photo taken some time ago

Thankfully we are clear of snow here this morning, think if the weather folk are right that will change later today.

From the news it seems to be the north and west are getting the worst of it. To all the folk there, take care and travel safe if you have to get out.

Martin and Deborah, I know you have the parish children's party this weekend, I was just thinking it be be magical if there was some snow to cap the scene so to speak, but not so much to prevent folk traveling. Best of luck with it.

No Garden time today, there is a list as long as my plant wish list on the table.

Lost

Lost

That is how I am feeling at the moment.

I have spent the last hour or so googling, drooling, and feeling more and more lost. Where am I going to put the selection of wonderful seeds Deborah sent. I would say I am not alone in this.

What an amazing  selection of plant we shal all have, in time. Some of them, we will have to wait a few years to see in their full glory.

I was just thinking, these plants will be great conversation pieces, in time, as we visit each others gardens.

Deborah, thankyou once again.

Photos

Photos

Since joining the garden site here, I can say I have taken thousands of photos. Over the last few days I have started to sort them into files; plants, pots and planters, entire beds, pond, etc. etc.

I hope when completed, it will be able track and follow plants and boarders as the progress through the years, which will help me decide, what works or not as the case may be.

Spotted this photo earlier, though it was worth posting again.

These days will return.............

Like the cat that got's the cream

Like the cat that got's the cream

Wow, opened the envelope from Deborah today. What a fantastic collection of seeds. I learnt a lot from my mistakes of earlier in the year, with sowing seeds. I will not make the same mistake again.

Anyone else who got seeds from Deborah, knows the effort that was taken to print out expaination on all the different seeds. Thanks for that.

We are in for such a treat of new and exciting plants in our gardens. I am sure in time we will be passing these plants on to other members, so the story will continue and continue. Enjoy.

Deborah and Martin.................. Thank You.

Front Finished

Front Finished

I got the front garden finished today, it really amazes me the buzz you get when an area is in such a mess and bugging you each time you come in or out of the house.

I was really surprised with the amount of new growth I discovered as I went. Had planned to do a bit in the back as well, but decided to have a lazy afternoon.

Budding Hellebore

Budding Hellebore

While finishing off the front garden this morning, I spotted the first flower bud on one of the Hellebores. Was trilled to see it, aren't we gardeners so easily pleased. These  are another new plant in the garden for me this year.

Schlumbergera

Schlumbergera

My old Hardy Schlumbergera (christmas cactus) is starting to flower. Not as many flower buds as other years. I did repot it earlier, so maybe that is why.

As Dick said in his journal, always reliable.

For Martin..........

For Martin..........

Martin, photo is of you Bamboo, Am I been a little too  worried, about the leaf drop on this plant. I know they do loose leaves, would this be down to the combination of weather and the move etc.

This is going to be a great addition to this area of my garden, I am going to be really baby sitting it till I know it has settled in ok.

Good time had

Good time had

I had limited time in the garden to day due to Family gathering this afternoon, so I was out before daylight had fully signalled a start to the days plans.

My main wish was to clean up the fallen leaves on the road. I am at the end of a cul de sac here, and thanks to bad planning, there are trees all along the road that are far to big for the setting in a domestic setting.

I now have about 20 wheelbarrows full of leaves, that have already started to decompose, that will in a years time or so, provide me with great compost for the garden.

 On an other note, I did something today that others may be able to use for a short term use.

I have this wooden planter in the front garden, in it there is Alstroemeria planted, which I was talking about last evening. I topped the planter up with some fresh compost. Then I decided to place some pots into it, to provide a instant planter for a few weeks.

With a little more planning, this could be very effective for a short term planting idea, I know the pots can be seen, but as people approach the house, they are not as obvious.

Pleased with the day I had, despite the shortage of time.

Despite all

Despite all

the weather is trowing at us, it was great to see new growth on this Lonicera in the front garden today. There was new and breaking buds all over the plant.

A new one this year, that I have fallen for

Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria was a new plant to me when Myrtle offered me some earlier in the year. I was in for a great surprise, this plant flowered and flowered all summer.

If you are looking for a plant that will give months and months of fantastic flowers, have a closer look at this great plant, you will not be disappointed. Enjoy.

Thanks Myrtle.

Saturday

Libertia 'goldfinger' earlier this year.

Wow, what a difference when I got home today, the thaw had really had a massive effect.

Lots of cleaning up to be done tomorrow, sorting pots, cutting back etc. etc ;-))

It will be great to get out and get a good old garden fix, badly needed.

Plans

Plans

The other night, Jacinta suggested we could post journals of plans etc. for next year.

I did mention before about my plans for the new piece of driftwood. It will be placed in the back gravel area, where it will become a centre piece. I am planning to raise it up on a few half blocks, create a bed around it and plant grasses in it.

For added interest, there will be small daffs and some other spring bulbs.

This is where I need a little advice. Would it be to much to add in some Alliums?

I will be reducing the number of pots in this area, as this is going to be the focal point of this area. Some small spot lights will add great interest to this area at night.

Despite the current weather, I am getting a buzz out of planning this already.

Looking so sad

Looking so sad

A decent thaw set in over the last two days. The garden is looking so sad and messy, I really hope the weekend is half decent, I want to spend one day sorting things out.

The cold does not bother me, well muffeled up and keep going and your fine. One job will be to lift my new piece of driftwood up off the ground, cover it down with plastic so it can dry out somewhat over the next 4 or 5 months.

Hope nothing gets in my way, really need a gardening fix.

I was not ready

I was not ready

for this weather at all. This photo shows the snows of last January. The pots all put away safely, beds all cleared and tidied.

At the moment most of the pots are still out there. There are still leaves under the snow, there are even a few bulbs still to plant. I slipping..........

There is always hope......

From the Web

I bought a Goji berry bush in the Spring. It did not do well at all for me. By late Summer it was a goner. I moved the pot to the back of the shed. I walked around there today and spotted one branch covered in new growth.

That was some surprise, especially in this weather.

Sorry no photos, I did take some, but they disappeared when I downloaded them, never happen before.

Only myself to blame

Happier Times

I think in an effort to be kind I may have sent my wonderful Rhodochiton to a better place. Feeling sorry for it as it looking worst for ware after my not taking it into the shed early enough, I brought it into the house.

Sadly I think the sudden increase in temperature has spelt it's demise. I noticed the remaining leaves have all dried up and it does not look well at all.

Maybe at times we are too kind ;-((

Decorated

Decorated

Malus 'sentenel' is decorated and ready for the coming season.

Caught Out

Caught Out

My nerines are the fist plants to succumb to the effects of the weather. This was to be my first time having them in the garden. Will be waiting a while yet by the look of these.

Birds

Robin

I was worried about the number of birds visiting the feeders all week. The numbers were way down on other years, I had nothing to worry about. Today it was frantic none stop feeding all day.

Word must have gotten out that Café au Fran was open again.

Close Up

Close Up

This is a close up of the Upside Down Tree in June Blake's garden, which some of us visited this year also.

It is as it says, a fallen tree that has been turned upside down, and fixed in place, I loved it. It provided some great photos the day we were there.

I like this one.

Another visit made this year.

Another visit made this year.

One of the other visits that was made this year, was the trip to Belvedare House. Really looking foreward to the visits of 2011.

May there be lots of great trips and meetings ;))

Terra Nova

Terra Nova

No comment, just enjoy.

Six Months ago

What is it like today.

some of us made a visit to Rachel's garden in Wexford. What great weather we had for a visit. That was six months ago, I am sure the scene is very different in the gaden today. Nice to see a warm picture at this time.

Looking the part

Looking the part

My Grevillea (flowering chrismas tree) is looking the part at the moment, for the approching season.

So who will win....

So who will win....

....... I cleared the Deck at 3.30 this afternoon. So the battle begins in earnest, me or Mother Nature. You will see how stubborn I can be. Poor old snowman is looking a little sad.

Weird

Weird

At the moment I am getting emails that were sent at different times yesterday, they seem to be  all over the place. Gremlins seem to be in the system, anyone else got the same problem?

Terra Nova Colour

Terra Nova Colour

Great

Some colour

Some colour

Decided we needed some colour, other than White.

This is a photo of one of the boarders in Great Dixter, which we visited on our Chelsea trip.

Ehhhh.........

Ehhhh.........

............. Hello....... emmmm........ do I stay out here?

Hello........HELLO.............. ;-((

So today

So today

I started making a Snowman, kids joined in, Decking cleared in no time ;-))

100%

100%

I am 100% sure that I cleared the decking of snow yesterday.

That wine I had last night must have been strong.............