Last Post 661 days 22 hours ago
31 July 2011 23:27:46
What's My Name?
Rachel it's got silvery grey leaves there is a bigger photo in July photos
31 July 2011 22:53:01
Rustic Rudbeckia
Earlier in the year Martin B sent me a packet of Rustic Rudbeckia seeds only got about 5 plants but they are now opening and I really like them bright and sunny so thanks Martin for the seeds think they look great against the Verbena Rigida.
31 July 2011 22:48:51
Pots Arranged
Am hoping this combination of plants will put on a show now they've been released from waiting. Must post up a picture of the plant on the bank to see if I can get a name for it.
31 July 2011 22:45:09
Before getting a haircut
The day here looked quite unpromising with mizzly rain and overcast but after lunch it picked up. Decided that I had to make an inroad into the plants in waiting had four pots of orange alstroemeria, Kates Heliothrope that the rabbits nipped off, agastache sangria and abuliton from Rachel to name but a few. Decided that these were all going into terracotta pots to go on the steps from the terrace. Discovered not much compost so set off to try and buy some infuriating none to be had no garden centre open, none at garages and we have no Woodies or similar in Monaghan town. Normally I mix up 1 trug of compost to one of soil and today I planned to add some 5 year rotted horse manure as Johnny had emptied out the pit that it's stored in. In the end I mixed up peat that we'd been given with the soil and rotted manure and planted up the pots topped them off with grit. Swept down the steps decided to cut back the seed heads of the creeping plant, removed poppies that had gone over and then positioned the pots on the landing and steps hope that the Alstroemeria starts to thrive bit pale in the leaf put Rachel's Agastache Sangria into one planter with a small lavender and a little purple leafed geranium seedling, also in this arrangement of pots is an Agastache I bought in Birr and Heuchera Plum Pudding, after the summer I'll need to find permanent homes for these plants. Then spent a couple of hours deadheading and weeding along the south bed, so peaceful with the dogs for company and the ducks splashing about on the pond. It's amazing the difference it makes to plants with the deadheads removed but it is so tedious on the campanula. This year both the white and blue campanula have done really well and Campanula Elizabeth just keeps going, have finished deadheading the white and started the blue then I'll tackle Elizabeth as she looks a bit dowdy at the minute. Cut out the Astrantia flowers that have turned brown finished Ruby Wedding have to finish Major Buckland. Hope tomorrow is another reasonable day as there is so much to do.
30 July 2011 09:52:16
From a distance
It hasn't been all work and no garden time over the last few weeks as I've been potting on plants, deadheading and weeding the bed beneath the terrace is just full of summer colour and can be seen from the stables. Need to make some notes though on what needs divided, moved or changed nearly all the plants are herbaceous and with limited time I have that is definitely the way to go for the future. The only thing that spoils this picture is the ESB pole I'd really love to see the countryside with no poles and wires spoiling the views, posted up more photos of the garden through July last night now just have to try and catch up on the journals and the garden visits that have been happening and unfortunately the ones I'm going to miss.
30 July 2011 09:34:33
Picnic lunch in the garden 27/07
Had pony camp this week for 2 mornings and on Wednesday they stayed on to have a picnic lunch in the garden. Kids didn't want to go home, Caroline had bought them all icecreams as it was another scorcher of a day.
30 July 2011 00:14:36
Connie the bunny catcher
This morning Johnny called me out to see Connie in her hut, she was asleep with a little bunny laid out beside her, by the time I came out she was sitting up looked like she had a cuddly toy in bed. She carried about this morning so proud of her catch.
27 July 2011 00:13:25
Looking into the garden
Last few weeks have been crazy between pony camps and competitions feel I have missed out on so much but hopefully after tomorrow I will have a bit more time to catch up both in the garden and on all the journals. To finish the kids camp tomorrow the plan is to have a picnic in the garden which will be great. Have posted up more photos for July hopefully will get the rest sorted over the next few days. Part of the camp has been taking photos of riders and their ponies this was taken 13 July and it looks like the pony is jumping in the garden.
22 July 2011 22:50:35
Ann Folkard, Campanula and veronica
Surprised to see this little campanula open, grew it from seed that Clara sent me, will grow more of this as it'll look good at the front of borders. Thanks Clara for sending the seeds as I would probably never have gone out and bought them myself.
22 July 2011 22:40:11
On Slug Patrol
While deadheading in the south bed the ducks were out and about on slug patrol it was only when Connie appeared they took off for the pond. Unfortunately we think the dogs had baby ducks for dinner as we haven't seen them about for a while. Next year we will try to hatch some eggs like last year and rear them inside and let them out once they're able to fly off if anything comes hunting them.
22 July 2011 22:22:55
Leucanthemum Goldrush
When I saw Liga's journal looking for a name for her Leucanthemum I thought I had the same but this is different as the petals are frilly looking. Putting on a really good display this year in the south bed. Managed to get out for a while deadheaded roses etc but there is still loads to do but it does look better for the bit of time spent. Ground is absolutely bone dry as we really have had no rain for the last 2 weeks so watering is going to need to be done not just the pots but beds as well.
20 July 2011 00:07:42
Can you see him now?
For those who couldn't see Mr Rabbit here is a closer shot will post up photos when I have more time as well as catching up on journals. Sounds like weather is to improve which is good for my pony camp so much nicer teaching outside just wish I could get a bit done in the garden.
19 July 2011 21:50:18
Looking At Me Looking At Him
This morning before heading off to teach was sitting at the lap top looking out to the terrace bed and there sitting like a garden ornament on the stones was a rabbit just looking straight towards me. Will have to see what I can do to get rid of this fellow as he turned round and nibbled on the campanula after which he sat straight up on his two back legs.
19 July 2011 09:19:32
Stand of Iris
Weather wasn't great here yesterday so although I'd planned to get a bit of time in the garden it ended up being a very short time walking round taking a few photos while seeing what was new. Dead headed a few of the lupins and watered plants in waiting and pots. Removed some of the self seeded poppies along the path in the cottage garden bed as they were smothering other plants and I need a bit of space to try and get plants out of waiting. The ground is bone dry were these came out which is hard to believe after the rain. Plants on the left side of the path have started to shoot up after the removal of the poppies last week allowing this stand of iris and William Shakesphere rose to show themselves off. Clematis Alpina is covered in tiny blue bells it had flowered earlier but had been very disappointing certainly making up for it now. Off to teach kids camp just hoping the weather stays dry even if it's a bit cool and cloudy. Hope wherever you are the eather stays dry , just got distracted there as there is a rabbit now eating bits off Campanula Elizabeth. Where are the dogs when I need them?
19 July 2011 09:08:10
Hey Fran Look at Me
Fran this is the Squirrel Grass grown from the seeds you sent me, I nicked the planting idea after seeing in one of Rachel's journals, Looked great blowing in the wind yesterday my only regret is I didn't sow more as I only have about 6 plants some a bit behind these ones. Thanks for sending me the seed heads it's definitely one I'll grow again
11 July 2011 13:03:25
Rosemary & Chief Over The Garden Fence
Just happened to be at the lane crossing and got Rosemary our eldest daughter on Chief jumping over the garden fence, I'd been apprehensive about it but have to say it jumped well with most riders jumping through with no problems now just have to get the back dickied up as it's what's on show in photos. Off to have a wander round and see what's changed and maybe I'll get a bit of time later to chill out in the garden. Have to say I get a great buzz from all the great comments on the garden from customers and competitors.
11 July 2011 12:56:56
New Garden Fence
Work, work and more work seems to be the order of the day with us hosting a riding club event yesterday. For a while now I've been talking about a cross country fence from the lane into the field in front of our house so on Friday Johnny built it and Saturday evening I spent a while planting up the new garden fence with bits and pieces out of waiting this is what the horse and rider met after jumping into the lane. Will have to spend a bit of time planting it up properly once the next competition is over. Don't think I'll ever catch up with what's been going on as it's teaching, children's camps and more competitions over the next few weeks.
06 July 2011 23:41:02
Creamy Lily Opens
Was a fabulous day here so I'm sure this has opened even more in the heat of the sun, on the packet it said it was yellow but I actually like the fact that it's creamy in colour. Very busy here and envious of anyone who has time to spend in the garden will hopefully catch up with journals if I have the energy Sunday evening as we have a Horse Trials competition on Sunday fingers crossed the weather will be good for us all.
06 July 2011 23:31:42
Pretty in Pink
Have been flat to the mat the last coiple of days teaching Pony Club and then my usual lessons, hard going but that's life. Last nightas dark fell I could see pink in the south bed was too tired to go and investigate but this morning it caught my eye again an array of self seeded poppies floating in the breeze on another sunny day. As I wasn't going to have any garden time just had to take a quick walk around to investigate what was new put up a few pictures this evening.
03 July 2011 19:30:45
Caroline & Mr Brown
Spent most of the day at Cavan equestrian with Caroline and her new horse Mr Brown, very successful day winning both classes that she competed in so two very good weekends in a row after being the highest scoring rider at the Riding Club qualifier last weekend. Decided that I would take the plants I've been minding for Keego this last 3 weeks phoned the number I got no reply but thought maybe they're at mass, tried again a couple of times to no avail so the crate load of plants had a trip to Cavan and back hope they enjoyed their outing as well. Off out to the garden for a bit what a beautiful summers day.
03 July 2011 10:29:03
Pink Beauty in South Bed
This beauty is just opening beside the Sambucas Black Lace and Sorbarius set off by the Astrantia Ruby Wedding.
03 July 2011 10:26:36
Golden Glory in south bed
there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day and unfortunately the garden is drawing the short straw as working has to come first. Lots of plants opening now especially with these warm days should be really staying at home in the garden as the next few weeks are hectic with teaching and competitions to run. Off to Cavan equestrian with Caroline and her horse to a competition but hopefully later this afternoon I'll get out for a bit. Lilies really starting to make an impact towering above other flowers hope these summer days continue.