Month: June 2010

The last year has been full to the brim of firsts.

I joined Garden.ie (even if it did take me some time to post my first journal) I was sitting on the side watching for a while.

I then got the confidence to post photos of my garden.

I discovered there were so many like minded people, all over the country, and beyond. Discovered, and still am discovering new friends.

I have so many, first time ever, plants in the garden.

I have visited gardens, public and private alike.

Have learnt and hope I was able to pass some of my very limited knowledge to others.

Traveled to Chelsea and other great gardens in England. A long time dream.

Am planning a new garden for the front corner, which I know a year ago, I would never have even dreamed about.

 

But the best thing of all is that it is all been done for myself. I spent years involved in things for the kids, football, scouts, swimming etc etc. I have no regrets about any of it, I even feel sorry for the parents who never came to any of these events, they missed out on so much.

But for the first time in a long long time, I am doing something totally for myself. Boy am I enjoying it.

Thanks everyone.

 

 

of Arisaema speciosum. It’s a big’un!

The oriental poppies put on a great show this year. I grew these from seed and they bloom every year.

This is a view from the underside of the poppies, see the leaf that was meant to be and all the other bits were supposed to be the stamens. Wow wonderful stuff

Steve sawed off the end of the barrel he got in work. He was being paranoid with his spirit level and had to dig more soil from the bottom.  He will dig a small trench in the floor of the new pond, position the cut off barrel on top, seal it with a layer of cement, and fill the barrel with topsoil so I can plant into it. Then a cement wash. When this is dry he will do another two, maybe 3 more. When that is set, he will put down a layer of Underlay. He will lay a double layer of heavy-duty Viscreen all over. And also line the outside of the cut-off barrel with the same Viscreen to disguise its blue look. And to finish with, he will edge the pond with the same blocks he used when it was just a stone circle.  I reckon by the weekend, I will have another pond. And Steve’s other project will take precedence. Then the fun begins……..

I am currently having problems with slugs and snails amoungst other pests (as per following journal entries)

 

SLUGS AND SNAILS

Any suggestions of alternative natural methods of deterring slugs? I know the stale beer method.

 

This is one of the plants I came away from Tera Nova with, an Echium. It seems to be doing really well.

Maria is always saying the flower bed in the back is fine, she says she wants nothing big or tall in it, always saying, leave well enough alone, hehe.

Time will tell, in this case ;-))

CALENDULA – Orange King

Could someone please help me identify the pest that is causing damage to this Calendula as per the image in this journal entry? The same pest would appear to attacking as per my journal entry:

Pest Problems – Calendula (2)

Pest Problems – Night Scented Stock

Pest Problems – Nasturtium

I would appreciate if you could have a look.

CALENDULA – Orange King

Could someone please help me identify the pest that is causing damage to this other Calendula as per the image in this journal post? The same pest would appear to attacking as per my journal entry:

Pest Problems – Calendula (1)

Pest Problems – Night Scented Stock

Pest Problems – Nasturtium

I would appreciate if you could have a look.

NIGHT SCENTED STOCK – Matthiola Bicornis

Could someone please help me identify the pest that is causing damage to this Night Scented Stock as per the image in this journal post? The same pest would appear to attacking as per my journal entry:

Pest Problems – Calendula (1)

Pest Problems – Calendula (2)

Pest Problem – Nasturtium

I would appreciate if you could have a look.