tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56516968696855389142024-03-13T14:24:57.360+00:00Back Garden AdventuresOngoing development of a surburban back garden from patchy dog-pee infested lawn to bird-friendly pretty and productive oasis (we can dream!).Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-60177738414247163782014-04-22T19:52:00.001+01:002014-04-22T19:52:21.693+01:00Photo journal lacking certain essentialsThis blog is turning into a bit of a black hole. At a meeting of the ladies-with-babies church group, I had the bright idea of reading the Bible instead of writing the blog in the wee small hours of the morning. I have been doing this (eyes permitting; comprehension somewhat fogged). Husband bought me a garden journal for Christmas so I've been transferring a folder of scraps into there. However, it was for a photographic record of the garden changing that the blog was started. Oh dear. Maybe if I ever manage to stay awake in the evenings then photos will appear. Can't see that happening for at least a year (Daniel slept through 3 nights last week for the first time; turns out he was ill). Watch this (increasingly fertile) black hole...Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-79400230942533090072013-11-08T02:30:00.001+00:002013-11-08T02:30:57.208+00:00Oops!It seems that I can't manage to multitask in the wee small hours of the morning. After a church ladies with babies group meeting, I have been reading the bible instead of thinking about the garden and blogging. Which is a good thing. Apart from neglecting the garden. Hm. And still lacking on the photo front. Hmm.<br />
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Quick update:<br />
Still eating courgettes<br />
Eaten Coxes Orange Pippin apples, first production by tree planted 2011 - Toddler loved choosing her own<br />
Eating cabbage (and trying not to think about slugs)<br />
Curing pumpkins - tiny, very small and reasonably sized<br />
Planted red onions and garlic in Bed B<br />
Dug over Bed D, leaving wild pansies, and applied old compost<br />
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Had an exciting trip (in car! Husband away) to pick up cooking apples from a lady's backgarden. She advertised her bumper crop on freecycle so we got permission. Making lots of stewed apple for crumble and apple puree in preparstion for weaning. Found a recipe for <a href="http://and-here-we-are.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/got-apple-peels-make-simple-apple-peel.html" target="_blank">apple peel cider</a> but probably won't bother.<br />
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Came home from the post office depot via a walnut tree that had shed its load, so dyed my hands then some gloves getting the husks off. Not very large nuts but suitable for cooking. Fortunately the folks came back from France via a tree whose walnuts were immense.<br />
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Toddler enjoys these outdoor pootles, it gives us something to do, and Reginald is fine in a sling.<br />
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This multitasking means staying awake longer. Better resign myself to not keeping track of the garden until I have a spare half hour in the day. Pah!Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-27287922266317692182013-09-19T04:16:00.001+01:002013-09-19T04:16:17.572+01:00JellyIt took five days to get from picking to <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7661/crab-apple-jelly" target="_blank">processing the crabapples</a>, but 'twas done! We got seven jars of jelly that surprisingly set. One jar for the neighbour whose tree it is; one jar for Toddler to test with grandparents; one jar for Grandma and the Great Aunties; one jar for Granny the Jam Queen (who decreed it worthy of eating); one jar exchanged for marrow marmalade at another food swap; one jar started by us; one jar in the cupboard.<br />
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On the subject of eating, we had a <a href="http://www.urbanfoodie.net/recipes/bacon-cabbage-and-potatoes" target="_blank">Nigel Slater recipe</a> to use up some cabbage and carrots. The cabbage have managed to hang on to their little hearts, so we're eating them.<br />
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Yesterday I relinquished the elderberry wine making due to lack of time (8 loads of washing on one non-rainy day to clean off baby sick and Toddler mud!). Instead our elderberries got turned into <a href="http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/miscellaneous/mobile.php?rid=misc-elderberry-biscuits" target="_blank">biscuits</a> and <a href="http://girlinterruptedeating.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/elderberry-cordial/" target="_blank">cordial</a>. The biscuits are soft like cookies and taste yummy, plus have got to be healthy despite the sugar. Rather pleased.<br />
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And how would we know what to do with all these things if the internet didn't exist? Thought we had a lot of recipe books but none of them have these in. This tablet thing is great! Husband gave it to me for Christmas, being a gadget man, and I wasn't too overwhelmed. I've been converted coz it's brill.<br />
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Yep, it's all about the eating at this time of year. Although in the back of my mind are thoughts about whether to sow seed from a bolted onion now; what to do about the moving of Bed D; the need to write down with a diagram this years' planting; the netting on Bed E being too large hole-wise; where to insert brassicas into the rotation; and other small ponderings. Mostly I just want to eat cake though (hey, it's a necessity for this milk producer!). And thus ends another 4am burping sesh.Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-67619623387221891322013-09-05T03:23:00.000+01:002013-09-05T03:23:01.982+01:00Following the foraging fashionAs all those in touch with the zeitgeist will know, middle class foraging is where it's at. Yer man <a href="http://www.rivercottage.net/about/meet-hugh/" target="_blank">Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall</a> seems to be leading the charge in front of the cameras (Husband loves the <a href="http://astore.amazon.co.uk/rivecott-21/detail/074759533X" target="_blank">Bread</a> book). At any rate, it's his fault that we've stripped the neighbour's crabapple tree, eye every passing shrub for signs of sloe, have filled a freezer drawer with blackberries and are planning to attack the rowan trees lining a military range. All because of Googling 'elderberry wine', for when one has an elder and Mum P unearths a carefully labelled demijohn (circa 1985), the signpost can't be missed.<br />
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Well, all things seem possible at 2.30am (not so much at 4.30am) when on burping duty . So crabapple jelly is slowly being processed (two days so far due to Reginald's required upright position and my subsequently having no spare hands). Elderberries have been picked by Husband, despite the best efforts of Toddler and pigeons to scoff the lot, and more located beyond the garden. Much like successfully growing runner beans, it's oddly exciting to be able to eat these things. It's sustainable, local and free. Might start eating insects next (Google again)! All in keeping with the<a href="http://www.ourladyofmercy.org.uk/" target="_blank"> Institute of Our Lady of Mercy</a>'s 2008 Act of Chapter 'Reverencing the earth and its people', which rang bells with me as it summarises the purpose of my meagre attempts at sustainable living.<br />
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I shall dare to mention that as well as using cloth nappies and wipes, I've printed off a template for making cloth sanitary towels with offcuts so that I don't have to buy more (previously had them shipped from <a href="http://lunapads.com/" target="_blank">Canada</a>, although the UK market appears to have caught up these days). Apologies to any relations who may now wish to disown me! But if I manage to create a decent pad, then <a href="http://www.daysforgirls.org/" target="_blank">Days for Girls</a> need them as a necessity, so no avoiding the issue. And on that note, this early morning ramble shall cease.Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-15779600867212739182013-08-26T02:38:00.000+01:002013-08-26T02:38:07.216+01:00Food SwapAbout a month or so ago, a friend hosted a <a href="http://www.foodswapnetwork.com/" target="_blank">food swap</a> at her house. Six of us turned up and it was lovely lovely lovely. I took elderberry champagne (made from the bush in the garden), a tonne of lettuce and rocket. I returned home with bread rolls, cake (I ate the biscuit there), two green courgette plants, two cape gooseberry plants, radishes, broad beans, green tomato ketchup and a jar of chutney. Aren't people clever!<br />
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Now there is another swap being arranged for September, at peak picking time. Unfortunately our garden is not offering much in the way of picking, or it seems that way. I keep watching <a href="http://www.gardenersworld.com/" target="_blank">Gardeners World</a> on telly and feeling somewhat glum about our garden in the light of their amazing creations (where on earth do they find time?). It is not a good mindset. Positively, we are eating courgettes of both colours, raspberries, carrots and potatoes, which is a whole heap better than nothing. But I am still in a quandary over what to offer at the upcoming food swap. Husband's beer is still flat despite resuscitation attempts (he blames to ancient barrel seals), so can't take any. The blackberries round the corner might hold the answer. In muffin form.<br />
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Ooo, on the subject of blackberries, there's a pear tree and a grape vine growing outside the local school. This year we shall be foraging without shame! (But keep it under your hat or my food swapping pals will be swiping the harvest!)<br />
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It having now been half an hour since Reginald fed and been upright, I shall risk putting him down to sleep. It's 02.30 and bed calls.Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-59225853532225018312013-08-20T01:17:00.001+01:002013-08-20T06:00:06.190+01:00Reginald makes his debutAt ten days past his due date, Reginald decided he would be born. Surprisingly, he did actually turn out to be male. I have until registration on Wednesday to convince Husband that Humphrey as a third name would be simply smashing.<br />
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All has been fairly quiet on the garden front. This evening (rather, yesterday - time flies when holding a reflux-y baby upright at odd hours) we ate the first and only cabbage with a heart. The outer leaves were lace, the middle layer contained many many slugs, but the wee heart was perfect.</div>
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On the subject of slugs, the other evening Husband spotted a large hedgehog in the garden. Hurrah! Might explain the mysterious poo on Bed A and the lack of slugs (other than under the netting). Haven't seen a hedgehog for years, so very pleased to have a local. Husband got excited and went to get a camera to capture the moment. Of course the hog had scarpered by the time he returned. We will have to be really careful about using any slug pellets. Although I only put a few in the netted bed when plants were just getting established and haven't since, there's still a niggle of guilt. What if Mister Hedgehog had ingested some?</div>
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We are eating raspberries, a few courgettes, strawberries and blueberries (well, Toddler is), potatoes, carrots, the two cucumbers and a cabbage. We are not eating French beans. Next year I am growing runner beans, which are far less fussy, even though Husband isn't a big fan. Stick 'em in stews and he won't notice.</div>
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Right, is it safe to put the little chap down without more sick? Need to get a sling for daytime wearing as the Ergo infant insert really doesn't seem comfortable for him. I digress. Zzzz...</div>
Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-69210325066659223332013-08-01T20:33:00.003+01:002013-08-01T20:33:53.435+01:00Ah ha!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the process of making our 2012 family album, we came across this photo of the garden taken from scaffolding up to fix the pointing:</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikNRn2Q7xJs/Ufq3QWWfEJI/AAAAAAAAAEE/ZuopZ2k6pyA/s1600/P1050172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikNRn2Q7xJs/Ufq3QWWfEJI/AAAAAAAAAEE/ZuopZ2k6pyA/s320/P1050172.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September 2012</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've got rid of the bed where the path now is, and the box lumps went to form a hedge between the square bed and the lawn. Otherwise it's pretty much as is, with some further alterations planned for autumn/winter 2013.</span>Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-43745368089048062392013-07-29T14:17:00.004+01:002013-07-29T14:17:42.382+01:00Waiting...We have been waiting for promised rain storms that never came (don't count about 6 drops), for the beans to grow, and for Reginald to arrive. Fortunately the rain did finally come when the weather forecast said it was to be sunny, so the water butts are filling up again and the garden is less parched all over. The French beans have produced exactly three beans from one of the five plants, but maybe the rain will help (although not today please, as there are towels drying on the line). Baby number 2, aka Reginald, is due in three days and showing no sign of wanting to emerge.<br />
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Anyhoo, I am really writing this entry because the computer is on and, since I've now finished work, it seems a good time to try putting photos of the garden up on the blog. Only taken two years to update the images! Oh dear, there are quite a few to chose from. This could take some time and Father-in-Law is coming over now-ish to investigate thesaurus construction (I got stumped by facet analysis over two years ago). He is supposed to be being good and recovering from a heart op, cue wanting really mind numbing things to occupy him on the computer!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBFhjCb1OD4/UfZoHDyWpPI/AAAAAAAAADo/LRIDpgGKp60/s1600/R0013919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBFhjCb1OD4/UfZoHDyWpPI/AAAAAAAAADo/LRIDpgGKp60/s320/R0013919.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husband and Dad L making path in May - only took 3 years to decide the route. <br />
The soil and turf removed for the path were used to level the lawn, cue patch of earth next to slide.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qAQeNalu1ME/UfZpV3uBwqI/AAAAAAAAAD0/Q592oVr4vxE/s1600/R0013840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qAQeNalu1ME/UfZpV3uBwqI/AAAAAAAAAD0/Q592oVr4vxE/s320/R0013840.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toddler making bird scarers with cds at the start of May. Herbs growing well against wall. Beer barrels in background.</td></tr>
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Okay, I ought to take some more recent photographs of the garden showing the brassicas prior to their consumption by millions of cabbage white caterpillars; the growing plum and apple trees; the strawberries; the raspberries beautifully netted (proof against a proud Daddy Blackbird showing his offspring how to leap up and eat them); the box lumps moved to become a hedge; and the soon-to-be-moved Bed D with really really small yellow courgettes growing well (why are they so small though?). I will not take photos of the sunny flower border because it's fairly awful. The shaded woodland border looked great in spring but doesn't look much now.<br />
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Right, to hang more washing out to taunt the skies.Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-46451910604686313942013-07-07T19:35:00.001+01:002013-07-07T19:35:15.505+01:00What we have eatenSo far this year (from March):<br />
rhubarb<br />
raddish<br />
lettuce<br />
rocket<br />
potatoes<br />
chives, rosemary, sage, thyme<br />
and one eensy weensy yellow courgette (picked for Toddler's tea coz it matched the yellow pepper)Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-20483798712677903072013-07-03T14:47:00.000+01:002013-07-03T14:47:33.864+01:00Yikes! Where did June go?Oh dear, I seem to have missed June as I believe it's now July. We did go on holiday to Pembrokeshire, Wales, for a week (as per last year, kicking ourselves that it wasn't two weeks). Otherwise we must have just been doing the usual playgroups, shopping, working, cooking, growing thing. Anyhoo...<br />
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The garden is looking good. It likes sun and rain. We all like sun and (a reasonable amount of) rain. We've been eating lots of rocket which self-seeded two years ago and hasn't let go since. The lettuces are happy. The onions are mostly surviving the mystery defecating beast. The French beans have decided to honour us by emerging from the ground. The two courgette plants really do have wee yellow blobs on them. The cucumber plants are alive, as are three pumpkins. The strawberries are going great guns. The potatoes will be tested this week. The carrots, parsnips, celeriac, cabbages, broccoli and sprouts are growing (although the brassicas may not actually hearten up, but hey ho).<br />
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The leeks are still a disaster. How?! They are surely one of the easiest...grrrr...stupid books with trendy ideas...<br />
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Questions:<br />
Is it too late to sow squash seeds (yep, killed the seedlings in pots)?<br />
Should I bother putting the rubbish module leeks in the ground?<br />
Where should the extra pot of thyme be planted - will it make someone a happy companion?<br />
Can I be bothered to crouch on a plank to sow chard?<br />
When will I weed Bed E?<br />
Is neat toddler urine okay for onions or is only fermented beery old man wee acceptable?<br />
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PS Four weeks one day til due date.Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-24843460562583202162013-05-20T18:19:00.000+01:002013-05-20T18:21:28.203+01:00Panic seed growingThe full title of this entry should be 'Panic seed growing and the resultant confusion of excessive numbers of pumpkins' (and cucumbers, courgettes, squash, lettuce, cabbages). I erred on the side of caution and planted two of everything in case the old seed didn't germinate. Then I planted some more as nothing seemed to be growing in the cold temperatures.<br />
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Now I am loathe to discard any of the wee planties, their having been obliging enough to put in an appearance. What to do? I'm assuming that the squash won't like my 'get on with it or die quickly' approach to life in the back garden, or most of the others, so should I freecycle the excess? But surely if they were given a chance...</div>
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Dunno. Will pot on and avoid the issue for a bit longer.</div>
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Had the bright idea of following a book (<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Allotment-Book-Andi-Clevely/dp/0007270771/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369068622&sr=8-1&keywords=the+allotment+book" target="_blank">The Allotment Book by Andi Clevely</a>) suggesting sowing leeks in modules then transplanting in clumps. Tried transplanting a clump at the weekend, only for it to fall apart. Harumph! Will just have to wait for the roots to wind together a bit more and hope that the leeks don't get too big for the modules (aren't they supposed to like room to stretch out down below?). I find it much easier to follow the old Dig for Victory manual 'The Vegetable Garden Displayed' by the RHS, as it gives straightforward directions with no embellishments (like companion planting - that distracted me for a long time!). In looking for a link to the book, I've found an <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/gardening/article-1264592/Monty-Don-Its-time-dug-victory-again.html" target="_blank">article by Monty Don</a> about it. Will stop trying to be modern and return to that, minus the vast quantities of man-made fertilizers. Might even try getting to grips with the hoe, whose qualities have so far eluded me. Without the aid of a dissertation to write, there is a lot less time available for hand weeding.</div>
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PS. Still no photos coz it involves turning on the computer, which gets abandoned once paid work is completed for the day.</div>
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PPS. Looked up building a greenhouse online the other days and came across this amazing allotment (demonstrating exactly why my <a href="http://allaboutallotments.com/Butternutsquash.html" target="_blank">squash</a> will be rubbish): <a href="http://allaboutallotments.com/">AllAboutAllotments.com</a></div>
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Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-1163541495871995202013-04-29T21:30:00.001+01:002013-04-29T21:30:49.690+01:00Live Below The LineThis evening I did some food costing whilst waiting for The Toddler to fall asleep. A friend is eating for £1.00 per day for five days to raise money for <a href="http://www.worldvision.org.uk/" target="_blank">World Vision</a> by living below the breadline as many people around the world have to, and she's had me thinking. What do we spend on food, how much does it cost to grow our own, and since the bay tree came with the house do I have to work out the cost of a leaf based on the mortgage or is it classed as free?<div>
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This evenings' meal of <a href="http://www.theorganicpantry.co.uk/organic-veg-boxes/recipes/52-swede-and-lentil-bake.html" target="_blank">swede and lentil bake</a> cost £2.23 for 6 people. (Oh, and some cherry tomatoes that I forgot to include in the cost as they sat on the sidelines.) Or Toddler, Husband, Reginald and me with some for lunch next day. I haven't included the cost of actually cooking the meal using gas and electricity. If we had grown the celery, onions and swede, what would it have cost? Cost of seeds/sets, manure, fertiliser? We use rainwater from 4 large butts. What about the cost of my time (Husband is too expensive!)? Hmm. </div>
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Well, I guess that <a href="https://www.livebelowtheline.com/uk?lang=en" target="_blank">Live Below The Line</a> is going to stay with me and Husband will just have to pick his least hated lentil recipe! ...can we grow lentils here? ...don't worry lovely, it's yellow-stickered beef in stew for dinner tomorrow.</div>
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And now it's dark so I can't do the measuring of Bed E required before bunging sprouts in. Will just have to get Able Assistant Toddler to hold rather than eat the tape measure tomorrow.</div>
Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-11572789982947042332013-04-21T21:52:00.002+01:002013-04-21T21:52:10.907+01:00Still Sprouting!So maybe a monthly update was a tad optimistic, as the Toddler formerly known as Baby Bean took over. Still, the pregnancy hormones have kicked in again and, whilst growing Reginald (due August this year; sex unknown), a lot of seeds are being planted and spring is in the air.<br />
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Apart from general soil improvement and plants settling into their beds, there hasn't been great change since the last post in May 2011. Until now. The Toddler's birthday weekend in April saw the foundations for a path being unearthed by Husband and Dad L. Mum L moved the amusing box globules. I dug over Bed B and applied poo. The location of a path has been hotly trodden for three years now, and the siting reflects the shape and size of the paved area. It has called for the demise of Bed C, which is no bad thing as the soil there was so poor that even with the addition of a compost bin's worth of good stuff resulted in one measly pumpkin last year. This leaves us with Bed A (aliums), Bed B (potatoes and strawberries), Bed D (legumes and cucurbits), and Bed E (roots, brassicas and cucurbits).<br />
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There you have it. The garden is still growing and the shaded woody border looks lovely this spring. Husband has suggested that instead of writing down when sowing and planting is done using pen and paper for filing in my garden folder, all that stuff goes in here. Not sure. I like pen and paper. But I guess he might actually look at this, being a smart phone addict! ;-)<br />
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PS. Am worried about the lack of compost on Bed E. The leeks were there until March and then it was too late to start turning the bed over before sowing carrots. What should one do?<br />
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PPS. Photos to follow. Took me an hour to log into this 'ere blog of mine, and now it's nearly 10pm (erm, way past bedtime; 6am getup grr grrrr zzzzzzzz).Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-52626849928531524392011-05-20T14:45:00.000+01:002011-05-20T14:45:33.766+01:00Mysterious Holes and Signs of Life<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>May 2011</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It having been over a month since our last post, you might have thought that there would be a dramatic change in the garden since then. However, there doesn't seem to have been a great deal of growth, which could either be down to the complete lack of rain or to mine eyes becoming accustomed to the garden (another reason why this blog is helpful - times they are a'changing (Happy 70th Birthday Bob) at a gradual pace). So before Baby Bean awakes, here goes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Husband got a bit arty with the euphorbia by the compost bin. Surprised he was able to get that close considering the size of the thistles, which I think are beautiful and he thinks are spiky.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QB43aBOzMv0/TdZnrNMwfLI/AAAAAAAAAC4/ttd96vTZBdE/s1600/R0013252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QB43aBOzMv0/TdZnrNMwfLI/AAAAAAAAAC4/ttd96vTZBdE/s200/R0013252.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our first genuine archeological find (aside from tarmac and old wire) was a button from a soldier's uniform:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q802uhjtSuo/TdZn4KoXfKI/AAAAAAAAAC8/oV9AHVdJdto/s1600/R0013248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q802uhjtSuo/TdZn4KoXfKI/AAAAAAAAAC8/oV9AHVdJdto/s200/R0013248.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Housemate Helen came to assist with a backlog of planting out. Here she is putting in some celeriac on Bed B, which had been started in modules a very long time ago BB (Before Bean):</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tHlogapQuFU/TdZofh3zDZI/AAAAAAAAADA/phZ9Nr9TUEY/s1600/R0013461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tHlogapQuFU/TdZofh3zDZI/AAAAAAAAADA/phZ9Nr9TUEY/s200/R0013461.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finally planted in Bed D. The spinach, lettuce and rocket are growing well. Some of the sweetcorn hasn't germinated so the odd one needs to be re-sown but otherwise it's exciting to see. The courgettes are in and scabious have been planted next to them.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBqrvGzgwEI/TdZoupDtUjI/AAAAAAAAADE/Da49mgNLnh4/s1600/R0013474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBqrvGzgwEI/TdZoupDtUjI/AAAAAAAAADE/Da49mgNLnh4/s200/R0013474.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bed A is growing well but having to battle blackbirds digging for grubs around the garlic and pecking the strawberries. Note to self: fix cds to a stick in attempt to ward the birds off. The Pea Beans from the Organic Gardening stall at Hampshire Potato Day are growing well despite the garlic, with two growing from seed planted directly.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9MFJZTfmsbA/TdZo8vTYYoI/AAAAAAAAADI/ekdEPRGxhwo/s1600/R0013478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9MFJZTfmsbA/TdZo8vTYYoI/AAAAAAAAADI/ekdEPRGxhwo/s200/R0013478.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now Bed C is annoying. I struggled with brassicas in a previous garden and this one is no better. The Pak Choi are going to seed (lack of water). The cabbages are being manged (pigeons). The Savoy Cabbage isn't germinating (old seed). The broccoli and brussels sprouts need transplanting but aren't big enough yet and may never get to be big enough. Still, the radish is growing well so if that's all that grows we will at least have nice salads all summer.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAw25Tg9pz4/TdZpRHHy5kI/AAAAAAAAADM/KuorZO7KeZk/s1600/R0013476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yAw25Tg9pz4/TdZpRHHy5kI/AAAAAAAAADM/KuorZO7KeZk/s200/R0013476.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surprisingly, the potatoes planted by Husband in a manky bit of upturned turf are doing rather well. They're a bit more shaded than the official veg beds which may help in this hot weather. Oh, we are watering the garden every other day but that's not the same as a good drenching from the sky. We have a date in the diary for the First Inspection of the potatoes - hehe!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb52MbukO5o/TdZp131pviI/AAAAAAAAADQ/-8j4C6XeNOY/s1600/R0013481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb52MbukO5o/TdZp131pviI/AAAAAAAAADQ/-8j4C6XeNOY/s200/R0013481.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The front garden is south facing and is doing very well, although one of the roses has flopped (Grandpa L says it's normal for some). One of the calla lily bulbs has emerged although it may not survive. Still, much excitement at its debut.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Gx1I3LFDLA/TdZqDkUFk1I/AAAAAAAAADU/oYYQeFTMjFw/s1600/R0013469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Gx1I3LFDLA/TdZqDkUFk1I/AAAAAAAAADU/oYYQeFTMjFw/s200/R0013469.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what are these Mysterious Holes that keep appearing in the soil? Dunno. Something must be digging whilst we sleep, either a cat or a fox we think. Husband has pondered setting up a webcam to track the beastie so we might be able to watch it on YouTube (erm, I got lost during the explanation on the whys and wherefores).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is Baby Bean at 5 weeks 3 days old, growing well:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKTps9i7tOA/TdZwA87tCqI/AAAAAAAAADY/Y0658-a8mv0/s1600/R0013490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKTps9i7tOA/TdZwA87tCqI/AAAAAAAAADY/Y0658-a8mv0/s200/R0013490.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-10406285969217624792011-04-17T20:56:00.000+01:002011-04-17T20:56:34.657+01:00Bean!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Arrival of Baby Bean</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bean sprouted on 6th April 2011. Hurrah!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W57wXQ9ABpQ/TatE7S43vfI/AAAAAAAAAC0/YMAK_QRSQ_o/s1600/P4090025_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W57wXQ9ABpQ/TatE7S43vfI/AAAAAAAAAC0/YMAK_QRSQ_o/s320/P4090025_0522.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Baby Bean with Uncle Graham in the garden</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Updates on the garden may occur on a monthly basis now we're pretty well up to date with what has gone on in the garden, in between watering BB.</span>Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-51968853556191838612011-04-05T10:37:00.000+01:002011-04-05T10:37:24.869+01:00Recruits hard at work<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Beginning of April 2011</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It being April Fool's Day and Mother's Day, we invited Mum and Dad L to come and do some more gardening. (Perhaps this is a good point to explain that Husband is plumbing in the toilet and sink, so is far too busy to be pleasing the worms as well.) They arrived bearing numerous offerings from the shady side of their garden, and the gardens of Auntie Margaret, Auntie Marian and Grandma (plus meringues). Mum L spent Friday afternoon digging over the dry border under the north facing wall and planting the offerings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qM1XLAq1x60/TZjRhGrAdKI/AAAAAAAAACg/RTJCeiiE6WY/s1600/R0013199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qM1XLAq1x60/TZjRhGrAdKI/AAAAAAAAACg/RTJCeiiE6WY/s200/R0013199.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mum L modelling the latest in garden fashion</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dad L dug over the sunny border against the south facing fence, removed the turf from Bed D, and re-turfed the border and various bald patches in the grass.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDG_XebsyOE/TZjRAfY9VjI/AAAAAAAAACc/5WhJKJuY0ak/s1600/R0013197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oDG_XebsyOE/TZjRAfY9VjI/AAAAAAAAACc/5WhJKJuY0ak/s200/R0013197.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dad L working on the border edging</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brother Mike, having completed his last exam until summer 2012, came over the next day and was put to work on excavating Bed D. It took him and Dad L all day to dig it out as there was mounds of rubble as well as lengths of electrical wiring dumped by builders.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a68H8vXjN-Y/TZrbHlR4BAI/AAAAAAAAACk/JQIoaRpqgtw/s1600/R0013213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a68H8vXjN-Y/TZrbHlR4BAI/AAAAAAAAACk/JQIoaRpqgtw/s200/R0013213.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bro' Mike and Dad L</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFDEU3NTd34/TZrbgS04bQI/AAAAAAAAACo/nTn46aKKweg/s1600/R0013218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFDEU3NTd34/TZrbgS04bQI/AAAAAAAAACo/nTn46aKKweg/s200/R0013218.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dad L with rubble</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mum L spent about 3 hours mulching the entire garden with chips from the eucalyptus and leylandii that had been quietly rotting in corners since October 2010. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeATylSHZME/TZrdiTYQyDI/AAAAAAAAACs/aF123kpq5fA/s1600/R0013223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeATylSHZME/TZrdiTYQyDI/AAAAAAAAACs/aF123kpq5fA/s200/R0013223.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Newly mulched shady border</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mum and Dad J came round for an inspection (and Mothers Day lunch) after the troops had rested. Dad L insisted upon mowing the grass as the finishing touch, aided by Husband with Dad J inspecting.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCmNUMMyq44/TZrfdiT5YjI/AAAAAAAAACw/gB4ODUjzBlM/s1600/R0013234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCmNUMMyq44/TZrfdiT5YjI/AAAAAAAAACw/gB4ODUjzBlM/s200/R0013234.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dad J skipping with delight at the lovely garden</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">The garden has really transformed since being a plain lawn with empty beds around the edges, overshadowed by trees and a giant hedge (by-the-by, apparently the leylandii was 10ft high, not a mere 6ft - either seems very tall to me!). Many thanks to all the family for their hard work and numerous plant donations, without which we'd still be drawing plans and dreaming of carrots. Bean did not show up on Mother's Day so perhaps a few more seeds planted might mean the baby deigns to show itself.</span>Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-74221258787421753572011-04-03T20:41:00.000+01:002011-04-03T20:41:32.266+01:00Planting and sowing<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>March 2011 plantings</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">On 11th March I transplanted strawberry plants from a cheap end of season <a href="http://www.diy.com/">B&Q</a> hanging basket into the garlic/onion/leek/bean bed (yes, I have since read that beans and garlic don't mix but for this first year they'll just have to try toughing it out). They have taken well and are encircled by onion sets. The onion sets were purchased at <a href="http://www.potatoday.org/">Hampshire Potato Day</a> and are starting to show already after some warm weather (writing at the end of March). Leeks sown at the same time are not showing, and it might be because the seed is old. I'll try sowing in a pot to plant out if it germinates. Parsley for this bed has been sown indoors and four seedlings are bravely surviving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3pLCrR_bYE/TZjK0LQd2DI/AAAAAAAAACQ/MMCfM7UBOEw/s1600/R0013179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q3pLCrR_bYE/TZjK0LQd2DI/AAAAAAAAACQ/MMCfM7UBOEw/s320/R0013179.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bed A: strawberries, garlic, leek markers and bean poles</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Brussels sprouts, cabbages, radishes and nasturtiums were sown on 15th March in another bed, with some remaining onions at each end to ward off nasties (not sure that fits with crop rotation - think I'm getting confused between strict rotation by type and companion planting). So far the radish and cabbage has made an appearance. After learning that pak choi is a brassica, that was sown on 23rd March.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Early carrots, parsnips, beetroot and rocket were sown in a third bed on 15th March, but so far there's no show. It could be that the weather was just too cold, or that the seed just too old. Still, there's time yet for further attempts.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ5Wetv2RqY/TZjLxEQk1bI/AAAAAAAAACY/94Ka-o-P5vA/s1600/R0013194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ5Wetv2RqY/TZjLxEQk1bI/AAAAAAAAACY/94Ka-o-P5vA/s320/R0013194.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tucking up the wee seedies on two frosty nights</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">On Sunday 20th March, Husband and I bought a Cox's Orange Pippin apple tree at <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/wisleyplantcentre">RHS Wisley Plant Centre</a>. It was planted the same day with a hazel rod for a stake and seems to be very happy in its new home. We also got seduced by a variety pack of red dahlias for the sunny flower border which needs a complete re-vamp.</span>Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-75432697362389973652011-03-30T12:54:00.000+01:002011-03-30T12:54:09.124+01:00Spring is in the air<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>March 2011</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Diggin' Dad L returned for more action on the garden front half way through the month. Over the course of a short weekend he managed to dig out a strange mound of topsoil from next to the fence. We think it must have been transferred from the area which had a weed suppressant membrane over it, although we'd no idea why they put a new fence in below the level of the soil so that the fencing was already starting to suffer! All this involved some re-turfing as couch grass infested ground was flattened and replaced.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ravOP4zWnXQ/TZCvFG2C-5I/AAAAAAAAACE/kMLZGfolYzw/s1600/R0013191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ravOP4zWnXQ/TZCvFG2C-5I/AAAAAAAAACE/kMLZGfolYzw/s320/R0013191.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Re-turfing and flattening the mound</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Auntie Margaret had kindly donated her box hedge to us in autumn 2010, which we'd just shoved in the borders to overwinter. Dad L dug holes for and planted nine box plants as a suggestion of a path from the gate to the door, as well as a division between the lawn area and more informal veg patches. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will take a few years for the box to be shaped into balls or mounds, but they smell lovely and they make me smile. A visiting two-year-old was so enamoured by them that she hugged a couple with great glee! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVkXrlPtA2o/TZCu2hvvSdI/AAAAAAAAACA/DMzuNFJlbjM/s1600/R0013176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TVkXrlPtA2o/TZCu2hvvSdI/AAAAAAAAACA/DMzuNFJlbjM/s320/R0013176.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dad L with box</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A spare box plant went out into the front garden in a dark corner - perhaps one day it will be a tall rounded lump. Dad L also dug a large hole ready for planting an apple tree in the corner. Grandpa L, Granny L and Uncle John came to visit bearing rhubarb crowns, which went in next to the raspberry canes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GU3uHm3fsIc/TZCvNJgppYI/AAAAAAAAACI/AFqSGehKyXU/s1600/R0013193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GU3uHm3fsIc/TZCvNJgppYI/AAAAAAAAACI/AFqSGehKyXU/s320/R0013193.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Box 'path' and three of the four island beds</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dad L has been coppicing a hazel in their back garden for a while now, and he kindly donated some very useful rods which will be used to support various climbers. The end island bed in the above picture shows the wigwam where the french beans will be going in a month or so. The rest of the rods are propped against the leaf compost bin (no, it's not a bee hive, although the bees have been investigating).</span>Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-40598874445240825952011-03-28T16:15:00.000+01:002011-03-28T16:15:27.165+01:00Making the beds!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>February 2011</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started maternity leave on 14th February (the four hour daily commute was getting a bit much by 33 weeks pregnant, plus it was my birthday!) and Dad L came to stay for the week. I'd spent much of the winter concocting an ambitious scheme for the veg patches but had been thwarted by frozen earth for months, so that by the time the thaw arrived I wasn't up for heavy work. Dad L fortunately happens to love digging (mole-like tendencies?) so got to work removing turf and digging over two island beds for a decorative veg patch. He dug out lumps of old tarmac, concrete, bricks, an old pipe and tonnes of stones. I was on stone sorting duty and we now have an increasingly large pile of flints with which to construct a path or edging. Mum L helped to dig a bed after she got back from a <a href="http://www.cwr.org.uk/">CWR</a> course. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJYx19TdzEI/TZChoE4Hp0I/AAAAAAAAAB0/k3kmscMvDb0/s1600/R0013167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJYx19TdzEI/TZChoE4Hp0I/AAAAAAAAAB0/k3kmscMvDb0/s320/R0013167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mum L with a fork</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The amount of work completed was amazing and I'm sorry I wasn't much use! I did manage to put in the garlic though - four bulbs (one of which is 'pink') purchased from the <a href="http://www.potatoday.org/">Hampshire Potato Day</a> event - and sow celeriac, marigolds, various wild flower seeds, basil, sweetpeas and cabbage in modules. We also planted three canes of raspberry 'Autumn Bliss'.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ivRkenbhEbs/TZCiYgRxSlI/AAAAAAAAAB4/W5r5kEED_tE/s1600/R0013170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ivRkenbhEbs/TZCiYgRxSlI/AAAAAAAAAB4/W5r5kEED_tE/s320/R0013170.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Raspberries along fence; garlic in bed; pile of flint in corner</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-55448382705130832912011-03-24T09:13:00.000+00:002011-03-24T09:13:54.122+00:00Front garden<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Serious Box Appreciation!</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the usual Spring Madness, I subscribed to </span><a href="http://www.gardenersworld.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gardeners' World</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> magazine in March 2010. "Joe's plants for problem places" in the April issue was on shallow front gardens, suggesting box balls with roses, allium, iris, geranium and salvia. Having a fondness for the smell of box (roses aren't bad either, just less surprising!), the design seemed appropriate when we found our new house. Funnily enough, Granny J had two box balls that Neighbour Eric gave her that were looking for a home, so of course this concluded the matter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dad and Mum L came to visit one weekend in early summer. The rose of sharon was reduced; the laurel-type-thing, the dead climber and the ivy removed. Pah! We're not wasting a good south facing wall with those! Four bags of manure were dumped on the beds either side of the front door and planting began after a trip to </span><a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/wisleyplantcentre"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wisley Plant Centre</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to buy two roses, two iris, a clematis and some lavender. Fortunately we had vouchers as a wedding present (thank you!) and were also able to buy a bird feeder. Dad and Mum L gave us some geraniums, some wee box lumps, more lavender and some verbena. Joe Swift's plan was put into action, with some modifications, and the front garden looked a whole lot more inviting than previously.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BhU7jDe3OoE/TYJ8trCSz2I/AAAAAAAAABg/6z97b1Gm6Ac/s1600/IMG_0497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BhU7jDe3OoE/TYJ8trCSz2I/AAAAAAAAABg/6z97b1Gm6Ac/s320/IMG_0497.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very newly planted front garden</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, it will take a while for the plants to spread out and cover all the soil. The mahonia was able to stretch out after cowering under the rose of sharon and is less lop-sided. About two weeks ago (March 2011), three white calla lily bulbs were planted under the window. These were donated in October 2010 by <a href="http://www.ourladyofmercy.org.uk/news/fx-view-article.cfm?loadref=7&id=197">Sister Assumpta</a> from the Bermondsey convent garden and travelled home in a large sack by bus, train and taxi. I potted them into large pots and they survived the winter without rotting - hurrah! For his birthday in March 2011, Husband received three pots of alliums that can go in as soon as possible (he probably really wanted Screwfix life membership or a garden shed but alliums is what he got!).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4GVtnN55dDM/TYKARa68U0I/AAAAAAAAABs/PjzH4C6XmAs/s1600/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4GVtnN55dDM/TYKARa68U0I/AAAAAAAAABs/PjzH4C6XmAs/s320/IMG_0605.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View front the front door, December 2010</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">Opposite the front door is a manky bit of fence enclosing some telephone company gubbins. Grandpa L had been growing cuttings of climbing hydrangea and kindly gave us two, one of which has taken off up the fence (the other is in the back garden against the wall next to where the elder was removed). A large box has been planted in a dark corner (thank you Auntie Margaret and Dad L) which will also help to improve the view into the front garden from the kitchen.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EIj7y-Llz_0/TYsKw8HepWI/AAAAAAAAABw/gIX9BqZ9BZE/s1600/R0013195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EIj7y-Llz_0/TYsKw8HepWI/AAAAAAAAABw/gIX9BqZ9BZE/s320/R0013195.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Climbing hydrangea, March 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-87829445486906889132011-03-21T08:53:00.000+00:002011-03-21T08:53:56.758+00:00Getting ready for action<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Autumn 2010</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dk5ZVkffMNY/TYIdCD9sgDI/AAAAAAAAABU/tyMUyJNT1x4/s1600/R0013117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dk5ZVkffMNY/TYIdCD9sgDI/AAAAAAAAABU/tyMUyJNT1x4/s200/R0013117.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eucalyptus, October 2010</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">After our tutting about the state and situation of the eucalyptus, <a href="http://www.dryad-trees.co.uk/">Dryad Tree Specialists</a> came to remove it at the end of October 2010. They cut useful wood into logs and ground out the stump. They also ground out the stumps of the leylandii hedge which Husband had previously taken great delight in decimating with a chainsaw. The goat willow was pruned, having become a bit overexcited, being in danger of knocking down the large garden wall and impeding lorries on the road. A branch of the silver birch was removed as it was rubbing against the main trunk, causing damage. Husband had removed the dying elder a month previously. Dryad shredded all of the smaller twiggy material and left us with a big sackful to be used as mulch.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-g6sLOdKPkeY/TYIdRCm2pfI/AAAAAAAAABY/veb2_amcKRI/s1600/R0013121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-g6sLOdKPkeY/TYIdRCm2pfI/AAAAAAAAABY/veb2_amcKRI/s320/R0013121.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pruning the goat willow, October 2010</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> an aside, we have a dream of installing a wood burning stove in the kitchen. This probably won't happen since the person we got in to quote never actually supplied one, having had a good nosey all over the house, thus leading us to believe it is way beyond our budget! A log pile is still good for insects and makes use of what will no doubt be yearly culls of the goat willow.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1zirEVtI-lA/TYIdjuZxS6I/AAAAAAAAABc/y8E8juXs4-4/s1600/R0013123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1zirEVtI-lA/TYIdjuZxS6I/AAAAAAAAABc/y8E8juXs4-4/s320/R0013123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naked garden!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">With the aid of Uni Julie (who was obviously in dire need of entertainment!), we removed a layer of weed suppressant membrane from the patch between the garage and the ground eucalyptus stump. The garden was now laid bare, ready for plans to be put into action. However, frost, ice and snow meant that the garden was nigh on inoperable from November 2010 until February 2011, which was somewhat vexatious.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-16508496689900535772011-03-18T10:27:00.000+00:002011-03-18T10:27:32.464+00:00Veg at the Edge<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Small steps, summer 2010</strong> </span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst waiting for inspiration to strike (and time to become available - a four hour daily commute is not condusive to productive gardening!), we planted out a few veg that had started off in pots prior to moving in May 2010. </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_aF_KK0eFGs/TYH8CeqIiOI/AAAAAAAAAA8/i87NP-SO2BY/s1600/R0012804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_aF_KK0eFGs/TYH8CeqIiOI/AAAAAAAAAA8/i87NP-SO2BY/s200/R0012804.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Runner beans, lettuce, sweet peas</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A packet of runner bean 'Scarlet Emperor' had lasted since my days with Housemate Helen so these were planted in the sunny border. The lack of long bamboo canes and subsequent lashing of shorter canes together meant that following a summer storm the wigwam fell over. Fortunately, this enabled Husband to finally admit that he didn't really like runner beans! Still, we ate rather a lot before that (aw, isn't he lovely). The sweetpeas planted with them suffered from a lack of watering but tried their best. We went on holiday just before the few lettuce and rocket plants next to the beans were ready, so they had gone to seed upon our return.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BbiNOX6wWpE/TYH8mG8xYXI/AAAAAAAAABE/iLh4xepHQL8/s1600/IMG_0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BbiNOX6wWpE/TYH8mG8xYXI/AAAAAAAAABE/iLh4xepHQL8/s200/IMG_0489.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Courgettes (and home brew)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two courgette plants grown from seeds given by Granny L were planted under a window and did so well that they set off across the lawn. </span><br />
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</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Potatoes in sacks didn't do so well, perhaps because of the hot spell in early summer and my not knowing how much water they wanted - considering the rain in Ireland, famed for its potatoes, I should have guessed!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JYbg1Y52IiQ/TYH8XJBI33I/AAAAAAAAABA/XDeHw_6el4o/s1600/R0012799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JYbg1Y52IiQ/TYH8XJBI33I/AAAAAAAAABA/XDeHw_6el4o/s320/R0012799.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feeding time in the goat willow</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Husband was given chilli seeds as a Christmas present and these were grown in pots in the conservatory. It was a learning process and this year (2011) should see better results. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bush tomatoes were grown in hanging baskets and pots outside but failed to impress. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LFwMaU4e96c/TYH8x1GBeCI/AAAAAAAAABI/RDg_zS2UK60/s1600/IMG_0501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LFwMaU4e96c/TYH8x1GBeCI/AAAAAAAAABI/RDg_zS2UK60/s200/IMG_0501.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Courgette quiche</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://bobflowerdew.co.uk/books.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bob Flowerdew's book 'Grow Your Own Eat Your Own'</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> provided inspiration for a courgette quiche. Having baked a courgette cake with Housemate Helen, I was not tempted to recreate the soggy if tasty effort!</span><br />
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</span></div>Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5651696869685538914.post-21438917931440276502011-03-17T10:51:00.003+00:002011-03-17T13:52:24.436+00:00Homage to She Who Digs<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Beginnings</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7cgC8BldBlU/TYHk1_mufMI/AAAAAAAAAAQ/N7Rq3vCf2Ag/s1600/R0012805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7cgC8BldBlU/TYHk1_mufMI/AAAAAAAAAAQ/N7Rq3vCf2Ag/s200/R0012805.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laylandii hedge, June 2010</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having enjoyed reading <a href="http://shewhodigs.blogspot.com/">She Who Digs</a>' blog </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and missing her pictures, I am going to try documenting the development of our back garden (the 'Adventurous' bit comes when we leap in after much time spent pondering!). </span><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We moved in almost a year ago and the garden was pretty well a blank canvas. After removing a huge eucalyptus that was shading most of the garden and a 6ft high leylandii hedge that was a hideous dead end, some friends presented us with time from a garden designer that they'd won in a raffle.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xPkPhiwfGp0/TYHkGHR9tnI/AAAAAAAAAAM/PP1qqFRvPk4/s1600/R0012811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xPkPhiwfGp0/TYHkGHR9tnI/AAAAAAAAAAM/PP1qqFRvPk4/s200/R0012811.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eucalyptus, June 2010</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In November 2010, Edward Mairis drew up a design which we liked very much. We have been slowly deviating from the plan as the wind blows and plants get donated from family (erm, sorry Edward!). He got us to think about what we like so that the main elements of his design will still be visible in the long term: an informal veg area; a sunny flower border; some lawn; a woodland border; some decent seating; fruit trees; and a pergola which could be turned into a climbing frame for future adventures.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Misty Morninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247838561733996619noreply@blogger.com0