Garden Blogs

Monday, 6 July 2009

Pics

Latest lushness from the garden....... plus a couple of dogs getting in on the act!

Sunday, 5 July 2009

Lush

Lush vegetation, not lush gardener. Well, most of the time! We are having peas with dinner tonight - mangetout and sugarsnap. I've eaten quite a few al dente and they are very sweet and very moreish. Also looking pretty lush are the potatoes, sweetcorn, beetroot, spinach, swiss chard, lettuces and superlush are the courgettes! Moley has made a return and keeps trying to pop up in my sweetcorn bed. They are pretty established now but the kale and broccoli are a bit younger and I am hoping the the mole's antics don't ruin the roots. Bugsy is still at large and braver than ever but must have found a new food source as he seems to be leaving my recovered phlox plants. Perhaps he is just teasing me and will have the tops off them before the flowers arrive. In the triffid house, the cucumbers are ripening thick and fast and our spare fridge in the garage is where I am attempting to keep them fresh. All the tomatoes, including the beefsteak experiment, are doing well with fruits set. Must keep on top of the watering and feeding. Many fruits on the aubergine and peppers although they do seem slow to set. As for the rest of the garden, all the roses are still going strong and all the bedding plants are doing well, including fabulous sweet peas, pelargoniums and cosmos. I've been doing some pruning (am addicted to the secateurs) of weigela, euonymus, lilac, holly and the completely crazy climbers that cover our front fence (combination of 'mile a minute' vine and clematis montana). Seems to be non-stop as ever. I'm away for a week now though, including my visit to the Hampton Court Flower Show. Can't wait. Will have to leave my better half with some watering instructions. Pics to follow tomorrow hopefully and a post-Show blog next weekend. Happy gardening. Samx

Monday, 29 June 2009

Ribena

Various pics attached, including a couple of my blackcurrants (Ribena was the first thing that came to my mind but I suspect that just shows my age!). They are very, very easy to grow it seems. I planted this one 2 years ago and had a great crop the first year and looks good this year too. Just a couple more days and then I will pick them and freeze them for use in apple and blackcurrant crumbles in autumn. I did create some 'homemade' Cassis last year - same process as sloe gin but with vodka. Very tasty and due to much self control, still have a bottle left. Despite best intentions to do nothing in the garden at the weekend, I did succumb to some lavender plants at the garden centre and have created my own little corner of Provence. Also, earthed up the spuds as much as possible (not easy in raised beds) and then covered up both sides with some black bags to stop the tubers poking out and sun getting to the spuds. Turns them green apparently and then they are poisonous. I think the grow bags work best but will save my final conclusions until harvest time. Have a good week. Sam

Friday, 26 June 2009

Phew!

It has been a hot, hot week here - and probably 'there' too! Everything has really appreciated the heat and a real growth spurt is visible all over the garden. It is also visible on my Flickr page but will have to wait until Monday to create a set of pics for this blog (technical hitch as it seems Flickr's organise tool doesn't like my Apple Mac). Enough about technology and more about gardening and al fresco living. I've had family staying for a few days and we've been enjoying dinner in the garden, the wafting smell of the honeysuckle, the fresh taste of herbs and the chink of the odd glass or two! Exceptional plants just now are the pelargoniums, roses, lavender and just getting going, the begonias. All very mediterranean. Oh yes, the veg are doing well too! I think there will shortly be a lettuce (Little Gem) glut, together with more radishes than I know what to do with. The parsnip and carrot seedlings are growing well and will shortly need a thinning. Courgettes are really romping away now and the colours on the chard (Bright Lights) are fab. In the greenhouse, the cucumbers are really doing well now and nearly at the top of the greenhouse. All the tomatoes have fruits, as do the peppers and even the aubergine (suspect we will need some prolonged hot weather for them to really ripen). As is typical of the British weather, rain has followed sun today (the window cleaner has been obviously) and I'm about to venture out for a night watch for slugs and snails. I hate to tempt fate, but so far none have made it to the veg patch. Perhaps the new raised beds have something to do with it, or the bark or my better half's ingenious plan of putting copper wire round all the beds. But, you never know. We must always be vigil. A spot of pruning here and there tomorrow, maybe a bit of a hoe and tie in some more cucumber shoots. Otherwise, it does feel time to sit back for a bit and actually enjoy the garden before it all gets busy once more. Pics to follow on Monday but until then, happy gardening and a relaxing weekend.

Monday, 15 June 2009

Put to bed

Well I think I have now run out of room in my veg beds. I planted broccoli, more leeks, nasturtiums (edible apparently as well as sacrificial), curly kale and many, many lettuces this weekend. The potatoes are doing very well although I must say they seem to be faster in the bags than in the beds. Everything, including the parsnips, has come up and seems to be growing well. Leaves on the beans and courgettes are a bit yellow but looking around at neighbouring veg patches this doesn't seem to be abnormal. We have had hailstones today and I haven't been out yet to check for any damage to small seedlings. We have also had rabbit sightings and my dog has been chasing it through my flower beds. I really need a glass or two before I survey the aftermath! So far, we have only eaten radishes (very small but very hot) and 'spring onions' (made from shallots if that makes sense?). My better half taught me that if you plant a shallot, leave it a few weeks and water it, it will sprout many shoots and they do look and taste just like spring onions, only easier to grow. Works with any old shallot. I think that might be my tip of the week. In the greenhouse, all the tomatoes/peppers/chillis are going well and I have several cucumbers that I know will grow very quickly and I will be making much tzaziki (cucumber and yoghurt mostly) which is delicious with any sort of barbecue food. I am on annual leave next week and hoping for some decent weather..........happy gardening.

Monday, 15 June 2009

The name of the rose

I have quite a few roses now in my garden. A big pink one called Princess Elizabeth (according to my neighbour) that was here when we moved in. It was hidden at the back of an overgrown border and had taken on a very strange shape in its quest for sunlight. After a couple of years severe pruning (I am rather fond of my secateurs) it is this year very beautiful indeed. June is the month for roses and I have six in a raised bed outside the back door. I can't remember the names but it really doesn't matter. What is truly lovely is the smell and it makes a great start to the day to take in a good whiff of roses in the morning air. One or two more in pots (patio roses which stay small with many buds) and a lovely rambling rose in a border at the back of the garden. They may be traditional but then so is veg gardening so perhaps ready for a comeback. A few pics attached to tempt those of you without roses (sadly, I can't post up the smell!)

Sunday, 14 June 2009

The wonders of blueberries

I've been traveling this week and so to help with the gardening withdrawal symptoms, I have been reading mags on how to do it! A great article on blueberries has convinced me that next year I would like to grow some. Pots are good apparently, especially because blueberries like acidic soil and so ericaceous compost is the best medium. There was a great recipe with the article for Blueberry Soup! Thought others might like it so here it is: Ingredients: 550g blueberries, 115g caster sugar, four pared strips unwaxed lemon rind, two star anise, 600ml freshly pressed apple juice, juice of one lemon, 4 tbsp Rachels Organic Greek Yoghurt, lemon wedges to serve. Recipe: You can serve this refreshing, deep purple berry soup as a light dessert, or as an alternative starter. 1. Wash the blueberries and pat dry. Reserving a handful for decoration, put the rest in a saucepan. 2. Add the sugar, strips of lemon zest, star anise and apple juice. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes until very soft. Allow to cool then push through a nylon sieve to make a smooth puree. Stir in the lemon juice, cover and chill for at least 2 hours or until ready to serve. 3. To serve, spoon into dessert bowls and serve with a spoonful of yoghurt and a wedge of lemon. Sprinkle with the reserved berries. And for the hot, hot weather we are promised, why not make a blueberry ice lolly? Take 250g blueberries and whiz them up in a food processor until smooth. Add 400g Rachel's Organic yoghurt and a dash of fruit juice, and stir - then pour into lolly moulds and freeze! So, I think growing blueberries will bring many rewards. Now, where's the garden.........

Sunday, 7 June 2009

A good soaking

Only a gardener really appreciates a good soaking! And on Saturday, the heavens opened here in God's country and didn't stop until some time late this morning. All of my plants were very thankful for the drink (I had possibly one more than I should have Saturday night) and after a couple of hours of sun this afternoon, the soil warmed up nicely and I got to planting out some more of my little seedlings. Leeks have gone in - made holes with my dibber (fashioned out of an old spade handle) about 6 inches deep and 2in wide and then popped in a leek per hole. The crucial thing is not to fill in with soil but just to trickle some water in each hole and some soil then fills in gently. This way, there's room for the leeks to 'grown into' their new homes. Also planted spinach, swiss chard and fennel and popped some radish seeds in - purple/blue ones that came as a free seed packet and I'm very curious to see what they turn out like. My 'normal' radish are now ready and pretty hot. Spuds have gone crazy and needed earthing up (stops the light getting to the tubers and turning them green and inedible apparently) and my sweetcorn have really loved the sunny weather and are pretty substantial now. If only the camera was working! Temporary problem, well temporary until my better and more technical other half gets home tomorrow to fix it and then I'll put up some pics as I'm pretty pleased with my veg plot so far. Mmmmm, Bugsy is still around somewhere, under next door's shed I think and feeding merrily on my flowers. I've put a cage trap down but he doesn't care for baby carrots. Am now sacrificing a couple of my little gem lettuces which have juicy baby leaves. Failing that, I think my best bet is to position the cage over my pinks as he can't resist them! Off to Scotland for a few days but will put up some pics before the end of the week. Think there could be a bit more rain in store, but with a bit of sun in-between, makes for good growing weather......Sam.

Monday, 1 June 2009

Glorious, flaming, scorchio June!

What a marvelous weekend! Finally planted out my veg - all lovingly grown from seed and now protected by a wall of chicken wire as Bugsy is elusive and still happily feeding on various flowers etc. I'm sure the veg would all be gone by now if it wasn't for the wire. Anyway, in have gone the beans (runners and dwarf french), mangetout and sugarsnap peas, sweetcorn and squash (good planted together apparently), courgettes and beetroot. The potatoes are up and doing well and I've also sewn seeds of carrot, parsnip and cut and come again lettuce. Non-stop veg gardening also meant I was in the greenhouse 'til dark pricking out seeds of all my brassicas and moving tomatoes around to make more room - like the day of the triffids in there at the moment. Totally shattered Sunday night but very happy indeed. Much watering has followed due to the very hot weather and perhaps I shouldn't have planted in the middle of the day but everything seems ok. Water butts are all empty and I gave them all a good clean out - the hose pipe and the labs was great fun but I was certainly the wettest of us all! Off to say my nightly prayer to the god of good growing weather........happy gardening. Samx

Tuesday, 26 May 2009

More pics

A few pics from a sunny Tuesday in Wales, including one or two from my new bamboo collection planted last Autumn and the bean poles ready and waiting for some beans. If only I could be sure that Bugsy has left the building! I hope next week to show pics of some veg in my veg beds or people will start to wonder whether this is gardening or art!

Tuesday, 26 May 2009

Bugsy and Moley

Been a bit busy this week with visitors. Mr Mole has now vacated but Bugsy is still at large - and getting larger feeding on what were my lovely Phlox! It easy pretty easy to grow plants - they want to grow basically and as long as they get water and some food, then they are content. But, lurking in the wings is the food chain. My poor neighbours, who have a fabulous and pristine garden, have no shoots left on any of their roses. Bugsy may have been scared off now and so perhaps later this week I'll plant out my beans and peas - which are in the coldframe and raring to go. As is my sweetcorn. So, I've left the veg beds alone this weekend (apart from putting up the canes in readiness) and been pottering in other parts of the garden. I'll put some pics up this evening as the geraniums are beginning to come out, the lavender is zingy green, my bamboos are looking healthy and so far the hostas have not be preyed upon by the Slug and Snail Family who I am sure will be visiting some time soon.......!

Sunday, 17 May 2009

Pictures (I hope)

Here's some pics of my new raised beds, the garden 'helpers', the rather full greenhouse and a lovely alium. Hope you like them.

Sunday, 17 May 2009

Technical hitch

Sorry, don't think the pics have appeared. I will seek technical assistance and try again. S.

Sunday, 17 May 2009

Rhwyn cari fy'n ardd!

That's Welsh for 'I love my garden!'. Yes, it is in Wales. About 5 miles from the lovely Cardigan Bay coastline and backing onto fields (with cows!) After 3 years of living here, I finally persuaded my better half to build me some raised beds so that I can have a go at veg growing. To protect the veg from my garden 'helpers' (2 lovely labs who don't understand gardening) he also built a fence around the beds which mostly works. Doesn't stop the mole from trying to pop up through the membrane though and you can often watch the bark paths moving to the mole beat! Anyway, after some success with flowers and herbs, as well as bamboo/trees/shrubs etc etc I'm up for the veg challenge. The greenhouse is bursting with seedlings along with the tomatoes, aubergines, peppers cucumbers and chillies (no room at the inn!) which will move to the cold frame before being planted out into the beds. The only veg in the beds right now are spuds. I've tried them in those round planters as well to see if they work. Experimental gardening! So, over the next few weeks I'll share my successes and failures with you and hopefully one or two tips along the way. Bye for now.....Sam. P.s. hope the pics appear, am not exactly technically able.