14th June
Well the thunder storm was a Poor effort, the rain  though very heavy didn't last all that long.
The Lightning quite spectacular  was soon ever,
we certainly needed rain the garden will be overjoyed.
This year the Arum Lilies have excelled themselves, they have never been this good, must have liked the dry spring weather, as have the Chives, just cut the chives back as the were getting out of hand. The John Downey Crab appple tree is overloaded,  sadly I will have to give them away as I still have cupboard full of Crab Apple Jelly, with Jack not being here to ear it.

5th June

Well we have had the first rain in over 6 weeks, could have done without the wind though.
The Garden is in full colour and the greenhouse is now coming on, so good to see the tomatoes all with fruit.
As soon as this wind eases off i will put out the baskets permanently.
I always feel a great relief when I do not have to put them in at night!!!!
With all the  permanent outdoor pots all potted upt and looking good, except for the so &so birds digging the young plants out, making a mess all over the Patio, makes me so mad.
Now the garden center is  open I will have to go and buy a new Rhubarb root as mine has died,
I do not seem to be able to keep them growing for more than 4 years, no idea why.
need to go as I want to get 2 or 3 yellow perfumed roses for a change in the front small bed.

30 may

Thank goodness the plants in the gardens do not have to isolate.
Everywhere is now looking great, what a joy to have all this colour, cheers me up , unlike
the depressing news.
Have now put out all the summer bedding, the darn birds have caused me to net the planters as they keep digging the plants up, think they use the soil for a bath.
Is it my imagination or are the colours this season much enhanced?

April 2nd

Every where is looking good, the spring bulbs and shrubs are so colourful such a pleasure after the long drab months of winter.

Must plant more Primroses for next year, also to split the ones I have.

One big disappointment the Bourganvilla seems to have died, as this is a new plant for me I keep hoping that I am wrong, but I doubt it.

The Hellebore are very striking as ever.The Hyacinths are looking great and have increased, so pleasing as last year they were sad.

The Pieris is as ever at this time superb.

24h feb

 I posted recently memory getting poor.

The Spring bulbs are all opening so good to see at this miserable time of the year.

The Hellebores are now in full flower, can always rely on them
Tomatoes seeds are now transplanted ready to go into the greenhouse,  I have quite a few planted up fo The r the family, will leave for a week or so before moving to the greenhouse as I haven't had the heat on this winter. The Fuschias in the greenhouse are all good and do not seem to have missed the heat s the bubble  wrap has done the trick with it being such a mild winter, keeping fingers crossed.Next job the Begonias need planting into pots ready for late Spring planting out.
I was late getting my son to cut back the hydrangeas so looks like I will not have many flowers this coming year, if other years are to go by, for some reason mine prefer to be cut back before Christmas or they do not flower??

3rd December

Like everyone else we have have serious frosts, I'm ashamed to say I had not prepared my pots for winter, believing the mild weather would continue, 2 days ago I went out to get started I found the compost frozen solid, looks like I may have lost all my Begonias, fortunately my son Scott Had lifted my baskets into the Greenhouse which is bubble wrapped, so all the Fuschias are fine.
This is the very first winter that I have not been prepared good and early , must be getting lazy.
The Tomatoes have only just finished, they have had a terrific season as have the Chillies, wont grow as may Chillies next year as I am  knee deep in them. Courgettes also.

The Clematis we planted this year are going well against the garage wall, hopefully next season they will  cover it. 

Sadly  the Rhubarb, for some reason died last year so will need to get more in the Spring 

 I bought some Strawberry plants last summer, these will not be repeated as they were not sweet, must look up more carefully when I replace. 

The Bougainvillea gift fom Scott must be in just the right spot as it is doing very well.

19 sept

Well the good weather is keeping going, must admit the garden is still looking good.
Have given the pots their last feed as they are still going well, I hate the time when they all finish.
Looks like next week will be time for cleaning the greenhouse ready for the winter, always makes me feel sad when we get to this stage.
The Peppers both sweet and Chilli have exceeded themselves, have lots

in the freezer , will give away the rest. Amazing how over the years I use them more and more in cooking

25 August

Well the Tomato season is now over, all my Sungold have finished so have cut them down and put them for compost.
Scotts Nameless ones are still going though on their last legs.
This has been a strong growing year but now thinking of the Autumn work!!
The John Downey Crab Apple tree has really done well producing more fruit than ever, as I still have some left from last year will not be making any Crab Apple Jelly so have given them to my neighbour who is delighted.
Sadly my Rhubarb died so will have to replace.
Have now introduced some Clamatis to hopefully cover the garage wall, seem to be going strong.

The new Bourganvilla is also looking very good, hope it eventually covers the wall.
Scott has put up a trellis for it to grow along.

The Carnation cuttings are also now ready for planting on, should have quite a show next year.
Must say this has been such a colourful year its given us great pleasure.

19th July

The garden is now in full flower, such a pleasure to see all the colour, I am sure that most gardeners, like me, derive great satisfaction when things are looking so good making all the effort worth while.
Keeping my fingers crossed that when the Dinner Plate dahlias open we do not get the awful winds and rain that flatten them most years, even though they are well staked.
The white Arum lilies have been exceptional this year and have really spread, as have the Crocosmia Lucifer good thing I have friends to pass some onto.
The greenhouse is in good order and the tomatoes are ripening quickly with all the sunshine, had to give Jackie a large plants as overcrowded. She managed to get it into her car and home in one piece!!!!
For the first time the  Courgette are fruiting, for some reason I have not had success growing these, this was my last try and thanks to Sue for the watering tip, at last- success wow.
Thought the Rhubarb had died but it has now revived thank godness.
The shrubs have been growing at such a rate that  I shall have to give them all a trim.
The Camellia was done last week after flowering so a good feed is next.
Do wish the man who used to call selling Manure would appear, he seems to have given up. Must set my son on his travels looking for some.

20th June

At last the rain has stopped, well for now.
Everything  is now starting to bloom, just love all the colour.
The John Downey crab Apple  blossom now turning into buds, had decided I didn't need to make Crab Apple Jelly this year, simply cannot waste all this fruit so the family will all be getting plenty of jars for their larders.!!!
The Rhody's are now fading but have been a splendid show, and we seem to have quite a few Bees which is good.

The bowling season has now started, the Men have really brought the Green up to top standard, so well worth the time and effort by the few who do it. The rain has of course helped the grass, not so the bowling.

2nd May

Well summer is well on the way thank goodness, I hate the cold.
After this long dry sunny spell the rain has arrived and everything is really showing for it, especially the weeds!!
The rain as ever once started doesn't know when to stop.
I took a chance and took  cuttings from some rather lovely white,  edged with red Carnations, a gift from Jackie, lady luck was on my side and they are  now growing well.
This year the Pieris have really excelled, I cannot remember the new growth turning red then yellow, this is what has happened this year and they are glorious.
The garden is now all planted out, with a couple of new perennial introductions so here's hoping they all  do well, looking good at present.
The Crab apple as the blossom predicted is going to be a bumper crop.
The Chives have gone mad, so dug some up and given a lot away.
The Chillies and Courgette are promising, don't know what i am going to do with all the Tomatoes that I will get as I have far to many plants, due mainly to Scot drying off some seeds and they have done really well. When they fruit will be the test.

spring garden

Just love it when the garden begins to wake up.

20th March

Joy of joys the seedlings in the greenhouse are now popping up.
The garden furniture that Scott has repainted looks like new.
Despite the strong wind and rain the bulbs have survived, thought they would be flattened.
Have decided to move a few plants once the weather is settled, a change being as good as a rest.
Have ordered some Agapanthus Twister hope they grow as good as they are pictured, they are white and blue.
I am amazed how much the Hyacinths have multiplied long may it continue.
The shrubs are now showing new growth will take cuttings shortly.
The Camellia is as ever great, it really responds to being fed with   the Ericaceous feed, we are alkaline here, though must admit the flowers are not quite  as big as they should be.

Well today is the first day of Spring, so looking foreword to the warmer weather, hate the cold.

9th March

9th March
Well at last I am able to access my blog, for some reason for ages I couldn't!!!
At last spring seems to be well on its way, after the dismal winter months to see all the Spring bulbs is a joy.
For some reason the Carnation cuttings that did so well continued to do so and were flowering even at Christmas, I have just trimmed them back and hoping they will be just as good this com
ing summer.
The seeds I have sown in the greenhouse are very slow, especially the Rudbeckia which were excelent last year, I grew some for a friend, lets hope they pick up soon.
The Arum Lilies have gone mad so have had to be reduced by half.
The Hellebores are in full flower, my daughter likes the dark red {almost black) ones best. For me the one I think is called Charity that has ever green leaves is best.
I have had to admit defeat and get a gardener to do the heavy work and this includes the hoeing and weeding, old age and my backproblem being the reason, I can still do the rest.
Have started some tomatoes for my son, he kept the seeds from some he enjoyed, heres hoping they fruit.
Just pruned the Mahonia, it has as ever been excellent.
I am hoping the Begonias i grewlast summer have made tubers, they seem to be firm so keeping my fingers crossed as I had such a great display last year.

3rd november

The gales and frost have moved on for now leaving such devastation, so have now put the Dahlias and the Begonias to bed, well moved into the greenhouse, will prune again in a couple of days.
My son has bubble wrapped the greenhouse for me so all is cosy in there.
Must say the Fuschias survived very well, they are really tuff little devils, yet look so delicate.
I never cease to be amazed as to how much all the shrubs grown in one season. Fortunately Alan the Gardener who comes each year to cut them all back takes everything away, bonfires are a no go .
I do not like the garden at this time, tidy it may, be but so dull, just green with the odd flower, Roll on spring.
I am now busy planning next years display, I have enough seeds and hopefully tubers to start a shop, will start them all in February as usual.

Just removed the Tomato plants and have quite a few fruit left to use up, also the Peppers, which have done so well, will grow again next year.
The  yellow Dwarf Alstomeria are still in full flower in the front garden, the new pink ones maybe need a year or two to settle down, we will see.

The mahonia are in flower and a joy as they are just outside my kitchen window.

Tuesday 16th
The second round of gales have torn down the climbing Rose and completely wrecked the Cotoneaster, we have had to cut it back leaving just enough to hopefully restart next Spring.
 Makes you wonder if it is all worthwhile all the hard work ruined.
Have started clearing some of the Summer plants and pots, and just managed to cram everything into the green bin. have been looking at some of the advert for composters```1 really do not have any space for a heap.

Autumn is finally here, and the dreadful gales really decimated the Dinner Plate dahlias or so I thought, but my constant deheading has paid off as they are now in flower again thank goodness though not quite as large.
Overall things have done well in particular the shrubs, lord have they grown
The back corner has really thrived, must admit I watered well, thank goodness for the water barrels. Must admit this corner pleases me as in the winter it is very plain, must do something about it.

Very disappointed with the Marigold seeds I collected last year in Scotland, they were supposed to be cream about 10 inches high, sadly ended up being very tall and yellow, ah well that will teach me a lesson!!!
The Sun flowers and Rudbeckia I will grow again, friends I gave seedlings to have asked for more next year.
As ever the Majestic Begonia have excelled, though I know some think I have far to many, you really do have a problem walking from the Patio into the garden, but who cares-I'm happy. The Fuschia never let me down, will add to them again for next year.
The grass is so amazing after being burned to cinder is now really good. I never call it a lawn as it really is only grass.
The Sungold Tomato is as ever in top form and I am still picking. My son bought me some Yellow Pepper plants and they are been a success, I use them a lot so will repeat next year plus some cucumber and Chilly peppers.

10 July

Well everywhere is looking good in the back Garden now except the new Begonias, at least its not just me as a couple of friends are as disappointed as I am with theirs.
The Petunias really seem to like my baking hot Patio as do the  Yellow Asiatic Lilies. Glad something likes this heat, I know I do not, just not coping with it. Still it makes me get up very early to go in the garden for half an hour!! whilst its cooler.
The John Downey crab apple has a great crop, so Crab apple jelly for one and all in sept,
Have given up on the grass, no use wasting water.
So far the application of Vinegar and salt on the block paving is working a treat no weeds!!!.

The dwarf  alstomeria in the front  as ever never let me down, would that the new ones were as good.

26th June
Well at  last have had both Cataracts removed and a great result.  except waiting for reading glasses, the long vision is really excellent, but as I was warned the short vision needs help and had to wait weeks for the consultant to sign me off and give me a script for reader and Computer glasses. Still now very worth the wait even if it in all took 2 months for both eyes, must not complain. The only problem I can now see the weeds.
The cuttings this year have been very slow like most folks but catching up nicely now they are hardened off and in the sun.
The biggest disappointment is for the second year my Mop Head Hydrangea is not flowering, it normally is covered. Reflecting I think it may be my fault I changed my feeding plan and in fact haven't fed as often as usual. Since Jack died I have let things go some what. so am trying now to put things right.
I had also changed  the fertiliser I had always used, big mistake, so am going back to the tried and tested, in my light sandy soil feeding is paramount. Oh well lesson learnt.
The other thing that is a disappointment, I bought some dwarf Alstroemeria last year and of the 8 only 2 have survived, such a shame as they were lovely and were intended to help me cut down on the planting of that front bed!!! live and learn.
Still battling on with that so and so ground elder, looks like I shall dig up my plants and replace the soil there in the Autumn or so I am informed.!! At least I now know where it is comming from and can hopefully deal with it.

24th April

After a glorious week we are back to the cold again, ah well we should just expect it.
Everywhere is looking so good now, all the spring flowers give me such a lift after the long winter.

The greenhouse is very full of seedlings, beginning to wonder where I will put them, fortunately I have friends happy to help out.
Sadly the begonia seeds impregnated in paper, Scott bought,  don' t seem to want to grow, no idea why.

The Begonia tubers are also struggling, just 8 showing from 20 tubers from last year !!!! hoping they are just late.
 I have just tried the Vinegar and salt recipe on the driveway, very hopeful it is working. That block paving looks so good when weed free, just a lot of work and expense trying to keep it weed free, hence the trial of vinegar and salt, if its true  it will stop regrowth!!!

Life is now getting back to normal (Whats normal she asks} after the first of my Cataract removals, can't speak highly enough of the care I received. Did not realise how bad my vision was until now.

Does anyone have a cure for Ground Elder?? I am getting it from next door, any help would be much appreciated.