March 1st

Inspite of last weeks foul weather the spring flowers have survived except for a few crocus in the front garden.
Very pleased with the newer Helebore that I planted about 18 months ago, they really have taken off adding colour to the bottom garden, now that the Daffs and crocus are opening it is a joy to see.

 In the front garden in that small bed by the front door is a mass of crocus, they really have spread.
I have planted into that bed some new Dwarf Alstroemeria white with reddish spots, should be really set off by the Rhus coloured Carex type grass thing I have planted around the edges, they really have split very well thanks Viv.

The sight of a few spring flowers is always a joy at the time of year.
Must admitt I love the Primroses and Snowdrops, they give me such hope.
The Hellebores as ever do not let me down and now coming into flower, the newer ones are already in full flower, this one last year never raised its head, has done this year.
This last couple of days we have started pruning the Hydrangers and Hardy Fushias, what a gap these leave, as they are all starting to sprit its time to get these jobs done. Last back end whilst Jack was so ill i had to leave the garden to its own devises, hence a lot of work to catch up.

23rd December

Merry Christmas every one.
What a pleasure to see colour in the garden at this time of the year.
The Primroses are so colourful but outstanding, as ever, the Mahonia, just outside my kitchen window, it is in full flower and such a  joy.
The spring bulbs are all poking through looks like it is going to be a good display. Some of the bulbs are new to me so here's hoping they are as promosing as the advert.

Sunday 4th December

Well They predicted a long cold winter and so far they seem to be correct.
Must admit after cleaning the Greenhouse some weeks ago forgot to bubble wrap until 2 weeks ago, thank goodness I remembered, better late than never.
My husband Jack dying put everything out of my head for some weeks.
The bulbs I planted in pots are showing now, hope they will survive, I love Spring flowers here's hoping.
Once the weather improves I shall replant a couple of borders, might be a while from the looks and feel of things.

Nov. 3rd

Well I have found the answer to the death of my Bramley Apple tree.
The tree man knew at once the problem, it has also got to my neighbours tree, it's Honey Fungus.  Saw something  like tall white Mushrooms at the base. Would appear I cannot put another fruit  there for some years as there is not a cure, just my luck.
Have had to clear all the other perennial plants from the area so will wash all the roots etc before replanting and hope!! Who would be a gardener.
Must admit the height of the Dahlias this year still amazes me, such a shame to have to remove them, hopefully they will be okay as I replant them.

16 October

Everything that is still standing is still in full flower but sadly the gales a couple of weeks ago did so much damage.
The lovely triple rotating baskets at the end of the garden  were smashed down and the whole stand  is now unrepairable. The only good thing the baskets full of Begonia Sensation are still intact so have stood  them inside some of the large tubs on the Patio until they finish, they have been amazing and will plant again next year into the new tiered stand my son has ordered for me for Christmas.

All the Dahlias that I though I had staked so well are lying flat down though still in full bloom. Oh well thats gardening never a dull moment.

Must admit I am surprised that the garden is still in full flower, so can't lift all the perennials by the dead Bramley Apple, only then can I book the Paul Crabtree to remove it and trim all the shrubs.  Oh dear that really makes me think winter.

I have planted the spring  bulbs I bought should have a great show. Have done the same as last year when I planted the Hyacinths in tubs to place onto the Patio then to put at the end of the garden by the greenhouse for the summer, saves lifting and replanting, again saves work.

This has turned out to be a very different summer for so may plants. I thought the warm wet winter weather would be just what everything liked, but no, somethings have not done as well as usual.

The Dancing Flame Fuschias usually so prolific, haven't after the first flush continued to flower, just made a lot of growth, so disappointing its never happened before in all the years I have been growing them.

The Begonias at the end in the 3 basket stand which looks like one plant, are still giving a great show.

The wine coloured Dahlias have grown so tall, whilst they look great need lots of extra staking.
The greenhouse, well the tomatoes which started so well have all but finished and I have cleared ready to clean ready for the cuttings.

A friend was telling me she is experiencing similar things, two of her fruit trees have died one a Plum, is it the weather,  maybe plants really do prefer a cold winter.

The John Downey crab Apple is just about ready to harvest, a really great crop this season.
The Rhubarb has been prolific and still going strong.
Amazingly I did not have success with the Courgettes, they are I know usually easy to grow.
I guess thats gardening nothing ever the same, which is what keeps us going, I think!!

25th July

Every where is looking so colourful really makes it all worth while.
As ever things pop up that I have never planted, just have to wait until they flower to know what they are.
One thing is another Stargazer has found its way into a Hydrangea cutting pot. As with the one last year it is not variegated like my others, seedlings seem to revert, still a nice change.
In the greenhouse the tomatoes are cropping well, we do not seem to eating as many so next year will grow less.
The Rhubarb has loved the rain and the freezer is looking healthy.
At one end of the garden the Crocosmia Lucifer and Marguerites really light up the corner.
All the Fuschia are in full flower, it amazes me that what seem to be  rather delicate plants are in fact very sturdy.
The begonia that are in the triple basket stand  are a splendid.
I am still mourning my dead Bramley.

For the past 3 weeks we have not had any rain, the water barrels were empty, as ever it started to rain 2 days ago and never stopped since, so all my worries about the garden are now over, just glad we do not have the excess others are getting.
Everywhere is now so colourful and all the Fuschia cuttings along with the Begonia I planted out are jumping up.
Had a good laugh, the first time i have grown Courgettes and I have had to cut one as it looks well on the way to becoming a Marrow.
The dwarf Alstroemeria in the front garden are magnificent. Luckily they flower throughout the summer, must get some other colours, said that last year and then forgot.!!
In the back garden the Peonies as ever are a joy, this year I  them staked good and early, likewise the Lupins and  the tall Alstroemeria, it surely has paid off. Must admit I am at times a  bit slow to stake properly, must do better.

Well at last I have bee able to access the site, for some reason I haven't ben able to write a post, hopefully all now well.
The garden is looking well again , I love it when everything starts coming to life again.

Must say the new coloured Hellebore have been splendid.

Sadly my beloved Bramley Apple tree appears to have died, no idea why, its only twenty odd years old so a big shock. The family will miss the apples,  it was so prolific I gave loads away. Ah Well.
I don't thinks I will plant a new one as by the time it bears enough fruit iI will be long gone.!!

The John Downey Crab Apple tree is in full flower and appears to have made a lot of growth, a warm wet winter being the answer I guess. The family will have to make do with Crab Apple Jelly.

Strangely the Quince bush I have had for years, that I nearly dug , is in full flower for the first time ever and really looks lovely and when I looked closely the fruit is forming, jus when I do not have a Bramley, just my luck. I believe that quince grated into apple is very good.!!!

Scott and I have moved the Dahlias from the left corner to make space later for the lovely yellow Rhododendron called either sunset or sunrise, which really describes it  well. I has however grown so large that it will have to move from its planter to the garden.

The Dahlias that we transplanted are in fact now showing growth, unlike the ones that have been in for years, heres hoping they are okay and not like the Bramley.

The deep purple  Rhododendron doesn't seem to be as large but just as eye catching.

21st May 2016

Well at last I have bee able to access the site, for some reason I haven't ben able to write a post, hopefully all now well.
The garden is looking well again , I love it when everything starts coming to life again.

Must say the new coloured Hellebore have been splendid.

Sadly my beloved Bramley Apple tree appears to have died, no idea why, its only twenty odd years old so a big shock. The family will miss the apples,  it was so prolific I gave loads away. Ah Well.
I don't thinks I will plant a new one as by the time it bears enough fruit I will be long gone.!!

The John Downey Crab Apple tree is in full flower and appears to have made a lot of growth, a warm wet winter being the answer I guess. The family will have to make do with Crab Apple Jelly.

Strangely the Quince bush I have had for years, that I nearly dug , is in full flower for the first time ever and really looks lovely and when I looked closely the fruit is forming, just when I do not have a Bramley, just my luck. I believe that quince grated into apple is very good.!!!

Scott and I have moved the Dahlias from the left corner to make space later for the lovely yellow Rhododendron called either sunset or sunrise, which really describes it  well. I has however grown so large that it will have to move from its planter to the garden.

The Dahlias that we transplanted are in fact now showing growth, unlike the ones that have been in for years, heres hoping they are okay and not like the Bramley.
The deep purple  Rhododendron doesn't seem to be as large but just as eye catching.

Sunday 20th March

Spring has sprung, what a delight to see all the Spring bulbs and flowers.
The Bowling season is almost here so getting all the jobs done whilst the weather is good.

The seedlings are now transplanted  in the greenhouse, looks like I shall be giving away tomato plants again this year.

Very pleased with the young  Camellia plants can't wait to see what they are like, as ever my son bought and lost the label!!! Whats new.

I am changing the planting of the baskets this year, just to add interest except for the triple that I have for the Dancing Flame (Fuschia).

Like most folks this is the time to move plants that do not appear happy, like the Pieris in the front garden, it really isn't a happy plant, can't think why, so moving to the back Garden and keeping my fingers crossed.
Really delighted with the Hellebores, all three colours are really splendid.

The Rhubarb is now growing strongly, I will be glad when the 'Muck' Man comes , now everywhere is weeded I like to put on a good amount to mulch everywhere.

14 November

Am I glad I decided to take in the Fuschias after seeing the weather forecast.
Wind I can cope with but rain and strong winds no. Still all safely in the greenhouse for the winter, will cut back and pot on over the next days, after making the Christmas Puddings etc.

The front garden really catches the weather especially the wind not surprising  we are only half a mile from the beach, but all seem to be coping. The Mop head and red Hydrangea - don,t know the name, and the Lace cap are still looking good, though these winds will not help, also the common hedgerow Fuschia, this never lets me down, a cutting from a cutting I took in Wales 40 years ago, everyone I know has a cutting now.

Looks like i shall have to cut back the Dahlias the first dry day, poor things are looking rather ragged now, also I shall remove the Cosmos and French Marigolds, can't complain they have had a great run, I have collected seeds from both, roll on spring.

Have decided to grow the strawberries in a trough next year, in the hope of keeping off the slugs and birds, going to net them, the birds had more than me this year.

Well the job I do not enjoy is done, bubble wrapping the greenhouse, Scott did this saves me climbing ladders so all ready for the Fuschias etc.
The tall triple basket of Dancing Flame are now potted on and indoors, just can,t bring myself to cut back Kit Oxenby and Dawn Star as they are still in full flower.
The yellow berried Pyrocantha by the greenhouse has partially died so that's now gone and a Euonymus  is now in its place, not as interesting but far less dangerous.
All the shrubs have been well trimmed and the debris removed by the gardener, so well on the way now to finish the winter preparation.
The one thing that will give us pleasure for the next weeks my neighbours Pampas grass.

19th October

Just getting back to the garden after a month with this awful Virus.
all the pots and baskets are now clear, thanks to help from Scott.

All the sorry harvest of apples picked, hope we do not have another year like this, I will end up buying baking apples - unheard of, I usually give a lot away.

Next on the list to book P. Crabtree to come and prune hard all the shrubs.
I am not well enough to do this year and as we missed all the good weather must swallow  my pride and pay.

The Dalias and Fuschia are all still in full flower so will leave those baskets until sign of frost.

The Pampas grass over the fence is lovely really has spread, makes a lovely backdrop.

18th September

This is for me the sad time when I start removing the annuals, i.e. first the Begonias, looks so dismal now the pots are empty.
Just started to clear the Sungold  tomato plants from the Greenhouse, getting it ready for the big clean.
The Shirley tomato that a neighbour gave me is still going strong, it was much later fruiting, can't say I am impressed with them, no particular taste unlike the so sweet Sungold, still must give others a try.
Have decided to try collecting my own Tomato seeds as on T.V. worth a try.
I always collect seeds from my other plants but the tomato has a different method so here goes.

The Fuschias are still in full flower and will continue for some time yet, usually until mid October when I remove to the greenhouse avoiding the frost - over winter.
The Hardy hedgerow Fuschia, a cutting taken years ago in Wales I cut down just before the first sign of frost, have take the usual cuttings for friends.

Decided to remove the bed of Hosta from the front, it really did not look as good as I expected. Just do not have the time to keep the slugs at bay.

31st August

September tomorrow, the thought of winter is not a happy state of mind but must start the preparations.
Have just cut back the Stargazers Lilies.
The Marguerites and Crocosmia,  have given their usual great display, must remember I have promised some to a bowling friend now they are ready for splitting.

The Apples are now dropping so must get organised to make the Crab Apple and  Apple Jelly. One thing, thank goodness, I am not short of is jars.

The Snowdrop tree that I bought has until recently not looked good, now making growth.

As I stated the Rhubarb has done very well and am now freezing some, though at present my big worry is space in the freezer with the Apples nearly ready.
Still amazed that this year that they are so much redder, being Bramley they are usually green.
Don't have a great success  storing Apples in trays, the garage being in the Sun is far to warm, the freezer the only answer.

Still not made up my mind about the front raised bed that has mainly Hosta, just do not seem able to control the dratted slugs so will have to go.
Found a new spot for the tall Alstroemeria, will get some more dwarf ones next Spring as I prefer them.

The Fuschias are as ever still going strong, have taken cuttings ready for next year.

Made a mistake not buying the Surfinia Petunias plugs, the Cascading Petunia have not been anywhere near as prolific or colourful, a lesson learnt.

28th July

Just cutting back the flowers on the Hosta, they are just past their best, been a great show. in general everything seems to be better this year,  things seem to like the cooler summers even if we don't.
The Apple trees are really filling out well looks like a bumper crop.
Scott on Sunday cut the grass and applied weed and feed, a few minutes later it rained so well timed.
The tall Alstroemeria  are just finishing, have cut back, as they are new to me wonder if they will flower a second time, probably not.
The Holly in the front garden that had a major  chop is also growing well, must keep it shaped and smaller.
This year I have resolved that all the bushes are to be kept lower so that I do not have to climb to trim, and that the hanging baskets are just that bit lower  to avoid same, about time I learnt some sense.
I bought two new bushes earlier on, Snowdrop trees, sadly though growing never flowered.

22 July

Well it was  my birthday on the 13th and had some lovely flowers, nothing pleases me more as I am one of those daft people who do not like to spoil the garden by cutting the flowers
A new ( to me) Begonia is one I shall hopefully overwinter and divide for next year. As ever my son Scott never get the labels on plants, or looses them.
Like everyone else the garden is in full flower, well worth the hard work.
The Mahonia that I thought I had killed is now doing nicely, must keep it smaller now as it soon blocks the light from the kitchen if I let it just grow.
The Dancing Flame (Fuschia) is as ever amazing, never fails no matter the weather, so are Kit Oxenby and Dawn Star.
The patio as ever a joy.
I am busy taking cuttings from the Fuschia for next season.
The Rhubarb this year is better than ever, never tire of it .

29th june

Well just in time for the heat wave thats promised the garden is now up to scratch, must admit not being 100 per cent this last 3 weeks I had let things slide.

The Arum Lilies are better this year than ever, maybe like a lot of things they preferred the cool spring.
I really feel that though many plants are later flowering they are making up for it now.
The tall Alstroemeria in the back Garden are in the wrong place, I  thought they would be much shorter, whilst looking good will have to be moved into the back of the border at the end of the season, even thought of moving now as I have cut them for the house!
The dark red Peony that didn't flower last year has made up for it , and believe it or not I actually staked early so really have  had the full benefit.
Have decided that the Strawberry pot, whilst supposedly the correct thing, is also going to be dumped, the water just flows out of the side holes and the strawberries I put in do not do well,  perhaps someone knows a way to stop this as I can't.