What's growing

The greenhouse is full of cuttings, most are doing well, most of these are salvia's of different colours, I also have a couple lavender and honeysuckle, plus a passion flower which rooted in the garden. 

I am following Monty's advice here and have softwood cutting in Perlite, held in a tray of rainwater. I have a couple of Hydrangeas, a Clematis, a Rose, and a few smaller cutting in the round pot, they have been here for a few weeks and none have died. 

Will loves my string of pearls, 

so I have popped a few in this little pot, just for him

My Amaryllis seeds at the back are strong, I do have a few of these potted up, 

and at the front is one of the pineapple babies again looking good. 

Another Coleus cutting rooted, I have planted in a pot, it will live on outside table, hubby love these colouful plants.  

This lovely looking succulent has taken weeks for this flower shoot to form and it has been promising to bloom for the past week, I do hope it will be worth the wait. 

We are away for a few days, back home in Somerset, staying with my brother, everyone here is good, we have visited family, staying most of the time outside keeping our distance. We have no desire to book a short break away, not wanting to stay in holiday accommodation, but we do have the need to catch up with family.  

We even managed a pint in our local village pub beer garden, just sat outside chatting and catching up, no days out, just family and resting, back home tomorrow. 

Saving money in the garden.

This is another lovely plant, I took a cutting from a plant in my raised bed by the back door, I was worried it might die in the winter months, the parent plant survived and is now showing loads of new growth. So this cost me just time.

I purchased this plant in July 2016, it cost 99p and was tiny, I was making a garden in a broken pot, it grew and grew, I cut it back last year after watching Monty on TV, and the 3 stems all grew and the stem of the old plant grew again. So this year I cut back the 3 newer stems and potted them all in this pot, they all look healthy. 

I have loads of soft wood cuttings, both the Lavender and Salvia hotlips have rooted and are growing. I have another 3 cutting of hotlips on the go. I have eucalyptus which don't look too well, but they can stay for longer, I am hoping one might root. I have passion flower and clematis cuttings, in hope I can create new plants. 

I watched Monty on TV Friday night he did hydrangea cuttings in Purlite, no soil, so hubby wanted us to have a go, so here are 2 hydrangea, 1 clematis, 1 rose which we did on Saturday, all looking good. In the second pot I have 2 acers, they were from very long branches, my thinking always is 'if I don't try I will never know'.  

My next project is with this Oak sapling, I purchase a sage plant and this was growing in the pot, there is no way I would want an Oak tree in my garden, but I was not going to let it die, so it's tiny, I love Bonsai tree's, I am going to pot this in a shallow dish ( I have a spare one), use the restrictive compost and see what happens. I still have my Acer Bonsai, but it has no leaves, it's not dead, just not growing.

Most of these plants here have cost me nothing or just pence, the green shrub came from a neighbour, the Agapanthus I separated a plant in my garden and moved some here. The Salvia hotlips cost me £1 for 2 plants. Not so cost effective are the eaten French marigolds, I got them cheap from Lidl's, they still have some growth, so I will leave them, they might come back. 

I hate to waste anything which comes into our house, I still use a coffee filter jug, I looked at pods for just a short time but did not like throwing away the pods. Through the summer (hot) months, I save my ground coffee and filters, they dry out quickly, the greenhouse smells wonderful. This gives me a good supply to last through the year. 

The dried filters I use in the bottom of pots, instead of crock, I prefer the filters as they allow water to drain, not so quickly as crock. I do keep broken pots to use with the filters in bigger pots. The coffee I pop on the surface of my garden when I have problems with slugs and snails, they don't like going across the gritty coffee. I don't use huge amounts to upset the balance of my soil, but I do use more around my roses and on acid loving pots. Most days we make 3 pots of coffee, so I do have a good supply, the drawer I store these in smells wonderful each time I open it. 

I swap plants as often as I can, I separated primroses last month and passed on loads of new plants, I have new strawberry plants this year and will keep all the runners for new plants. My daughter purchased some white lavender plants, which I potted up for her, a bit fell off one plant, so l planted it, it would be nice to have a white plant. I have got very brave on splitting plants, something I refused to do for years. Later this year I will dig up my beloved Peony, both daughters want a plant, so I will take roots from the edge, I would be devastated if  I killed this plant, the new plants will be tiny, and will have to be grown in pots for a few years.   

I look at our local selling Facebook pages and have purchased loads second hand, our garden is established and most times I don't want to add brand new items, they always stick out, which is only good if like Kirk I want a statement pot. 

I always purchase good compost, I have had some terrible outcomes with cheap compost, I do get through loads of plants, I garden organic, and bugs, slugs and snails as well as the birds have their feed, I do try and limit the damage, but I can't use chemicals, we do have hedgehogs in the garden, whose numbers are in decline and I can't risk hurting them. 

I think the honest thing to say here, is I spend more on my garden than all my other hobbies, as my stash spend list shows each month, but the joy I get from working outside, and the joy we both get for sitting watching wildlife, looking at the plants is immense. We both love to stop for morning coffee and cake and just sit, often for an hour or more, because that's what a garden is all about, enjoyment. 

On my hook

My newest blanket is growing quickly, I have no design, just using the leftover yarn from my bedcover ripple blanket. I am making a oblong using the granny stitches, simple and quick, it's a perfect use for the huge bag of yarn. I am not making full rounds, I have loads of colours in various sized balls of yarn, I just pick a colour and use it all up, then on to my next colour.
I normally love to work neat, tidy with defined lines, but this is fun, I have no idea how far the yarn will go, and how it will look in the end, the only rule I have is to use the smaller balls first, working toward the bigger balls as the blanket gets bigger.
My hope is a lap blanket, if it gets bigger than that it will be a bonus, I still have a long way to go, but it's great to be making something so free and fun.
Wednesday we popped to town to our bank, we did wander around the shops, but only purchased items on out list, we are getting very good at looking at things and then leaving them in the shop.
Today we have a delivery of decking coming, we got the best price from Travis Perkins, the boards are treated and extra length's, we have to wait in today for their delivery.
We have been given a bigger water butt for the garden, so this morning, I am going to empty the smaller butt, using the water in pots around the garden, any left over will be given to our Magnolia tree. We will put the bigger butt by the garage, handy for me to use. The smaller butt is going just outside our gates, it will be handy to have more stored water here.  I do have to move my violets and a lily from the corner of my side garden, I will leave the lily in a pot until I can find a new home
No planting this Easter, still far to early, but I will tidy up a bit. I must have the tidiest small garden in the land.

Seeds and pips

Kiwi

Pomegranate

Lemon

Orange

Cape Gooseberries

Both library books, both very good reads

Today's harvest.

It's hot again, we should be used to it by now, but as this heatwave lingers much longer than normal, I am spending much more time inside.
I am very happy with my seeds and pips above, each plant is looking really good, they have all put on loads of new growth this summer. The citrus plants and the Pomegranate are all in the greenhouse, they love the heat. The Kiwi is now outside, where again it is doing well. My walnut twig, is not looking good, not sure if it's the heat, but I will keep watering it and hope it pulls through.
I picked the last big harvest on blueberries and picked the first of the blackberries, most of my fruit is finished. Tomatoes and cucumbers are feeding us well, I have sown some more cut and come again lettuce, the other plants bolted in all this heat. I have cut the blackcurrant bush back, taking 3 of the older branches away and the same for the gooseberries, both are in tubs so I am hoping the smaller bushes will fare well in the hot weather.
Our Magnolia tree is in bloom again, but the flowers are not lasting too long, the heat is effecting everything around our home.
Saturday night we had Will on a sleep over, mummy and daddy went for a meal and spent Sunday morning doing loads of DIY jobs inside, perfect for us to have play time.
Will will be here again this morning, I love having time with our youngest grand son each week.
I have finished both books above, enjoyed each book and would read another book by each author.

At the bottom of the garden

8am yesterday morning, loads of frost

I keep the pot on my table covered through the winter and rainy days, the pot does not have drainage, my succulent tower (blue pots) drains well and have survived a couple of winters outside.  

 Early afternoon, warm enough for the window to be open,

 My nasties all inside, they don't mind the cold, but they hate the wet.
On the side back staging, they do not need the sunshine.

 I have loads on new Violet plants for my garden

all grown from cuttings, catching all the sunshine.

 I purchased 1 reduced plant for £2 from B&Q last September, I love Nemesias, I separated these, knowing they grow back each year, they will be very strong for spring planting. These are on my raised garden at the back of my greenhouse. 

 Geraniums, not their best, but I will cut them back soon

the cutting should make new plants.
These are on the front side catching any sunshine.

 I love this shelf on my potting bench, 

I can see it from my sitting room chair, the light are solar so they shine at night.

I check my greenhouse most mornings, I do not have heat inside, at this time of year it is a holding place for plants not able to winter outside. It's in a great position, really sunny spot, our Magnolia tree does cast a shadow  in the morning, but this time of year without leaves does not cause an issue and in the summer when in full leaf it helps with shade for a while each day.
My bulbs inside are now flowering, I also go some cut daffodils on a yellow sticker reduced buy 1/3 of marked price, I do love daffodils at this time of year. We also got all our fresh fruit at reduced prices, last year we stopped purchasing bananas, both hubby and I love them and ate them each day, now we buy loads of different fruit and enjoy the mixture.
Will was fun yesterday, he ate plums for the first time, we made him a mixed fruit salad for his lunch, plum, grapes, kiwi and a tiny bit of apple. We also got out the ball pit we have got for the garden, it is huge but he loved playing with the balls, I got the balls free second hand, but have too many so I will pass on half.
I am doing well with Will's crochet blanket, I love the snug feeling each evening whilst I add rows, I hope to finish it soon, I am planning to try a ripple blanket next, it will be nice to do a different design.
No plans for today, we do need a long walk, it is dull outside, but dry, so we should go soon before the promised rain arrives. Still no snow thank goodness. 

Around the plot

We had to get some plastic covered canes for my huge tomato plants

it's not perfect, but for now they hold the plant up

These are as tall as me now.

 My cucumbers are both doing well, loads of tiny fruits growing

 Watching Monty on Gardners World, he spoke about leafy Allium plants a few weeks back, stating this was due to overcrowding. So I did as he did and cut into the roots and divided the plants, today I have 12 new flower heads popping through. With another plant in the garden gaining strength. 

My cuttings are becoming nice plants, 

soon I will be able to plants the Coleus in the garden 

 My Lilles have loads of buds

The marigolds are huge around the outside of the pot. 

 Finished this book last night

Slow start, but a good read

I am about to start reading Faith by Lesley Pearce, one of the girls in work is passing a few books she knows I am a fast reader and will finish them before I leave in just over six weeks.
The worms have stopped escaping their nice home, I added a bit of top soil, so the level is deep enough for them. We can't start feeding them yet.
I have decided to sort all the spare plastic pots which are stored beside my shed, firstly I don't use them so they will be taken to garden center for recycling. I will put a huge pot on it's side with the bottom missing, like a tunnel, so the hedgehogs can get through, we popped next door and checked behind their garden wall and the hedgehogs can get through to other gardens.
Hubby got two new bird feeders, they are huge, only the small birds can feed off them, the pigeons can't get near them which is good as they wasted all the seed out of the old feeders. Now we are getting so many different small birds.
Our potatoes were yummy, I have a couple potato bags, so I will grow plants again next year. We have strawberries and raspberries each day, putting the strawberries in the high long tubs have worked, the fruits are not touching the ground and the bugs are not eating them.

Wet outside

Bird box before the varnish

 Simple decoration, using acrylic base coat and sharpies for the flower decoration. 

Once it is varnished, it will go in the garden.
I hope we can get birds to use it, if not it will look pretty.

I have had one pomegranate pip grow, just small beginnings

This is on my office desk, with a radiator below and loads of sunshine 

I will pop this into a larger pot this week.

 In the same box, kiwi's I have never got these seeds beyond this stage.
I will leave these in this tub with the clear plastic lid,
and hope they get to a size I can pot on.
I cut a thin slice of Kiwi and lay it on farmyard compost,
it went mouldy and then these tiny seedlings grew.

 I repotted my African Violet, and left in on the kitchen window sill, 

the leaves have burnt, but the plant is healthy. 

My cutting for my Coleus, each spring I start more plants from the mother plant I keep inside over the winter, so for the 3rd year, free plants. 

For the 4th day we have rain, today is over caste and we keep having light showers, every where is wet, much needed rain, so whilst we are inside we are pleased. This is perfect weather after all the work and planting I did in the garden on Saturday.
I am home today on sick leave, I have picked up a bug, and it's best to stay away from the office rather than spread it around, my boss is very understanding.
I have plans to do some sewing, I still have curtains to make for the van, our local shop was out of stock of 1" curtain tape, and I am happy to wait for them to restock. I do like to try and use local shops where possible. Later this week I am back on sewing instruction, helping Marie make cushions for her van.
We have also booked our 1st night away in the van on Bank holiday weekend, just a tester to ensure everything is working as we want.

Tidy patchwork

I am really pleased my patchwork carrier is finished

 I choose the check for the handles, which are threaded in between the fabrics and stitched together at the bottom for extra support of any weight carried. 

 I thought all the fabrics went well together. 

The fox fabric was purchased for my daughters baby room, 

but whilst it was to her taste, it would not go into the nursery theme. 

 Loads of pocket space, 

plus my cutting board slides into big pocket.

 I tried to make pocket sizes big enough to swap items around

 I am pleased with the finished effect. 

I last worked on it here, at this point is a work in progress.

The outer cover I just wrapped around the stitched inner, by folding the edge over and neatly stitching, I covered all the raw edges. I cut two outer's and joined at the bottom, I could not use one long piece as with the inner, the pattern would have been upside down on one side.
I purchased the fabric for the handles, I did have a selection here, but none matched to my liking. I do have to get two big poppers for the top corners, to hold it together. The fox fabric cost £8.99 for a meter, and the check £4.00 for half a meter, in both cases I have fabric left over, the plain inner colours came from my material stash.
The idea came from Pintrest, I copied some of the ideas, but built the design to suit my requirements. It has been fun to make, and now all my patchwork cutting tools and templates are stored together. Now I need to get back to sewing hexagons, to make my sewing machine cover.

We made the decision not to travel to Somerset, the fog is lingering and heavy, so we are staying put, journeys at this time of year are bad enough without the extra hassle of thick fog.
I hope you are with those who you love and looking forward to 2017 and whatever it brings.