My Garden Tidy-Up

5 Aug '06 1:30 am

Ok, back in February or March, I said that this year was it and I was going to sort out my garden. Well, it's now eight months into the year, and things are finally under way!! Rolling Eyes

Below are some photos I took at the end of June before the clear up and also last week, after the clear up and now we have a more-or-less blank canvas to play around with.

I'm not going to go too mad buying tons of stuff (well, ok I'll try not to Wink

), as I want to take things slowly and ease myself into things, but I still want to grow some veggies and I'm thinking of going for some nice flowering shrubs and things that don't require too much maintenance but still look pretty. We're going to go out this weekend and see what we can find. Will keep you all posted.

Bambi

5 Aug '06 1:36 am

Sorry, forgot to add the 'after' photos! Here they are:

5 Aug '06 5:26 am

Hi Bambi,

Your gardens look beautiful even without plants installed. I love the raised beds. You have done all the hard stuff, now for the fun. It will be so much fun choosing plants for the cleared beds. Be sure to let us see the results.

Faith

16 Aug '06 12:24 am

Thanks for your comments, Faith, they're really appreciated Smile

Well after that fantastic start, we seem to have slowed down rather a lot (i.e. to a stand-still!) Embarassed

My excuses I suppose must be partly due to the fact that I'm back at work after my holiday and I'm having to work Saturdays too at the moment which is a pain! Evil or Very Mad

Also the fact that it's been pretty miserable on the weather front for the past few days doesn't help - gosh, that makes me sound like a "fair-weather gardener" doesn't it?!?! Embarassed

Lastly, I can't seem to find anywhere that a) doesn't charge a fortune for plants and b) is open when I'm not at work!

Oh well, I've got some tomato, onion, mint and chive seeds which I suppose is a start, although I can't sow them until next year Sad

; most of my gardening is being done in my mind and online right now, but it's all good inspiration for when I can actually get down to things in my own garden!

16 Aug '06 10:01 am

I am going down the self same road as you -- rushing along slowly. I am now copying my late father who like us, was a cash embarrassed gardener. His technique was to collect seed from any possible source, and I mean any, He went to garden centres, council parks, minor stately homes, friend's gardens, neighbour's gardens and brought home seed in season, sometimes he even asked for the seeds. He would snap off stray pieces of shrub and make cuttings of them. Currently I am drying seeds in my office (spare bedroom) that I have collected from our several holidays this year. Next year I should have dwarf aquilegias (Bavaria) Italian Cypress (Malaga) Hollyhock (Tåsinge - Danish Island) and Potentilla (local castle) among others. All I need to do now is get the soil ready !!!

18 Aug '06 2:38 am

I can send you some flower seeds if you would like them. Gerry

18 Aug '06 5:18 am

I know the feeling, Gerry! But one of my great lines when taking friends through my garden is: 'Do you like that tree? I stole the seed from the Queen of England!' I became quite an expert at 'studying from close by' Japanese Maples and Red Oaks in Windsor Great Park!

18 Aug '06 11:08 pm

LOL, I love the idea, guys - most ingenious! Very Happy

And how generous of the Queen to supply seeds for you, Jack - your Maples and Oaks I'm sure must be the talk of South Africa, being of such prestigious, Royal stock!! Wink

I feel a new project coming on...

Bambi
x

20 Aug '06 2:08 pm

Oh, Gerry, I love this phrase, '...a cash embarrassed gardener.' That describes me to a "t" as we say here. Also, I remember my mother having my dad stop along side the road on trips to dig up a plant that she saw. So I guess I had early training, wouldn't you say? Very Happy

We have many 'wild things' that grow in our "Thirteen Acre Woods" and many of them are finding their way into pots to live the in-door life. Here are some of them and a poem I wrote about them.

TINY TREASURES IN THE WEEDS

Sunbeams bounce off tiny treasures,
Found upon the ground.
Sparkling like the pirate’s bullion,
Waiting to be found.

Tucked among the dead gray grasses,
A bright yellow flower stands,
White petals circle a yellow face,
With tiny bud shaped hands.

And lo’ the hated dandelion,
Displays his feathery gray,
Waiting for a breeze to come,
And carry him away.

See the gold inside this cup,
Sparkling in the sun,
You must be quick for it closes tight,
When each new day is done.

A tiny bird has paused to give,
Our hearts a bit of pleasure,
And leaves behind, one last gem,
For our lovely weed patch treasure.

I realize after posting this that it was better with the photo/video I made where each line of the poem is on different verses. Still, I hope you enjoy it. I will let you know how the plants 'take to' their new in-door home.
Norvona

20 Aug '06 2:17 pm

Obviously I meant each line of the poem was on a different photo, not verses...(the photo/video I made where each line of the poem is on different verses.)

A thunderstorm is moving in and the lightening is getting close so I'm trying to hurry... Shocked

Also I forgot the little flower with the 'gold' inside. Here it is.
Norvona

My Garden Tidy-Up

My Garden Tidy-Up

Oops!

Garden Clean Up

Slight slow-down

Stocking the new garden.

Seeds

LOL

Seed "Borrowing"

'...a cash embarrassed gardener.'