It was almost this time last year when you started this thread @nultyphilip224 and since then it has gone from strength to strength. Love that wine hebe, it is a good contrast plant. I had almost forgotten how ill and mistreated Foxy Molly was as she is such a happy healthy dog now.
Congratulations on your great grandaughter @Valley Gardener and I hope you enjoy your trip to Dorset.
Yesterday was the best day we have had for warmth and sun so I made the most of it by weeding and top dressing the three big borders. Unfortunately, I remembered just in time that I had to pick up an old gentleman I know to go to our discussion group. I really did not want to go as I knew the momentum would be gone by the time I got back, and it was.
One thing I am having trouble with is planting out in the garden. There is still a lot underground and I don't want to disturb anything or spear it. It would be good if someone could invent a garden X-Ray probe for that. Meanwhile, I potted on some of last years clematis, and potted up some white Spider Lilies. I think they are the ones that Monty had on GW last week. Seemingly, the red ones mean "death" so I think we should all steer clear of that one 😀.
I am just about to get out in the garden, and will get a clear run at it today although it is overcast and cloudy.
@Fran IOM , have just been to another garden centre for compost (They sent me £5 voucher for my birthday, it's like baiting the hook with a juicy worm, l was reeled in ! ). I was very good though, bought just the compost....and one packet of seeds With regard to your empty snail shells, l wonder if you have a thrush, or thrushes in your garden. Is there a handy rock or stone nearby where they can bash the shells to get at the juicy contents (yuk) ? The hedgehog is fed on dog food, but it can only be Pedigree original loaf. I have tried other meat based ones, but no. I also put out cat biscuits (and water). We have great hoggy antics over the years, running up and bashing each other head first into the water, one rolling another round the patio, not to mention the extremely noisy hoggy huffing where Mr Hedgehog tries to tell Mrs Hedgehog she's lovely, but she has a headache, if you know what l mean. That goes on for hours sometimes, l admire his perseverance. @Valley Gardener hope your present shopping is successful . @Purplerain l know what you mean about plants poking through, l have had a couple of near misses ! Right, better get on or it will be lunchtime before l know it.
@Valley Gardener. Wasn't ignoring you honest. Like Philip I go to my last thread and don't think there will be any unread previous to mine but I was wrong. They are beautiful tulips. The geraniums look very healthy. Do you know what colour they will be? Not allowed in the shed! Is it to be a surprise for you or definitely "not allowed in"? That is one reason why I am glad no one else in the family has any interest in gardening. Was the gentleman pleased with Morwenna? Bet you can't wait to meet your Great Grandchild and how lovely to have a week to look forward to in Dorset. Hope the weather keeps for then. I rather like the stone Buddhas. Bet it weighs a ton. I would like one of those old fashioned stone bird baths. Hope your day goes well.
Oh that post is so funny @AnniD. Pedigree Original Loaf indeed!
I have been in the garden, but being careful, juggling things in the cold frame and placing them gently where I want them to go, but still in their pots.
Here are some Penstemon cuttings I took on 12/6/18. They are mostly Heavenly Blue and were rooted in water. I wish I had the same success with Pelargoniums. There must be an old wives tale about why they won't take for me 😩 such as "those who can't grow pelargoniums are unlucky when knitting jumpers"
@AnniD,yes shopping all went well,ended up in the Italian for lunch,so no bending in the garden after that!!😁 I'm reading the hedgehog tales,if you write a book,I'll illustrate it for you!
@Fran IOM and@Purplerain, The geraniums are all a pastel pink,last year I grew bright Scarlett ones,and they did my head in!!! Too garish with marigolds. The Penstemon cuttings are looking good,I like the blue ones. Only one of mine grew roots in water,so it's being nurtured very carefully,I put it in the ground,but cover it every night with a polythene jar!!
Man loved painting,I met the cat,she's gorgeous. Ploughing my earnings back into art materials!
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
I was away from the house for most of yesterday,..we have three boats to scrub from top to bottom then clean inside,..change the engine oil and plugs in all three,..bending down and stretching over the side,..contorting ones body into awkward little spaces,..by 0630 yesterday evening when i arrived home i was drained of energy,..had a snack and fell asleep on the couch,..Foxy Molly went into the bedroom and could be found asleep on my bed in my spot with her head on my pillow,..i think they copy what we do lol,..same work again today,..and tomorrow just one boat left to do and half of mine.
@AnniD ,..i can well understand and believe how you still miss your dog ''Sherry'',..they never leave your memory,..its hard to even think of the good times we had with them without feeling sad,..the latter is always the outcome.
Oh thank you for keeping me in mind when you will be at the Awards Ceremony for ''The Hedgehog and Mouse'' book lol.
Yes ''Hedgehog'' is very choosy what he eats,..nothing but ''Pedigree Original Loaf'' will satisfy
You will be tempted to spend more when you go to spend that £5 voucher,..it is good bait mind you.
@Valley Gaedener,..yes indeed Foxy Molly has a great life now,..she sticks to me like glue when i am in the house or garden,..sometimes i can see the panic when she thinks i have gone,..then finds me in the last place to look.
Sooo i hope you have a fantastic time in Dorset with your Daughter,..i hope the Budda is ready for you,..they look nice in a garden peaceful and smiling.
Only some of my field walking area has appeared above the water,..look at the image below,..where that pole can be seen in the river,..on the right,..the river bank should be just 3 Meters beyond that pole,..so a way to go to be back to normal.
@Fran IOM ,..its strange finding 10 empty Snail Shell all in one spot,..as @AnniD suggested it could be a Thrush that brings them there to eat them,..banging the shell until its open on something solid?
@Purplerain ,..lol i wish i had the same success with Pelargoniumsat,.. there must be an old wives tale as to why they wont take for you like ''Those who can't grow Pelargoniums are unlucky when knitting jumpers''.
Ah yes it was around this time last year that i started this Thread,..it really has taken off and thanks to all you folk who post here,..thank you all for doing so,..i do try to give you some colour during Autumn and Winter and you will be pleased as to what will bloom during the next few weeks.
Everyone seems to have taken a liking to Hellebore Plants,..so from today keep an eye on your Hellebore for seeds,..at present the seeds have started to appear at least for the earlier Hellebore Blooms,..it will be a tad later for some others.
In the images below there are a Hellebore without seeds and one with seeds.
This one has no seeds.
This one has seeds.
So when the seed pods change from light green to brown,..and almost ready to burst open,..collect the seeds as they do deteriorate after a spell so its best to sow as soon as they pop out of the pod,..its very easy to grow Hellebore from seeds.
Harvest Seeds in Late Spring or Early Summer,..or when the pod is brown and ready to burst.
Sow in Peat or Soil based Compost in Seed Trays or Pots,..then cover with Grit or Perlite,..then just leave them out in the garden,..they will germinate around Nov/Dec,..there is no need to protect them from frost but it would be best in a sheltered spot.
Good morning @nultyphilip224 and everyone l think we were all busy in the garden yesterday, making the most of the weather before it turns chilly again. I had some more vouchers to use up yesterday from a garden centre that l won't be going past for a while. Spent them on a clematis "Broughton Bride" that is suitable for a pot. As far as l can see, hedgehog has not turned up, the food appears untouched, although l haven't checked the camera yet. This would be typical as l opened a new tin of loaf in his honour 🙄. It was quite chilly last night though so l wouldn't blame him for staying in! Mr Blackbird has been for his breakfast though, think he was quite shocked to see me so early (6.30 am), but l have a lot to do today. Better get on with it, hope everyone has a good day. Thanks for the hellebore seeds tip Philip, l will do my best to be observant !
@nultyphilip224 .Yes, thankyou for the tip on Hellebore seeds,mine just be the later version as they are flowering,down by the driftwood,I looked yesterday,and it does look like a stoat! But I would love a few more so will be on the lookout for the seeds.
Yesterday morning I spent at church,helping with the potting up of hundreds of cut daffodils,for the church festival.It made the church look lovely,but I would rather have seen them growing in the ground. I guess they came from Holland or somewhere,as they were tightly boxed. @AnniD I also have a lot on today,so must get a move on!! Have a good day all.
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
I have just planted this year some Hellebores for the first time and loving your tips on seed pods. So is it only at this time they get seed pods and what do I do with them? Are they sown & kept outdoors in pots? Mine maybe too young but will check my neighbours ones and nick some ha ha xxxx
Posts
Congratulations on your great grandaughter @Valley Gardener and I hope you enjoy your trip to Dorset.
Yesterday was the best day we have had for warmth and sun so I made the most of it by weeding and top dressing the three big borders. Unfortunately, I remembered just in time that I had to pick up an old gentleman I know to go to our discussion group. I really did not want to go as I knew the momentum would be gone by the time I got back, and it was.
One thing I am having trouble with is planting out in the garden. There is still a lot underground and I don't want to disturb anything or spear it. It would be good if someone could invent a garden X-Ray probe for that. Meanwhile, I potted on some of last years clematis, and potted up some white Spider Lilies. I think they are the ones that Monty had on GW last week. Seemingly, the red ones mean "death" so I think we should all steer clear of that one 😀.
I am just about to get out in the garden, and will get a clear run at it today although it is overcast and cloudy.
Keep well everyone.
With regard to your empty snail shells, l wonder if you have a thrush, or thrushes in your garden. Is there a handy rock or stone nearby where they can bash the shells to get at the juicy contents (yuk) ?
The hedgehog is fed on dog food, but it can only be Pedigree original loaf. I have tried other meat based ones, but no. I also put out cat biscuits (and water). We have great hoggy antics over the years, running up and bashing each other head first into the water, one rolling another round the patio, not to mention the extremely noisy hoggy huffing where Mr Hedgehog tries to tell Mrs Hedgehog she's lovely, but she has a headache, if you know what l mean. That goes on for hours sometimes, l admire his perseverance.
@Valley Gardener hope your present shopping is successful .
@Purplerain l know what you mean about plants poking through, l have had a couple of near misses !
Right, better get on or it will be lunchtime before l know it.
Not allowed in the shed! Is it to be a surprise for you or definitely "not allowed in"? That is one reason why I am glad no one else in the family has any interest in gardening.
Was the gentleman pleased with Morwenna? Bet you can't wait to meet your Great Grandchild and how lovely to have a week to look forward to in Dorset. Hope the weather keeps for then. I rather like the stone Buddhas. Bet it weighs a ton. I would like one of those old fashioned stone bird baths.
Hope your day goes well.
I have been in the garden, but being careful, juggling things in the cold frame and placing them gently where I want them to go, but still in their pots.
Here are some Penstemon cuttings I took on 12/6/18. They are mostly Heavenly Blue and were rooted in water. I wish I had the same success with Pelargoniums. There must be an old wives tale about why they won't take for me 😩 such as "those who can't grow pelargoniums are unlucky when knitting jumpers"
@Fran IOM and@Purplerain, The geraniums are all a pastel pink,last year I grew bright Scarlett ones,and they did my head in!!! Too garish with marigolds.
The Penstemon cuttings are looking good,I like the blue ones. Only one of mine grew roots in water,so it's being nurtured very carefully,I put it in the ground,but cover it every night with a polythene jar!!
Man loved painting,I met the cat,she's gorgeous. Ploughing my earnings back into art materials!
I was away from the house for most of yesterday,..we have three boats to scrub from top to bottom then clean inside,..change the engine oil and plugs in all three,..bending down and stretching over the side,..contorting ones body into awkward little spaces,..by 0630 yesterday evening when i arrived home i was drained of energy,..had a snack and fell asleep on the couch,..Foxy Molly went into the bedroom and could be found asleep on my bed in my spot with her head on my pillow,..i think they copy what we do lol,..same work again today,..and tomorrow just one boat left to do and half of mine.
@AnniD ,..i can well understand and believe how you still miss your dog ''Sherry'',..they never leave your memory,..its hard to even think of the good times we had with them without feeling sad,..the latter is always the outcome.
Oh thank you for keeping me in mind when you will be at the Awards Ceremony for ''The Hedgehog and Mouse'' book lol.
Yes ''Hedgehog'' is very choosy what he eats,..nothing but ''Pedigree Original Loaf'' will satisfy
You will be tempted to spend more when you go to spend that £5 voucher,..it is good bait mind you.
@Valley Gaedener,..yes indeed Foxy Molly has a great life now,..she sticks to me like glue when i am in the house or garden,..sometimes i can see the panic when she thinks i have gone,..then finds me in the last place to look.
Sooo i hope you have a fantastic time in Dorset with your Daughter,..i hope the Budda is ready for you,..they look nice in a garden peaceful and smiling.
Only some of my field walking area has appeared above the water,..look at the image below,..where that pole can be seen in the river,..on the right,..the river bank should be just 3 Meters beyond that pole,..so a way to go to be back to normal.
@Fran IOM ,..its strange finding 10 empty Snail Shell all in one spot,..as @AnniD suggested it could be a Thrush that brings them there to eat them,..banging the shell until its open on something solid?
@Purplerain ,..lol i wish i had the same success with Pelargoniumsat,.. there must be an old wives tale as to why they wont take for you like ''Those who can't grow Pelargoniums are unlucky when knitting jumpers''.
Ah yes it was around this time last year that i started this Thread,..it really has taken off and thanks to all you folk who post here,..thank you all for doing so,..i do try to give you some colour during Autumn and Winter and you will be pleased as to what will bloom during the next few weeks.
Philip
In the images below there are a Hellebore without seeds and one with seeds.
This one has no seeds.
This one has seeds.
So when the seed pods change from light green to brown,..and almost ready to burst open,..collect the seeds as they do deteriorate after a spell so its best to sow as soon as they pop out of the pod,..its very easy to grow Hellebore from seeds.
Harvest Seeds in Late Spring or Early Summer,..or when the pod is brown and ready to burst.
Sow in Peat or Soil based Compost in Seed Trays or Pots,..then cover with Grit or Perlite,..then just leave them out in the garden,..they will germinate around Nov/Dec,..there is no need to protect them from frost but it would be best in a sheltered spot.
As far as l can see, hedgehog has not turned up, the food appears untouched, although l haven't checked the camera yet. This would be typical as l opened a new tin of loaf in his honour 🙄.
It was quite chilly last night though so l wouldn't blame him for staying in! Mr Blackbird has been for his breakfast though, think he was quite shocked to see me so early (6.30 am), but l have a lot to do today.
Better get on with it, hope everyone has a good day. Thanks for the hellebore seeds tip Philip, l will do my best to be observant !
Yesterday morning I spent at church,helping with the potting up of hundreds of cut daffodils,for the church festival.It made the church look lovely,but I would rather have seen them growing in the ground. I guess they came from Holland or somewhere,as they were tightly boxed.
@AnniD I also have a lot on today,so must get a move on!!
Have a good day all.
Mine maybe too young but will check my neighbours ones and nick some ha ha xxxx