The diary of two novice gardeners and chicken keepers
Posted in Allotments on Apr 29th, 2010
Tibouchina is a large shrub native to Brazil and can grow to about fifteen feet. I bought this plant from Lidl for £1.99 without knowing a thing about it. I had never come across it before but the flower looked nice and the small plant had the look of a Clematis about it. However, on investigating [...]
Posted in Allotments on Apr 28th, 2010
I planted twelve little plants from my last Sweet Pea sowing of Spencer Mix and have bought a few more seeds, 50p a packet from Alan Romans, to add to the obelisk. The first to be sown are the Pip Tremewan, named after the breeder. The second are Zorja Rose which I have grown before and saved [...]
Posted in Allotments on Apr 25th, 2010
I woke up this morning to the sound of rain. We have had a couple of weeks without a drop and have enjoyed rising temperatures and sunshine which have been welcome after the coldest Winter in a decade. Ideally I would want light rain overnight every night followed by dry sunny days but unfortunately nature [...]
Posted in Allotments on Apr 16th, 2010
I bought more roses for the garden at home. I am trying to build up a rose bed at the side of the house. I am hoping that they will be duck proof and brighten up a shady part of the garden that already has an old Silver Birch and a fir tree plus two shrubs [...]
Posted in Allotments on Apr 13th, 2010
I have bought two roots of Dianthus: Dianthus Doris and Dianthus Houndspool Ruby. I love pinks both the look of them and the fragrance but they have a special place in my heart because my Mom grew them in the garden at the prefab where I grew up. These modern pinks are scented and bloom right through [...]
Posted in Allotments on Apr 9th, 2010
This morning I have filled a big oblong planter with Iris bulbs. I got the bulbs from Aldi for £3.99. I shall eventually put these straight into the ground but want to grow them on a bit first. After planting, water well, thoroughly soaking the area. In colder regions foliage and flowers will wait until [...]
Posted in Allotments on Mar 24th, 2010
All of the four bare root hybrid tea roses from Aldi are now planted at the side of the house. Rosa Fluorette, a bright red. Rosa Oklahoma, a deep red. Rosa Virgo, a white. Rosa Queen of England, pink.
Posted in Allotments on Mar 12th, 2010
My first attempt to germinate some saved sweet pea seeds came to nothing so I bought a cheap packet from Aldi of Spencer Mixed and yesterday I sowed them in small pots, two seeds to a pot. It is quite late to start them so heres hoping for better success this time. Spencer varieties are one [...]
Posted in Allotments on Mar 4th, 2010
An impulse buy from Lidl today. Corms for the Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff. For early flowering, tubers may be started off in boxes in April; use a light soil mixed with compost. Keep slightly moist, cool and free from frost. When the danger of frosts has passed, plant out the sprouted tubers. If used as [...]
Posted in Allotments on Nov 24th, 2009
Sweet Pea (Delicate Pleasures) Here are sweet peas,on tip-toe for a flight With wings of gentle flush o’er delicate white, And taper fingers catching at all things To bind them all about with tiny rings Keats Although it is a bit late I am going to chit some saved Sweet Pea seeds and set [...]
