February Favourites!

Good Evening!

Apologies for it being such a long time since I posted, I didn't realise that I hadn't wrote a post since January. Luckily February is one of the quieter months so you didn't miss too much that's been going in my garden! I thought I'd share with you my favourite pictures that I took last month to get you all back up to speed ...

Let's start off with more heavenly Hellebores! I know I shared a few in my last post but you can never have too many Hellebores!

Helleborus x hybridus 'Harvington ... Apricot' 'Picotee' and 'Single Yellow Dark Eye'

Helleborus 'Anna's Red'

Helleborus 'Pink Beauty'

This particular variety always flowers prolifically in my garden each year and is one of my 'forever' plants.

Of course the Snowdrops were displaying their delicate blooms last month, as soon as I see them peeking through the soil I'm seriously impatient for them to flower lol

Galanthus 'Flore Pleno'

Of course another Spring bulb that you can't be without at this time of year is the Crocus. Even though the heavy rain that we've had gave them a little battering the little golden blooms were a pleasure to see.

Meanwhile over in the Greenhouse where the conditions are a bit more bearable the annual routine of sowing the Tomatoes and Sweet Peas is well underway! As you can see from the following photo you can tell what I'l be doing on my next day off ... pricking out Tomato seedlings!

The varieties I've sown this year are ... 'Gardener's Delight', 'Sungold', 'MoneyMaker' 'Tigerella' 'Maskotka' and 'Black Russian'.

 Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet Peas) 'Fragrantissima' and 'Heirloom' Mix

Before I go I'd just like to mention that this year all my seedlings are being sown and potted on into an Organic Peat Free Compost. There really is no excuse not to go Peat Free nowadays due to the impact that Peat farming has on the environment, and so far I can say that the particular compost I've chosen to use is performing just as well as a regular Multi-Purpose! (No connection just a happy Gardener)

Thanks for stopping by, I promise I'l be back soon with more news from my garden!

HAPPY GROWING!

Spring Is In The Air ...

Good Morning!

As the title suggests, Spring is in the Air! Well I hope so anyway as I'm itching to get things going again in the Garden! 

Earlier in the week I visited a local Garden Centre and bought some bigger Hanging Baskets for the Summer ... however I couldn't resist getting a few bit's and pieces to make them up now!

I wanted to add some 'Permanent Structure' to these particular baskets so opted for some Box and Ivy Plants. These were added first towards to the back of the baskets. 

When making the basket I mixed some John Innes no.2 and Horticultural Grit together with some Multi Purpose.

For some instant colour I added some 'Tete a Tete' Daffodils along with some cheery Primroses. These can be swapped for something else in the Summer if I decide to take the Primroses out.

Some of the pot's of Crocus Bulbs I planted last year have come up so I gave them a little tidy along with a top dressing.

At the Garden Centre I also treated myself to a 'Fritillaria - Snakeshead', I divided up a few of the bulbs from the plant before potting up so I that I could have a few extra's!

Thanks for stopping by, I will have more to share with you later in the week!

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

My Favourite Garden Photo's from 2014 ... Part 1!

Good Morning!

I'm back today with a few of my favourite photo's that I've taken over the past year. I have selected one from each month, which as you can imagine when it came to the Summer was quite tricky! I am sharing the first 6 months with you today and the rest will follow.

I hope you enjoy looking back with me!

JANUARY

My first attempt at growing an Amaryllis, I loved how big the blooms were in such a deep red colour.

FEBRUARY

How could I not include this one, not only is it the blog header but it was also featured as a Reader Photo of the month in the Garden Answers Magazine! My prize was a set of Felco Secateurs which I wouldn't be able to afford myself.

MARCH

Spring Bedding provides you with a burst of bright colour on what can be rather dreary days. It certainly livened this container up!

APRIL

Back in April I was drawn to this Primula, I love the bright petals edged in white. It's even blooming right now in my conservatory.

MAY

I had to share this photo with you all from May. These were my first attempt at growing Spring Onions, well my first attempt at growing Vegetables full stop. 

JUNE

To finish with is a Rose that me and Andy chose last year called 'Champagne Moment', which is rather fitting considering we got engaged the same year. I also entered this photo into an online competition which led me to win a David Austin Rose.

I hope you have enjoyed this first set of photographs, why not share some of your own? I'l be back with the rest next week.

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Spring Flowering Pots ...

Good Morning!

Today's post is about a quick job you can in 10 minutes to ensure some Spring colour next year, Spring flowering pots!

All you need is a selection of bulbs, here I have some 'Crocus - Blue Pearl', 'Dwarf Narcissus' & 'Tulip - Black Parrot' bulbs.

Think of your pot as a layer cake, add some crocs over the drainage holes at the bottom and then a layer of compost. Place your first layer of bulbs on top, for me this will be the Tulips as they will be the last to flower.

Add a layer of compost on top and then place your next set of bulbs, Dwarf Narcissus, these will be the second ones to flower.

Repeat with another layer of compost and then add your final bulbs. These will be my Crocus's as they are the first one's out of this selection to flower.

Top off with a final layer of compost and place in a sunny but sheltered position outside.

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Welcome To The Family ...

Good Morning!

Last week saw the last of my recent purchases arrive that I'd ordered off the internet. The first was a big box from Crocus containing a Fuchsia I'd had my eye on for a while along with a Double Auricula to add to my collection.

Fuchsia 'Mrs Popple' and Auricula 'Crimson Glow'

 

I potted up the Auricula straight away into a Teracotta pot. You may remember how to do this from a few posts ago but if not here's a quick reminder of the best way to do this.

Mix some soil-based compost (I use John Innes no.2) with some Horticultural Grit.

Add the plant and then top it off with some more soil and a layer of Grit on the surface.

The second arrival was the last of my order from Thompson&Morgan. 

5 Dianthus 'Crimson Rim' plug plants!

Potted up straight away into some pots of compost, I can't wait to see them when they bloom!

Thanks for stopping by,

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX