Living in a Box

Catching Up

I have a lot to catch up - so many blogs to read, and photos to share !

My little garden is looking lovely - really filling up. I can see I will have to move a few plants, and thin out quite a bit. But I don't mind a full garden at all. The temperature is really helping too. It has been over the 20C mark for the last week, and we expect the temps to climb steadily (until we are complaining that it's too hot and humid - never satisfied). Some photos from late Sunday afternoon. The first one is the back right corner of the garden - or "the Vegetable Patch" LOL!!!

The beautiful Daylily (Hemerocallis) is in flower.

We have peas in abundance.

Radishes pushing through the soil.

Lillies pushing up between Nemesia and Bacopa (Sutera cordata, 'Snowstorm')

Herbs in containers.

A full load in the wheelbarrow.

Isn't this particular petunia beautiful ?

There is just so much going on in the garden right now. I expect it's the same for all of you who are gardening in the Northern Hemisphere. The growing season is well under way !

Been Busy

I have been very busy for the last few days. And this little angel is the reason.

This is  my newest granddaughter, Erin. She was born last Thursday morning, and weighed in at a hefty 9lbs 9ozs. Her Mum, Dad and sister are elated, and of course, Granny & Granddad are over the moon !

I will get back to normal posting asap !!

Mystery Rose

The Mystery Rose is in bloom. Isn't it beautiful ? But...it's still a  mystery. Does anyone have any idea where I could research what it is ?

Garden 2008

Garden 2008 ???? Yes...well...I've been planning !

Now that my little patch is filling up - I can see the mistakes. I can also see the plants that are working. I'm sure I will notice this more and more as the season wears on. I sat outside yesterday in the cool breeze with a pen and notebook in hand, and started to write down what I plan to do next year (by observing this year's garden). Always a sensible thing to do I think. Then I decided to record my notes on here, more as a reminder to myself than anyone else. I can add to the notes as the year progresses, and then resist all temptation to repeat the same mistakes as this year (yeah right). Make sense ?

1. Plan - I had no plan this year, none at all. We only decided a couple of months ago that we would convert the back patch to a growing garden, and I rushed, in my eagerness to get stuff growing. I'll make a proper plan, on paper, and stick to it.
2. Vegetables - grow less in the garden, and more in containers. I am a vegetable gardener at heart. I come from a long line of successful veggie growers - and would really love to concentrate on this, but this is a rented property, and I know the owner would not be pleased if I turned the whole garden over to veg. I am enjoying growing the few veg that we have at the moment (and so are the grandchildren) - peas, broad beans, lettuce (various), tomatoes, radish, peppers, aubergine. But...in reality...the garden is just too small for any serious sowing. If I want a proper veg garden, I would have to build raised beds as the young couple over at Fresh as a Daisy have done. (They're doing really well - worth a visit !) The peas 'n beans take up too much room. I only have a few plants of each growing and the yield will just not be worth the room they've taken up. I am still patiently waiting on the allotment list !!!
3. Roses - I love, love, love roses. I only have 2 - in containers. I want more roses next year. I'll continue to grow them in containers so they can move with me when we buy our own home.
4. Height - Add more plants for height next year.
5. Sweet peas - my few sweet peas will be blooming soon. I love these plants, and didn't put nearly enough in. I didn't prepare the ground well for them either. They are so easy when good prep. has been done, so I'll grow more next year, along the sunny-side fence.

Those were my thoughts yesterday. I'll keep adding to this category as I make my plans.

Waiting !

There's only so much you can do in the garden (particularly a garden as small as mine) and then you have to w..a..i..t. It's unavoidable - and I can't stand it ! I'm not the most patient person in the world ! Mind you, I have always been very patient with people - always give them plenty of time, and many chances. And with the children and grandchildren - well...I'm a saint ! So why is it that I am spending my days checking the garden to see what's changed, and willing everything to grow faster ? Grow...grow...come on...grow !  I notice every new leaf, every single bud, every inch up the little trellis. I really should keep a chart and tick off inches as they go by !! LOL !! No...it's not that extreme. Hubby said this morning "Stop rushing things - you're wishing the summer away. It'll be winter in no time and then you won't be able to do anything out there !"

He's so right. So...it's time to slow down now - sit back on the little patio, and really appreciate what I've done so far. Not bad either.  It's a glorious day today - absolutely perfect for doing just that.