Living in a Box

Jumping in the Leaves

I walked a lot today. At the crack of dawn I took our little dog out for his morning walk. He is still a bit unsure of himself out in the big wide world (he's only 4 months old), but it's getting better. I go early because it's quieter then, and I love the fresh morning air. Mind you, it was very damp this morning. Here's Jack straining at the leash. He doesn't quite get it yet, but he will.

Later in the morning, I took the girls for a long walk. We really enjoyed it. Meg (3) skipped along singing the whole way. When she saw the fallen leaves (see below) she shouted "Granny, quickly, come and jump in the leaves - it's such fun". So...of course...I had to go jump in the leaves. And it was such fun.

 

Autumn

Well...so much to catch up on. We have been so busy this summer that time has got away from me. I have not spent nearly as much time as I used to on the Internet, but I expect all that will change now that the nights are drawing in. I will be able to spend more time on this blog too.

We had a great summer - the birth of a new granddaughter, a son's marriage, a new puppy, and many day trips out and about. We enjoyed our little garden very much. I'm still picking the last of the tomatoes ! I'll get some photos taken as soon as I can and get them on the blog.

During the summer, we spend so much time outside that we don't notice how small our little house is - but now that it's getting cooler, and we are back indoors, I am feeling a bit irritated with the lack of space ! So I plan on making some changes to our furnishings and decor over the winter - trying to declutter and also rearrange things so that we are more comfortable. I also plan on redecorating, and have already made a start in the main bedroom. I'll show you any changes I make. I also have a lot to do in the garden and will take you with me as I work !

So...family is back at work, grandchildren are back at school, and I'm looking after my beautiful baby granddaughter while her parents are at work. I also look after her older sister, Meg, but she's at nursery school in the mornings. We have a 4 month old puppy to add to the mix - a very lively little Jack Russell names...wait for it.....Jack (how's that for an original name). I'm very busy !!!!

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.

Mystery Rose

Do you remember the mystery rose (below) I bought a while back ? I got it very cheaply because it's label had fallen off and no-one at the Nursery knew what it was.

Well - the buds are about to open !!

But...alas...it will remain "The Mystery Rose" because I'm quite sure I won't be able to identify it from the blooms !!

The Rain Continues.......

Warning - lots of photos - please be patient while they load.

It rained for most of the day today. But we had a few hours of sunshine this afternoon, and I dashed out to the garden to see what was happening. I even managed to take some photos.

Lupins that I grew from seed - I'll plant them out later in the year ready for flowering next year.

Courgettes are doing very well and are ready for big pots (I just don't have any to put them in, but I'll remedy that at the weekend).

And what have we here ?? Is that a pea I see !! Yummy.

Lovely spinach growing well between the lettuce. We eat some of this lettuce every single day, and it never seems to end. Not bad for just a few plants.

And goodness !! Look how many flowers are on the beans ! I so enjoy watching the bumble bees flying around these flowers. They really do "bumble" along.

This little tomato is the Tumbling Tom - full of flowers.

And how do I know that there are no snails in my garden ? Well, look at the back left corner. There is a hosta and a lettuce growing happily side-by-side and neither one has been touched !! If there were any snails they would have been the first plants to go. But...it's early days yet, and I'm keeping my eyes peeled.

   

Vegetable Gardening Forum

I recently joined a new Vegetable Gardening forum. It's run by Adam Fletcher and Lesley Jay. I'm not a member of many Forums/Fora? - but this one looks as though it's got great potential. Take a look, and join up. We can compare beans and lettuce...and have a good chat about our veg !