Gardening news.

[1st amg]

Dave that is so peaceful and serene looking. Just stunning! Your wife deserves the green thumb award! The more I look at the pictures, the more I see different details. Wow


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[Speedbird-1]

What a fantastic summers day!



These are just a couple of our shrub Roses; 'Fred' and 'Fairy', they flower from May, right through 'till the end of September. They're just outside our kitchen doors and the first that greet us on our way to the patio with our morning coffee.
We have the many and various types of Roses some of which have done their
thing and 'gone over', but many are still happily producing blossom.

Most of the planting in our garden, we inherited, but have manage to make our mark, in what was an already beautifully stocked piece of Somerset.
There were already more than fifty roses when we move in, but have added a dozen or so. Along with our favourites, the Peonies and Tree Peonies, both types of Clematis' etc,etc.
I shan't bore you all with any more garden 'flexing', I'll be showing you my luggage next! (hi Jerry )

Just to say we absolutely adore our little piece of heaven, and give thanks every day.
We would love to see and share your gardening world, with such an international
membership, it should be very interesting to see what you all get up to in your 'back yards' horticulturally speaking, of course!

Now, did I mention the runner beans and sweetcorn?.....no?...well...

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

What a fantastic summers day!



These are just a couple of our shrub Roses; 'Fred' and 'Fairy', they flower from May, right through 'till the end of September. They're just outside our kitchen doors and the first that greet us on our way to the patio with our morning coffee.
We have the many and various types of Roses some of which have done their
thing and 'gone over', but many are still happily producing blossom.

Most of the planting in our garden, we inherited, but have manage to make our mark, in what was an already beautifully stocked piece of Somerset.
There were already more than fifty roses when we move in, but have added a dozen or so. Along with our favourites, the Peonies and Tree Peonies, both types of Clematis' etc,etc.
I shan't bore you all with any more garden 'flexing', I'll be showing you my luggage next! (hi Jerry )

Just to say we absolutely adore our little piece of heaven, and give thanks every day.
We would love to see and share your gardening world, with such an international
membership, it should be very interesting to see what you all get up to in your 'back yards' horticulturally speaking, of course!

Now, did I mention the runner beans and sweetcorn?.....no?...well...

It just looks so fabulous and peaceful. Wonderful my friend. Get some more pics.

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by daveathall

It just looks so fabulous and peaceful. Wonderful my friend. Get some more pics.

Thank you Dave, that's very kind of you.

It is very quiet, mostly, then some twat starts up his two-stroke hedge trimmer at 7pm on a warm summers evening! (there's always ONE, isn't there)

I will try to put more pics up, but it takes me an age, and I have to reduce the size and resolution, so disheartening.
But I will try my best.


PS. We loved your Petunias at the front, they're always, 'good doers' aren't they.
Keep 'em well fed and they'll flower 'till Bonfire Night!

[White Collar Boy]

TRF giving ‘World of Exteriors’ (special edition of ‘World of Interiors’) a run for its money. Speedbird-1, I don’t use this word very much, but that is just gorgeous. Like Dave said, more pics would be cool to see! Also: how old is your place? I thought my house was ancient. It was built in 1973.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Dave that is so peaceful and serene looking. Just stunning! Your wife deserves the green thumb award! The more I look at the pictures, the more I see different details. Wow

Thank you very much Nicholas, she loves her hobby and it is really nice watching her get pleasure from planting and general pottering about in the garden.

[JasoninDenver]

That is stunning!

My dream is to downsize into a small cabin somewhere in Colorado but the wife……

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by White Collar Boy

TRF giving ‘World of Exteriors’ (special edition of ‘World of Interiors’) a run for its money. Speedbird-1, I don’t use this word very much, but that is just gorgeous. Like Dave said, more pics would be cool to see! Also: how old is your place? I thought my house was ancient. It was built in 1973.

Thank You my friend, for your generous comments.

The house was originally built around 1480,though of course there have been additions and alterations.
We had the roof re-thatched recently, and our Master Thatcher discovered ancient Elm timberwork and original soot blackened thatch from the 1400's.
Houses of this type around this time, didn't always have chimmenys, as we know them, just a hole in the thatch for the smoke to escape from the family Fire in the middle of the room.(what could possibly go wrong?)

Apologies if I seem to banging on like some houseproud flexer, but, we don't have collections of Platinum Daytonas or Ferraris galore or even a single piece of fancy luggage, it took us the best part of four years to find our dear little cottage, our 'forever home' and we love it so much, we don't wish to be anywhere else.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Thank You my friend, for your generous comments.

The house was originally built around 1480,though of course there have been additions and alterations.
We had the roof re-thatched recently, and our Master Thatcher discovered ancient Elm timberwork and original soot blackened thatch from the 1400's.
Houses of this type around this time, didn't always have chimmenys, as we know them, just a hole in the thatch for the smoke to escape from the family Fire in the middle of the room.(what could possibly go wrong?)

Apologies if I seem to banging on like some houseproud flexer, but, we don't have collections of Platinum Daytonas or Ferraris galore or even a single piece of fancy luggage, it took us the best part of four years to find our dear little cottage, our 'forever home' and we love it so much, we don't wish to be anywhere else.

I don't blame you my friend, your house is fabulous, it's a dream. Just think of the families that have enjoyed living there over the more than 500 years it has been built. It's lovely.

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I don't blame you my friend, your house is fabulous, it's a dream. Just think of the families that have enjoyed living there over the more than 500 years it has been built. It's lovely.

Cheers Dave, I think we are both blessed, in this world, having somewhere we love and can share in the safety of our wonderful country.


Ps. Not many other gardeners here it seems. Shame.

[White Collar Boy]

Utterly amazing. Such beautiful houses, yours and Dave’s! I am glad to hear you both are very happy in them too (as anyone would be I should think).

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by White Collar Boy

I’m no green thumb but have enjoyed changing our backyard significantly, transplanting many things to make a side garden, and putting some small native trees in the backyard instead to attract some birds. In southern Queensland, we get a lot of Rainbow Lorikeets and Blue-faced Honeyeaters, and the occasional Kookaburra among others. My favourites are the ubiquitous Crows though.

Failure: transplanting a very large fern to a too-sunny spot. A stupid error. I noticed some plants get very stressed from being moved but, if they are put in the right place and treated well, they’ll recover. The poor old fern just slowly died. I should have moved it again somewhere better.

Success: with the first COVID lockdown last year, like many people, I went crazy on buying lots of indoor plants. It has dramatically changed the look and feel of my house. At the same time, I bought a small Alocasia (‘elephant’s ear) for aforementioned side garden, that almost immediately blew up to almost two metres in height. A wonderful looking plant.

Do you have any photos you’d like to share of your garden? It sounds awesome. Kudos to you and your wife.

Sounds like you're having fun creating a 'new' garden.
Envious of those exotic sounding birds.
Would love to see what you're doing there......especially the Alocasia!
We have plants we call Elephants Ears, they're Begenia, much smaller Elephants here tho'

We have a spot we call the Slow Worm Hotel. It's wher we throw al the pernicious weeds, that we don't want in the compost.
I lifted the piece of carpet that covers the 'Hotel' and discovered a cluster of about 20 Slow Worms and a couple of young Grass Snakes. Beautiful!

Do you get many snakes etc in your yard?

[White Collar Boy]

Thanks for asking—I’ll take a photo tomorrow morning. No snakes yet, fortunately! I have an irrational fear of them that was even piqued just reading about your Grass Snakes. We lived on a flower farm nearby a few years back and a small Python got inside by accident once, the poor thing fell in through a louvered window. I do like snakes and think they are pretty animals, but the fear is persistent!

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by White Collar Boy

Thanks for asking—I’ll take a photo tomorrow morning. No snakes yet, fortunately! I have an irrational fear of them that was even piqued just reading about your Grass Snakes. We lived on a flower farm nearby a few years back and a small Python got inside by accident once, the poor thing fell in through a louvered window. I do like snakes and think they are pretty animals, but the fear is persistent!

Looking forward to our photo my friend.

I must admit I have never handled a snake. A snake charmer in Tunisia at the resort we were staying asked me to come out and have a snake put up my trouser leg (from the foot) and remove it through the top. It was a non poisonous one (I hope) and I couldn't really say no without losing face, I wasn't looking forward to the experience, but as I was walking out, a drunken wife and her friend loudly volunteered her husband, the snake charmer sent me back and coaxed the poor unfortunate down to meet the snake. Lucky me.

[Wtumaneix]

I admire people who are able to create such beauty

[White Collar Boy]

The previously mentioned Alocasia, doing its bit to create a screen from the neighbour’s carport. Nothing as beautiful as your enviable English gardens!

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by White Collar Boy

The previously mentioned Alocasia, doing its bit to create a screen from the neighbour’s carport. Nothing as beautiful as your enviable English gardens!

I think you do yourself an injustice my friend, I think it is a fabulous plant. Looking great.

[superdog]

I’m inspired to start a garden.

[White Collar Boy]

Originally Posted by daveathall

I think you do yourself an injustice my friend, I think it is a fabulous plant. Looking great.

Oh cheers Dave. Kind of you to say.

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by White Collar Boy

The previously mentioned Alocasia, doing its bit to create a screen from the neighbour’s carport. Nothing as beautiful as your enviable English gardens!

Wow! That's an impressive specimen, is it Alocasia Odora? If so, it's also called the night scented Lilly, sounds wonderful.
How tall is yours at the mo'? I just read they can grow to 8ft!!
Beautiful looking plant.....you should plant a few more, and create a little micro-climate.

I'm sure we'd all like to see photo's of your exotic birds.


Happy gardening!

[77T]

Originally Posted by superdog

I’m inspired to start a garden.

Never too late Seth - a Zen garden can be started until it snows…




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[Andad]

Hi S,

This will have to tide you over until I can take some pix of the garden when it’s not raining.

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by Andad

Hi S,

This will have to tide you over until I can take some pix of the garden when it’s not raining.

Very nice Eddie, I can almost smell 'em.
Be careful of your clothing on those stamen.

What's the forecast?

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by 77T

Never too late Seth - a Zen garden can be started until it snows…




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Is that yours Paul?
Always found Japanese Rock Gardens intriguing.

Some of those turns, look a bit tight.

[77T]

No - my place is less organized - I have deadheaded the roses - just one.

But live on a quiet Lane and planted trees, azaleas, etc. not blooming now.






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[Highend7]

Originally Posted by daveathall

We have a tiny cottage that has really small gardens front and back, my wife is the gardener and does everything, I am allowed to water sometimes while she is out. We did have gravel at the back but, because the area was so small, I suggested fake grass, which tbh looked really well. Would love to see some photos of everyones garden.

This is the front.


Some pics of the back.







I took a "Pano" of the whole thing.




The kitchen has 2 windows and a "barn" style door which frame the back garden nicely, it is raised so is directly in one's eyeline. None of this is any of my doing, my wife loves gardening and loves pottering around there.

Really though.... I think I should pay you q courtesy visit.
The garden is so tidy and a good relaxing atmosphere.

Let your wife know she did a really good job.

[White Collar Boy]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Wow! That's an impressive specimen, is it Alocasia Odora? If so, it's also called the night scented Lilly, sounds wonderful… How tall is yours at the mo'?… I'm sure we'd all like to see photo's of your exotic birds…

Thanks, and I think you are bang on there with the correct name; I just looked that up and it seems exactly like mine. It’s a bit taller than me, so I think it’s nudging two metres. Good idea to plant more because this fella seems very happy. I have no photos of the birds but will try for some (without getting myself arrested, “har-har”).



Addendum: not my photo, but this is a Blue-faced Honeyeater on a native Grevillea plant like in my back garden.

[Speedbird-1]

What a fabulous looking bird!

[gnuyork]

My parents have multiple gardens in their yard and two lily ponds, one of which I helped dig. The ponds have goldfish and frogs among other water insects.

I will try to "dig" up some pics a little later.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Very nice Eddie, I can almost smell 'em.
Be careful of your clothing on those stamen.

What's the forecast?

Chelsea told me the forecast is not good and unusually bad.

Coldest day of the year tomorrow.

I blame the POMMIES.

I may have to go back to Aberdeen.

But SA has compensations.

Decisions decisions.