Awful weather - typical Brits talk

YoungBlueEyes

I only wish my lavenders would die as fast I repotted them so I'm hopeful they might decide to live again, but it's up to them now.

So that's what it's called, thanks taff. Hereafter known as echethump <giggling> 

Dustyevsky

-taff said:

Dusty, poor thing, it isn't the reflection is it, a comment on how clean your cars are? [ not like the massive condor poo on my windscreen from going to Burnham..Didn't help the water in the windscreen reservoir has gone all lumpy for some reason so I have to investigate how to empty and sort that out. Glad your efforts to provide colour went well, apart from the handbrake obviously.

It's certainly no comment on the cleanliness of our cars; mine has lichen on it! Like many people here who actually own a vehicle, as opposed to personal contract purchase etc, we rarely wash the cars. For much of the year, there's no point when the lanes are full of mud. That doesn't mean we neglect the servicing, though.

The crow has been very systematic. It began at the door where Mrs Dusty released its baby several weeks ago, then moved to the conservatory, followed by the front door, and from there began having a go at the nearest car. Now it's on a car further away, so if it follows the pattern, it'll be the van next....or maybe next door! 

Our friends, who are not gardeners, were happy with the way the photoshoot went, but in the world of property the plants will make no difference. They own a res that's very des, but it will need someone with deep pockets to make it all it could be. Those people tend to be quite hard-nosed, as well as having the necessary vision to see past everyday nonsense, like our dahlias. I fully expect to see a close-up of one in the listing, though! A few weeks ago, I recall one of the more pretentious agents included a picture of some rolled-up towels! 

Dustyevsky

YoungBlueEyes said:

Dusty, I'm working my way through the Gerry Anderson podcasts re your bird. So far I've got 1) put a layer of clingfilm up on your windows then cover it in vaseline so it can't see it's/an intruder's reflection, 2) blow up balloons and hang them at your window cos it won't like the movement when they blow about in the wind, or 3) wait for it to get bored and move on. Or go fetch in one of it's predators RIP Geordie Tuft.

I had to do a bit of research there.

To me, and others of a 'certain age,' Gerry Anderson means somebody else....and sending for Thunderbirds seemed a little extreme!

twopenny

Here's mine (whatever it is) but called a Money Plant down south.

Aparantly it only brings money if you pass it's ever rooting shoots to someone else - can't find anyone who wants one.

There was a huge one in a local double glazing firms conservatory. They went bust so it obviously doesn't work

No plans so far today. It's supposed to be gloriously sunny before torrents tomorrow but so far it's 14c with a cold wind and deep cloud.

Fabulous photo of the bird Dusty. You should make a calendar of your best shots.

Now I'm going to be brief because my head explodes with all the posts I've read. Enjoy the wafting day, got to love a wafting day we don't do enough of them -  aww baby robins having a bath. What a lovely thought. You seem to have a nursery for baby animals - hope your washing dries and your Lavenders live - I'd comment on creeky bones but too busy dealing with my own Interesting about the cold water and inflamation. Yes, I prefer the Indian Ocean at 29c and hope to get there again especially when it's cold like it is here at the mo. 

Garden that was looking lush and magnificent has done exactly as predicted - now overgrown and forest like.

Inclination is to lay on the sofa with endless telly after cleaning out the car and garage yesterday. I think my get up and go got swept away with the rubbish from that.

Farway

Caught up at last, very busy on here lately.

For youngsters on here, and for information only 

Nicotine spray is made by emptying your gran's ashtray with the Craven A [fags] dog ends into a bucket of water, leave overnight and then use the brown tinged tea coloured water as insecticide.

This was a job normally undertaken by child slave labour [me] on Grandad's allotment in the 50s, and I'm still here so must have been invigorating stuff

You could add a dusting of DDT to the plants when wet with nicotine spray, belt & braces

My compost was waiting on the doorstep when I got up, and very glad it was delivered , heavy enough just lugging it indoors.

Not examined it yet, but it does not say Peat Free which another does, so hoping it at least has some water retention qualities.

Talking of Jerseys, the milky sells milk as well as compost & crumpets, including good old Gold Top Jersey. I may not have the spuds, but I'll have the milk, however unlike 2P I don't know the cow by name.

I suppose being a gardening forum she should be named Lily, Jersey Lily, geddit?

It's a bit dull & cool today, I was hoping for some warmth to plant out my broad beans and tie up the toms, the veg isn't too fussy about warm, but I am.

Seeing YBE orange flowers, my posh marigolds are about to open, they'd better be good after the mucking around getting just four to survive from a packet of seeds

Money plants, I have some, and they seem to do well, thriving on my neglect I think

Dustyevsky said:

YoungBlueEyes said:

Dusty, I'm working my way through the Gerry Anderson podcasts re your bird. So far I've got 1) put a layer of clingfilm up on your windows then cover it in vaseline so it can't see it's/an intruder's reflection, 2) blow up balloons and hang them at your window cos it won't like the movement when they blow about in the wind, or 3) wait for it to get bored and move on. Or go fetch in one of it's predators RIP Geordie Tuft.

I had to do a bit of research there.

To me, and others of a 'certain age,' Gerry Anderson means somebody else....and sending for Thunderbirds seemed a little extreme!

That's two of us, then. FAB

If the sun does get out, I have to get a photo of my one Persian Jewel love in a mist, not that it's spectacular, just a lonely singleton from the zillions I sowed

ArbitraryRandom

pink_poppy said:

YBE & AR, my tatties were planted on 2nd May. They weren't seed potatoes - just some lifted from a Greengrocers (Kerr's Pink and Rooster) and some I lifted from Aldi (Maris Piper and Saxon). I have no idea if they're earlies or main crop?

Google suggests Maris Piper, Kerr's pink, and rooster are maincrop - Saxon is 'second early' (apparently ready to harvest after about 14 weeks/you don't wait for the growth to die back, but that's just a guide ).   

Excitement for me today - I picked my first courgette (no suggestive comments please )... Only one on one of the plants as yet (the patty pan are starting to flower but only females so far), and I'm looking forward to having it for lunch. 

pink_poppy

Ooh, well done on the courgette, AR and thank you for the tattie info - still a few weeks to go then.

Majorcans!! That's what they were, YBE. And from a farm shop, not Tesco - no wonder I couldn't find them. My memory is rubbish   

I call those plants money plants as well, twopenny.

It definitely looks like your crow is still looking for the baby, Dusty. Quite sad really.

Farway, what's the fig variety you have?? I was watching an old episode of Beechgrove and someone was growing a Brown Turkey fig (weird name for a fig) - he grew it outside (in Dundee) and got loads of figs on it every year. I might look for one next year.

I saw the baby robin in the garden again this morning - it's already got a bit of colour on the chest so not a brand new fledgling. I did see a brand new fledgling on my walk though - it was the tiniest ball of fluff   I took a quick pic and walked on and when I turned round the parent had flown down with some food, so it must have been watching me from a distance. We also had a baby thrush in the garden this morning - just a new one so a different brood from the ones we had a few weeks back. I think we're doing well with wildlife because part of the garden is a bit wild (full of weeds and overgrown ivy and honeysuckle) - I'm enjoying it while it lasts

Some pics from my walk...

Baby robin...

Wild irises...

Orange pom pom plant next to the Loch...

Dustyevsky

Your orange pom-pom plant is a form of Buddleia, pp. Very nice too, and just as tough as the normal sort. Your 'wild' irises look like they enjoy your climate too.

The 'baby' crow really wasn't small or unable to fly or fend for itself, so we don't know what happened there.

A 5c night has turned into a very pleasant day here, but the cold wind continues and there's rain on the way for tomorrow. A day potting-on will be OK.

Here's the last photo I took in the large private garden we visited under the NGS scheme a few weeks ago. I've left it till last because it was a fun surprise near the end of our exploration. I'll admit it was somewhat old and rickety, but I'm sure it's taken heavier people than me.   Looks more like Costa Rica than Costa Devon!

pink_poppy

Wow, a bridge in a private garden, how lovely!! Love the pic.

I would never had guessed the orange pom pom plant was a form of Buddleia - every day is a school day  

I've just nipped out to take a pic of the Ceanothus because it's looking lovely at  the moment - spot the departing bee...

Farway

Sun's popped out here as well, tom tying in later, all being well.

 Update from T & M, my Roseanne hardy geraniums plugs are on the way, depending on their size I may try out the new compost I have to pot them up.

The orange pom pom buddleia, I had one “donated” from somewhere as cutting. It turned into a right thug and had to go. Bees loved it, and in the right spot one would do well.

pink_poppy said:

Farway, what's the fig variety you have?? I was watching an old episode of Beechgrove and someone was growing a Brown Turkey fig (weird name for a fig) - he grew it outside (in Dundee) and got loads of figs on it every year. I might look for one next year.

Not quite sure, I have a few unknowns, labels long gone, but have a Brown Turkey, which does well and seems to fruit OK.

If you have a Morrisons near you, they had small pot grown ones for not much, figs grow quite fast, so don't let size deter you.

Well done on courgette Arbs, and there was me thinking I will have to plant mine soon