Resourcefulness: The budgeter's friend

foxgloves

Evening Sunbeams,
Pleasant day - thought I'd just come on to show you this amazing freebie which self-seeded in our front courtyard this year. Various poppies do pop up each year, but not usually as lah-di-da fancypants as this beauty, which is very tall. Hope photo is ok....think my neighbour thought I was taking pictures of his gravel, so I didn't hang around in case it looked as though I was losing the plot!
I shall be saving some seeds from this anyway, to see if I can raise a few more next year.
Got to love free plants.
F x

Sun_Addict

I’ve seen quite a few of these around this year, they’re very beautiful. I have a poppy just about to flower hiding behind my buddleia. 

lucielle

They’re lovely!  

L

Moorviews

Stunning poppies! We used to have some lovely self seeded poppies, then all of a sudden they were gone and have never returned. On the other hand I am nurturing a couple of verbascum and the honesty is quite abundant this year. Although not in politics or certain politicians obviously 🙄 

foxgloves

Morning,
 Haven't seen any of this type of poppy in neighbour's gardens, but my friend reckons she might have the answer. Apparently, these poppies regularly grow on the allotment site where she has a plot (the other side of the county). We often swap plants & she thinks there's probably been a seed in the soil around something she's given me which has found its way into our compost when I pulled it up at the end of the season. We did put a good layer of our compost on that front border last year, so sounds plausible to me.....as well as Nature working her magic.
In other news, sneaked in a pre-BBQ weigh-day & am still losing......slow progress, but I'm not feeling deprived. Total of 8.2 kg off now, which equates to 18lbs. I must try on a few of my 'Shopping from Home boutique' clothes, as I'm sure I could start wearing some of those again..Will plan a trying-on session in for next week.
Off to local-ish historic park this morning for a gentle woodland/lakeside walk.
Enjoy your weekends all,
F x

foxgloves

@Sun_Addict - It will be interesting to see what your mystery poppy looks like when it flowers. Got to love a freebie, & if it's one you like, you'll be able to sprinkle the seed around for a few more next year.
F

foxgloves

@Moorviews - I like verbascum too. I've never found them a very long-lived perennial. Mine usually disappear after about 3 years. I don't find them too difficult to grow from seed, but haven't done so for a while. I like growing perennials from seed - good money savings to be made there & can swap with my gardening friend for further variety.
Re Honesty - I've noticed a patch of young plants popping up in one of my borders. I will leave the strongest ones in situe as they will provide a nice pop of early colour next Spring. Re the person to whom you alluded.....Yes, I reckon if he tried to grow it in his garden, it'd emit an unearthly cackle before spontaneously combusting, much like the ex-ministerial 🩳.
F 

Moorviews

@foxgloves - That last sentence made me laugh so much 🤣 What a vision!

marionmgcars

wow, 18lbs - that’s brilliant, you must be delighted.  Those poppies look fabulous.  Love following everyone’s comments and success.  Look forward to seeing photos of yr knitting too.  X

foxgloves

@marionmgcars - Thanks. Yes, I'm pleased with 18lbs but it's also bittersweet as between 2011 & 2013 I lost 6 stones. I am a long way from the weight I was at the start of that, thank goodness, but have nevertheless re-gained an unhelpful wodge of it in the intervening years, particularly during & since Lockdown.....too much baking & not enough exercise.
I will try to remember to post a photo of my shawl when it's finished.
F x