Looking Good...

The sun is shining and all appears to be going according to plan in my Small Suburban Garden. The wildflower seeds I scattered in planters and borders a few weeks ago are beginning to grow (although they'd stand a better chance if the local cats would stop digging them up), and the polyanthus have decided to flower.

The wild cherry trees have blossomed and now it's time for the not-so-wild cherry to do the same. The magnolias have flowered, and now there's a ton of white petals to sweep off the paving slabs on a daily basis. The mint is thriving and I appear to have acquired a lemon balm (or at least, that's what it looks like at the moment).

I'd been collecting up random seedlings from around the garden and shoving them all in one planter, and now I have some white alyssum and some pink stocks. This is coming up to an exciting time in the garden and I can't wait to start seeing bees and butterflies returning. Hope it's soon...!

Bright Pink Polys...

After removing the half-dead pansies from the window boxes in the front garden a couple of weeks ago, I decided to put my ‘unwanted’ polyanthus from the back garden in them as a temporary measure while I wait for my bedding plants become available. I didn’t expect them all to thrive, in fact, at the time I couldn’t have cared less if they’d simply withered away (not being a fan of lurid pink ‘primroses’); however, I have to admit that they all look quite lovely now that all of the flowers are out. It certainly cheers up the front of the house, especially now the sun it out…

APRIL 28, 2013 

Well, I'll Be Blowed...

The snow has gone, the ice has melted, temperatures are finally in double figures (just) and it’s temporarily stopped raining; so what did Mother Nature throw at us today? Wind!

I’d been given a tub of 4 very pretty polyanthus for Christmas, but as they’re not really an indoor plant they were looking very sorry for themselves, so I decided to brave the hurricane conditions and plant them in one of the borders. I’m sure I will eventually move them again, but for now they really are in the best place.

I’d also been given a tub of 3 rather splendid Paperwhites (narcissus) for Christmas, which had flowered too soon, so those too went out into the border.

The rotting geraniums finally had to go, so I spent the next 5 minutes pulling them up and shoving them into the compost bin. They really were quite marvellous in 2012 and will be a big feature of my small suburban garden in 2013.

I’d been wondering why my bird feeder had proved to be unpopular with visiting feathered friends of late, but when I looked closely I noticed the seeds inside had gone mouldy and were all stuck together. Once I’d given it a good clean I put a few fresh seeds in it and hung it back up on the magnolia. Only time will tell if the local sparrows will forgive me for offering up such inedible snacks over the festive season…

JANUARY 31, 2013

Happy New Year...

After what seems like an eternity of wet weather, the sun has finally made an appearance (long may it last!) Despite several days of sub-zero temperatures in mid-December the geraniums are still defiantly hanging on in there, albeit with a few brown stems. I’ve been very impressed with them throughout 2012 and will definitely be making a big feature of them in my small suburban garden in 2013.

I’m also somewhat amazed and bemused at the amount of buddlia cuttings which are currently in leaf! I have more than enough for my own needs so I will probably be ‘gifting’ some shrubs to friends in the spring.

There’s a few yellow polyanthus in flower but it’s not a great display I have to admit. I’m not entirely sure what’s been eating them but as it’s been damp for so long I have to assume it’s the work of slugs and snails.

My bee house seems to be doing it’s job and has protected the lodgers from the winter weather so far. I’m hoping that in the spring the new bees will emerge fit and healthy. Only time will tell…

JANUARY 1, 2013

Winter Drawers On...

An unseasonally sunny day saw me heading off into my small suburban garden to survey the scene after the recent miserable cold, wet weather. Predictably, soggy leaves littered the ground and apart from the few remaining geraniums there was precious little colour about. However, I did spy one small yellow polyanthus poking it’s head out from the shadows which I have to admit did bring a smile to my face.

I set about cutting back the last of the buddleia ready for next spring and swept the yard clear of slimy brown leaf matter. I also had to sweep up the mouldy and disgusting bread which I’d put out for the birds a week ago but clearly they’re not that hungry. They’ve also ignored all of the sunflower seeds in the feeder, so I won’t be bothering to put any more food out for them for a while. I suspect they’re all gorging on the abundance of wild berries I’ve seen hanging off nearby shrubs and bushes.

Despite my best efforts with weed-killer  ivy is making an unwelcome return behind one of the compost bins. Another dose of pesticide may well nip it in the bud but I shan’t hold my breath. This may well be the last of this years gardening chores before the proper winter weather keeps me indoors glued to the radiators until the spring…

NOVEMBER 18, 2012 

Blue Skies and Butterflies...

During this unseasonally hot weather (Bank Holiday weekend and not a cloud in the sky), I’m spending more time than usual sunbathing (at Easter!) However, while other people’s gardens are festooned with glorious wisterias, apple blossom and lilacs, my small suburban garden looks decidedly green. The forsythia has long since lost it’s yellow blooms and the polyanthus flowers had to be culled as they looked well past their ‘display by’ date. Tescos are dragging their heels regarding providing me (and everyone else) with a decent supply of bedding plants, and therefore the only splashes of colour come courtesy of any passing wildlife, like this male holly blue…

APRIL 23, 2011 

Pretty Polys...

After a dreary March, although allegedly one of the driest on record, the polyanthus are now coming on a treat, especially now I’ve been outside and watered them! The sun is now out and it definitely feels very summery in the garden. Still waiting for Tescos to hurry up and get hold of their bedding plants so I can begin transforming my small suburban garden into a geranium / petunia / lobelia heaven, but hopefully I won’t have to wait too much longer…

APRIL 8, 2011