The most darling white Clematis with Azalea, and citrus lemon/green foliage used from the garden combined with a sweet bouquet from my lovely neighbour.
Both the green and white colours are Valspar, although expensive it is such good quality. We have pretty much used their paints throughout the house in various colour schemes, and are comfortable that the quality is excellent.
Two coats were done of the green (Afternoon Nap) and the white accents (Blanc de Blancs). The white is also being used on the interior, but just one coat for a whitewash look.
Much more is going on in and around this area, which I’ll update as we go, but we need to make a decision about what to do about the steps. The concrete base will be painted with a masonry paint, and I was thinking that I might also paint the wall either side of the steps. However, there is a nice amount of lichen on it, which will be a nightmare to remove, so currently I think we will repoint the steps and then use a dark masons paint on them as a temporary fix and think about nicer steps later on.
We also need to fill in the gap between the shed base and the original brick paving with gravel, which just means clearing about debris and hauling the gravel around from the bulk bag. Now that I am on the mend I will add that job to the list. The bricks just need a power wash to clean them up a bit, rather than replace them, as I quite like their time worn appearance, it adds character, and they do not come up without a fight!
Talking of lists, I need to persuade the lovely a husband to make me a blackboard to hand on the inside of the door so that I can write the jobs down and tick off etc.as we go.
Hugs
Kay x
…and hanging out with Kevin my gargoyle.
We’ve done lots of weeding in the rear raised beds as well as clearing Magnolia petals and sweeping up the paths.I also planted a Hydrangea Paniculata Limelight that Mother in Law bought us last year. She assured me at the weekend that it was would not get too big, and I have to admit that I bunged it in taking her at her word. I should research it to make sure though as it might need to be re-sited.
Sitting up there with a cup of tea and the most delicious scent from the Citronella was bliss, but it is now a little hot, so I’ve ventured inside until later.
After my stroke the garden got away with me, but as long as I am careful and take frequent rests I am startling to do more.
The good news is that whilst I have been away my lovely Husband found time to paint the shed outside, and started painting the interior this weekend just gone - I’ll take an update of how it looks shortly.
Tomorrow will be a good day, as the oldest kid is installing a new gate and side fence - for seven years I have had to endure a rotting short gate that was tied up with rope, so I. Sure you can imagine how much I am looking forward to it.
Hugs
Kay
X
Some Hot Bin compost was added and them drills 6.5 centimetres apart and 1.5 centimetres deep were set with the table layer straight and then covered over with shop bought compost and watered in.
They can be sewn outdoors like this from March to July, and should be kept well watered and weed free. Seedlings should appear appearing between 14 to 21 days.
Harvest May to October, taking alternate onions from the rows to allow for growth etc.
I have never grow; from tape before, but is certainly easy … so let’s see how they do.
Lupine have also been sewn, I just went for ‘Russell’ mixed in memory of my dog. They can be sewn from March to June indoors, make about 1.2 metres in height, are a staple cottage garden perennial. They will flower next year (May to July), but caution they are harmful if eaten.
Hugs
Kay xx
Aquilegia Biedermeier Mixed (Columbine)
Hardy Perennial
Flowers: May to July
60 cm high / 40 cm spread
Well drained soil
Full sun
Sow indoors: cold frame or up heated greenhouse: February to June
Plant out: April to June
Sow outdoors: April to June
Germination: 21 to 42 days
Tray code: AQ
One of my all time cottage garden staples, who seem to always be happy little breeders and spreaders throughout the garden.
The installers have temporarily left site to get the glass, and so I popped outside to take a photo, and “move” with a couple of empty boxes.
It will look nicer, when painted inside and out, and dressed, but I am so excited that we are moving forward, plus it gives us much more privacy.
The hedge too is being replaced later in the year with 6 feet Laurels to block out the ugly neighbouring shed, the pew needs to be unwrapped after the Winter sleep, and I still have to weed and wash part of the brick paving.
It is so very windy here at he moment, and I was a bit disappointed to see that my temporary greenhouse has done a somersault and ripped … just as well I have another new one to hand. Of course there will be a permanent one at some point this year, but as they say, Rome was not built in a day.
The guys this morning were admiring the raised beds we had out in, which was nice to hear, and they will only improve when I plant them up properly, as last year I had not time or opportunity to to do a proper planting scheme and just popped in here and there to get things in the ground.
Hugs
Kay xx
