#14 - Valspar does the trick

 

… and moves up one step closer to a nicer space.

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

#13 - Back in the game

 …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

#12 - more seeds and mutant Brussels

 

The mutant Brussel Sprouts have been pulled up.  They were not my finest veg, as I only attempted to grow them for the first time last year … we will gloss over the purple Sprouting Broccoli for now and just focus on moving forward.  I learnt a lot with this crop like, staking them early on, and probably de-budding being a strong contender to eliminate over crowding on the stalk.  None of which statements are grounded in actual research, but seem intuitive.  

The staking as they fall all over the place, and the stems are not at all flexible, And the de-budding as the individuals were too tightly paid in and were a nightmare to remove at harvesting.  

 Clean, I need to do more detailed reading on growing them,  it they were tasty, tasty, very, very tasty.  We ate a lot at Christmas time.

In their place we have opted for David Domoney Spring Onion ‘White Lisbon’ seed tape by Mr Fothergills.

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

#11 - Let the seed starting begin

 

The first ones of the season, Mr Fothergill’s:

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.

#10 - Getting ahead … new shed

 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

#9 - Rosemary surface cleaner

Time to make another batch of surface cleaner, although this time I’m using my own Rosemary sprigs rather than sprigs from the supermarket.

The original receipt came from the Back to Blighty YouTube Channel.  If you are interested in knitting, spinning, weaving, with a sprinkle of gardening, roller blading and Morris Dancing thrown in, then Becky is your girl.

You just throw the sprigs in a jar (I add a slice of lemon too), and top up to the rim with white vinegar.  Shake every day for a month, then take out the greenery and fruit and pop in a spray bottle to use as surface cleaner, that is eco friendly with no nasty chemicals for the smallest amount of effort.

I’m also going to research whether it would be safe/beneficial to add a drop of tea tree, and will report back on that.

Hugs

Kay xx

#8 - Between the cracks

 Perfect Spring weather.

Today’s been all about moving forward in readiness for the shed, so I have been weeding and sweeping the brick pavers.  I added white vinegar to a couple of test areas to see if it works to kill the weeds.  From doing some quick research adding table soap and washing up liquid increases the efficacy, so if works I will make up a batch and keep it in a spray bottle to use at will.

The other half is yet to do, but I’m sure you will agree, it’s bad ...

In the week I will move the chais and get down to, I might need a hand with the table. Once done I can jet wash off.

I’m off to do some research on sentry sheds.

I hope you have had a good weekend, and managed to get out in the garden or nature.

Hugs

Kay xx