3rd november

The gales and frost have moved on for now leaving such devastation, so have now put the Dahlias and the Begonias to bed, well moved into the greenhouse, will prune again in a couple of days.
My son has bubble wrapped the greenhouse for me so all is cosy in there.
Must say the Fuschias survived very well, they are really tuff little devils, yet look so delicate.
I never cease to be amazed as to how much all the shrubs grown in one season. Fortunately Alan the Gardener who comes each year to cut them all back takes everything away, bonfires are a no go .
I do not like the garden at this time, tidy it may, be but so dull, just green with the odd flower, Roll on spring.
I am now busy planning next years display, I have enough seeds and hopefully tubers to start a shop, will start them all in February as usual.

Just removed the Tomato plants and have quite a few fruit left to use up, also the Peppers, which have done so well, will grow again next year.
The  yellow Dwarf Alstomeria are still in full flower in the front garden, the new pink ones maybe need a year or two to settle down, we will see.

The mahonia are in flower and a joy as they are just outside my kitchen window.

Tuesday 16th
The second round of gales have torn down the climbing Rose and completely wrecked the Cotoneaster, we have had to cut it back leaving just enough to hopefully restart next Spring.
 Makes you wonder if it is all worthwhile all the hard work ruined.
Have started clearing some of the Summer plants and pots, and just managed to cram everything into the green bin. have been looking at some of the advert for composters```1 really do not have any space for a heap.

Autumn is finally here, and the dreadful gales really decimated the Dinner Plate dahlias or so I thought, but my constant deheading has paid off as they are now in flower again thank goodness though not quite as large.
Overall things have done well in particular the shrubs, lord have they grown
The back corner has really thrived, must admit I watered well, thank goodness for the water barrels. Must admit this corner pleases me as in the winter it is very plain, must do something about it.

Very disappointed with the Marigold seeds I collected last year in Scotland, they were supposed to be cream about 10 inches high, sadly ended up being very tall and yellow, ah well that will teach me a lesson!!!
The Sun flowers and Rudbeckia I will grow again, friends I gave seedlings to have asked for more next year.
As ever the Majestic Begonia have excelled, though I know some think I have far to many, you really do have a problem walking from the Patio into the garden, but who cares-I'm happy. The Fuschia never let me down, will add to them again for next year.
The grass is so amazing after being burned to cinder is now really good. I never call it a lawn as it really is only grass.
The Sungold Tomato is as ever in top form and I am still picking. My son bought me some Yellow Pepper plants and they are been a success, I use them a lot so will repeat next year plus some cucumber and Chilly peppers.

10 July

Well everywhere is looking good in the back Garden now except the new Begonias, at least its not just me as a couple of friends are as disappointed as I am with theirs.
The Petunias really seem to like my baking hot Patio as do the  Yellow Asiatic Lilies. Glad something likes this heat, I know I do not, just not coping with it. Still it makes me get up very early to go in the garden for half an hour!! whilst its cooler.
The John Downey crab apple has a great crop, so Crab apple jelly for one and all in sept,
Have given up on the grass, no use wasting water.
So far the application of Vinegar and salt on the block paving is working a treat no weeds!!!.

The dwarf  alstomeria in the front  as ever never let me down, would that the new ones were as good.

26th June
Well at  last have had both Cataracts removed and a great result.  except waiting for reading glasses, the long vision is really excellent, but as I was warned the short vision needs help and had to wait weeks for the consultant to sign me off and give me a script for reader and Computer glasses. Still now very worth the wait even if it in all took 2 months for both eyes, must not complain. The only problem I can now see the weeds.
The cuttings this year have been very slow like most folks but catching up nicely now they are hardened off and in the sun.
The biggest disappointment is for the second year my Mop Head Hydrangea is not flowering, it normally is covered. Reflecting I think it may be my fault I changed my feeding plan and in fact haven't fed as often as usual. Since Jack died I have let things go some what. so am trying now to put things right.
I had also changed  the fertiliser I had always used, big mistake, so am going back to the tried and tested, in my light sandy soil feeding is paramount. Oh well lesson learnt.
The other thing that is a disappointment, I bought some dwarf Alstroemeria last year and of the 8 only 2 have survived, such a shame as they were lovely and were intended to help me cut down on the planting of that front bed!!! live and learn.
Still battling on with that so and so ground elder, looks like I shall dig up my plants and replace the soil there in the Autumn or so I am informed.!! At least I now know where it is comming from and can hopefully deal with it.

24th April

After a glorious week we are back to the cold again, ah well we should just expect it.
Everywhere is looking so good now, all the spring flowers give me such a lift after the long winter.

The greenhouse is very full of seedlings, beginning to wonder where I will put them, fortunately I have friends happy to help out.
Sadly the begonia seeds impregnated in paper, Scott bought,  don' t seem to want to grow, no idea why.

The Begonia tubers are also struggling, just 8 showing from 20 tubers from last year !!!! hoping they are just late.
 I have just tried the Vinegar and salt recipe on the driveway, very hopeful it is working. That block paving looks so good when weed free, just a lot of work and expense trying to keep it weed free, hence the trial of vinegar and salt, if its true  it will stop regrowth!!!

Life is now getting back to normal (Whats normal she asks} after the first of my Cataract removals, can't speak highly enough of the care I received. Did not realise how bad my vision was until now.

Does anyone have a cure for Ground Elder?? I am getting it from next door, any help would be much appreciated.

13 Feb

Well I know it doesn't feel like it but Spring is on the way, leastways I feel it is.
The spring bulbs are now showing, seeing the snowdrops and Crocus  makes my heart a little lighter, I really am beginning to hate winter.
Even The Rhubarb is showing signs of life thank goodness. Last backend the first main root died, so was a little worried about the second root, fortunately they are at opposite worried ends of the garden.
Have now sown the seeds in the greenhouse and brought the Begonias into the light and warmth of the greenhouse from the garage, to  hopefully wake them, they gave such a great display last year here's hoping they will be as good this year.
Am heading towards more perennials than shrubs I find them easier to look after, must say this old age thing is not to be recommended, really stops my gallop.