Despite the endless rain and cold temperatures, garden jobs are gradually getting done around here.
I made a real schoolgirl error with my Apothecary, I moved everything in and gave no thought to the floor whatsoever, apart from adding a few mats. Over the last few months I’ve noticed the floor getting muddier and muddier. For some strange reason I didn’t think the dogs would want to go in there. I couldn’t have been more wrong! So, I’ve had to clear everything out and scrub the floor before giving it several coats of varnish. What a pain that was, thankfully, the mud came off easier than expected and it’s looking more like it’s former self again.
Sadly, we’ve had to take a huge pine tree down in the courtyard as it was becoming unstable. The space looks quite bare and messy now but at least the cordylines are more visible. I will have to clear all the detritus and dead cordyline leaves and plant some shrubs and bulbs there.
When we had the hut built a frame of wood was left over. I’ve been wondering what to do with it and finally decided to bolt it to the raised beds in the courtyard. I’ve added some hanging baskets to grow tumbling tomatoes in, and topped it with wrought iron screw in birds, all in all I’m rather pleased with it.
These raised beds are currently full of autumn sown garlic, onions and shallots which have grown well over winter, despite the awful weather.
I’ve also sown lots of vegetable and herb seeds in the greenhouse, some of which are already beginning to germinate.
I don’t know if anyone remembers my Victoria plum tree suddenly dying off a few years ago in the courtyard. A sapling grew from the root which is now smothered in blossom. I doubt I’ll get any fruit this year but maybe in a few years from now.
Annie has taken to digging the most enormous holes of late, as fast as I fill one another two appear! I’ve decided to leave a few as she likes to sit in them. Hopefully she’ll be happy with this arrangement and my plants will be left alone!
I’ve planted three climbing roses by the apothecary, [in the grey planter] they are white, pink and pale apricot. I’m hoping they fly up and cover the roof, time will tell. I do miss the beautiful climbers I had growing through the old apple tree.
Littl’urchin turned five recently, struth, where did that go! While having lunch in a pub, a couple walked in with a large, unrestrained macaw. I cannot describe how thrilled she was to have it perch on her arm. I love the way they are looking at each other here, all those sideways eyes! The bird is called Rosy and is 24 years old. She also talks and is especially fond of saying hello, and of course she perched on me too. It sure was hard for us to drag ourselves away!
And Finally…
have you ever felt as though you’re living in the Matrix? I swear it was five thirty for a good half hour the other day!
Until next time, take care guys.xxx
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I always look forward to a new post from you. The garden is constantly evolving and there is no lack of creativity on your side. That tomato frame looks wonderful – especially with the birds on top.
Your dogs’ antics make me smile – often undoing the work you have put in. But you just take it all in your stride !
And past but not least, that parrot. What a beauty ! And how lovely that he decided to perch on your granddaughter’s arm. Never a dull moment.
Loved your post and a fun look at photos and sweet one of Littl’urchin with her parrot friend. Happy weekend to you.
Great to read your post Dina, and always glad to see what you have done in the garden, even thought the weather is up and down, at least you are heading for spring/summer!
Wow I can’t believe your granddaughter is five!! Not that I should say that, as my granddaughter is turning seven this year! Well, seeing such a big and colourful parrot would have been an exciting event for Littl’urchin, and she’s grandmother’s daughter being happy to have the parrot sitting on her shoulder…. she’ll be out there rescuing animals before you know it!
Best wishes for more happy gardening Dina.
Good post and lovely pictures.
Glad to see that you got the Apothecary floor sorted without too much trouble. Shame abouit the pine, but better that than having it topple. Well done on getting various jobs done despite the weather.
The picture with Littl’urchin and the macaw has me smiling.
Yes, I do at times. Thanks, and you too. xx
What a splendid post, filled with ‘pretties’ and surprises. That photo of Lil’Urchin (not so little any more) and the macaw is wonderful. I like your blackbirds all lined up in a row, too; they’re less likely to nip! (I once had an unfortunate experience with a cockatoo.) You’ve done so much good work, even if the pups are given to digging in here and there. At least they didn’t find a way to dig through the apothecary floor. I wonder if they dig for the same reason they like to go in there: for the coolness. I used to know when summer was coming because Dixie Rose would begin curling up in a large ceramic bowl that belonged to a chamber set. In the same way, she’d leave it for cozier surroundings as the weather began to cool. Animals have their ways!
The hanging basket frame is a great idea – love it? What a strange pet to take to the pub, luckily it wasn’t one of thise bad-tempered macaws. I’d have been worried that it would fly off.
I’m sure the dogs think the apothecary is a nice cosy refuge.
Wow, how did Littl’urchin get to be so big?! Time certainly does fly. I love your new frame; especially with the cut out birds – ingenious. I have Tuesday set aside for sowing my seeds this week. I’m not looking forward to squelching my way down to the greenhouse; it’s bad enough pegging the washing out, the ground is so sodden. I’m looking forward to seeing your climbing roses do their thing. I’m sure with your green fingers they will be covering the apothecary in no time. xx
It sounds like it’s all go in the garden at the moment, such a busy time of year as the gardening season gets going. What a shame you had to take the pine tree out, we’re just debating what to do with a small tree in our front garden, it looks quite dead at certain points of the year but then springs back to life. I don’t really want to take a living tree out but it looks quite awful. What a treat for your granddaughter having the macaw perch on her arm, I can’t believe she’s five already.
It’s always a treat to get a blog post from you, hear your news and see the photos of what’s happening around the garden. It looks as if everything is flourishing despite the wind and rain. I hope you get lots of tomatoes later on. Ours are still seedlings at different stages of growth on indoor window sills. That’s a great photo of your granddaughter with the parrot. 🙂
Always nice to read a post from you.
Such a shame you had to have the pine tree cut down, but we don’t always have a choice.
The blossom on the plum tree looks lovely.
Goodness! Hard to believe that Littl’urchin is five, the years fly by. I do like the photograph of her with Rosy.
Wishing you a happy month of March 🙂
All the best Jan
Oh, what joy!!! A new post from you is like a monthly vitamin shot that fills me with light, joy, and beauty to merrily carry me through whatever comes my way.
I’m always sad when we need to take a tree down; sorry that was necessary, but it’s good that other life will receive more light.
So happy to see those infant plum blooms. I hope it grows and thrives for years and years. And your creativity with that leftover frame is brilliant, Dina!!! I can’t wait to see the green and red fountain of tomatoes.
Ah! Pups and their digging. And muddy paws. You’re handling it all like the patient, loving fur-baby Mom you are. I bet the apothecary floor is gorgeous, and how wise to leave a few holes dug.
Your sweet Urchin is 5??!!! Speaking of matrixes. How cool is the macaw at a pub??? How wonderful that your sweet girl was there, and brave, and you captured this perfect photo?!
Thank you for a beautiful post. You certainly have the super power for creating sunshine and spreading it around. Love to all. XO
So much to love in this post! Those iron birds are so perfect in the perch you made for them. Here’s to hoping they keep real birds from pecking your tomatoes in that basket. California birds love tomatoes!
I do hope your apothecary floor holds up. Love love love the sign you have on its door. Good luck with the apricot tree!
Do I spy a euphorbia? I’m amazed it does so well in your climate. It, and the blooms that flank it, looks fantastic. Hurray for your plum recovering — pretty much on its own. Amazing.
And double hellebore, too. I think I just got this one. Mine is called ‘Wedding Bells’ and is just a newbie so only tiny blooms. I’m counting on its hardiness for the variety of weather we’re getting.
The mutual side-eye portrait is perfect. Do you ever get macaws in the rescue?
No, I can hardly believe Littl’urchin is five. If I had to guess, I’d say only three years have gone since you announced her arrival into the world. That time thing….
That was so darn sweet with you granddaughter and the parrot .. I’m sure there are loads of jokes that could be done with that, but I will leave that alone ! LOL .. YES ! … we are in some kind of time bubble matrix .. give it a shout out when ever you can, we might get some where ? LOL
Aw – lovely post again, Dina: you sure keep yourself busy and it’s always uplifting to read about your planting adventures and see the pictures. xx