Getting there......with Geraniums!

We are getting there - the bank holiday weekend saw both of us working our socks off in the garden. A good hot bath was definitely the way to end the mammoth sessions and the front garden is coming along.

At this time of year the supermarkets often have some bargains, so a few weeks ago I bought some reduced geraniums for a fraction of the normal price. I have added some nasturtium seeds which are now growing through.

I have bought some plug plants for my dry stone wall - 3rd along is "Green Gables".

There are some Geraniums in the wall too, these come every year and add a colourful splash to the wall.

I have been using some pebbles at the side of the drive, at the bottom of the wall. This is an area the hens love to scrat about in, often flicking the gravel under the garage , making it difficult to open the doors, this should stop this. I think it finishes the wall well and as moss grows over the pebbles by this time next year things should look even better.

This is the part of the drive I have to finish.

Of course I was being watched by Eva who had nipped through the fence for her morning walk!

Sadie checks over a geranium for the photograph!

Thank you Sadie - beautiful.

Back to the GRINDSTONE for me! Watch this space.

My G contribution for ABC Wednesday - focussing on the Nesbitt garden challenge - and boy what a challenge it is. Follow the link on my sidebar for more fun.

F is for Front Garden/lawn

The front part of our garden is my next task! On Sunday after asking questions and reading up on the matter it became apparent that our ornamental cherry tree is dead. I can't remember if there were any leaves on it last year, but there aren't any this year and the branches keep snapping off in the wind. The blue tits nest here every year so we'll have to think of something to replace it. The lifespan of such a tree would appear to be between 20 and 25 years. I have seen 1950's photographs of the front garden and bold as brass is a young ornamental cherry tree - so I think it has done well. Jon will be dealing with it - logs etc but we need to think about the blue tits.

 

 

 

Looking out from the kitchen window in the middle of the front hedge is where the original gate was to the house. Our house is an ex-police house so the gate would lead visitors to the police office situated at the back of the house - now part of our lounge.

 

 

 

We had the turf laid to make it more lawn mower friendly.

 

Jon made the bird bath for mum. This area is now one I am making into a little piece of paradise for bird visitors. We aren't sure what the "trees" are but they are an ideal place to hang feeders etc. Notice Eva making an appearance!

 

 

 

The pond at the far right of the photograph is a project all to itself. Originally we had it built for the geese. It's a sloping gradient to a depth of about 50cm. I have been doing my research about ponds and thanks to an Alan Titmarsh programme I found out we don't need a pump, self oxygenating plants will keep the water clear and we will add various plants. I am experimenting with a small pond idea in a little barrel. All seem to be getting along fine. I'll keep a close look out and if all continues well we will use these plants in the large pond.

 

 

 

 

In front of the bird interest area is the area where the gate was and this is what I want to transform.

 

The borders want sorting too - I am going to be very busy.

 



 

 

To the left of the area is a holly "tree". It was the same height as the hedge some 23 years ago but as the birds love it so much we have allowed it to grow. 

 

I am not sure how long this is going to take me - but I am on the case. Being realistic I may have something to share by the letter L...could be "L for Look at this then!"

Watch this space!
My F take on the ABC of the Nesbitt garden projects!

Beautiful begonias.

E is for Enterprising.

We have had a few rainy days so I used the opportunity to do some pottering in the greenhouse. A couple of plant offers were a crime not to miss so I was excited to plant up my purchases. However - being the enthusiastic list maker/organiser I am - the plants were labelled accordingly,for approaching planting plans. Sadly - being the blonde that I am one label was positioned in such a way the writing faded in the sun! I can however identify the plants by some research, ie checking the invoice, Echinacea Primadonna 'Rosea' was the plant, together with catmint, salvia and phlox.

I have been browsing some seed catalogues too and will sit down and make a detailed plan of the various ideas and thoughts I have for the garden - but whilst the weather is okay I will continue working outside. I have been working on the dry stone wall -

Here is a before and after....just a small preview! The hens use this wall to get into the field next door to our drive - hence the chippings being flicked onto the drive. I have counted about 20 alpine plants which I have planted into the wall - plenty room for some more, infact I bought another 4 today! Rude not to!

Needless to say once the gals detected I was weeding they came along to help!

Looking back on just one week I can see my EFFORTS are paying off, or should that be our efforts, myself and the gals....egg production is up too!

E, for Enterprising, ABC Wednesday.

Delightful

I told you I had plans for the poor little hanging basket I rescued from Asda! A week on and it's delightful!

 

I know my chickens are popular, so I thought I would share a DAY with the gals.

 

 

8am or thereabouts they greet the world. Olwyn always first to leave the front door. 

 

 Early morning food search - grubs etc. together with the grain I put out for them.

 

 

Like tourists make a bee-line for favourite sun loungers, so the girls have their favourite sun bathing spots. The cool hedge being a big hit!

 

 

Some, like Eva prefer the privacy of the shrubs.

 

Even if it's raining the girls love to search for grubs - the rain always brings them to the surface.

 

 

 

We discourage them from sitting on the roof but they have sat there before.

 

 

After a morning of sunbathing and food expeditions lunchtime brings home the worker and that means treats! A cheese scone in this case.

 

 

Serious business....egg laying. Each girl has her preferred time to return to the henhouse.

 

 

 

 

Whilst we are having glorious weather the all important dustbath!

 

As the afternoon passes the girls explore the field next to the house - usually for a couple of hours.

 



Being independent after a supper of golden rice ( a particular favourite) they make their way to bed. 

 

 

I lock the door and they give me one last glance through the window before settling down for the night.

      Delightful!

My DAYS have been very busy in the garden and I am so pleased with the progress.

 

Have a good day and watch this space.

 

D, for ABC Wednesday - through my garden which has to feature the gals.