We often get newts and frogs in our back garden and the odd slow worm if your lucky! My mum had two of them for quite a few years – lol – that was until she left them out in the sun, then they became dead worms… Mmm not good really, but to be fair, it was an accident!

Sunday was pretty wet, but we feared not, took out our rain coats and headed into the wilderness

It did rain while we were out, but that didn’t stop us seeing plenty of wildlife… Ducks, swans and even a black swan! (They are slightly less common, but yes you even get black swans!)

I was hoping to see a ferret – I had been told that a few people had seen them hunting rabbits recently in the local fields… I am not really sure though if they were wild ferrets, as it is their breeding season at the moment and unfortunately many do escape into the wild through one reason or another, normally ending up in rescues…

We did see a few mice swimming in a small stream – I think there was a nest nearby, because there were a few of them in succession!

A few steps further …

There are so many beautiful flowers in the wild – natures back garden can be truely wonderful… I just love Daisies… Don’t you?

As a child we used to make daisy chains for my sister… She also loves daisies!

Anyway, thought I’d share this with you – our walk was really pleasant – a real treat for a sunday afternoon!

Until next time…

Arrivederci

Big ones, small ones, wide ones, thin ones…

The list below helps to demonstrate how many this is:

1. Guardian Lion statues
2. Cat statues
3. Angel statues
4. Fairy Statues
5. Gargoyles
6. People statues
7. Head statues
8. Indian God / Goddess statues
9. Disney statues
10. Crocodile statues
11. Small animal statues
12. Deer statues
13. Statues with top-mounted water bowls
14. Swan and other bird statues
15. Otter statues
16. Buddha statues
17. Children statues
18. Stone water fountain statues
19. Garden gnomes (although not strictly a statue)

I am sure that there are probably many more that could be listed, but these are ones I have chosen!

Some cool garden gnome pics

Some cool gargoyle pics

There are a few things that can be done to ensure that your plants do not die – at worst you may experience wilting, but death should become a thing of the past…

1. A good idea is to heavily water your plants before you go
2. Try to plant your plants in the ground
3. If pots are used, be aware that the roots will only extend as deep as the pot – if the plants are in the ground, then the roots should always be able to find water

Pot Plants

If you are using pots for some or all of your plants and do not want your plants to die over a holiday period, or a period of absence, then there is something you can do…

The following diagram demonstrates how this can be achieved!

Steps that are taken:

1. Get your plant (remove original pot if required)
2. Place capillary rope inside the pot with a small amout of soil to hold in place
3. Put plant in centre of pot (on top of rope)
4. fill rest of pot with additional soil
5. Place the rope in a bucket of water (bucket must be positioned at a lower point than the pot)
6. Soak the rope with water and then cover the visible rope with a plastic bag (this helps to prevent the rope that is exposed to the air, from drying out)
7. Now leave to work

You may still experience the odd plant dying, but most should be saved!

When I have employed this method, I admit; I have had the odd plant die on me, but in most cases the worst I have experienced is severe wilting…

As a tip! When returning from any break (if using the capillary method) then a dose of water should be given immediately to your plants, so as to replenish them… (Don’t soak them – check if they need it prior to watering them)

Hope this is useful?

Arrivederci!

With country surrounds, broxbourne is truely a cool place to live!

I went to visit my parents a few weeks back, my Dad was doing the gardening and required another bag of compost – he was was laying the flower beds, ready for this summer…

I took a drive over to the Chime Centre – the garden centre had gone! Why was I not told!

In fact, there was a new garden centre – due to be open soon (i was told), but not open yet… Mmm.. Not good news for me

There are a few shops now in the place of the old Chime garden centre – a granite worktops supplier and factory, a dog grooming clinic, a flower shop and a fireplace showroom. Wow! How the place has changed eh!

The granite worktop supplier also supply stones for garden patios – it’s interesting what you find on your travels eh? I needed my garden patio resurfacing and they were willing to give me a good price (theres always a reason I go to places) And they did too!

Anyway, I did get my compost! I ended up getting it from the Van Hage garden centre – i did have to travel a little further, but hey I got what I needed in the end!

I say in the end – lol – my dad had packed up and gone in for tea by the time I returned with his mud

Just thought I’d share this thought with you all…

Ciao!

Plants come in all shapes and sizes!

The Venus Fly Trap pictured above, is not a garden plant - well not a plant that would grow in a British garden anyhow…

Little shops selling these horrors, should stay little in my opinion… Otherwise we might find ourselves in a scene from Day of the Triffids

Types of Plants

Plants can be sub-divided into the following categories:

• Annuals
• Biennials
• Perennials
• Shrubs
• Flowering and Ornamental Trees
• Climbers
• Bulbs

Annuals – These are plants that live for a period of a year or less. They include plants such as; basil, petunias and salvias to name a few…

Biennials – From the name you could probably have guessed, they are plants that have a life span of two years, from seed to when they finally die… An example of this type of plant would be the foxglove!

Perennials – These plants generally take a few years to start flowering, after which, they carry on flowering for years. Examples of perennials, include; geraniums, Nile lily and lavender.

Shrubs – Shrubs tend to be small and normally have many stems, this is one of the aspects, which differentiate them from trees – shrubs include; sage, spotted laurel and magnolia.

Flowering and Ornamental Trees – exactly as their name suggests, they are trees used for decoration, although quite a number bear edible fruits - examples include; the apple tree, the cherry tree and the pear tree!

Climbers – These plants are those commonly seen attached to the side of houses, walls or even other trees and plants – they include; Ivy, winter jasmine and the wisteria plant!

Bulbs – bulbs are easy to grow and beautiful to see! They are planted below the surface and their flowers push their way to the surface before blooming. Types of bulb include; tulips, bluebells and daffodils!

In my next article, I will be discussing a number of plants in much closer detail, examining where they could fit into your garden!

Until we next meet…

No sir!

Keep posted to see how our garden grows!

Byeee!