Summer ending

Most of my hanging baskets have survived a very dry summer as I watered them every few days. But I made the mistake of thinking the rain that has been falling heavily for the last few days would suffice. And because I have trouble negotiating around the yard I haven’t done any watering! Big mistake. Because I had two hanging baskets hung underneath another two baskets. Usually when I water the top ones the water runs into the bottom ones, but then I also do the lower ones to make sure they are thoroughly wet. The rain just didn’t penetrate and the two lower baskets are now badly wilted. I doubt they will be able to recover as the nights are getting cooler and the growing season is almost over. They have also gone to seed. Drat!

But the photo shows one of the healthy ones…. If only I’d done the watering!

Passion flower

At a local garden centre I saw this lovely passion flower. Mine has died off so I will have to plant a new one.

My Parkinsons is playing up this weekend and I haven’t been out. All my limbs are shaking and aching and I’m having to hang on to my phone hard to stop it jiggling all over the place.

I would like to go out and do some gardening, but there have been loads of heavy showers and I don’t feel stable enough on my feet. Tomorrow a lot of things need doing and I hope I feel a bit better by then.

In the garden

Bulging with plants

I have to say I’m amazed at how the back garden plants are growing. There have been some casualties from the heat, some plants have wilted while others have thrived. My photos are all a bit blurry, I need to clean my phone lens, but it gives you an idea of how well it’s done. But I’m praying for rain. X

Petunia or Surfinias?

Double flowers, pretty but not good for bees, I have a lot more open flowers. Much better for insects. My garden is looking lovely.

Sometimes called petunias or Surfinias, these plants get covered in flowers in the summer. I think these flowers look like the dresses of Spanish dancers, skirts flying to the music of the Flamenco. So exuberant.

Part done…

My birthday treat, hanging baskets up, some plants on the wall. I still need to empty some pots that have weeds in and do the rest of the wall and on the ground. Sometimes I will place pots on top of other pots that have soil in them so they get more light and the roots can grow down into the lower pot. Possible further plants I want are trailing lobelia, fushias, pelargoniums, nemesia, montbrecia, busy lizzies, sweet peas and oriental poppies.

I have a hosta in flower, lilies that are away from where the cats can go (it’s pollen is poisonous to them), a hydrangea, Welsh poppies. I also have an apple tree that my hubby put in that I’m trying to trail horizontally against the fence.

My main concern is the garden is very shaded now as my neighbour has put an 8 foot fence in. I’m hoping the shelter it offers will create a microclimate and allow the plants to last well into the autumn.

Garden maintenance

Wish I’d taken a “before” photo. In the past my back yard would have already been a riot of colour. But age and infirmity have made it difficult to get out there and garden.

But my kind friends Lin and Twiggy  came round and gave me a couple of hours of their time. Weeds removed, pots emptied ivy cut back, apple tree tied onto the fence. It’s still in need of sorting but it’s getting there!

Might be done in a couple of weeks all being well. Me? I’m knackered!