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"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." This month's discussion in the potting shed.

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MyNightWithMaud · 22/03/2015 19:40

Grateful thanks to the magnificent Margaret Atwood (via A Mighty Girl) for the quote.

I have just come indoors after a delightful couple of hours' pottering in the garden. It's far warmer than yesterday and everything feels optimistic and vernal again, after yesterday's Arctic blast.

High point: Realising that most of last year's cuttings have taken. Given that I am useless with seeds this, I think, is my propagating future.

Low point: Realising that my newest fairy lights have already failed.

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MyNightWithMaud · 01/05/2015 17:48

That all sounds delightful, funnyperson.

I have been to buy sandpaper and have been rubbing down the tea trolley that is about to be upcycled to become my potting bench. It feels, though, like rain so the painting might not happen tomorrow.

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Bearleigh · 01/05/2015 18:00

Three breakfasts?? Then tea in the garden. Fabulous. And impressive.

Good luck with Millie, and what a sweet little white cat. Everyone seems very busy, and there are some lovely photos. I must take a picture of my quince blossom- the flowers are so blowsy, in a subtle way, and I love them: hope the frosts haven't caught them - I haven't been in the garden to look, the last few days.

funnyperson · 01/05/2015 18:39

Well, a breakfast at 6.30 am, after madrigals at dawn, of coffee and croissant, then a breakfast at 8.30 am, after Morris dancing and the Green Man and Highland dancing and the Horn of Plenty band, and more madrigals, of Welsh rarebit, asparagus, red onion, mushrooms and french beans, with orange juice, to the sound of a fiddler playing jigs, and then another breakfast at 10 ish am of toast, eggs, and coffee again.

I blame Tolkein.

funnyperson · 01/05/2015 18:40

Tolkien, even

funnyperson · 01/05/2015 18:42

Detox tomorrow.

HumphreyCobbler · 01/05/2015 18:55

I was thinking three breakfasts = hobbits! It all sounds wonderful funnyperson.

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MyNightWithMaud · 01/05/2015 18:55

Yes, very Hobbitty eating habits!

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Blackpuddingbertha · 01/05/2015 20:22

Hobbits popped straight into my mind too when I read the three breakfasts comment!

I spent a couple of hours potting on the seedlings for the cutting patch and weeding and sowing stuff in the veg plot this afternoon.

I am loving the wild flowers in the wood end of the garden at the moment, at least in the patches where I've managed to clear some brambles & ground elder anyway. I'll put some photos up in a bit when I can get them off my phone.

No GW tonight. Sad

Blackpuddingbertha · 01/05/2015 21:25

Woodland flowers

"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." This month's discussion in the potting shed.
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." This month's discussion in the potting shed.
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." This month's discussion in the potting shed.
Blackpuddingbertha · 01/05/2015 21:26

And can someone please tell me what this is? Fell in love with it in a friend's garden. And can I take a cutting?

"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." This month's discussion in the potting shed.
HapShawl · 01/05/2015 21:29

Cerinthe? I have grown some from seed and I think it's an annual

HapShawl · 01/05/2015 21:33

Beautiful woodland too

HapShawl · 01/05/2015 21:35

Have checked now - I have cerinthe purpurascens which is an annual that self-seeds so you might be able to collect seeds from your friend's plant

Blackpuddingbertha · 01/05/2015 21:37

I think that's it but there are no annuals in her garden! (Recently moved and she is not a gardener but has inherited an amazing garden). I wonder if it acts as a perennial in some conditions. Certainly google suggests that it self seeds but this would be very large and flowering early for a self-seeded plant. Shall get some seeds though, it's beautiful.

HapShawl · 01/05/2015 21:42

RHS info says it can be a perennial in some varieties (I was looking at my seed packet)

Blackpuddingbertha · 01/05/2015 22:02

I've ordered some seeds. Some clematis and hanging basket plants may also have fallen into the shopping basket...

HapShawl · 01/05/2015 22:05

Might as well. You're paying the postage anyway. You're practically saving money.

SugarPlumTree · 01/05/2015 22:07

I think if mild it can go through winter. Mine did year before last but not this year. Love the woodland flowers, they are lovely.

Rhubarbgarden · 01/05/2015 22:31

Lovely cat photo and lovely woodland photos. I enjoyed reading about Funny's May Day breakfasts celebrations! The Morris in our village did a thing up on the hill at 5am but I didn't go. Maybe next year...

We visited Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens today. It was fabulous - glorious rich colours of massive tree rhododendrons and a host of exciting and unusual plants, many of which I've never come across before. Oh and kookaburras. They had kookaburras.

Blackpuddingbertha · 01/05/2015 22:33

My thoughts exactly HapShawl Grin

HapShawl · 01/05/2015 22:39

How did I miss funnyperson's May Day frolicking? Sounds like a perfect day

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MyNightWithMaud · 01/05/2015 22:41

Oh yes, I always reckon that if I'm paying for postage I may as well stock up.

I read somewhere that cerinthe is a short-lived and tender perennial, and so is usually sold as an annual. I bought some lovely plants at last year's school fete, which I stupidly let die, so am hoping they'll have more this year.

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MyNightWithMaud · 01/05/2015 22:43

Oh and swoon at the Solomon's Seal, which is one of my favourite plants. Mine is nowhere near as advanced (and will inevitably succumb to sawfly).

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Blackpuddingbertha · 01/05/2015 23:03

I only discovered the Solomon's Seal patch last year Maud. There's loads of it this year and some popping up in other places too. I just need to keep up the fight against the ground elder to ensure it has space. It's not quite fully in flower yet, I'll post more pics for you when it is.

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MyNightWithMaud · 01/05/2015 23:09

Thank you for the promise of Solomon's Seal porn! I have two measly little clumps and a new bare root just beginning to sprout in a pot.

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