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Gardening

Find tips and tricks to make your garden or allotment flourish on our Gardening forum.

Original poster

I cried with joy this morning

130 replies

Whiskycav · 20/07/2021 07:01

So, this is the first year I have done my own gardening. Exh used to do it all, but he was an abusive twunt. I now live in a small terrace hour with my 2 kids. For the first few years I just moved the lawn and left it.

As I have been working from home, I have been less exhausted and more inclined to be in the garden on an evening. Then kids said they missed the sunflowers they used to grow.

So this year we made an attempt at it I have never been had green fingers, so didn't expect much. We are also isolating at the moment. I just let the dog out and one of my red ones has bloomed and some of the yellow ones have. I was so happy I cried.

The giant one reached 9 feet but hasn't bloomed yet.

I can't wait to show the kids but they are asleep so I thought I would share them here.

I cried with joy this morning
I cried with joy this morning
I cried with joy this morning
OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
Mogloveseggs · 20/07/2021 07:02

That's amazing!

Weebleweeble · 20/07/2021 07:03

Wow. So big and bright.

TorchesTorches · 20/07/2021 07:04

They look great! Well done! I am a convert to gardening too, though mine took place since we bought our own house with a garden a few years ago. Planning the planting and seeding things grow is such an unexpected pleasure.

Beebumble2 · 20/07/2021 07:05

How lovely, your children will be delighted. Gardens should be happy places and sanctuary. I hope you continue on your gardening journey and come back here for any help.

giletrouge · 20/07/2021 07:07

goodness they are gorgeous - well done OP!
What are you going to grow next? Green fingers are a myth in my opinion - gardening is a lot down to luck and optimism - every gardener has things that die and fail but if you persist you'll find more and more things that do well for you, that like your garden conditions and that somehow thrive.
And growing things is SUCH a joy!

LadyLolaRuben · 20/07/2021 07:09

Beautiful 😍 my favourite flower

Fckingfuming · 20/07/2021 07:09

Your kids will be so thrilled op😃

Noluthando · 20/07/2021 07:10

Brilliant, you'll have the gardening bug now !

Tumbleweed101 · 20/07/2021 07:11

It's a very satisfying feeling. I've grown a sunflower too this year. I usually plant too late.

I cried with joy this morning
Tumbleweed101 · 20/07/2021 07:13

What variety is your one with the orange petals?

Original poster
Whiskycav · 20/07/2021 07:15

Oh wow thank you so much. I am now tearing up at your posts.....must be one of those days. I just feel so elated. Not felt like this in a long time.

I have grown calla Lillies this year. I got given it last year and it's sat in a pot. I didn't really do anything with it and it has only 2 flowers. So not sure if I have done something wrong. I was told it would double the amount it had last year. Butbit had less.

I got some dahlia tubers. Which looked like they were growing, but seemed to stop and are just twigs sticking out of the ground. Blush.

I do have a basil plant on my window ledge in the kitchen. I transplanted some cuttings and now have 4. But now idea what to do with all the basil 🤣

The sunflowers I grew from seed. Which is why I am amazed something happened. Grin

I will definitely be frequenting this board. I took a break from MN earlier this year, so never came here when I was starting. I want a day off to go to the garden centre. There's got to be something something else I can do this year.

And I could plan next year. Have colour in the garden. Not just the decking and grass is just so beautiful. I am a definitely convert.

And yes, green fingers might by a myth. But my exh told me I wasn't touching the garden as I killed everything. So I didn't think it was a 'thing'. Blush

Again, thank you so much.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whiskycav · 20/07/2021 07:15

@Tumbleweed101

It's a very satisfying feeling. I've grown a sunflower too this year. I usually plant too late.
Absolutely stunning! 😍
OP posts:
Original poster
Whiskycav · 20/07/2021 07:19

@Tumbleweed101

What variety is your one with the orange petals?
Honestly I am not sure. I did plant some red sunflowers. But was 100% sure that, that one was a giant yellow sunflower.

But given its colour I am assuming it's these ones I got from amazon last year and planted earlier this year

I cried with joy this morning
OP posts:
RickOShay · 20/07/2021 07:19

They are beautiful, well done you.
There’s definitely stuff you can do this year. I threw down cornflower seeds last autumn, and I have lots of lovely flowers now. Also plant bulbs.
Wishing you joy with your life and garden, remember everything he said was about him, not you. Listen to your voice now, not his. FlowersFlowers

LemonViolet · 20/07/2021 07:21

Beautiful! Looks lovely against the pergola/fence as well.

Not only is this a gardening success for you OP, it represents you and your DC blooming in your new independent life as well. You quite rightly must feel so proud of all that you’ve achieved.

Gardening is such great therapy, I’ve wanted to garden for years but lived in flats, I had a balcony, an allotment that I never quite had enough time for - this is the first year I have my own proper garden, and I really get it now, yes sanctuary is the word. This is the best time of day I think, first thing in the summer, the gentle light of the sunrise, before it gets too hot, and you have the world to yourself for a bit.

Enjoy!

giletrouge · 20/07/2021 07:24

He spoke bollocks OP. You've got these magnificent sunflowers to prove it.

You could buy a couple of shrubs - right thing in the right place stick'em in and they're there for years and years. Flowers, foliage...I'm excited for you!

OhRosalind · 20/07/2021 07:35

Congratulations they are lovely! I hope your DC are thrilled and proud.

An obvious suggestion for the basil but fresh pesto is delicious and also freezes well.

Some people seem to have green fingers (my mum, not me unfortunately) but even those people have lots of “failures”, there are so many factors beyond your control. Patience, persistence and hope are worth a lot. Good luck and enjoy the lovely sanctuary you’ve created.

Original poster
Whiskycav · 20/07/2021 07:36

Thank you all.

It was his voice that I have heard saying 'these won't grow'. You are right. I thought I had got passed that. Maybe that's why I cried. It's another time I can see that his words weren't true.

He did infact talk bollocks.

And yes, it's like a physical representation of how we are blooming. Since I left him, I have got myself out of the dent he left me in, my career has taken off and I have a decent amount of money instead of it all going on bills. My house is decorated how I want.

The pandemic has been shit, don't get wrong. But it's like this year is the year we are really getting past, the past.

Again thank you all so much. You are such lovely people and you have made my day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whiskycav · 20/07/2021 07:39

@OhRosalind

Congratulations they are lovely! I hope your DC are thrilled and proud.

An obvious suggestion for the basil but fresh pesto is delicious and also freezes well.

Some people seem to have green fingers (my mum, not me unfortunately) but even those people have lots of “failures”, there are so many factors beyond your control. Patience, persistence and hope are worth a lot. Good luck and enjoy the lovely sanctuary you’ve created.

Pesto is a great idea. I don't have pine nuts, but do have everything else. Once we aren't isolating (ds tested positive) I will get some and give it ago.

Thank you Smile

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SmugglersHaunt · 20/07/2021 07:50

They look great! I’ve never managed them myself

giletrouge · 20/07/2021 07:52

Pesto is a recipe that can be easily adapted - not purist but you can really make it with any kind of nut. I've made walnut and almond pesto. Don't let your lovely basil go to waste! It's also lovely just shredded with garlic and olive oil on pasta. And nice in soups, salads. Just use it like you'd use parsley?

APipkinOfPepper · 20/07/2021 07:57

Those are lovely! I bet the children love them

Original poster
Whiskycav · 20/07/2021 07:58

@giletrouge

Pesto is a recipe that can be easily adapted - not purist but you can really make it with any kind of nut. I've made walnut and almond pesto. Don't let your lovely basil go to waste! It's also lovely just shredded with garlic and olive oil on pasta. And nice in soups, salads. Just use it like you'd use parsley?
Oh, I will have a look in our cupboards. My daughter loves pesto so it's something to do with them, to stave off boredom.

That's all I used it for......topping food and in a tomato sauce. Which is why I am Iver run. I do love it though. Even just to sniff. Not bad to say the original cost me 50p from aldi Grin

I can't seem too dry it very well. I did try that.

OP posts:
PingedThroughTheWall · 20/07/2021 08:02

Well done OP!

If you're thinking ahead, my biggest lockdown gardening revelation as a newbie gardener was spring bulbs! Last autumn I went mad and dug in loads of daffs, tulips, crocuses. Had no idea what I was doing. But ended up with the most beautiful spring display this year.

Bulbs are amazing, you just stick them in the ground and done, no skill required! imagine you're burying the ex

Enjoy your lovely sunflowers! 🌻

RickOShay · 20/07/2021 08:11

Thought of basil, mozzarella and tomato salad. Eaten in the garden of course Smile