jo4eyes

Birds

Siskins maybe? J.

Hardy Fushias

H/JF the hardy varieties often do have smaller flowers IME. Oh apart from Mrs Popple that is- I assume my Dads' plant is that. Just know it withstands very cold winters in WMidlands & has done many yrs. I've got a couple now in my garden & yet more cuttings, just in case. Just call it Dad's fuschia!

I grow Greyrigg & Hawkeshead. GR definitely is hardy, came trough the last couple of winters up here. Late at restarting in spring, but very delicate white/pale pink flowers. There's a good sized shrub of it at Harlow Carr which I spotted last yr.

Hawkeshead, which has small white flowers, I did actually lose- when I didnt protect its' roots in a large pot! So I now have a new plant in the ground & several good cuttings- still in my porch! J.

Fork Handles

30mins later....... just been drooling at the webcams from the Austrian village we visit. About a foot of snow there, looks very festive on/around the log cabins in the square set up for their winter markets.

Right, next washload done- well it may dry a wee bit, no wind, but sun!

Daughter poorly again- but still wont take anything. J.

Fork Handles

Morning all.

I'm fine, but daughter on her bed with some lurgy. She wont take anything- have got all sorts for her to try- hospital very generous with their prescriptions &, probably in her case, their bugs!! Somehow dont think she'll be doing night duty tonight.......

Was planning to hoover & clean out our bedroom today, but cant now- good excuse as she's next door trying to sleep. So shall layer up & go & cut back things that have been really got by the frosts- those that need doing now that is.

Noticed the 1st cracked pot rim earlier -the 1 with the repotted HNiger, drat. Think shall have to do a real pot sort out, chuck out sometime & hope that I win or get given some garden vouchers to buy replacements.

Keep warm & snug those poorly Forkers.

Geoff- no idea yet, but you know me...... J.

What's the weather like in your area?

Brilliant sunshine & a lovely blue sky out there today.

Sharp frost last night, just above freezing out there now. Will be wrapping up very well later to go out to carry on cutting back things that have now been frosted. J.

Fork Handles

Hi Dean, another busy day again I see- do you ever stop? Hi Caz.

Just reminded OH to get our tree down from the loft. Daughter will do for us next w/end whilst me & OH away galavanting! Not quite sure where it'll live for this week. Cant move in the spare room for boxes from Dad's, the furniture, etc etc. As a 3rd bedroom it'll take a king size bed, (our sofa bed became one) so a good size but a dumping ground for everything on & around the single in there now. Another job for the colder non gardening months.....

The boiler has just made a new noise !! OH hopes to get chance tomorrow to contact the manufacturer......It's actually not fired up at the mo as temp reached the set level. OH just going to bleed all the radiators again. Am almost wondering if we shouldnt have stuck with the elderly one...... Just think of reduced gas bills Jo & I think we're warmer?

Right, am signing off early to try & do those 'b' cards!! I hope box is taping that Hidcote prog....Dont watch Xfactor either Bjay, nor decorate the house now daughter all grown up, very boring here.J.

What's for tea?

We're having sausage casserole, using veggie lincolnshire sausages. An old student days recipe. No pudding planned as we've all been snacking on the previous baking!

OH & daughter had made frangipani mince pies this afternoon! They're very nice, but I shall be doing my usual ones, with homemade mincemeat later this week. Pastry is a labour of love for me. My Mum's was wonderful, even my MIL said so! J.

Fork Handles

I have another few minutes before need to add peas to the casserole in the oven. Keep snacking on OH's frangipani mincepies!! They are nice, but what's wrong with bog standard ones?

Ok peas in. Another old student days recipe, adapted using vegetarian sausages- not the quorn ones-ugh. I like the quorn mince for shepherds' pie but not the sausages....

I had been just about to clean our bedroom when friend arrived. Luckily daughter is going out tomorrow before starting nights, so I shall be able to hoover then as rest of week no chance...

Wandering outside earlier with some washing noticed lots of things now 'gone' over. Oh well any chance this week I'll get out there to finish off cutting back. My borders never look tidy though....... J.

Hardy Fushias

All of my hardy fuschias have been frosted now. They're at the stage of having dying leaves still hanging on. I know it infuriates me them looking like that, but after the next frost a stiff wind will blow them all off.

In the spring you'll notice regrowth lower down on the stems. That's where you cut back. If you've do it too early the new growth can also get frosted. Yes mulch around the plant now whilst the soil is still moist to protect the roots. J.

Fork Handles

I've quickly nipped back- Great cake tins Geoff!! I have just refused OH taking some pastry cutters back with him for his mincepies! I need them here!

Off to start meal now. Had a surprise visit form an old friend this afternoon. OH was at college with him. T'was great to catch up, as we think it's about 10yrs since we all met up.

Pile of ironing to do later & those 'b' cards!! J.

Care & maintenance of elderly Bramley apple trees.

Suggestions for planting in a sunny, boggy site.