Friday, 30 January 2015

Facebook fun

I was nominated by a friend to post 3 of my landscape pics, one each day and nominate 3 friends each day to do the same and its become very popular!

It gives me a reason to go through my (many) old pics to find my favourites. What a fab idea. I found loads that I was very pleased with and was actually quite hard, yet fun to do. So why not show you guys some of my faves, see what you think.. heres what I posted...

Misty morn on Lake Windermere, Cumbria

North Dartmoor

On the moor at Sourton


Thought I should try and post one every month, though I have so many it may become more regular!Its also great to see what other people are posting, have seen some gorgeous photos :)

Monday, 19 January 2015

A change of scene

I love living next to Dartmoor, it really is a beautiful part of the UK and I don't expect to move .....but if I did, I would move to the Lake District. Did you see the stunning film that was on BBC4 about Scarfell Pike? Wow!! I nearly packed my bags there and then! If you can't watch it online, theres a dvd. Go on, treat yourself!

Heres a link toTerry Abrahams blog, who filmed this stunning documentary
http://www.terrybnd.blogspot.co.uk/

Meanwhile, back in Devon, a couple of chaps created a timelapse film of Dartmoor
http://www.activedartmoor.com/timelapse.html

Maybe I should find some footage of our other fabulous National Parks? When I have more time.

There is snow on the high ground, hasn't arrived here though we had a hard frost overnight so everything is all sparkley in the morning sunshine. Hopefully it will defrost enough for me to have a go at my own garden, which is looking rather negected at the moment. I have been promised a team of men to put up the fencing and lay down turf before the busy Spring arrives. Am already doubtful this will happen as we are busy now!

Thursday, 8 January 2015

2015!!

Happy New Year people, hope you all had a lovely festive time.

I was walking my dog in Simmons Park, Okehampton, the other day, looking for signs of growth - no, its not too early - some of my bulbs have been in leaf since before Xmas, mainly grape hyacinths and species tulips. This happens most years, not sure if its just down here in the South West or other people are finding this. They won't flower til they are supposed to in Spring though.

So, back to the park... Hellebores are starting to show (the oriental ones) and I spotted an Exochorda x macrantha in bud!! Not supposed to be flowering until April!


These are beautiful shrubs but unfortunately too big for my garden. Something I didn't know (or have forgotton!) is that this plant is also known as the Pearl Bush because of its pearl like buds. Well, you learn something every day! Heres a pic (not mine) of one in flower.....


Pretty! Will tolerate most gardens except a lot of lime and needs shelter from early Spring frost.

I have also spotted new shoots on my Clematis viticella Polish Spirit. Always eager to get growing, this is definitely my favourite Clematis....


 Will keep an eye out for more new growth, Spring will be here before you know it!!

Monday, 22 December 2014

Happy Xmas :)

Just want to wish all you readers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Fingers crossed for a mild winter so we can keep gardening :)


Saturday, 20 December 2014

Time off

Well, Christmas is next week so we are going to be taking some time off work. Hopefully will give me chance to get on with some good blogging!

Am wondering how the winter is going to be. Here in the UK you just never know whats happening as the weather is so unpredictable. A few years ago we had 2 unusually snowy winters in succession. Haven't really seen any of the white stuff since. I remember a January being so cold we couldn't even get a spade in the ground and took the whole month off. I was chatting to a friend yesterday and she commented on a holly that usually has many berries, but this year the blackbirds have already stripped the plant, same with my pyracantha, I wonder if they can sense something we humans can't? Stocking up for a cold one maybe.

Are we all ready for Xmas then? No tree for us this year as will be visiting family. I really cannot trust the cats to be in charge of something that offers shiny baubles that move when you give them a push with your paw and if you keep pushinf maybe they will fall of and break....I see a lot of potential damage so best avoided. Dont worry, they aren't left completely, our neighbour feeds them twice a day ane we arent gone for long.

Found some cat related Christmas vids...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn2h3_aH3vo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj2ceEcpbgg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB90NjT51gg

Hahaha!! Happy Xmas peeps :)


Thursday, 20 November 2014

Some Autumn pics

As ever, am finding I haven't enough time to get on and do everything I need to do. To keep you tuning in, heres a few Autumn pics from last few years. Some were taken at the Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire, well worth a visit and there will still be plenty of colour to see.
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-5Y4F5K

Here in this part of Devon, beech is the predominant species of tree and hedge, they have a beautiful golden colour right now and really shine when the sun shows its face. Travelling to work is a joy, driving through golden beech tunnels, shame I can't take any pics!


















Monday, 10 November 2014

All change!

After much nagging, Mr.M has finally removed the rather lumpy green mess some may have called a lawn! This has lead on to lifting all the plants in our (thankfully) small ornamental garden, which meant clearing the veg area to hold the plants. One job needs many more to get it done! Have yet to lift all the plants but we will get there eventually. Then there is the issue of the broken fencing to tackle. One thing at a time.

I am hoping the new lawn will be laid very soon. Three cats and a dogs mucky prints in the house is not pretty! Unfortunately the weather has taken a damp turn, its all about the rain down here so won't make laying turf easy

This Autumn has gone from beautiful unseasonal sunshine to miserable grey almost overnight. Already, work has had to be postponed. Some gardeners will work through any weather, but this can cause damage to lawns and soil structure and you tend to work more slowly. It is so hard to judge whether it is worth getting tools sorted, driving to site with one of my helpers, when the weather is this unpredictable. Thanks to various weather forcasts, decisions can be better made but living next to Dartmoor means it can change so quickly. Always be prepared with wellies!

Heres a few pics I have recently taken while out and about.....

I have had this Pinus Mugo in a pot for so many years. I guess it should be repotted but it seems happy enough being a little bit neglected.
Spotted these Aeoniums while on holiday in Cornwall. Bought a fab small specimen which I then gave to a friend as her garden is much more suitable. Tha was her xmas pressie!!
This bright Pyracantha was growing in our garden when we moved in. The blackbirds will be along soon to help themselves to these plump berries.
Still flowering, still more buds to come on this pretty, hardy fuchsia. I helped myself to a cutting from my local park. Did nothing other than stick it in a jar with water and watched it root. Then potted it on till big enough to plant in a large pot. If you are new to propagation, go for fuchsias, nothing technical here!
This is my favourite plant in my garden, a very bright hardy Chrysanthemum Mrs Jessie Cooper. Wow, does this bring colour to a dull day! Also fab as a cut flower. Love it!
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple', found in my friends/clients garden. Also known as the Smoke Bush due to its fluffy plumes of flowers. Beautiful Autumnal colours.
Love them or hate them, Cortaderia sellowana or Pampas Grass, really are showy plants. The cream panicles of flowers stand proud against the (now gone) blue sky.