Wednesday 26 February 2014

a bit of warm dry weather can make all the difference …

So far this week hasn’t been too bad at all weatherwise – on Monday I sat on the garden bench with a cup of tea and a book – in February – good heavens!

the first of the tete a tete

The sun is inviting the early bulbs to flower

golden showers climbing rose with birds and leaves obelisk

I spent the afternoon planting my new climbing roses – the leaves and birds obelisk was a Christmas present and now takes pride of place by the front door – the rose is Golden Showers.

winter pansies

The patio pansies are flowering their socks off – and have been all winter – although they are looking a little battered and worn now – bulbs are pushing their way through in between them.

curly kale

The curly kale is just about finished now and starting to go to seed but there is no sign of any spears on the purple sprouting broccoli yet although the foliage really looks healthy and shows no sign of  upset at being dug up and moved from the allotment.

purple sprouting broccoli

and the Chard is still just about edible but will soon be going to seed.

chard

When indoors I have been working on two granny blankets after promising myself to learn to crochet

SDC19856

SDC19855

and indulging in my favourite fish finger sandwiches for lunch – oh yes!

fish finger sandwich

I am trying to take it steady in the garden – after a winter of inactivity I don’t want to do myself a mischief – although I did drop a concrete planter on my big toe which  caused the air to turn blue – OUCH!

‘Til next time – take care and happy gardening.

46 comments:

  1. Hello Elaine,

    It is amazing how just a few warming rays from the sun make everything in the garden spring forth from their winter slumbers. Your pots of daffodils look so cheery and pansies always make one smile with their funny faces!

    The metal obelisk looks lovely and, when clothed in its climbers, will surely be most impressive. What a wonderful gift to have received.

    We notice your repeated use of terracotta pots running round the pond. In our gardening days we would often use ordinary plant pots such as these to line paths or define edges. Filled with the same plant they are in expensively stylish we think. Have you ever thought of painting them? We sometimes did and they looked great!

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    1. Hello Jane and Lance,
      Like you I enjoy seeing my pots filled with the same planting in each one - I got the idea from a book where they had been used to good effect on a set of steps leading to a front door and have stolen the idea ever since - as it looked so effective. I haven't thought of painting them though - it could add another dimension.

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  2. The Emerald Isle is keeping to its name. Here we had a another dusting of snow. I do long to see the spring bulbs and pansies. We keep saying soon, soon. I applaud your granny squares. I find crocheting a nice way to spend the winter hours.

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    1. Oops indeed - you are forgiven. The crochet has been a very relaxing way to spend the evenings but I guess as the nights grow lighter it will be put aside till next winter.

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  3. Oops. Wrong island! Hope I did not offend.

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  4. Looks like things are starting to come alive in your neck of the woods. Only 23 more days until spring!

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    1. Oh yes Keith - every day brings new surprises.

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  5. Lovely spring flowers in your garden! I now have a yearning for a fish finger sandwich!! :)

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    1. Go on treat yourself - you won't be disappointed.

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  6. Hurrah for some sunshine! Finally the Tete a Tete are doing something here too. I had a few spears off the PSB this week, it's not doing brilliantly.

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    1. Yes - they are popping up all over the place - at last.

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  7. I hope your toe is okay, you'll have to wear steel capped wellies in future!
    As you say, and show, a bit of dry,warm weather makes all the difference.
    I like fish finger sandwiches as well. Flighty xx

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    1. It is a bit sore and it brought tears to my eyes when it happened - it was a heavy pot I can tell you - steel capped wellies sound very haut couture - lol.

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  8. The sunshine does lift our spirits doesn't it? We've had a few sunny, rain free days up here in NE England but still not quite warm enough to sit outside with a cuppa - hopefully it won't be much longer though.

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    1. I was wrapped up warm for my outdoor cuppa - but it was lovely to be able to do so.

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  9. A delicious looking sandwich there. Our mini daffodils are starting to flower now too - really cheering.

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    1. Oh yes - it was - as I said - one of my favourites. And yes they are cheering - the normal size daffs are nowhere near ready yet though.

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  10. How fab to sit on a bench with a cuppa, I have been out pottering too....how odd to not have rain!!! I think I've actually got used to the damn stuff....
    Everything is looking on track for spring for sure....it even seems to be coming early.
    Your granny blankets look smashin' and that sandwich....is dowright odd!!! I laughed out loud at that!xxx
    Your

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    1. How can you say a fish finger sandwich is odd - it is heaven on a plate. lol

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  11. I agree what a difference the sun makes, this seem to be unfurling rapidly with a bit of sunshine just like me! sARAH X

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    1. Oh how I agree - just a few days without rain is heaven.

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  12. Ouch! I wondered why the sky was so blue! I have also noticed the bulbs coming up. The local daffodil fields have just been on the news as apparently they are blooming too early! Have a wonderful week xx

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    1. Surely the daffodils are blooming just at the right time - although I suppose the milder weather has brought them on too quickly is what they mean.

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  13. Glad to hear you are having some fine weather at last. The daffs look great and the fish finger sammy looks delicious.

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    1. I think we deserve a bit of fine weather after all we have been through rain-wise.

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  14. PLEASE be careful with concrete planters!! It's so good to actually get back in the garden & just sit & take it all in again.

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    1. Thanks for the advice Jane - albeit a little late.

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  15. Jane is a big fan of the Fish Finger sandwich too (with tomato ketchup), though I can't see the attraction myself! Our February weather is more like April, I reckon.

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    1. Yes I like it that way too - but my preference is for mayo and salad. I agree about the April thing - I just hope it hasn't come too soon. Do you remember a couple of years ago - when March was a scorcher - not natural.

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  16. I hope the toe is OK - that sounds painful. The sun has been lovely this week, I just hope it stays like this now. I envy you the healthy looking broccoli, I've never had success growing it here.

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    1. I was waiting for the nail to turn black - but so far everything is normal. Shame about you not having success with psb - it is one of my favourites.

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  17. Coincidence; I had a fish finger sandwich for my lunch yesterday too.

    Our PSB is just starting, and we still have Cavolo Nero, Chard, and some Sprouts. Our Rhubarb is doing well under it's forcing pot. Spring is certainly in the air.

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  18. How funny - glad to hear I'm not an oddity after all!

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  19. Fantastic brassicas, well done you. It's something I've never had much success with, but it must be lovely to have fresh greens at this time of year. Hope your toe's better soon. I dropped the vacuum cleaner on my foot a while back and it's never been quite the same since.

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    1. Thanks for visiting CJ - yes, the brassicas have done well, not sure whether I'll be able to fit any in this year as I no longer have my allotment and space will be tight - we'll see.

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  20. Hope your toe is better, sounds painful! The first photo of dafs is lovely. And the purple foliage makes a lovely contract with the green of the kale.

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    1. Toes are tender little things aren't they but mine have survived and I'm not limping any more - I really will have to be more careful!

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  21. Maybe it's just me, but I think crochet is coming back in fashion. I find myself admiring things I see on Pinterest and pining them to my Needlework board. I have a crocheted bag pinned and serval small blankets that I would love to imitate.
    Signs of spring! I am envious of your mild weather. Here the Arctic cold continues. There is more light each day and that makes me hopeful. I love pansies and daffodils. I can hardly wait.

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    1. Being only a beginner I am just tackling simple things at the moment but I think you are right there seems to be a resurgence of homely crafts - I find it very soothing. Spring can't be far away for you I hope - I am lapping up this mild weather.

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  22. Your garden looks so wonderful! What I would do to sit outside and drink a cup of tea! And look at all of those veggies! I am so glad that you popped by so that I can follow along with you! A wonderful weekend to you!! Nicole

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  23. Hello Nicole - thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment - I'm looking forward to reading more of your posts.

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  24. I think you have covered all the senses with this bright and cheerful post ~ how lovely to see so much spring-like vegetation! Your crocheting looks super! Sorry to hear about the sore toe...

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    1. Thanks Glo - sadly the weather has turned grim again today with snow forecast - so that's gardening on the back burner till it passes.

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  25. It does rather look like spring over at your place! Here's hoping no cold and even snowy weather turns up to spoil our fun!

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  26. so lovely to see your daffodils, they are a bit further behind here.

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