Better Late than Never---Glen Ample Raspberries

Today I planted some raspberries with my Swedish inlaws....I am so glad my husband talked me into it!  We found every space of fence we could find....why not?  I am starting to think I should grow as much edible stuff as possible....I've got a Brigitta blue blueberry that needs a mate, and a josta berry from a friend, and need to get new strawberries for next year...and two old apple trees I hope will produce!

As for winter greens, I have not been as good and been a little lazy in sowing...I've got my kale still struggling, and some ornamental cabbage and swiss chard as well.  My beets are still there, but they have been neglected. My Tipperary Early rhubarb has died back...  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/8206.shtml

Ok...the good weather of today has inspired me!!  Its not all about cleaning gutters and raking leaves in the autumn! :)

Seeing Red! My tomatoes!

Well.....I nurtured these tomatoes since the early part of the year....and this year it paid off!  I had to remove as many as possible because of a late blight....now they are producing a bit more and they are ok...the plants fared well in blue from haxnicks....but I used canes and they are toppling over...so I am looking at their trailing version with frame...and use the blue ones this year for more beans!! 

 Now I've got to see what to do with them today!  You can only eat some many raw, so many salsas, and so many bacon and tomato sandwiches :).  Ok...time to do some gutter cleaning..yuck!

Birthday Poppy Seeds from My Mother-in-law

My birthday surprise from my mother-in-law....some Iranian poppy seeds from Sweden!  They look fantastic...have to make sure they dont mix or are planted by my beautiful poppies that snuck out of lous garden!  The lavender does great in the semishade/late summer sun...so I hope these will as well!  We shall see! And of course....the front of the house is going to have tons of golden California poppies along the gravel edge of the driveway!!!

http://gardener.blogg.se/2009/june/


Kew Garden Seeds

Lous lavender poppies!

New Plant for the Garden!! Hydrangea paniculata Vanilla Fraise

I finally got my hydrangeas....as tiny as they are....but a great price too!!! I decided to help make my garden more less fuss...so the shady raised bed in the corner I am planting these....with the heucheras still in front for yearround color....I have been talked into a viburnum in the back....I'll keep you posted and see how it all turns out after this winter!!

Soup from the garden!

I "got real fancy" and utilized my garden herbs for a "duck" soup made from the carcass of a dressingham duck.....I used fresh parsley, oregano, lovage, sorrell, thyme, bay, chives, and shallots and my purple french green beans.. I added carrots, zucchini (courgettes), and mushrooms.I didnt use my tomatoes or the fresh carrots.....too precious! For the little herbs, I put in a little muslin tea bag....so it became a "bouquet garni"...fun fun!

St. Anne's Hill

This bank holiday we have been exploring our part of Surrey...Chertsey.  We have been to the museum, walked around town...and yesterday we went to St. Anne's hill nature walk. I cant believe we have sequoias right in our "own back yard!" :).  And, what views!  Unfortunately, the M25 buzzes by so the hum is there...but the forest is beautiful, lush, and shady...  I think I saw some elderberries there....so I will have to go back!!


St. Anne's hill

Here are some pics..

What a beautiful tree root!

Nice shady path....

Heathrow Airport and Thames from afar

Sequoia in Surrey!

"Driftwood" in a forest...

Artsy Picture....

Elderberry Cordial

 I saw this article and it inspired me...so next time I see the elderberries I am going to have a bag in hand and make some cordial...

 http://www.fennelandfern.co.uk/blog/2011/08/23/elderberry-cordial/

A few pictures from Edinburgh, Scotland

I had a lovely long weekend with my husband in Edinburgh....missed the Botanical gardens this time...but was surrounded by gardens nonetheless...enjoy!

Edinburgh Castle

Princes Street Gardens

Magnificent Trees.....

View from a close

Like Alice in Wonderland...

View from the city!

Scotch Thistle

You can't go to Scotland without....

Gorgeous flower display

Where do you get seed packets?

Hello All,

I am posting this to see if I can get some ideas....I use coin envelopes for now for seeds...

I hope others have suggestions as I am anxious to do some seed swaps this year!!!   I found a couple of faves on the internet (one for economical/environmental simplicity) and the other is to add a little sentimentality...there are many on the internet under google images if you prefer style to efficiency!


Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

Enjoy!


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