A DAY IN THE LIFE: Selfridge

A DAY IN THE LIFE: Selfridge: Today was to be a day of hunting for an antique wine glass. The venue was set, the credit card prepared, and so we set off for Highcliffe ...

Ok, no more seeds but....splurgerator..propagator!

I couldnt resist!  I havent had a propagator in almost 6 years...and decided to buy one ...where more perfect than the UK is there to have one (ok, Sweden)...I was thinking initially of peppers and helping them germinate...but then I realized that I could save quite a bit of time with plants by using this! Ill still grow somethings on the simple windowsill...but this should kick it up a notch.

I chose a Garland Super 7 for its length, its wattage compared to others...and although it had multiple domes unlike others....

• Measures 76cm (30) x 18. 
• Wattage 13 Watt carbon fibre element for even heat distribution.
•  This unit is not thermostatically controlled and is designed to increase the ambient compost temperature by around 8°C

  I started to like it more for that and how much I could utilize the space! I almost got the one below for a little bit cheaper...and it matched my kitchen accents :) but the wattage was lower, it was smaller, and I just didn't think I could utilize it as well. Multiple lids mean multiple chances to knock  them off :)...however they both seem pretty stury.

 Here is the other one above that I loved in looks!

•  Stewart 67cm Electric Kitchen Garden Propagator Set - Lime,
• Contains base tray, clear double vented lid, two premium seed trays, five 8cm pots and
• a waterproof 12 watt heating mat
• Measures 67cm long, 16cm Wide, 18cm High.

I debated from reading reviews of multiple tops versus single tops, but just gave up and agreed that you can have multiple ventilations (particularly handy if you get a moisture/fungus issue.


So, seeds watch out!! Now I have to plan my planting on sets of pots/ trays which is the next hurdle, as these will be growing so fast, right? :)

Here are some blogs about it!

Emma's review

Another review

K's garden

Ok, Mother Nature...so I am not very environmentally friendly...but I can grow more stuff!!  Have a good week!

Happy New Year and New Beginnings!

Ok, so I am a little late in greetings this year....but its been difficult to get back into gardening..for many reasons. So, I decided to take a little sabbatical, and begin to put things back in order.  Oh, my goodness, what a rainy day can do for you!  I remember how in San Diego it was so difficult to do things inside, because the weather was so nice...no seasons, and you plants never stopped blooming...so you would get these woody wild things that you did not have the courage to cut when they were still blooming!  I still have the problem with my Bowles Mauve Wallflower here..they say it only lasts 3 years...now I have giants blooming monsters...I have made cuttings to replace them...but can I get the strength to remove these dedicated plants?  Ok...I stray...

I sorted through ALL of my seeds and realized I am a seedaholic... I admit it!  That nurture thing!  Anyway, onwards and upwards to new beginnings...a new year to start afresh...  I posted a facebook note for a seed swap...and took a few packs from the pile to give away...just a few.  I did prepare a few window planters with seeds for the first plantings this year...

Then, I found one of my favourite new finds...Cow Parsley!  This is not just any cow parsley...but PURPLE cow parsely...how could you go wrong with that? Just a little more purple in the garden to go with the elderberry tree and the Joe pye weed and Lou's purple plant that keeps coming up in wonderful places! 

 

OK, I did see a sale on some pots to pot on after the window boxes...what site was that? The good thing is that it is time to go to bed and work the next morning! LOL! Enjoy!  I'll let  yo know how this plant does....and yes....it works in partial shade..and grows like a weed...it is a weed!  Have a happy Monday!

Happy Autumn--Wisely Gardens

 

 I haven't been writing much (or gardening much) since Mom's passing...although I have lots of ideas....it's just been hard to get the energy or enthusiasm.  Anyway, it hasn't stopped me from enjoying autumn!  Although I don't like to bombard a blog with pictures...as it results in "too many channels"....this time I couldn't help myself!  So, without words....enjoy a bit of autumn....next week should be even better!  (I wont mention the work I have in the garden!)

 

 

 

In memory of Mom

In Memory of Mom

This blog is in memory of my Mother Ruth Davis, who passed away on the 12th of July, 2012.  I have a separate blog in her memory, so I will just leave a note here....  Gardening has helped me through this painful process....although mom was not a gardener, many of my family were, including my grandma.... Mom was a creative soul who could paint, play the piano, cook wonderfully, and make all sorts of things!  She was 82 and on the internet, could screen print shirts, and was just a very smart, adaptable lady....here's to mom....although born in Oklahoma, the folks in the UK used to call her the yellow rose of Texas (and she lived there most of her life).

Love you Mom!!!!!

Compost Tea

What's better on a rainy day than to dream of compost tea?  LOL.  Well, I just pulled out some pooped out anchusa...and decided to double-check as it seems so close to borage that I have read is good for tea.....  I was not far off!

Anchusa Mint Borage Verbena family!

I also found a link confirming using anchusa for compost tea!  The only thing is, I didnt make it for a week, I have made it for a year!  I also added to the concoction  I also scooped out a bunch of the liquid in a bucket (smells nice!-not!) and added a bit to a bucket of water for my beans and tomatoes....mmmm lovely!  It should be great!  These little bees/flies seem to love it too....I used an old steel trash can...hope it doesnt burn a hole it it!!!  We shall see!  Anyway...as my compost has not gone so well....its good to know I can cook something else in the garden!  Happy Sunday! 

How to make Compost Tea

Being Good at Hampton Court Flower Show

So, I went to Hampton Court Flower Show for the first time in the 5 years I have lived here!!!  And, of course, the day I go was pouring!  Anyway, the tent displays and the free nibbles made it worthwhile!  It did become more of a whole day shopping event!  However, I think I bought more food than I did plants!

So, I consider that I was very good!  I saw many plants that I like, but I restrained myself and looked for things I can grow!!  I couldnt help myself and got a few more scented geraniums for the windowsill...I just LOVE them!  I'll post some pics later of the variegated and lemon scented...

I did find a little gem...that others may not notice.....a variety of Joe Pye Weed....."Eupatorium Chocolate"!

 I love blending in Purple/Chocolate Plants in my garden to offset the yellow of my Choisya Sundance! 

My Sambucus Nigra is looking fantastic, and this year I also bought some Lysimachia ciliata Firecracker, and Lysimachia congestiflora 'Persian Chocolate'....to add to my yellow Lysimachia Punctata (non-variegated :() and standard golden Lysimachis creeping Jenny....Needless to say...I can appreciate the easy color these plants can provide...and long lasting flowers!!

 Ok...and I got some Alcea (hollyhock) seeds for sowing in the autumn, and got sucked up by the plantsman for some Franchi lettuce (Regina Delle Ghiacciole)---sounds exciting, huh?  It was a beautiful lettuce with jagged edges...couldnt resist!  Ok....its stopped raining...off to weeding and playing in the garden!