#Six on Saturday… (sorry there are no flowers…)

This week there were no new flowers to be seen in our garden, but everything was happening in the growing area.

Mainly dahlias because I have been meaning to grow these for ages, and three of the ones I planted in April are getting on with the business in spectacular form.

I tried to be professional with these dahlias. I brought new labels and a posh marker pen, so I would know what colour they were.

But… the pen was rubbish. The first time I watered the pots, the ink ran away. I have no idea which is which, so I can’t wait to see them bloom…

These seeds were an impulse buy. Everyone in my family loves sunflowers, but I was getting fed up with the usual spindly 12 feet high specimens that never seem to stay upright. Last year I grew supposedly dwarf specimens which were an improvement…

2022 Look at all those flower buds!

So when I saw seeds for a blood-red sunflower, I knew I had to have them.

If the snails can leave them alone long enough, we might get to see them in all their glory!

While I was buying seeds, I picked up some Alysum and Aubretia, just because.

I have never been very lucky with seeds, as sometimes they grow but often do not, so time will tell…

Finally, I am becoming very fond of this cutting of a weeping willow from our local pond.

Three years old already, and I think I have persuaded it to weep a little…

It has a very promising future, I think…

This post is inspired by Jim Stevens, who really knows all about #SixonSaturday: https://gardenruminations.co.uk/2023/05/27/six-on-saturday-27-5-2023

#Macro Monday… #Photography

Image by edith lüthi from Pixabay 

Image by JUAN FERNANDO YECKLE from Pixabay 

I love macro photography, so today you have two images because I couldn’t choose between them.

Also having trouble deciding what to do this week. Last week was almost a total washout, but I did work on the current WIP, so not all doom and gloom. I finally managed to plant some seeds yesterday, and if the rain holds off, there are other urgent jobs to do.

If I could only remember where I left my thinking cap…

Busy is, as busy does…

Sweet peas

There’s not as much going on in the office as I would like, but I have been busy elsewhere. I usually sow some seeds every Spring, with varying degrees of success but this year I must have been blessed!

These sweet peas seem a little reluctant to climb up the poles, I expect they will get the hang of it eventually. Excuse the weeds that are trying to climb into the pot!

Dwarf Sunflowers

I have lost track of how many times I have tried to grow sunflowers. Big ones, short ones, every colour available, but no good. This year I am trying short bushy ones, and so far, so good!

Dahlias

Dahlias are another favourite flower and almost managed to reach the flowering stage last year. Determined as ever, I tried again this year, only to have the seed trays ravaged by the local birds. I am left with six plants…

Tomatoes

These tomato plants are from my local Tesco. I bought them to get a head start over my tiny seedlings, but they don’t want to grow either, still too cold, I expect.

Tiny Tomatoes

These were ravaged by the birds too, and these were all I could salvage

?? Sea Holly ??

I love sea holly with its blue metallic leaves, and bought these plugs from a well-known nursery, but when do they get blue? Or have they sent the wrong thing?

Azaleas

These azaleas were from old seeds I found in the shed. I never expected them to germinate! I wonder what colour they will be?

More than a seedling, a willow sapling

I snuck this sapling onto the list, as I am rather proud of it. A three-year-old willow cutting, on its way to being a bonsai…

A thought has just occurred to me. I am going to need some larger pots and mounds of soil if they all make it! I also wish it was as easy to grow a book…

Jaye

Jaye’s Week, such as it is…

Jaye’s Week, such as it is…

My brain is so unfair.

It knows I am having trouble, but it wants to get cracking anyway. Keeps coming up with interesting and brilliant writing and promotion ideas that simply vanish before I have the time to get my thinking cap on.

Only five minutes ago, for example, it came up with a cracker. I told myself (and my brain) that I would check it out in a minute. But before I could finish reading the last email on my list, it had left the premises, gone for a walk. Vanished completely. This is what I put up with daily, it’s a wonder I manage to do anything these days…

not sure what these are called, but I love them!

Spending more time away from the computer does have its advantages, however. The recent lovely weather and the arrival of signs of Spring have sent me out of doors. I have discovered that gardening does not give me trouble at all, arthritic knees notwithstanding (or bending for that matter) and I am loving every minute!

Today I will be organising seed sowing. Tomatoes and dahlias. Next week I intend to finish repotting the bonsai that I didn’t get around to last autumn.

I must go now, for the words on my screen are swimming away from me.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I will see you again on Monday…

Jaye XXX