I cant believe that my wife Hannah is now due in 8 weeks. The first 7 months have gone very fast.
Shes suffering with very bad back pain, and excessive exhaustion.
Its quite an eye opener feel you baby move and wriggle, and sometimes see a foot shape pushing out of Hannah's tummy.
The baby's room is nearly done, as is the rest of the house as we now have all the carpets finished. :-)
The kitchen is nearly finished too, having had the dishwasher fitted at last, although not plumbed in just yet, and there's still a bit of jigging about to do cos the fridge door hits the wall, but that should be OK soon.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Rhododendrons
For some reason, 2 of my rhodo's have flowered with just a single flower.
I thought they had more buds on them a few weeks ago, but there don't seem to be any now.
Maybe this is because its their first season in their pots?
I thought they had more buds on them a few weeks ago, but there don't seem to be any now.
Maybe this is because its their first season in their pots?
Monday, 25 May 2009
Garden
Finally got ALL my clematis planted.
Now have 12 of them, mostly in pots as my garden only has 2 inches of fake topsoil from the badly laid turf, and then its either rubble or discarded building blocks from the new house, or dense waterlogged clay.
My plan is to therefore use some red bricks as low-key edging, and just gravel the whole garden. This will also negate the fact that as well as not growing properly, the lawn is soaking wet, as the rain just sits on top of the heavy clay areas below the balcony.
This job will have to wait for more funds though.
Ive done something different with some of the clematis. Ive put two Evergreens (prune code 1's) in the same half barrel (White Abundance and Cirhosa Freckles). They will not need pruning, but also not be able to be moved once they establish. Its a bit of an experiment, but I have no choice. I have placed them in an elbow of the garden fence so each can grow up and out along opposite directions. (I need to get some Trellis for the left side)
My Nelly Moser, The President, and Niobe have flowered!
Just 2 to 3 blooms so far, but for all new plants this spring, I'm very pleased they're happy so far.
Ive had a lot of little brown insects, same shape and size as greenfly, but medium brown color, on my other clematis, so Ive sprayed them all with a general purpose bug and disease killer by Bayer. We'll see how that goes. They also appeared on my Roses, Rhododendrons, and Tulips which I also sprayed.
Now have 12 of them, mostly in pots as my garden only has 2 inches of fake topsoil from the badly laid turf, and then its either rubble or discarded building blocks from the new house, or dense waterlogged clay.
My plan is to therefore use some red bricks as low-key edging, and just gravel the whole garden. This will also negate the fact that as well as not growing properly, the lawn is soaking wet, as the rain just sits on top of the heavy clay areas below the balcony.
This job will have to wait for more funds though.
Ive done something different with some of the clematis. Ive put two Evergreens (prune code 1's) in the same half barrel (White Abundance and Cirhosa Freckles). They will not need pruning, but also not be able to be moved once they establish. Its a bit of an experiment, but I have no choice. I have placed them in an elbow of the garden fence so each can grow up and out along opposite directions. (I need to get some Trellis for the left side)
My Nelly Moser, The President, and Niobe have flowered!
Just 2 to 3 blooms so far, but for all new plants this spring, I'm very pleased they're happy so far.
Ive had a lot of little brown insects, same shape and size as greenfly, but medium brown color, on my other clematis, so Ive sprayed them all with a general purpose bug and disease killer by Bayer. We'll see how that goes. They also appeared on my Roses, Rhododendrons, and Tulips which I also sprayed.
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Fishtank
Ive lost my flipping Apisstogramma Agassizi Cichlid.
Clearly not the right conditions despite my efforts.
Oh well, will try something else more hardy..
The shrimps are loving it though and are getting big :-)
Clearly not the right conditions despite my efforts.
Oh well, will try something else more hardy..
The shrimps are loving it though and are getting big :-)
Garden Progress
Got x2 more Clematis in their pots by the front door now.
"Inspiration" and "Hagley Hybrid"
They seem to be growing nicely in the South facing sun.
Also got Hannah's hanging baskets up. They are crammed with some awesome color which should be flowering soon!
Also out front is a cracking deep purple Magnolia tree in a pot rescued from my parents front garden. They aren't agile enough to look after it, so we took it home (thats one heavy pot!), weeded it out, and cleaned it up. Now it sits out the front looking great. :-)
Not sure if its a M. 'Galaxy', M 'Susan', or some other one, still trying to find out...
Found and fell in love with a Black enamelled square pot for just £10 on sale (rrp£40). It looks ace, so I got some 'Senetti' in it for maximum contrast.
Hannah's Tulips are flowering now, and they look like raspberry ripple Ice cream :-)
(although I have to keep spraying them to keep the damn greenfly off)
Lastly, I also got a water tap fitted in the back wall from the kitchen, so now watering and cleaning is far easier and more convenient.
"Inspiration" and "Hagley Hybrid"
They seem to be growing nicely in the South facing sun.
Also got Hannah's hanging baskets up. They are crammed with some awesome color which should be flowering soon!
Also out front is a cracking deep purple Magnolia tree in a pot rescued from my parents front garden. They aren't agile enough to look after it, so we took it home (thats one heavy pot!), weeded it out, and cleaned it up. Now it sits out the front looking great. :-)
Not sure if its a M. 'Galaxy', M 'Susan', or some other one, still trying to find out...
Found and fell in love with a Black enamelled square pot for just £10 on sale (rrp£40). It looks ace, so I got some 'Senetti' in it for maximum contrast.
Hannah's Tulips are flowering now, and they look like raspberry ripple Ice cream :-)
(although I have to keep spraying them to keep the damn greenfly off)
Lastly, I also got a water tap fitted in the back wall from the kitchen, so now watering and cleaning is far easier and more convenient.
More Clematis
Hannah came home from work a couple days ago with a present for me.
A Clematis she knew I liked that flowers right in Winter.
The wonderful C. Cirrhosa 'Freckles'.
She found it for just a couple quid :-)
Still working out the best spot for him though.
She also found a couple others for the same price, which have now gone into pots...
Polish Spirit
and Hagley Hybrid.
I now have a total of Ten Clematis dotted about.
Spring, Summer and indeed Autumn AND Winter should be colorful!
A Clematis she knew I liked that flowers right in Winter.
The wonderful C. Cirrhosa 'Freckles'.
She found it for just a couple quid :-)
Still working out the best spot for him though.
She also found a couple others for the same price, which have now gone into pots...
Polish Spirit
and Hagley Hybrid.
I now have a total of Ten Clematis dotted about.
Spring, Summer and indeed Autumn AND Winter should be colorful!
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Garden Birds
Had some more variety on the bird feeder.
Ive seen x2 goldfinches whizzing about in the trees out back, which was great, as I love these colorful little guys....
....and I managed to get some pics of a pair of Greenfinches on my feeder :-)
Ive seen x2 goldfinches whizzing about in the trees out back, which was great, as I love these colorful little guys....
....and I managed to get some pics of a pair of Greenfinches on my feeder :-)
Monday, 6 April 2009
Tank update
I finally got the Dwarf cichlid I was after, but cant find any females for him yet.
Also got x4 Cherry shrimp that appear to be doing well.
They have shed their skins several times, and certainly seem to be getting larger. They are always wandering about or sat on leaves or stones grazing.
Also added x3 black tetra,
and 3 Glowlight tetra,
both of which really contrast with the gold and white cloud minnows.
Also got x4 Cherry shrimp that appear to be doing well.
They have shed their skins several times, and certainly seem to be getting larger. They are always wandering about or sat on leaves or stones grazing.
Also added x3 black tetra,
and 3 Glowlight tetra,
both of which really contrast with the gold and white cloud minnows.
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Clematis planted
Saturday, 4 April 2009
New Clematis
Picked up 3 new Clematis today at a bargain price, so couldn't resist.
Multi Blue
Arabella
Montana
Multi Blue
Arabella
Montana
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Worm Crisis
Had a major die off in my wormery.
Ive followed every instruction to the letter, but for some reason, about 75% of my worms have dived down into the sump and committed wormy suicide.
Contacted the wormery people, and they have been very helpful with advice.
I'll have to see if it recovers, or start again :-(
I wish I could find out why they died off. If it was the weather, then surely lots people would have had the same thing, and besides, I had mine wrapped in bubble wrap over the icy week we had.
It must have been something I put in, but I followed the list so very carefully.
Maybe Ill never know.
Very annoying....
Ive followed every instruction to the letter, but for some reason, about 75% of my worms have dived down into the sump and committed wormy suicide.
Contacted the wormery people, and they have been very helpful with advice.
I'll have to see if it recovers, or start again :-(
I wish I could find out why they died off. If it was the weather, then surely lots people would have had the same thing, and besides, I had mine wrapped in bubble wrap over the icy week we had.
It must have been something I put in, but I followed the list so very carefully.
Maybe Ill never know.
Very annoying....
Monday, 30 March 2009
Clematis planted
FINALLY got the first clematis in the ground.
I had to get a few sacks of compost, so got x3 75litre bags of peat free compost for £10 at B&Q.
Also got some Bone meal to mix in, and some General Purpose food.
Started digging the hole last night, but I was right about the rubble just under the surface from when the house was built last year, so today bought a pick, and that was SO much easier than a fork, even though it still hurts now Ive stopped :-)
Dug about 50cm across and 50cm down. Then half filled with compost, and a handful of bone meal, and topped it up with soil and added some food. Last 10cm was bark chipping mulch, then watered it in. Whole thing surrounded with some lawn edging.
I then built the trellis from bamboo, which I prefer as I think it looks more natural than squared off trellis or plastic mesh, and doesnt need treating every year.
I'm very happy with the result.
I had to get a few sacks of compost, so got x3 75litre bags of peat free compost for £10 at B&Q.
Also got some Bone meal to mix in, and some General Purpose food.
Started digging the hole last night, but I was right about the rubble just under the surface from when the house was built last year, so today bought a pick, and that was SO much easier than a fork, even though it still hurts now Ive stopped :-)
Dug about 50cm across and 50cm down. Then half filled with compost, and a handful of bone meal, and topped it up with soil and added some food. Last 10cm was bark chipping mulch, then watered it in. Whole thing surrounded with some lawn edging.
I then built the trellis from bamboo, which I prefer as I think it looks more natural than squared off trellis or plastic mesh, and doesnt need treating every year.
I'm very happy with the result.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
SPRING!
Certainly been lovely and sunny, even if still rather cool.
Been out in the garden today. Tackled clearing the shed but will finish it off tomorrow, so now I can actually get into it and get my bike out.
Put all the gardening bits and pieces into the plastic storage box I bought.
I plan to get another one to put the table and chairs and candles etc into on the decked balcony.
Hannah's Bulbs are coming up nicely, although the Irises we bought have turned out to be Hyacinths, but we cant remember were we bought them :-)
The herb pot seems to have done well too, filling out nicely :-)
Pruned the roses back. Hope Ive done it right, fed them too.
Also fed the Rhododendrons. They seem to have done well and established ok since we got them and potted them up on the balcony.
Getting the water hose sorted. Been a pain as I don't have an outside tap, so needed adaptors to go on our odd shaped kitchen tap, and out the window.
Nearly got it done.
I really MUST get round to putting those x4 clematis in the ground. They did survive the winter very well in thier pots and even have some new growth on them. I think Ive been putting it off because I'm damn sure that under a couple inches of top soil I'm going to find all the rubble and cement the builders dumped around the building when it was finished last year.
I'm just not looking forward to the digging.
Plus I seem to have 3 major drains running though my garden, somewhat narrowing my options.
Been out in the garden today. Tackled clearing the shed but will finish it off tomorrow, so now I can actually get into it and get my bike out.
Put all the gardening bits and pieces into the plastic storage box I bought.
I plan to get another one to put the table and chairs and candles etc into on the decked balcony.
Hannah's Bulbs are coming up nicely, although the Irises we bought have turned out to be Hyacinths, but we cant remember were we bought them :-)
The herb pot seems to have done well too, filling out nicely :-)
Pruned the roses back. Hope Ive done it right, fed them too.
Also fed the Rhododendrons. They seem to have done well and established ok since we got them and potted them up on the balcony.
Getting the water hose sorted. Been a pain as I don't have an outside tap, so needed adaptors to go on our odd shaped kitchen tap, and out the window.
Nearly got it done.
I really MUST get round to putting those x4 clematis in the ground. They did survive the winter very well in thier pots and even have some new growth on them. I think Ive been putting it off because I'm damn sure that under a couple inches of top soil I'm going to find all the rubble and cement the builders dumped around the building when it was finished last year.
I'm just not looking forward to the digging.
Plus I seem to have 3 major drains running though my garden, somewhat narrowing my options.
Baby Update
Hannah is now 6 months pregnant. Things looking very 'real' now :-)
So many things to sort out and do, but so little time in the day!
Got a pram Travel system thing. Aint they expensive!
So many things to sort out and do, but so little time in the day!
Got a pram Travel system thing. Aint they expensive!
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Snow
Nice to see it doing this outside my office window :-)
....and nice to see the new garden all white too.
....and nice to see the new garden all white too.
Mrs tiggywinkles ?
Had a little visitor at the house last night. I was out the front getting something from the car when I realised I was being watched.
Little black eyes watched me for a good couple minutes, then scampered off round the back of the house again :-)
Little black eyes watched me for a good couple minutes, then scampered off round the back of the house again :-)
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Tank Update
Well my 28L (6gal) (12 inch per side) Nano tank had a die off of fish, (as they do) and the plants weren't doing as well as hoped.
Turns out the plants I had needed more light than I have.
BUT, one of them did very well, and that's the small one in the front called a 'Crypto' (which is short for a long name I cant remember)
So I decided to change the whole setup, go for black sand instead of gravel, an internal box filter, and heavy planting with low-light tolerant crypto's.
So far just have a bunch of white cloud and golden mountain minnows.
Im hoping next month to have a pair of Apistogramma Agassizi Cichlids. (American Dwarf Cichlids)
I always wanted African Cichlids, but space and cash don't allow right now.
I moved the wood after making this vid.
Turns out the plants I had needed more light than I have.
BUT, one of them did very well, and that's the small one in the front called a 'Crypto' (which is short for a long name I cant remember)
So I decided to change the whole setup, go for black sand instead of gravel, an internal box filter, and heavy planting with low-light tolerant crypto's.
So far just have a bunch of white cloud and golden mountain minnows.
Im hoping next month to have a pair of Apistogramma Agassizi Cichlids. (American Dwarf Cichlids)
I always wanted African Cichlids, but space and cash don't allow right now.
I moved the wood after making this vid.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Fire Bin
Picked up an Incinerator. Basically a metal dustbin with holes in it.
Had fun burning off all our confidential waste.
Having a few thoughts about it being close to the house as my garden is so small, but I sit next to it with a fire extinguisher and a cup of tea contemplating my next fishing trip, so should be OK.
Had fun burning off all our confidential waste.
Having a few thoughts about it being close to the house as my garden is so small, but I sit next to it with a fire extinguisher and a cup of tea contemplating my next fishing trip, so should be OK.
Wormery
Ive received and set up the Wormery I ordered.
The primary reason is of course to breed my own fat fishing lobworms, but its also a great way to create the ultimate natural liquid fertilizer as well as getting rid of the organic kitchen waste.
Picture from the website (my garden doesnt look this lush)
Here's a link to a great site that's very helpful if you want to try this wormery.
http://www.bucketofworms.co.uk/wormery.html
Birds
The Birds have used the feeders lots more, and Ive added a finch feeder, but no finches yet.
The Robin has taken to feeding on the ground, and decided to go along all the rose pots digging up the mulch bark and chucking it all over the decking in an effort to find grubs.
Friday, 9 January 2009
Garden Update
Well 'life's' been a busy old thing.
The gardens looking good (apart from the bleak winter going on right now).
The grass has survived the battering I gave it and is actually starting to look green and grass-like. I still have 10 bags of grass clippings under the balcony and I'm now wandering if any have hedgehogs hibernating in them as one or two look like they've been disturbed by little feet :-)
I still haven't managed to get those clematis in the ground :-(
After the current frosts Ill try and get them done but I'm wandering if they have survived the winter in their pots.
We got a real Xmas tree this year, live and growing in a large pot. We intend to keep it alive and wheel it in over the next few year. Here's hoping :-)
The gardens looking good (apart from the bleak winter going on right now).
The grass has survived the battering I gave it and is actually starting to look green and grass-like. I still have 10 bags of grass clippings under the balcony and I'm now wandering if any have hedgehogs hibernating in them as one or two look like they've been disturbed by little feet :-)
I still haven't managed to get those clematis in the ground :-(
After the current frosts Ill try and get them done but I'm wandering if they have survived the winter in their pots.
We got a real Xmas tree this year, live and growing in a large pot. We intend to keep it alive and wheel it in over the next few year. Here's hoping :-)
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