Thursday 27 March 2008

Up and down the garden path...



I have fallen in love with my garden all over again..
This love affair of mine I am ashamed to say is rather fickle. These starry- eyed, rose -tinted feelings for my humble little patch..start about now..and last till the dying embers of autumn when the colours gradually drain from the garden and I turn my back on gardening pursuits for another few months.
Yesterday afternoon I donned my scruffy old gardening gear and reluctantly stepped outside to do battle once again with the persistent weeds..the bindweed in particular as it has started it's relentless strangle on the borders and if left to rampage it will smother everything worthwhile.
It did not take me long to warm, in more ways than one .. to my task and I had a really satisfying two hours digging up weeds, planting my new Potentilla plants ..Monarch's Velvet. .and my bargain basement Clematis.. £1.79 from out nearest Morrisons supermarket! I chose the large hybrid group this time as I normally favour the Montana's and Viticellas..so I bought a Ernest Markham and Hagley Hybrid.. At that incredibly cheap price it will not be heartbreaking if they do not flourish.. though having said that.. I hate to lose any plant in the garden and like dear 'Charlie' .. I talk to my plants ( sometimes in threatening tones) to encourage them to grow.

Even the wild garlic at the end of our garden looked lush and attractive. I had a delicious bowl of soup made from the leaves of this plant the other day.. certainly keeps the devil away!
This morning I couldn't wait to get out there again and see if anything had grown in the night.. yes I can be totally obsessive about my precious garden..
I sat on the bench in the welcoming sun eating my bowl of porridge and listening to an irate wren who I thought was not too happy to see me.. until I realised that my gardening assistant had arrived..hence the twittering bird.
This garden assistant is very good at digging and leaving his own fertiliser.... not something I welcome!
It was a lovely start to the day to sit in the sun and soak up the atmosphere of a real Spring morning. Not wishing to fast forward my life... I can't wait for the month of May when the garden is at it's best..just you wait and see.

30 comments:

Nonnie said...

The garden looks really lovely already. I like the sound of sitting in the sunshine eating your porridge. I'm longing to get out into my new garden(must email you to tell you more!!!) and hope this weekend might be nice enough. We have a lovely honeysuckle to plant which my Sister bought Simon for Easter. Love the pictures of your garden helper by the way!

Ragged Roses said...

Hi Michele
Your garden is looking lovely. I grabbed five minutes yesterday and sat in the garden, just feeling those sunrays were wonderful. I too have very similar gardening assistants who love to help fertilise our patch! Love those tulips of yours
Kimx

bj said...

Your garden really looks fabulous already. It will really be luscious come next month.
I am having to wait just a tad longer before planting new things...sometimes we have a late freeze about this time of year.
Don't work too hard....
bj

April said...

What a gorgeous garden, I love your plant pot with the face - where is he from? I can't wait to back into my little haven - but it is still raining boo!

April xx

Michael House said...

Your garden looks lovely, that pot with the face and living hair is fantastic. I am a fair weather gardener,and we have a big polytunnel, so my fair weather phase should be extended... Hmm. The wind can be very dispiritng here, so the polytunnel is really needed. You have inspired me, I must get out there.

Louise said...

Hi Michele, I loved the tour around your garden and nice to view your new buys. I may still have Hagley Hybrid in my garden, but I did have to ditch one clematis last year, and until new flowers appear, I am not sure which one had to go? I have about a dozen or so garden assistants, infact more than Monty Don has, no help though, they just give me more work! Your garden assistant Mr Pickles has got that look of having been up to no good on his face? x

Sal said...

It's a lovely gardening day today.I can't wait to see more of your garden! Sal;-)

Country Cottage Chic said...

Isn't it funny how we all go out into the garden as soon as the sun pops out? It draws us outside like a magnet. It was such a lovely day today so the chickens had their house cleaned out & I've started clearing the polytunnel to make way for planting - it got so warm I had to remove a layer of clothing while I was working.

Your garden certainly looks very pretty.

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Looks like your talking ot the plants has done wonders! I so look forward to some color in my yard once again. It is still too cold, even for daffodils!

Gill said...

Your garden looks pretty even this early, I'm looking forward to seeing it in May. Gardening is very therapeutic, and being out in the fresh air is wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Hi Michele, I can just picture your garden now. Can I come round for tea and porridge? I'd love to sit there for a while gazing out at that lovely view you have xx

Amy Gethins Sullivan said...

your garden looks wonderful. i have had to start over, as i am in a new home, i am getting used to the fact that spring comes sooner here.
and what i miss most about my old home is my garden, 9 years of planting.
i went to my mother-in-laws, the other day, and dug up some things to plant in my new home. my old garden was full of family plants. i was so happy to bring home irises that i had shared with her from my granny's garden. my granny has died and her home sold.
but, her irises are still with me. these are the things that can keep me awake at night.i had almost forgotten that i had planted some for my mother in law.
so , i am also busy starting over again. i will be going about with a shovel in my back pocket, just in case someone wants to share.

Chelle said...

You and I sound so much alike. I discovered last year how much I loved gardening in my first ever garden. I totally obsessed about their growth overnight as well. There is just something so theraputic about gardening and watching everything grow, knowing that you are responsible for helping it grow. I really can't wait to get into my new house and begin the backyard project. Maybe I'll glean some ideas from your pictures. :)

Ally Jay said...

There's nothing quite as satisfying as renewing an old friendship and discovering how deep the roots of attachment go. Sorry about the pun.

LiLi M. said...

Neither I am anxious to speed up my life, but I cannot wait until it is truly spring. We even had snow on Easter. I hope to see more of your lovely garden then.

Btw I was matched with Carol of Boxwood in a swap and she has a gorgeous garden. When you have time you could visit her. Her link is in my sidebar. I'm sure you will not regret that.

Have a nice weekend with your family.

Garden Girl said...

Michele, you're too modest- it looks fabulous already-and so glad the sun was shining for you whilst you ate your porridge! Didn't realise Morrisons did such bargainous plants! Have you checked out Woolworths?They have some decent clematis and roses in every now and again. Fingers crossed for some better weather soon.x

Deb said...

I can see why you love your garden - it's a wonderful spot. I am looking forward to seeing my garden again once the snow has melted (we got a bit more of a snow fall again during the night.

Sandra Evertson said...

What a cute little gardening assistant!
Sandra Evertson

Asti said...

Looks lovely Michele. I love the head and her hair ! Isn't it fab to be able to sit outside for a coffee in the morning (we'll forget about the hailstorm today...ahem). Maddies pea plant she did at nursery has just come up - I was so excited :)

JuicyFig said...

what a lovely garden - looking so wonderful! unfortunatly all I have is my tiny back yard, but one day...

kath
x

JuicyFig said...

what a lovely garden - looking so wonderful! unfortunatly all I have is my tiny back yard, but one day...

kath
x

Twiggy said...

Lovely photos, isn't it great when Spring has arrived and the garden starts to awaken? We had a mild day last week and planted our first seeds of the year - magic !
Twiggy x

Georgia Peachez said...

You have a beautiful garden, and I think you give it quite a lot of attention because it is flourishing! xo, suzy

Anonymous said...

You have a lovely garden-- happy planting
Lisa x

Anonymous said...

hiya Michele, i have just enjoyed a leisurely stroll around your garden thankyou for that honey,i have parceled up something for you, and it will get posted at the start of next week!sorry for the delay ( : i love your playlist, how clever, may have to try and do one myself sometime, luv Kat x

Carol said...

Michele, your precious garden is looking beautiful!
This morning was wonderfully springlike and really does cheer us up no end!
Your new plants will do brilliantly I am sure with all the care and attention that you will give.
Much love,
Carol x

OhSoVintage said...

Now we have the lighter evenings people will be able to spend more time in their gardens. Your looks lovely and I do like that face plant pot. May is the best month for this garden and I shall miss my beautiful wisteria when we move. The owner has said he will do a plan of our new garden with what plants are planted where so it will be interesting to see someone else's creation bloom and develop over the next few months. I shall miss what we have created here especially the pond and the sound of running water as the garden we inherit is vastly different.

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Michele

Thanks for your good wishes. I really have had more than my fair share this time round. I'm not used to being poorly so have struggled! Will try ecchinacea I think.

Captain of the ship - hee hee! Like it! Shall be delighted to see you but do let me know when you plan a visit so I make sure I'm there.

Your garden looks super. I'm hoping to start on ours this year and seeing yours has reminded me of some of the lovely plants I've grown in previous gardens.

Might you be free on 23 April to meet in Bath? Will email explanation later.

Sue xx

Anonymous said...

I'm not surprised you fell in love with it again... its fabulous! My dad has a little back yard but it is crammed full with pots and plants. He has every usuable gadget and piece of crockery aiding the little shoots. His fridge used to have a glass shelf... it now protects his sweet william!
When the results can be as beautiful as you have shown us here then I'm not surprised he puts so much time and effort in to it!
My garden has loiterers in it at the moment. No not teenagers in hoodies but a gang of rabbits. Three of them actually. I haven't the heart to see them off! Truth is I haven't the energy! Perhaps I should get a cat or a dog....
Anyway, I must get on.... your garden filled with beauty must have inspired me. :o)

Jo said...

lovely photo's of your garden Josie x