Not Dead Yet - Forum

Do You enjoy your garden ?? Is it easy to manage ??
Is there anything you would like to change ??

We have about 16 pots with various plants and 4 half barrels with shrubs and flowers around the sides. Our Hosta, in a pot is sadly being 'eaten' by snails,but is just starting to flower. Our border is now covered by 'stones' with pots on top and our centre area's in the lawns have shrubs and flowers with 'stones' over the soil.
Gardening is a lovely subject and very therapugic!!

Hello Garden Lovers??  How is your garden?? Did it 'survive' the bad weather in June ?? In spite of all that rain, we have found that not all our plants and bushes,(due to the foliage) received enough water. However with some TLC. they are all doing well!!-- Pride of our garden is a beautiful Blue Hydrangea and the pink one's are bright too: -- Tell us about Your Garden! Let us enjoy it with you??

I really expected some replies to this one. Surely most of us, do have gardens that we are Proud of and willing to share, via our posts??

Sorry Pheonix, dont have a garden now.
I used to have a big garden but after my wife died I lost interest.My wife was the flower and shrub expert,me being the under gardener.My forte was the lawns,used to spend hours weeding, feeding, scarifying, aeriating, was proud of my lawns. I also grew 500 tomato plants and sell them.
I had a 12x10ft greenhouse with electric in and a 6ft propogater.Grew most of flowers from seed.

Hello William, Good to hear from you even though you no longer have a garden. There are still the memories,of how things were for you and your wife.-- Memories are all we seem to have now -- The way things was!! --Interests fade and we can become bored, sad to say. I was hoping that this forum would pickup?? I get bored just seeing my name at times! May well give up this weekend. -- I trust I find you well and Thank You for your posts!! 

Picked mi first tomatoes last week and another couple of pounds ready for the weekend ---  short of sun though !

Can anyone tell me  what to use to make the garden rubbish turn into compost..iv got one a them bins to keep it all in do i need a chemical to add to it all, to start this process off?. HELP!!!

Hi Joe, As far as I am aware, by adding a chemical, it 'Accelerates the Composting'-- I did see a mention on computer somewhere?? If I can find it, I will Post it??
Do you grow your own Veggies?? I was going to try a few in Tubs/Troughs, but failed to start!!

Thanks for that info!!! pity we havent got a name for the thingy stuff whats added   mmmmm is i have any  more questions i will fire um your way.

Worms joe !

Have gone into Google tonight and tabbed in, 'Compost for Gardens' -- Quite a lot of Info: mentioned 'accelerant' but could not see a name: Sorry I could not help more:

Hello Garden Lovers, Have you all had your share of rain ??
 We have had some very heavy showers and still in for a very Wet, Weekend!!  Puts paid to any Hedge Trimming and Lawn Mowing again!! --- So the inevitable choice is -- TV or Computer??

The only good thing to come out of this horrid summer is  Grass is lovely and green !!!!

True!! But does'nt the grass Grow Fast?? Not sure when I can get the next cut done  ::) ::) ::)

Lawn mower clippings are a great accelerator  -- get it hot enough to slow cook in.

Cheapest chemical I know is sulphate of ammonia  -- get it from any garden centre. Just sprinkle a handful on now and then  Compost should be ready  in 2 to 3 months in summer  unless  you are trying to  rot down old bedsteads and mi grannies unwanted mangle !

Well Folks, What is happening out there ?? we still have some Flower's on our, Wegeilia Bush, so cannot prune it yet. There also is some new shoots, on some bushes, reckon Mother nature, sure is confused:

I have roses in full bloom lol

Good for You Mac!!  Trust that you are getting lots of pleasure from them --- Just goes to show, just what 'Tender loving Care' really can do !!

Its not down to TLC phoenix
its the weather lol
I only prune them twice a year !

Hi Mac, Get out there and Sing to them ?? It is 'supposed' to work!! -- meanwhile it's all Bird Time. They are coming back ------ With a 'vengance' and bringing their friends and families with them. Hurray!! T'is a great pleasure to watch. Good thing we alway's keep plenty of food handy and 'topping up' the bird baths. So much better than watching TV or better than going out---- shopping ??

I must admit it is amuaing to watch them especially when they are at one another over something and nothing,
whilst I am on have you ever heard a squirrel sort of bark ?
one was sat in the tree yesterday doing just that have you any idea why ?

Hi Mac, Have never heard of a squirrel Barking. maybe he was 'talking' to you, or telling you just what food he prefer's ?? -- How lovelly it was for you.

Hello Garden lover's,  How does your garden grow??
 Noticed this morning when washing the patio's, how 'drab' it was looking, plenty of plants and shrubs, but no colour.
 Ah! Well!!  can start planning anytime now and brighten up for spring and summer again??

I started working in the garden yesterday - seems nature is already far advanced in Germany. The first snowbells start to show their green leaves, if the weather continues to being warm perhaps they will bloom next week.

What a lovelly time of year, when new growth starts to show. We do have 'winter jasmine' in bloom with it's yellow flower's, I tend to forget it growing on the rear wall. It's mainly for the birds to play in, though it does help cover part of the wall as well. Completely forgot the winter pansies, to buy for this year too:

Winer pansies? Pansies bloom in our region in early spring. We only have winter heather and Christrosen that bloom in winter.

Winter Pansies, yes!! Actually Eve has just told me we do have some?? took me out to show me too!!(stopped raining) we have them in a trough slightly overcrowded? so only a few in flower. -- Been neglecting our garden for winter, these last two years. Birds taking priority???

What is 'Christrosen' ?? Do you have hanging baskets??
 Last summer was the first time we did not have any, in the front or rear gardens. we did miss them, so maybe next summer??

In Germany we don't have hanging basket, although I find them wonderful. We have our flowers in flower tubs or boxes on the window sills.
I have a terrace and there I put lots of flower pots, tubs etc.
Christrosen are white flowers blooming in winter (the green leaves are looking like the green leaves of peonis).

Hi Teri, You have just reminded me. I seem to recall seeing  Geraniums in flower boxes on window sills??
Those Christrosen, seem a lovelly flowering plant.

last christmas the daffs were almost out
this year they are very slow
wonder what that means ? :-\

Either it was too wet and the bulbs rotted or winter will come back again.

hope not lol.

Just have to Plan for Spring/Summer to get some Colour back in the garden, looks a bit drab.

ait another month or two and you will be surprised how colourful your garden looks.

Spring and Autumn are fabulous!! Shall be happy to see our shrubs and bushes growing healthy again. Will have to re-plan and buy more flowering plants. Sorely missed the winter colouring.

Phoenix, do you have such a big garden - wonderful!

About a Medium size garden really. Although one does not see large gardens, in the last decade or so. Have a beautiful photo: on A4 Gloss paper, taken in the summer. I was really pleased it came out so well. Lots of Photos: taken of the birds, Dancing around the big birdbath and feeding of course. -- Was my first attempt last year of putting photos: into the computer for printing:

Phoenix, what about sharing them with us in the photo gallery?

Hi Teri, Great Idea. Most forums have a Photo: section and it it lovelly to see other people's views!!
I have never tried it before, but for Mac. Bless Her!!
 I still would not. -- Don't forget, you too can do it!!
I believe it brings a little more Life, into our Chats:
 Had even forgot about the photo: gallery??

Thank you pheonix
I too am only learning
 :-[

Hi Mac,  A little learning is a wonderful thing?? and we  all have to get to know, a Mr. Perci Vere.??  Once introduced, intimately, we solve a problem??  Just like those Photo: idea's you gave me. Tried a few and found it ok!! -- Sure makes one feel good as e-mailing Photo's!!
Room for another problem?? = Next?? ::) ::) ::)

i cant get photo gallery
it says something about jamboola
they wont open
do you have to register of what ?

Mac, Have just tried twice and no problems. Right at bottom of Photo. page it does say ---
'copperplate photo. gallery juboolar ?? -- As long as you are signed in, there should be no probs: Click on picture to enlarge:

Visited a D-I-Y.  this morning. Lots of plants in and a real treat to see them all. Naturally we bought some. Am currently preparing to plant a Victoria Plum Tree and a Cherry Tree, the ground is so heavy as it is clay, but i did 'finally' get the holes dug --- ready for tomorrow!!

so will we get to try some cherries and plums !!!

Great Job Done!!  Both tree's Planted!! --- Now?? as to The fruit?? -- Wonder IF, we shall see any??  Have to take into consideration -- the undesirables  ::) ::) Only a 6ft. Wall to keep them out??  need some of John/Jaqui's razor wire ?? But on second thoughts??  We Must Not Stop Them from intruding on our property??? -- Just 'Hinder' their Exit?? -- I.E. "WOULD YOU PLEASE REMOVE YOUR PERSONAGE FROM THESE PREMISES, THAT YOU HAVE 'DESECRATED'"

Then don't forget to award their Medal?? The O.B.??

THE ORDER OF THE BOOT!! ::) ::) ::)

should my plant from christmas still look like this

Its time is passed, it's now time for daffodils, tulips and forget-me-nots. In my neighbour's garden the apple tree starts to bloom - spring is arriving!

Teri I know but I cant kill it can I ?

No and if you have luck, he will bloom next Christmas again - in our office we had one - however in the second year the flower wasn't as bright as in the first year.

Hi Mac, There are so many Indoor plants now and we love to have some 'greenery' around. Do you know what your plant is ?? -- Some are alright for all year round with a little water and 'Miracle Grow' feeding.-- Some again, do seem to Hibernate/die -- then back to life they come!! -- Our Hosta, outside is now full of Buds and only last week, It very nearly got thrown out?? -- So maybe 'feed' it or even 'sing' to it?? Has 2 chances if you like it!!

poinsettia it is phoenix.

Phoenix what about a "hibiscus" it will be in bloom the whole year!

Hi Mac, Thanks for telling me, your plant is a Poinsettia. Sorry I did not recognise it. I do so hope it will 'awake' again.

Hi Teri, There are so many plants now, that sometimes it is hard to recognise them all. We shall be going to a 'Garden Centre' when possible, but as we all know, it's what takes our fancy, at that moment?? -- there again, some plants do well? and othere's not so well??

Whether it is one plant in a pot indoors, or a large garden to love and cherish!! T'is the joy plants bring!!

That's true Phoenix and spring is one of the most wonderful seasons!

Totally Agree!!  It's as though new life is being given us. Being closer to nature with plants and flower's and the birds. -- Sitting outside with cuppa's and ciggies, 'nipping' in for 'nibbles' too ----- and the loo is quite close ??  Can't ask for anything more -- It's just total Peace!!

Nice to hear you enjoy it - since Saturday we have bright sunshine and summer temperatures in the daytime.

Hope that you have all, enjoyed this few day's of Sunshine. It was like a real tonic ;D ;D---- Sorry to say though --- The shower's?? they are a'coming back ::) ::)

Phoenix, I hope you have the same sunny "summer" weather we have at present in Germany!

Teri, The Weather has been great for all to Enjoy!! -- Trouble is ?? Gets Soooo Hot, when working, trying to get things done??  Sunday will be the third day that I have been going to finish some Patio cleaning and then give the plants and flower's a feed??--- Tomorrow is Sunday?? so there is a 50/50 chance of completing ::) ::)  ??? ???

Phoenix, Sunday is a day of rest - at least in Germany. My neighbours wouldn't be happy if I worked in the garden - the only thing I'm allowed to do is to either sit on my terrace and read a book or take a sunbath!

So you should --- Rest and Relax!!  I don't think for one moment you have much Time for that!!
Must have Time to 'Switch Off'??

True, in Germany Sunday is a day of rest and relax. No working in the garden, washing the car, only people being bored, going for a walk, hiking, making excursions, visiting museums or restaurants for a Sunday dinner!

Sunday here is the day when the lawn mowers come out i strength. probably because its the only day some people have off work, to be truthful I used to like to hear them. I thing I hated when sat in the garden, was barking dogs.
 when my children were in the pram, I and other men used to take the babies out in the prams, I always came across other men with prams, stop and have a chat. We all got to the local pub at 12 noon(opening time), the car park was full of prams while the men had their pints ( no cars about then), the it was home for lsunday dinner. This happened because the wommen folk wanted us men out of the way while they cooked lunch. Happy days

Are you sure, William? My grandfather also went in the pub on Sundays after church until lunch time.

Tis true Teri,we men are an obedient lot,always di as the wife tellsus.

OH!! William,  So True!! So Very True!! -------------
Is it us Men,  Alway's trying To Please (the boss) almost without Question ::) ::) ::)  OR?? Are we just 'looking' for 'peace and quiet' ::) ::) ::) --- really cannot make my mind up????  Chuckle!! Chuckle!! ;D ;D ;D

Oh, how much pity I have with you - the British men. German men of my generation tell their wives what they have to do - if they do it, that's another question!

What little fibbers they are Teri
I never saw any prams outside the pub
they left the kids with the wife who had to do see to the dinner and the kids but hey we can all dream !lol

True, Mac. Now it's too late to ask for a proof. There don't exist any photos and on the other side what kind of "raven fathers" - go into the warm pub and drink a beer, whereas the poor babies have to stay outside in the cold without anything to eat or someone to entertain them!! Didn't they fear their babies were stolen! Shame on them!

LOl Teri you too clever for them  ;)

Not true Teri, I always offered my baby a packet of crisps and  ahalf pint of beer,but she always refused, so I to drink it myself.

Funny, the UK must have been a rather sophisticated and rich country at that time. When I was a child crisps were unknown, I could feel myself rather happy if there was any bread at home for me. Food was rationed and the first sweets I got were those that American soldiers offered us as a gift for Christmas or threw out of their jeeps when they passed.

There again?? there was those that 'feared' the Good Woman, hiding behind The door (as The man came in slightly the worse for wear) wielding the proverbial Wooden Rolling Pin  ::) ::) ::)-- Not me I might add, as i did not frequent the pubs!!----- perhaps I was just Well Trained ;D ;D ;D

Thats why they are little fibbers Teri our food was rationed too !!!!! till the 50s,but I do remember crisps (smiths) they were called and they were delicious but they wouldnt have been on ration,that would be after.
I was 6 years old the first time I had a banana lol
they were delicious too,not like they are now ! tasteless like everything else !
Did you go to the banana plantation in Egypt Teri,now they really are bananas ........sweet and soft,but of course you have to dodge the mosquitoes and a silly looking man about 4ft tall with an asda bag !!!!!! who wanted to marry me ! lol not a hope !

Mac,   Wow!!  The Food Rationing Period?? -- Did'nt We Do Well?? Our mother's really were 'The Best of British!!
 making sure that we 'survived!! I believe that all rationing finished about 1954 -- Totally?? -- We was married in 1953, a double wedding and not quite sure about coupons for the wedding dresses?? --- Oh!! such wonderful times and Wonderful People!!

Makes you wonder Phoenix !

Hi Mac, Should you want an 'unbiased' opinion ??
        Buy "The best of British"  magazine -- The publisher,Ian Beecham, has got it to a fine art!!
Of which His feelings and Attitude are the same as mine!!

Thank s for that phoenix is it online ?

Hi Mac, Yes! "Best of British" is Online!!-- The magazine is Great!! I love the stories and the reminder's of how life was!! -- I miss that 'Quality ::) ::)

As you are just talking about the British - when I was in our bookshop in the town I browsed in a book called "Instruction Manual for Great Britain" and they wrote re. Pubs - English pubs open at 11 a.m. and are open till (I no longer recollect), so at 11 a.m. people (above men) are going into direction of the pub. Moreover in the evening the last beer is served at 11 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays Brits (particularly men) go to the pub and drink beer and brandy, like we drink for instance coffee. That's quite different in our country, you can have a beer or a brandy whenever you wish it, but usually we don't drink any alcohol before lunch or supper in the evening and we don't drink more alcohol on week-ends than on other days. Some men have a so-called "Stammtisch",i.e. they meet one evening a week and discuss political or other issues, but the young generation seems no longer to be interested in such old-fashioned traditions.   

Lots of our `pubs` have closed down now Teri especially the little corner ones where the men used to go at night after work.I remember that as a kid ,but there was no televisions then and it was a form of socialising,they played dominoes and cards and darts.Some ladies went there too but I think this was the older ones that were lonely sat in the house.You could even buy a jug of beer to take out lol
I cant say any of them drank brandy Teri is was far too expensive in fact I think it was for medicinal purposes then lol
You are quite right the younger ones dont do that,unless there is a big football screen or a snooker table.

Am Not a Pub Drinker (Hurray)!! I believe that Pubs was allowed 24 hour's for 'Binge Drinkers'????? -- Which is possibly why so many of the younger generation are  "Mozart and litz" ::) ::) Brain Dead  and have to keep drinking ::) ::)--- For 'socialising' a 'Remy Martin'(Brandy) was my favourite, with a nice 'castella' then A coffee (not instant) with a 'Baylie's  ::) ::)
Those day's are long gone,  most Pubs are taken up with the young breed and i don't suppose there are any 'selective' houses anymore!!

That's interesting - your youngsters go in pubs, ours go in "trend restaurants". If someone asks me to join him, I'm always afraid I will meet one of my former/present pupils there.

Could be a bit tricky that Teri lol

The 'youngster's here all seem to go to Night Clubs and booze away till the early hours, with the flashing lights and loud music ::) ::)

Phoenix, "discos" we call them, they are also very popular in Germany and my younger daughter was a fan of them. Don't ask me how many evenings my alarm-clock had to wake me up to collect her from the disco!

Disco's seems to be a long forgotten Word?? ---
 Here, It is ALL Clubs! Clubs! and Clubs!! --
No Dance halls or Bingo, as there used to be  ::) ::)
The Senior's are all but forgotten, apart from some Club Rooms, which again seem just a few???

I think in our town we have got a dance hall, but I never have been there, so I can't say whether it's for the youth or for senior citizens.

There are some clubs that run  'Line dancing' but Eve is not interested. It is one way of getting easy excersize
 for the older people, but Not for me now as my balance is getting worse.  I would strongly recommend, that everybody does some form of excersize to help keep Mobile, for as long as is possible.

Phoenix, I already told you that I'm going to the gym with my mother. We are sitting on chairs there when we are making our exercises - perhaps such a "chair gym" would be of interest to you.

I agree Phoenix,but for some it is easier said than done !
for many different reasons.

Hello Mac, Everybody!!  should do some sort of excersize, but what is best, when walking is out?? I do 'wriggle' my ankles around while sitting down and that is it  ::) ::)

Just a thought phoenix what about swimming ?
there are free swimming lessons here do you have that too ?

Ah! Mac, that is a good thought. Good Excersise and (good for my figure)??  Will try to make inquiries ??

Phoenix and in Germany they also offer "water gym lessons". I have never attended one, but I've watched them. Seem to be really entertaining.

Hum!! Sounds Good??  Don't seem to 'advertise' much for Senior's around here ::) ::)

Phoenix,keep taking the dog out and keep waking up in the mornings its all we can ask for  ;D ;D ;D ;D

 To 'coin' a phrase ??  "Is That All There Is To Life"

Even The Criminals, have more to look forward too!!
 Ian Huntley, is being Well Looked After!!
 The 'Bulger Boy's Killer's are being Well Looked After!!

 Just what is so 'wrong' in looking after The Senior Citizens, of this country  ::) More so those that cannot afford those Special Drugs, to enable them a reasonable quality of their remaining Life ???????????

Everything in our garden in growing well, in spite of our, showery weather. Where does it all come from??
What has happened to 'Flaming June' ?????

Its late !!! as usual.

Maybe it's just 'April Shower's ::) ::)

I have asked my mate to water my tubs because I am away for 2 weeks from sunday.I tell you all so you wont think i have deserted you all.I will try and access a pc so will continue to look and post hopefully.

Guilty M'lord!!  Have been neglecting our garden lately. Neither of us have been feeling great. Did some Watering this morning ?? ----- then it Rained  ::) ::)

Ha Phoenix I did that too and it didnt just rain it poured !!!!!! and I am unstairs too so its not much fun humping the bucket up and down lol
no matter it is worth it,it looks lovely !

Nice weather today!!  My good intension was to Feed and Water all the Plants and the Lawns?? --- Did I  ::) ::)
 No!!  Does that count as a senior moment ????
Ah! Well!!  Maybe Tomorrow ??  Will check for Rain First ??

Lol Phoenix,nor did I,no time !!!!
too busy doing nothing
working the whole day through
trying to find lots of things not to do !

Hi Mac,  Have not heard that Verse, for Years??   LOL!!

Bye the way ???  We actually had a Stoat running around our Garden this morning!!  Never seen one before??  glad our dog was in. ---  Possibly the Stoat was only a Baby??
 Even  came and looked in the patio windows. We was both Thrilled but pity no camera handy??

Isn't that always the way, we had a jay on the birds nuts and it looked lovely although I know they're not to other birds, by the time I got the camera it'd gone.(http://www.postsmile.net/img/29/2967.gif) (http://www.postsmile.com/)

Luvs your picture Val!!  -- the 'peek a Boo' effect is great!! - Strange just how our camera is never close by, when needed?? -- We had a (baby) stoat, in our garden yesterday, running around. By the time i got the camera ready --- Well??  I think it was camera shy ??
 in spite of coming to the patio doors to have a look inside -- i was all of a dither ::) ::)
 Fotunately our 'Misty' was inside. can't remember what was on TV  at the time ::) ::) ::)

My tubs sure like this rainy weather
they are blooming !!!

Don't quite know how this got into "Gardening" !! except that we are getting a lot of rain  ;).  I tried these exercises in the swimming baths after a heart bypass operation 5 years ago, but had to give up as they were just too exhausting.

"How does your garden grow ?"

I really set out to make an entry here, but got led astray by the post about water exercises.  So . . .   Our garden is growing exponentially.  I was hors de combat for most of May and June, and by the time I got out there everything was 2 feet high and rising - and 90% of it was weeds.  I have now got it a bit tidier, but the incessant rain means that the weed seedlings germinate faster than I can deal with them.

We went to Harlow Carr on Friday 1st August last, and you could see that they had had very heavy rain the night before, and had suffered minor flood damage.

Summer !

 :(

Try weed killer Ayjed lol

Ayjed, after weeks of sunshine and heat it started to rain yesterday afternoon and it's still raining - how agreeable for all plants. However, as you say I fear the weeds will also be happy about the rain and grow faster than the flowers.
Mac, as to weed killer, it's good for the lawn, but I never tried it in a flower bed. The weed killer is also killing the primroses in the lawn, so I have my doubts whether he can distinguish between flowers and weeds.

Or a flame thrower   ;)

Actually, I have been using some Glyphosate.  I evidently made a note on the box (when I bought it) of the date - - - 1999 !!!  It seems to be not very effective so I guess it is long past its sell-by, and use-by, dates.  Some plants seem to have the ability to throw it off so that it does not penetrate their leaves eg: alchemilla mollis.

Well folks we have mushrooms/toadstools or whatever in our lawn lol,we cut down two trees 4 years ago and it must be the roots that are causing this what can we do ?

Too be sure, it is something to do with The Weather?? It's playing havoc with us. Today, we have had Sunshine, Rain and Hail ??  How is that for August ????

True, mushrooms love warm humid weather.

T'is something to do with 'Global Warming' ???
So they would have us believe ????? ---  WHY?????
Even The Birds are one week later (over 40 years) in laying their Eggs!!   Is that Educational ????

Phoenix, I don't know but in Germany flowers are earlier in blossom, birds building their nests - at the moment the autumn flowers start to bloom and it's already a bit of autumn in the air - at least in the morning and evening. Thus climate must have changed. When I was still at school, the summer holidays always ended mid-September and when I went again to school I always had the feeling, autumn has arrived.