3: Gardening Diaries ...

[alp]

Yes, same here! Saw a lovely chrysan and thought it was £1.69. Turned out to be £3.25! Very upset. They are still cheaper than those bought at Bonnett's. As I thought they were £1.69, I wanted to buy them again. But when he called out the price, I was so unprepared for it. so I asked them to be removed. After he removed them, no trace of the prices on the receipt at all.

@Perki You're so sentimental. I've come from a very poor family and we treat everything as functional crop. We kept chickens, cows, pigs. I had to prepare my chickens. Don't want to describe the horror involved, but needs must be! Or no dinner for a family of 9! The joke for us is that we would eat anything that moves ...

 

[alp]

@Upsy Daisy I will have a look at the link as I have bought some Branston pickle vinegar. Can't believe my eyes, there were Dijon Mustard for sale in Aldi. But I was after powder form as it tastes more powerful than the one in a jar! Even Asda didn't store them.

If you have time, please watch Gardeners in Kabul. It was such a touching documentary. This professor and his wife loved gardening and even when it was shelling, he went outside to get water for the plants. As the shelling got more intense, it became dangerous and the wife suggested they dig a well. After 4 or 5 hours, they reach a source. How amazing! Such love for gardening. Another one talked about how the Taliban controlled the people - women weren't allowed out unless they hid most of their faces and he got beaten up because he shaved off his beard! He said he would go to the city to collect grass seeds and sow them and then flowers .. It's amazing how people search for their peace and serenity via gardening.

If you have time, please watch it and perhaps you might even shed a tear or two like me!

 

[alp]

By the way, just finished GW and the garden Toby Buckland visited was lovely. But it's very costly! The coreopsis fest was marvellous! and the understated planting in between the giant pots was very easy on the eyes!

On the whole, a very enjoyable episode and if there was a horticultural lesson from Carol, it would be totally perfect!

 

[Upsy Daisy]

Very moving documentary....thanks @alp
Their gardens have given them back peace and tranquillity which in turn strengthens their minds and general wellbeing while the environment around them is hostile and dangerous

Brought home the dangers that surround them when the young man said that he never knew if each day would be his last.

No modern ,new faggled gardening equipment for them ...just a small scythe each. Inspirational !!

 

[Upsy Daisy]

Sleep well everyone....

 

[alp]

Good morning to night owls and early risers! I wish I could sleep in the box designed by the Rich brothers, which would be moved from one corner of the corner to another just to get some fresh air.

A very simple documentary - Gardeners in Kabul! The young man does have green fingers and his flowers are most perfect. The other man said he loved geranium as it flowered the whole year round. The couple was so dedicated, risking his life just for watering their plants. Afghanistan has been unstable place for a long time - wars that nobody can win and yet destablising inhabitants' lives.

A very warm morning. Let's put it this morning, always a bit warmer here for various reasons. It's dark today even though it's 7.15am. Got up a bit late.

RHS Wisley continues ...

At the bottom of the photo is the canal where waterlilies and carps enjoy their havens!

A most peculiar and interesting bracts or flowers or young leaves - silvery and so different!

My future mode of transport at the right-hand corner! Such a lovely place and they have a lift for the disabled!

Love the topiaries

We did go round the tiers of the landscape as we need to be home by 5! Shame!

Inside the conservatory with beautiful and exotic flowers!

Industrial scale heater ring! Must be costly heating the place.

Huge hibiscus would love to have one of these!

So remember: 2-3 October - free entry for all in all flagship gardens - you can make a whole day of it and make the travelling worthwhile!

 

[Upsy Daisy]

Morning!!

Great pics @alp , love the exotics and would equally love to afford to heat them as well!

That documentary was very touching , to see those children meticulously removing ever bit of weed from the soil and that retired gardener who tended his father inlaws garden every morning and then went back to sit in it every evening to enjoy it, he himself owned nothing he said. We shouldn't take for grated the lifestyles we are so fortunate to enjoy.

We are set for a fine day again today, a bit of housework first before tackling another tidy up job in the garden. Out this afternoon, so lots to do this morning.

Have a lovely day

 

[alp]

Only we can appreciate how happy these people are whilst gardening. Shame that they have to live amongst the shelling .. And then I watched a bit Around the world in 80 gardens and saw this famed architect who created garden with nothing in it, just a few plants, 4 brightly coloured walls and the sky! Oh, dear! And a lot of literary waffle to conceptualise the garden. So fed up with it. And yet the garden in Mexico with magical mud is inspirational .. So I will stick to watching it.

Strange that we have a very grey and subdued morning and yet a few hours later, it will be 24c! Cardboards already on the lean to roof! Glass roof is really pants!

 

[alp]

And here is a very human story about Afghan war on our men and now we know why Bodyguard story line is relevant. I haven't watched the 2nd episode. I will watch them all when the final episode has been aired.

Ex-soldier with PTSD, 29, SURVIVED jumping in front of a train after kissing his children goodbye - and now apologises to bystanders who witnessed his attempted suicide

• WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT Perry Tatler kissed his children before attempt
• He was medically discharged from Army after he was shot in legs in Afghanistan
• While he recovers he is urging suicidal people not to bottle up their emotions
  
  Source
  
  They probably can form another EU in the area and unite everything under the name of harmony! Just a thought!

Going to reduce stuff today and I am 100% sure I will end up taking more cuttings! Beyond help I am!

 

[Upsy Daisy]

Oh Good Grief!!! That poor man, what must he had been suffering inside his head....so very much that he was prepared to leave his children and end his life.
I wish him well and strength to get through this .

 

[alp]

Feel like Crowdfunding for him .. Look at Alex Salmon ... and he's got more than he needs! Very sad! Off to take more cuttings! LOL!

 

[Upsy Daisy]

Yes it does

Catch you later, enjoy your day

 

[MaryMary]

@MaryMary 's Art Nouveau

Yay!!!!!!!
I was wondering if it was going to show itself!!

These fuchsias have just woken up and nearly missed the party.

I am also loving that purple and pink fuchsia!

 

[alp]

Yay!!!!!!!
I was wondering if it was going to show itself!!


I am also loving that purple and pink fuchsia!

I have even better pics now.

See how horrible this Blue Bayou looks.. Don't think I would buy it if the photos show this! Some colour adjustment must have been applied.

Now what is this monstrosity? LOL!

Fuchsia raised as standard!

Kelvon Floodlight another plant

These are both Art Nouveau. Shame you live in US. Too far for me to send seeds or plants.

 

[alp]

Good morning to a very mild and dark Tuesday morning. Was thinking of staying in bed, then I remember I can watch Garden Rescue, so I got up early. Hope all the storms have subsided - quite frightening to see big ones in the Philippines, the south coast of the states .. and gale force winds in Ireland!

Some very intriguing flowers here

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle...ld/ss-BBNk1Fo?ocid=spartanntp&fullscreen=true

Swaddled babies orchid (Anguloa uniflora)

Hooker’s Lips (Psychotria elata)