Blog items

R. I. P. Daphne

Poor Daphne, the salix Hakuro Nishiki, has been dug up after starting to die, back in July last year. We left her, hoping she'd make a comeback this Spring, but she hasn't. She has been here longer than most of the residents, having been planted nearly 18 years ago. How on earth she managed to ...

Completely Useless

Now that I've discovered the soil in my garden is completely useless for growing everything that I wanted to grow in it, I'm going to have to change tactics. It explains why Connie is dying, the rhododendron died within weeks, and the laurel bush didn't stand a chance. We can't afford to put all ...

Photo s

Does somebody know why my photo s are always upside down ??

#2, Dipladenia Sanderi "Sundaville Red"

The beautiful red vine we bought last Spring died 2 weeks before it was warm enough to go back outside on the patio. I am giving up on house plants. I was never that good at keeping them alive, no matter how much I nourished and nurtured them, or not, depending on the given instructions. Again, I ...

Something's wrong with Connie

Having survived a very wet Winter, and the minus degree frosts we've had during the past 3 months, Connie started to exhibit signs of regrowth, tiny little green buds and the first peeks of new leaves were seen, and then suddenly she started to turn brown. We have no idea what is wrong, or how to ...

Grape Vine 2

The grape tree is growing bigger and bigger. It has the tiny beginnings of little grapes on it.  After a couple of months, the grape vine is getting bigger. 

Weeding

I need to get out there and weed those berry plants! The grape plant was weeded yesterday.

Golden Raspberry and Blackberry plants

We just put some used coffee grounds around these plants. Perhaps this would help protect the plants from snails.

Starting up the garden

Yesterday was a fantastic day. Everything is starting to bloom : hyacint, the bulbs, crocus, clivia etc Mulching, taking away the winter beds, feeding, pruning the roses......

California Lilac Blooming

This beautiful California lilac has really started to bloom this year. It was most likely because of our recent rains. I hope that we are not in a drought still. We have had a rationed schedule of what days and times we can water our lawns in this city.

Blackberry Bush

We planted our blackberry bush on Feb. 13, 2017.  We plan to water it twice a week, unless it rains more frequently. 

What to focus on when planning your planting scheme?

Lucky for us here in Ireland our temperate climate allows us to grow plants from almost every part of the globe.  Hence, my interest in Peter Fudge a well known garden designer based in Australia.  I recently read this article and was inspired by Peter's top trios, planted in his own garden ...

Space, Rhubarb, Rhododendrons and I Told You So.!

Today, the big guy played barber to both Buddy and Blossom. Buddy got the short back and sides and Blossom got a buzzcut. Soon it will be Connie's turn, but I'd rather deal with the space issues we seem to have first. The rhubarb went completely mad, and despite only having two plants, they both ...

Theo Herbots TV

New Theo Herbots TV Visit the site and join this unique TV station informed to stay in a special way. Sincerely Theo Herbots ??click here ?

Regarding Free Peppermint Seeds

Hey Everyone, Upon Researching the subject of Mints, inspired by MJ and her knowledge, I realized that my Peppermint plants are in fact Spearmint. I was a little upset that my local farmers market person told me that it was Peppermint. I assumed it was. Spearmint has a lot of the same qualities as ...

Free Seeds

Free Seeds I have so many real Peppermint seeds if anyone would like some. I plan on selling them, but anyone on this awesome site can get some for free. Just my way of spreading cheer. Peppermint Plants are wonderful for lots of uses. Tea, is what I use it for, fresh and dried. I add it to my ...

Great ways to Preserve Your Garden By Freezing Complete Meals In A Bag

Just published an article for folks who want to freeze their homegrown food. http://bountifulharvesting.com.  Many ways to conserve time and have more time for more important tasks, like enjoying the scenery. Freeze your homegrown food in a meal bag ready to cook. My new article Crock Pot Freezer ...

So many unknown flowers...

The mysterious flower sachet that we received through the post some months ago has produced some real beauties, none of which we had even the first clue about. Thanks to this site, I discovered most of the small colourful ones were Linaria and with the help of Google figured out that there were ...

Edible Weeds

Hey Everyone, Just finished an article about Edible Weeds. http://bountifulharvesting.com/index.php/2016/08/19/edible-weedsbenefits/ Lots of information about growing, preserving, saving money, organic, chemical free, preservative limiting, preparing your soil, saving seeds and much more. Please ...

Dipladenia Sanderi "Sundaville Red"

Yesterday, we went to the local "specialist" garden store to find the necessary equipment to keep 'Bob', the phalaenopsis Orchid from keeling over and dying, after spending a week in potting soil. :O Thankfully, he's a brave boy and didn't seem unduly worried that his new owners tried to suffocate ...

The Hibiscus tree has bloomed.! :D

I've been waiting since we bought the tree from the local garden centre to see what colour the blooms would be. There's a pink hibiscus growing wild at the bottom of the road next to ours.. but so far this year it hasn't bloomed, although it does have small buds showing.. so I'm really pleased that ...

Buddy Jr., Blossom and the HUGE Storm.

As if my poor buddleia's haven't been through enough.. with frost bite, bug invasions and children. The tail-end of the HUGE storm to hit the Netherlands 2 weeks ago almost did for them both. Poor Buddy Jr. the tall 'Black Knight' was left uprooted and smashed by jet powered rain and gale force ...

Crabby Concha

The Ceanothus 'Concha' I named 'Connie' is sulking, and I can't say I blame her. After making it known she had had more than enough to drink, thank you VERY much, by turning her tiny green leaves yellow and brown, and throwing a few around in a temper, she then endured nearly two weeks of constant ...

Gardeners World 2015

At Longmeadow, Monty Don breaks ground for his new pond, and Carol Klein pays Geoff and Sally Davis another visit in their Somerset garden. Their overgrown shrubs are in need of a jolly good haircut, but they haven't a clue where to ...

HORTICULTURE AND GARDENING 10-16

Best gardening show (and you know the name so dont ask) https://itmocca.wordpress.com/2016/05/20/horticulture-and-gardening-10-16/