Thank you all for your dog advice, it is very much appreciated. I have been reading the manual in the chilly dawn hours and gradually learning about it all. Excitement is building, as you can imagine. And I'm trying to get things done now that might not get done later.
In the garden I've planted out the tomatoes and repotted a mint plant. Mint tends to be neglected a bit I think. When I went to Jekka's Herb Farm last year Jekka had the most glorious big round bushes of mint. She asked how many people had mint at home. Just about everyone stuck their hands up. Then she asked how many people's mint looked like hers. All the hands went down. She made the point that with a bit of care, repotting, mulching, that sort of thing, mint can look amazing. So when I saw my neglected pot of mint looking quite healthy I thought it deserved a decent pot and some new soil. I think I'll pinch the tips out and see if I can get it to stay bushy, rather than shooting for the sky.
The great tit chicks are no longer in the nest. To be honest I've no idea what happened to them. One minute the parents were in and out constantly, the next minute, radio silence. I think I saw a fledgling or two in the garden, so I'm hoping for the best.
The blackbirds are driving me to distraction, pulling the top layer of soil out of the pots and flinging it round the garden. I swept up at 6.30 the other morning. By the time I got back from the school run it was messy again. And of course once the blueberries are ripe they'll be here in full force. As I said to the children, if I catch one, I'm putting it in a pie.
A weekend of football and cricket awaits. I may try and sneak out to a local plant sale later, you know, just to look. I do love a nice ordinary weekend with local pottering and not too much rushing around. Any grand plans this weekend, or will it be an ordinary one? Whichever it is, enjoy. CJ xx
Did you see Jekka's garden at the Malvern show via Gardeners World? It looked wonderful. I probably need to spend more time on my mints. They look glorious now but by August I'm hard put to find anything worth having. Definitely a gardening weekend here. After wednesday's deluge there is a lot of work to do. At least it's sunny :). Have a good one. B x
ReplyDeleteYes, I did, loved it, and no doubt it will look gorgeous when it matures. Something to aspire to! CJ xx
DeleteSuch a good idea to do stuff before all the walking and training and, erm, mopping commences. I might give the mint idea a try though the plant here is only two measly stems and nothing like yours. Am planning to join a local demo against building five office blocks on the lake and grass in the town centre this afty. Secretly hoping I'll end up on the telly.
ReplyDeleteWell done you, good luck, I hope you manage to stop it. Fields are disappearing rapidly around here, and it would be even more of a shame to lose a lake. CJ xx
DeleteLovely post and pictures. My weekend will be a routine one, but hopefully enjoyable all the same.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and you too. xx
We had plans for some allotmenting but have been rained off, we have a few of the RHS pots . They house our hostas
ReplyDeleteAll the mint here gets used in gin by summer's end! Lovely to potter about the garden. I am planning similar once we're back from tomorrow's 10k race. Fingers crossed for the baby great tits xx
ReplyDeleteI have managed to kill my mint. I didn't think it was possible!
ReplyDeleteCJ, I have been missing you my friend. I hope your weekend is peaceful, regardless of all the sporting events. I love your flowers and your garden. Hugs to you,
ReplyDeleteMeredith
Our mint is all over the back garden.. I tried to contain it once but have given up. With half the weekend gone, I am looking forward to a quiet Sunday. I was going to sew a top but noticed that one part that needed cutting on the fold, I cut separately... oh well, I guess I can work this into a quilt one day. Hope the weather stays dry for cricket and football. I don't get cricket, it is well beyond my intellectual grasp. xx
ReplyDeleteI had a chuckle over the image of you baking a blackbird in a pie and it's beak sticking out of the top of the crust! What kind of mint do you have? I used to have peppermint, spearmint and chocolate mint but have lost all of them. Time for a new pot of it as I adore it.. especially peppermint. Have you got any close to identifying the dog breed you want? I have to disagree with the woman who warned you against all Terrier breeds.. the Westies and Cairns Norwiches are wonderful dogs. Good luck on the quest. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen bushy mint before yours. That's beautiful. Mine is in a patch in the raised planter bed and it's mostly contained to a small area (as long as I keep on it) but it's very spindly. I should try it in a pot. We have a lot of other herbs in pots and they do really well. I'm very excited about your future dog!
ReplyDeleteOrdinary and pottering about here too. Planted some vegetables, baked a cake... That sort of thing. Smiling at the thought of your blackbird pie!
ReplyDeleteI love fresh mint steeped in hot water for a refreshing afternoon brew. Or I toss it into the water in my steamer to let it infuse with new potatoes, or occasionally I'll whizz up a pea and mint soup. Looks like everything is truly awake in the garden now.
ReplyDeleteCJ - these pictures are beautiful - such deep color and saturation and that rose petal/rain drop one is gorgeous. About the mint - we love making sun tea and it is a perfect way to keep your mint in check. We grab several bunches of mint, lemon balm, young red raspberry leaves, a bit of stevia, and sometimes lemon thyme and we rinse it, stuff it into a large glass jar filled with water and then set it in strong sunlight for a couple of hours. Strain, chill, and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI captured raindrops on my peonies last week but I was afraid they would drop but they have survived another day. Jo x
ReplyDeleteThese are remarkable closeups. I particularly like the one of the rose with the raindrops (and the post title) as well as the pot with the mint! Saying you have a green thumb is an understatement!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos CJ. Our garden has gone bananas with all the rain, it's all looking very green. I'm sure yours is the same. I don't have any mint - or any herbs actually -in the garden at the moment and I must rectify this. I just need more planters. Sorry about the blackbirds, the little blighters. They clearly find your garden irresistible! x
ReplyDeleteMy mint plant always looks a bit of a mess too! It does tend to get neglected as it is so easy to grow.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great weekend and the week is progressing well. I shall look at mint in a new light now - never thought of pinching it out before. Fingers crossed the great tits survived.
ReplyDeleteNow I have favorite things stuck in my head! I find myself asking the same thing, can I just have a nice little weekend around the apartment. Go for a few walks, tidy this, fix that, etc. But alas no. It's always something. We get an extra day off on Monday, so I'm hoping one of these days will go to a bit of chore work and another to craft and walking about.
ReplyDeleteRe puppies, I'd recommend 'The Perfect Puppy' by Gwen Bailey – a book full of great advice and practical tips. These are beautiful photos, CJ, and it sounds as though you're on top of the garden (which is more than can be said for me!). Your mint is looking lush. Hope you're enjoying the fabulous weather. Sam x
ReplyDeleteI will swap you your blackbirds for a tree full of very noisy jackdaws!
ReplyDeletebeautiful photos
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