Hi everyone, I used to post a lot in a previous Gardens etc until my wife was also diagnosed with cancer just over 2 years ago and she went through such a hard time so my time was taken up with not just Mrs Tvman but I was not good because of the rise and fall of red cells, white cells, neutrophils and platelets.
The good news is that I have a little bit more free time to garden. I never stopped because it's in my DNA to get working in the garden. I'm also a wheelchair user because of a serious back condition called spinal stenosis and the pain is so great that I'm only able to work in short bursts.
So let's see photos of your gardens or allotments, whether they be large or small or maybe you only have room for pots and troughs in a balcony or back yard.
My speciality for the last 40 years is vegetables and I have won hundreds of prizes over the last 20 years or so. I have had vegetables in show that have made me Northern Ireland champion for my sins. Unfortunately, since covid some shows have ceased therefore I haven't entered any for a few years.
I've a few photos below, that's if I can remember how to insert them! It's been a while.
Below is a photo of the contents of my greenhouse, there are tomato plants left and right of the pathway. Also just past the tomatoes are cucumber plants against that have frames for them to climb up. The cucumber variety is Mini Munch, they're a small variety that are sufficient for a few salads
The plants in the large pots below are aubergines, variety Black Beauty and inbetween the pots is a seed tray in which spring onion seeds have been sown which of course haven't germinated yet. Over here in Northern Ireland we call spring onions "scallions" and apart from in salads we have them with butter in mashed potatoes and that dish is called "champ". Believe it or not that was served as a stand alone dish that we had when I was small, some 60 years ago. Just mashed potatoes with small pieces of cut up scallions, cooked slowly in real butter then a dinner plate was loaded up with champ, a hole made in the top and filled with more butter then everything was mixed together and eaten. Along with an Ulster Fry in the morning, no wonder we had the highest rate of heart disease in Europe!
Last photo below for this post is a bed of garlic (on the left), shallots in the foreground and at the far end for those of you eagle-eyed is a few red and white onions that are just 2 or 3 inches high. They are grown from onion sets that are small immature onions and usually come in a net bag weighing 250g and there are about 70 in total.
You'll notice that I have wire netting around the beds, that's because 3 years ago I had a rabbit problem. 35 years without them, 1½ years of rabbits and none since! The wire netting is staying for a while yet!
What about some photos from anyone else?
Tvman
Hi Stella, you have the photo on your phone, yes? You can Google the pic and you'll probably get a great chance of a correct answer especially as it's in bloom. I identify plants frequently using Google. HTH
Tvman
Hi
You are right. it is Chilean lantern Ada Hoffman. It is ever green but needs acid soil to grow.
Glad to help my friend, I'm guessing Cambridge, like Bessaccar is on limestone, so work needed to adjust the soil, but if you want it Stella, you go for it
love Eddie and Sheila xx
I would really like a nice Camilla for this winter season. They can have such beautiful flowers. I saw on at the woodland garden that has 3 different flowers on it- red, white , and red striped. I shall grow it in a large container against the wall. Just have to go around many garden centres/ nurseries to secure one. Given my prognosis, I would like to buy a mature one
Hi Stella, there used to be an app called plantfinder, not sure if it's still around, but there's the RHS plant finderwhy not ask the International Camillia Society UK, good luck my friend, PS, if you post the plants name, someone may be able to help
love Eddie and Sheila xx
Hi Stella, funny thing I have been wanting to get a camellia for my pot out the front. I was googling it and Amazon sell the tricolour ones for £18.99 it is red, white and pink. I think I might order one. I wanted something evergreen and flowered for a good few months.
Lee 2 x
Hi
I was looking at it too! But for me half the fun is research and looking for the plant. So I am going to go around many places in winter season and then decide on which one to buy.
I am quite inpatient so will have to get a mature one straight away.
Hi Stella, there's some lovely acid soil loving plants suitable for under the camelia, oriental Lilly's being one, Night rider, being a favourite.
love Eddie and Sheila xx
Don't know if you'll see any in flower still Stella but you're certainly making a good choice. They're among the first to flower in early Spring which is one of the reasons I love them.
Tvman
I went to the Chelsea flower show yesterday. Many the show gardens have a very naturalistic plants scheme. Pinkish purple is a favourite colour palette many used. All very tranquil and beautiful. My favourite is the Glasshouse garden. It is feminine yet powerful at the same time.
My front garden is south facing and secluded. it is just lawns but I am considering raised boarders and a central raise bed?
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