Sam
@samssslearning
Love all things gardening. Restoring an art deco garden with my faithful hound Ted.
I planted on this hydrangea cutting and as it still has to bulk up, popped in a few left over petunias to give some additional colour. Not really planned but it has been a real feature. 🌱
Morning all. Very heavy rain here today which the garden desperately needs. Ted is not enamoured as he’s got into quite a routine of bathing in his pool. I hope the rain doesn’t destroy the dahlia blooms 🤞🏻Have a super day everyone 😊🌱
How gorgeous are these squash- lots growing this year which should see me through the winter months. 🌱
The newly added compost bays have doubled capacity. Given the intense heat I need more mulch material for the borders so this will help. 🌱
Dahlia American Dawn is one of my favourites. Gorgeous strong blooms & resilient to the elements. 🌱
Morning all. More rain overnight which is very welcome. Also it means less watering to do. The tomatoes are starting to ripen now, I picked these for a salad at lunch. Have a super day everyone 😊🌱
Afternoon all. It always feels sad when my daughter returns to London, so Ted & I are keeping busy. Today there’s apples to pick. Not so many because of the weather but they will be tasty. In contrast the freezer is now stacked with blackberries & damsons. Have a super day 😊
Pic of our lovely peeps watching the eclipse earlier this week at the cow & calf rocks on Ilkley moor.
Morning all. Very hot here today already so we’re working in the shade picking blackberries & lifting a few potatoes. I’m starting some additional water bags to try & keep the fruit trees hydrated. Areas of the garden normally moist from shade are bone dry despite mulching. 🌱
Morning all. Up early to get organised for a busy day. Watering done as looks like another hot day. Aubergine, courgette & tomato slow bake is in the oven, so the house smells of smoked paprika! The skip is due to arrive so it’s going to be hot work filling it. Have a super day 😊🌱
Ted faking chilling out in the kitchen, he’s really keeping tabs on the banana loaf I made which is cooling 😂
Afternoon all. I’ve been as busy as this bee today in preparation for my daughter arriving tomorrow. She’s helping me with the clear out & I’m sure we’ll soon fill the skip. Bread & cinnamon banana loaf made, beds changed & car washed, so time for some gardening now. 😊🌱
The gorgeous giant blooms of dahlia Fleurel. It’s a new one to me & I rather like it. 🌱
The aubergine plants are having a trip out from the greenhouse to enjoy the sun. I do love their lilac blooms. 🌱
Hi all. It is another very hot day here in West Yorkshire. Although there is a breeze, only the shaded areas are comfortable. I might be joining Ted in his pool shortly!
DA rose Olivia Austin on the 3rd repeat of blooms. It is growing in a very shady spot but has thrived. As the clusters of blooms are heavy, this rose has benefited from a strict pruning regime from planting, to develop sturdy stems. 🌱
All too often, when we place planters we focus on the immediate area, but it’s worth walking around & seeing if they can also add something to the surrounding landscape as well. Here’s an example of how a pot with some petunias on the gazebo area enhances the view from the pond. 🌱
Following on from my last post, here’s a couple of ladybird water stations. A saucer filled with pebbles. The water sits just below the surface level so they can safely drink. Just check water levels regularly. 🌱
This afternoon I’ve been topping up the ladybird population, with 50 new adults & 100 juveniles. It’s a good time to do it as there’s less ant activity, which feed on the juveniles. Although I’ve ladybirds already, they too have struggled in the heat. They need water sources too 🌱
One repeat bloom has appeared on the climbing rose ‘Chris’, planted in memory of my dad (papa). In his last years, papa lost his sight &, given the news this week re Ted, this feels like a hug to remind me that all will be well. 🌱