Don’t let the sun go down

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We are well into autumn, the days are getting shorterΒ and the colours around have never been more striking. The contrasts between the vibrant colours of the changing leaves and the darker moodier sky captures the imagination..Β  Keep the colours trooping and add in some pots or hanging plants to enhance the vibe.

Pansies and violas are the perfect plant for this.Β Β They will bloom well into November.

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Colourful potted pansy keeping the interest in the Autumn garden
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Potted Pansies in shades of autumn

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Deadhead (remove faded blooms)Β if you want to have blooms a plenty during the first weeks of potting.Β  As the plant starts to loose energy leave the flower heads to die back on the plant. Collect the seeds, after the flower heads fade, from the remaining podΒ  and replant in a cold frame or in early spring to enjoy their colourful display all over again.

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Faded flower head

 

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Extracted pansy seeds

 

 

Teeny Blooming Places

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Gardening in miniature means that you can create your own garden in the tiniest of space. Even if all you have is a window ledge, or a small balcony you can create your very own miniature garden.

Use household items like left over jars and cartons to plant up small plants and seedlings to create your gardenΒ and here’s how

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Things you will need

Plants

  • Viola’s
  • Marigolds
  • Fern seedlings
  • Mini cyclamen

Materials

  • empty household containers (plastic or glass)Β  coconut shells orΒ a hollowed out piece of wood
  • Potting compost
  • garden string,Β  twine or craft wire
  • Small stones/pebbles
  • scissors

Step 1 Β Clean out plasticΒ or glass foodΒ containers (once youΒ  have enjoyed the delicious desert), if using coconut shells cut themΒ in half and scoop out theΒ inside (use the coconut to make a delicious Thai or Goan curry – yum)

Step 2 Β Add a layer of small pebbles to the bottom of the container (you can buy these from a builders merchants, garden centre or collect some of your choice from woodland/beach walks

Step 3 Β Place ornamental grass {or other seedlings ofΒ  your choice) on top of pebbles, hold in the centre and fill container to top with compost.

Step 4 Β Keep soil moist during dry weather, the pebbles will allow free drainage.Β  Alternatively top with pebbles instead of layering bottom for decorative effect.

Step 5. If you wish to hang the containerΒ you can create holes in coconutΒ or plasticΒ and insert string,Β  If using glass containers you can tie the string tightly along the Β lip edge.Β Tie in Β three evenly spaced pieces of string to form a triangle which you can join together at the top in a loop for hanging.

Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β  teeny blooming marigoldLayered plastic pot.Β  Pebbles, soil, ornamental grass.

 

You can also use glass jars with a rim and add string to hang them up.Β  The rim will help hold the hanging wire or string you use in place.

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These jarsΒ  have been planted up with fern seedlings and mini cyclamen – ideal for these tiny planters.Β  Topping the potted plant with pebbles also addsΒ to the overallΒ effect.

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tiny blooming ferns and marigoldΒ Β Β  teenyblooming fern and candle

You can also use miniature terracotta pots or hollowed out pieces of wood to plant up small seedlings like this fernΒ and Β marigold.Β  The marigold will bloomΒ giving pretty yellow and orange flowers.

 

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HereΒ I have used an old abandoned Β birds nest from last year.Β  (You must be really careful to ensure these are old/abandoned before using). You could use little gift baskets which can be purchased very cheaply and plant them up with violas and top up with mossΒ (as seen above)

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Half an empty coconut shell tied with string also make ideal hanging baskets for a miniature garden.

 

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teenyblooming coke cans

 

These miniature coke cans make cute containers – why not try growing some herbs inside to add to your miniature garden.

 

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Yes even if you are short on space you can have your very own garden.Β  Have fun with your miniature ventures.

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the prettiest, friendly laid back cities I have every had the pleasure to visit.Β  In this city you don’t Β even need your own outside space to enjoy being outside amongst your very own cultivatedΒ blooms.The tolerant nature of the free spirits that live in this city means that you can Β just put your bench and pots out on the pavement and enjoy.

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and even if there isΒ no opportunities to fill the pavement well never fear, create your tiny blooming place inside – genius

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Attracting birdsΒ into even the most urban of streets by hanging feeders…..Β  in cities where people care and contemplateΒ human existence and the importance of connecting with nature, even the city centres become aΒ haven for plants and wildlife.

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Have a cosmic new year

As short winter days leaves gazing at the garden out of the question I realise how much I miss my summer evenings but never fear nature is still providing a plenty. Β  I find gazing at the sky replaces the garden gazingΒ asΒ mostly it is bright at night and there are soΒ  many interesting things to observe.Β  Sky gazingΒ inspired a series of paintings which ended up becoming Christmas cards .Β  Each cosmic explosion naturally inspired a line from a Christmas carolΒ and hence the unplanned Christmas card making began.

 

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How great thou art

 

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Silent night holy night

 

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Then sings my soul

 

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Joy to the world

 

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And to the earth it gave great light

 

The sky garden has kept me entertained as I await the first snowdrops in the garden in January – I can already see signs as I look carefully amongst what is left of the lawn

 

Happy new year garden growers – it will all be exploding out there before you know it

 

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Winter Woodland Wonderland

Throughout the winter months nature goes on providing us with inspiration of all kinds.Β  There is nothing more beautiful than a woodland walk to raise the spirits during the short hours of daylightΒ that winter allows us to be outside.Β  The woodland also provided me with lots of inspiration for Christmas decorations, making the home feel festive.Β  I always carry a bag to bringΒ back bits found along the way..Β  UsingΒ  my findings to decorate continues to Β inspireΒ  on the days that don’t allowΒ physical connection with the woodland as modern day working lifeΒ pushes us to connect more with the internet!

Stay connected πŸ™‚

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(excuse the arm it was my best angle πŸ™‚ )

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Firework Festivities

I love Halloween and Fireworks night because it keeps us outside for that bit longer before we really feel the need to hibrinate.Β Β  We truly get to experience the fall in it’s full colour and glory and appreciate what’s around us in nature.Β  It also helps us get into the spirit of planting and decorating outside for those firework parties. Lots of spray on cobweb around this year but there is nothing like the real thing though to create true atmosphere.

 

Happy Halloween

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Cobwebs in the early morning dew.Β  Each one is like a unique piece of woven lace

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Sowing the Seeds of Love

Now is a good time to start sowing seeds – any flowers of your choice – for an abundance of colour from summer through to Autumn

 

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Popppies are prolific self seeders and once you plant them in your garden they will continue to self seed every year over the years – they provide a late spring/an early summer colourful display and the bees just can’t get enough of them either

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Whether you choose the traditional red or a colourful mix of orange and yellow they will bring sunshine to your garden everyday

 

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golden wonder yellow and orange poppies

 

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And then have fun after the blooms fade pressing the flowers and making your own creations for cards, decorating present wrapping etc

 

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Marigolds are another prolific seed producer.Β  Once you get them in your garden you can collect the seeds annually and sow again in early Spring to produce colourful displays for your summer garden. They don’t tendΒ  to self seed like the poppies so best to hand collect the seeds once the flowers have faded.Β  Best grown in pots as the snails love these too! But try notΒ to use slug pellets.Β When hedgehogs eat the slugs they ingest the pellets too and this in turn destroys them and upsets the whole delicate ecological balance.

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Sunshine on a rainy day

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and have some fun pressing the flowers…………. to make your own unique creations

 

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Love you my luver

Valentines day here it is again and for those of you who hate all the cheesey things that sometimes come with the day remember it doesn’t have to be that way. KeepΒ the flag for love flying high and keep romance alive. ItΒ doesn’t have to be an endurance meal out in the company of couples forced into looking like they are having a good time.Β  Make it your own.

Sit outside and enjoy the night sky together even if it is pea soup.

 

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This cute shelter, Β complete with loveΒ Β seat, Β was crafted from the thick branches of the elderflower that was cut back last year. A great place to sit even in the rain.

 

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Just add some champagne on ice and a couple of glasses, squeeze into a love seat under the starry sky and cuddle up for love

 

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some chocolate and love hearts to complete the perfect moment

 

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There is nothing more romantic than making your own present.Β A hand made card or painting are often appreciated even more than the most expensive gift because it is real and comes from the heart

 

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Love you tweetie pie! (pressed flowers and plant seeds on recycled paper)

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Paint your own

A flock of love heartsΒ (acrylic on canvas)

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True love captured for ever

 

 

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Love is……………………………..

Watching the sun set together

 

 

Where did you come from my lovely

With ample blossom, snowdrops and the beginnings of the narcissi blooming aboutΒ it would appear that Spring is emerging.Β  Time perhaps to start thinking about getting seeds in for cultivating your summer window boxes and baskets.Β  As bedding can get quite expensive why not save seeds from last years pots and plant them to grow your own blooms this summer. If you have already discarded all of these remember there is always another chance at the end of the summer blooming season.

I especially love French marigolds for their bright colourful display and their easiness to grow and maintain. I usually have them in abundance

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Keep summer going for longer with these zesty coloured marigolds that stay blooming well into September and October if the weather is mild

marigolds pots

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extract the tiny seeds from dead flower heads.Β  Happy cultivating there is nothing more satisfying.

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Nobody told me there would be days like these

As I plan some summer projects for the garden and search for inspiration I look back on the pictures of last summer that transport me to another world a million miles from the stark cold days we are experiencing at the moment. It gives me hope and where there is hope there is life despite the current governments efforts to destroy it as we know it. There seems to be an upward trend in friendliness from mankind in general so go on do your bit to spread that love. If you don’t already, smile to passer by’s in the street in your neighbourhood. You will be amazed at how good it will make you (and them) feel.

ForΒ  now keep going with and enjoying the winter walks even if it is too cold to take your hands out of your pockets to use the camera πŸ™‚

 

 

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On the rare occasions when the temperature becomes unbearable escape to the cool woods who needs air conditioning

 

 

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  • The perfect sculpture – created by nature

 

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Serene Green – calms the mind

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Cool Clear Water

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Getting up close and personal

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Nothing says it better than roses

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I “heart” nature