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Saturday 14 April 2007

Busy, busy.........

We were busy, busy again yesterday. It's strange how a bit of sun makes you want to get out and get doing isn't it?

I thought the best medicine for a bad back was walking round the garden centre collecting plants to brighten up the garden and then sitting planting. How wrong can you be, but more about that later!
click on photos to enlarge
photographs copyright 2007


We have some lovely garden centres nearby but Newbank, Bury is my favourite. They sell everything you could possibly want for your garden and more, and they have a large fancy goods department which I can't spend too long in because I spend too much money!


They have a huge variety of plants, trees, shrubs, garden ornaments, furniture etc., etc. It's an enormous place but the staff are really helpful

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I went a bit beserk and spent £67.00 (ouch) but we did quite a lot with what we got.






Whilst MWM planted the alyssum, lupins, foxgloves and antirhynums which he says attract butterflies and bees, I sat at the table in the sunshine and planted up the various pots.



I can't remember the name of these lovely daisy type flowers but apparently they flower right through from March to September, and they look lovely sitting outside the kitchen door.





We got some herbs as well - flat leaf parsey, curly parsley, sage, mint, thyme, rosemary - I love fresh rosemary stuck in my leg of lamb when it's cooking.



I planted this strawberry pot up with busy lizzies and petunias - it sits in the arbour. MWM put some Lavender in the troughs in the arbour, nestling amongs the ivy.










We also got a lovely Clematis Pixie for this tub outside the kitchen door, hopefully it will climb up the trellis next to the lion's head water feature we have there. I'll take some picture of that when MWM has cleaned it out!

I also tidied up all the patio containers, raked of and moss and and inch of topsoil, put some slow release food pellet and new compost and put a layer of gravel on the top - apparently this stops moss from growing and stops the plants drying out. You learn something new every day!


Now MWM just has to mow the grass and it will be all ship shape and Bristol fashion. Hopefully he will find time this weekend to do it.



My knee
Saturday 14th April
Knee is doing great. After sitting for over 2 hours planting, my back decided it was knackered had had enough and went into spasm mode! I could hardly move. Anyway this morning it seems to have recovered a bit, still a bit iffy but if I'm careful I think it will be ok. No more gardening for me this weekend!

19 comments:

GEWELS said...

I am so-o-o envious of your gardens (and garden centers). After visitng England many years ago I came home and attempted a true English garden. 5 ft. tall delphinium and everything. Turns out Maryland does not have the same weather as you and I'm left with scrubby, yukky native weeds. Waaahhh! I want an English garden.
I'll visit often to get my Gardening fix.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

hope that knee is a little better today my friend!!!

smiles, bee

Pearls of Wisdom said...

I just love visiting this site..LOL Of course love the pictures again. We have so much in common that I can't believe it. I love gardening, handbags, traveling..I know I have probably bored you by now.
I got the link up right now...LOL.
I am adding you to my hopefully new friend category.LOL
I am so glad your knee is better. The gardening pictures are fantastic. I would love a gardening center like that around here.

Much love and blessings,

Angel ():)

Akelamalu said...

gewels
Aah what a shame your garden didn't work out. But then I'm sure you have flowers and plants that we couldn't grow here.

Bee
knee's doing great, back not so good!

Angel
Never bored my friend, it means we have lots to talk about. Glad you can see the pictures now.

Cream said...

Ah, lamb with rosemary straight from the garden! Mmmmm....
I love fresh herbs.

letha said...

Your garden looks lovely, mines a total mess, then again I rent this place and seeing as I'm leaving in 3 months it shouldn't bother me as much as it does.
I avoid garden centres, they take all my money.

Oh look at me, I'm finally visiting you and commenting.

talj said...

What lovely photos!! Looks like you had a lot of fun at the garden centre too!!

Hope your back is feeling much better very soon! :o)

{{HUGS}}

Akelamalu said...

Cream
Oh yes, fresh herbs, the smell, the taste - fabulous.

Letha
Not much point in doing anthything with your garden if you rent and you're leaving soon. Hope you're moving to a place where you have a nice garden.

Talj
I love garden centres, but can't come away without buying something. My back is feeling more comfortable now, but I've been resting all day!

Catch said...

Your plants are just beautiful! It must be a pleasure to sit in your yard and look at all of them! You do a wonderful job with them, thanks for sharing the photos. Isnt it awful when your back goes out more than you? lol. I mean , here we are with these 34 year old minds and ideas, and then our back acts like its 80 years old! Have a super weekend!

Akelamalu said...

Catch
My garden isn't anything special compared to some, but I do enjoy it! You make me laugh "Isn't it awful when your back goes out more than you?" - That is soooo true!!!
Hope your weekend is good too.

Diana Joy said...

I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!! It is a wonderful place to take my shoes off and hang out for awhile =)
I love "Mercy Me" too!
I could sit, read, and listen all day...but, unfortunately...I have to get back to work.....
I will be back ;)
Thanks!
Diana Joy

Akelamalu said...

Diana joy
Well thanks for calling in and leaving such lovely comments. I'll look forward to seeing you again. :)

Tammy said...

Baby steps, sweet friend!
Wow...I wish we had kinder weather, I would love to do a few plantings myself!

Lo Kelween said...

give your garden a break and give yourself a break! plants are not as weak as you thought. it is good for them to be exposed to nature, rather than being so protected, just like human too! haha :) take care!

Akelamalu said...

early bird
Its such a shame the weather is not being kind to you. Soon eh?

elween
No gardening for me yesterday I just rested and feel better for it.

CS said...

I love these garden pictures. I am really hoping we've seen the last of our cold weather and I can re=plant next weekend.

Akelamalu said...

cs
I hope you get to planting soon, I find it very relaxing.

CG said...

your garden looks really great. I like the butterfly cursor on your site - sweet!!

Akelamalu said...

cg
Thanks hon.