My Birthday Gift! [Flickr]
9 hours ago
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Friday, 23 July 2010
Monsters In The Garden
Long time no read, eh? It's been quite a busy time for me in my first year of teaching, culminating in needing to interview for essentially my own job (you'll be pleased to know I got it). There have been some tough decisions to make, namely withdrawing from my PhD and winding down the Ethical Palaeontologist blog. Science and education posts, along with my personal thoughts, can be found at Stages Of Succession, my new blog and the replacement for the Ethical Palaeontologist.
So what's going on in the garden? The plants are taking over, that's what! Magnolia delavyii has mahoosive leaves:
The Ginkgo biloba is now back up to last year's dimensions.
And Dicksonia antarctica is very happy in its galvanised pot, far away from the squirrels:
But it's Tetrapanax papyrifer "Rex", the T-Rex, which is going for it. I was warned by a friend that it might have put its roots through the pot and into the ground, but it is actually still in the pot and sitting on top of the paving slabs.
What do you reckon Hubster is saying? I must have caught him in the middle of saying something, but what exactly I do not know. No prizes, but feel free to come up with some captions for this one...
So what's going on in the garden? The plants are taking over, that's what! Magnolia delavyii has mahoosive leaves:
The Ginkgo biloba is now back up to last year's dimensions.
And Dicksonia antarctica is very happy in its galvanised pot, far away from the squirrels:
But it's Tetrapanax papyrifer "Rex", the T-Rex, which is going for it. I was warned by a friend that it might have put its roots through the pot and into the ground, but it is actually still in the pot and sitting on top of the paving slabs.
What do you reckon Hubster is saying? I must have caught him in the middle of saying something, but what exactly I do not know. No prizes, but feel free to come up with some captions for this one...
Saturday, 22 May 2010
The Progress Of The Ginkgo
A year ago, my Ginkgo biloba showed a stunning display of vigour, sending out leaves as big as my hand:
You may be interested to know that it seems intent on repeating this feat, although not quite to the same scale:
The further good news is that it is now starting to branch as a good Ginkgo should, so it'll look a little less like a twig in the winter.
It has been a gorgeous day and I am nicely sunburnt. More photos of the garden to follow.
You may be interested to know that it seems intent on repeating this feat, although not quite to the same scale:
The further good news is that it is now starting to branch as a good Ginkgo should, so it'll look a little less like a twig in the winter.
It has been a gorgeous day and I am nicely sunburnt. More photos of the garden to follow.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Weeds And Plants
Does this beautiful flower look like a weed to you?
It would appear that it does to our groundsmen. Last week I had to launch myself through the window at them to stop one of them hoeing the bejeezus out of the front flower bed, which at the moment is full of Anemone blanda like the one above.
During my (brief) stint as a gardener, it was vital that one of us in the pair at least knew their plants. I was good on my plant identification and my partner was very good with all the equipment and quite strong. So he taught me how to use a petrol mower and hedge-trimmer and I taught him about all the plants we pruned, staked, tied in and planted.
The groundsmen are very much "mow-and-blow" (you may remember my previous issues with them), but you'd think they'd recognise a flower bed...
It would appear that it does to our groundsmen. Last week I had to launch myself through the window at them to stop one of them hoeing the bejeezus out of the front flower bed, which at the moment is full of Anemone blanda like the one above.
During my (brief) stint as a gardener, it was vital that one of us in the pair at least knew their plants. I was good on my plant identification and my partner was very good with all the equipment and quite strong. So he taught me how to use a petrol mower and hedge-trimmer and I taught him about all the plants we pruned, staked, tied in and planted.
The groundsmen are very much "mow-and-blow" (you may remember my previous issues with them), but you'd think they'd recognise a flower bed...
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Free Stuff
Sometimes us gardeners are given incredible opportunities to acquire plants, and three weeks ago I had just that. The college where I lecture is being almost entirely rebuilt, and after the Easter break one of the old buildings is being knocked down. Along one side are (well, were) several big old plants: Washingtonia robusta, Cordyline australis and Magnolia grandiflora. The Estates department told us all that since these were going to be chucked out, if we wanted them we could just dig them up.
So I did. I selected a 3-metre tall Magnolia, and Hubster came into college to help me dig it up, before we wheeled it home. We nearly took out half a dozen ceiling tiles, getting it through the building to be demolished, but figured we were just helping out the builders.
As you can see, it's a bit too big to go in Jurassic Park, so we decided to put it into the ground - it's not as if we have any decent grass around there anyway! The groundsman said it didn't flower last year but had in previous years, so I'm looking forward to seeing what it comes up with in years to come!
So I did. I selected a 3-metre tall Magnolia, and Hubster came into college to help me dig it up, before we wheeled it home. We nearly took out half a dozen ceiling tiles, getting it through the building to be demolished, but figured we were just helping out the builders.
As you can see, it's a bit too big to go in Jurassic Park, so we decided to put it into the ground - it's not as if we have any decent grass around there anyway! The groundsman said it didn't flower last year but had in previous years, so I'm looking forward to seeing what it comes up with in years to come!
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Springtime
How long has it been? Over three months surely. I've survived my second term of lecturing (barely!), and am being rewarded with a nice long Easter holiday. It has been glorious weather, and Jurassic Park is really taking off. I swear I can almost see the Ginkgo biloba growing.
There were a few casualties over the winter - Banksia ericifolia and Protea cynaroides carked it, as did most of the succulents. I gambled with the weather by leaving José the Agave in the greenhouse, and - well, let's say it didn't really pay off:
I've been dosing it with anti-fungal spray, but there's a faint whiff of cheap tequila every time I walk past, and the fruit flies are out in force. I've been advised to get hold of some hydrogen peroxide, but I was practically dispatched to Guantanamo Bay when I asked for some in Boots...
There have been a few purchases: Sciadopitys verticillata, Adiantum aleuticum, Euphorbia myrsinites (yes, I know it isn't Mesozoic but it looks awesome), Pinus wallichiana and Blechnum gibbum - I do a good line in killing blechnums, but there's the triumph of hope over experience.
The allotment (well, nearer a vegetable patch) is doing well too. First and second early potatoes, onions and leeks are in. There's not a lot of space for much more, but Hubster is sorting out a smaller bed for all his herbs and medicinal plants.
So here's a gratuitous photo of Hubster with a cheap hoe. Notice the fork completely bent out of shape to the right!
There were a few casualties over the winter - Banksia ericifolia and Protea cynaroides carked it, as did most of the succulents. I gambled with the weather by leaving José the Agave in the greenhouse, and - well, let's say it didn't really pay off:
I've been dosing it with anti-fungal spray, but there's a faint whiff of cheap tequila every time I walk past, and the fruit flies are out in force. I've been advised to get hold of some hydrogen peroxide, but I was practically dispatched to Guantanamo Bay when I asked for some in Boots...
There have been a few purchases: Sciadopitys verticillata, Adiantum aleuticum, Euphorbia myrsinites (yes, I know it isn't Mesozoic but it looks awesome), Pinus wallichiana and Blechnum gibbum - I do a good line in killing blechnums, but there's the triumph of hope over experience.
The allotment (well, nearer a vegetable patch) is doing well too. First and second early potatoes, onions and leeks are in. There's not a lot of space for much more, but Hubster is sorting out a smaller bed for all his herbs and medicinal plants.
So here's a gratuitous photo of Hubster with a cheap hoe. Notice the fork completely bent out of shape to the right!
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Twelve Months In Jurassic Park
Since everyone else seems to be doing these end-of-the-year reviews, here's what's been going on in the garden for the past 365 days. I'm curling up with a cup of tea to welcome in the new year now.
January
The gardening year got off to a great start with my purchase of the fountain (with money and vouchers from my family for Christmas 2008). It's taken the garden from being mainly visual and tactile and added an auditory aspect.
February
SNOW!!!!!!!
March
Karma the Camellia flowered, showing me that I had managed to keep it watered enough over the summer to get buds forming.
April
The garden started to green up and come back to life, and April was really when it started to be pleasant sitting out in the garden in the evenings.
May
I briefly turned my attention to the front borders, and made a half-arsed attempt to brighten things up. I've been adding bits and pieces since, and there's a possibility that it might look quite nice by next spring!
June
José the Agave decided to indulge in a bit of asexual reproduction, and currently has three "kids", which will leave home as soon as someone lends me a set of leather gauntlets and a welder's mask.
July
I furnished myself with a small pond (a glazed pot with a cork in the bottom), some floating ferns and a Saururus cernuus, and this little pond really burst into life about a month after I filled it.
August
Starting to run out of space in Jurassic Park, I decided to make use of the third dimension and go up, up, up! The result was the Hanging Gardens of Isleworth.
September
For some reason I didn't take any photos of the garden this month. However, I did get some photos around the college where I teach now, and revelled in its great botanical and horticultural link.
October
As autumn drew in, I decided to indulge in some hard landscaping, and using some slabs from my parents, I made myself a patio.
November
Sorting out the indoor part of Jurassic Park, I was pleasantly surprised at how well everything was doing, not least because I nearly lost the Zamia furfuracea six months earlier!
December
And this was what Jurassic Park looked like earlier in December (and probably will do until early March!).
Have a good one folks, hope your Musas survive the winter, and let's do some great gardening in 2010!
January
The gardening year got off to a great start with my purchase of the fountain (with money and vouchers from my family for Christmas 2008). It's taken the garden from being mainly visual and tactile and added an auditory aspect.
February
SNOW!!!!!!!
March
Karma the Camellia flowered, showing me that I had managed to keep it watered enough over the summer to get buds forming.
April
The garden started to green up and come back to life, and April was really when it started to be pleasant sitting out in the garden in the evenings.
May
I briefly turned my attention to the front borders, and made a half-arsed attempt to brighten things up. I've been adding bits and pieces since, and there's a possibility that it might look quite nice by next spring!
June
José the Agave decided to indulge in a bit of asexual reproduction, and currently has three "kids", which will leave home as soon as someone lends me a set of leather gauntlets and a welder's mask.
July
I furnished myself with a small pond (a glazed pot with a cork in the bottom), some floating ferns and a Saururus cernuus, and this little pond really burst into life about a month after I filled it.
August
Starting to run out of space in Jurassic Park, I decided to make use of the third dimension and go up, up, up! The result was the Hanging Gardens of Isleworth.
September
For some reason I didn't take any photos of the garden this month. However, I did get some photos around the college where I teach now, and revelled in its great botanical and horticultural link.
October
As autumn drew in, I decided to indulge in some hard landscaping, and using some slabs from my parents, I made myself a patio.
November
Sorting out the indoor part of Jurassic Park, I was pleasantly surprised at how well everything was doing, not least because I nearly lost the Zamia furfuracea six months earlier!
December
And this was what Jurassic Park looked like earlier in December (and probably will do until early March!).
Have a good one folks, hope your Musas survive the winter, and let's do some great gardening in 2010!
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Shiny And New
I hope you've all had a very happy Christmas. I have overindulged (as usual), and let's just say I shan't be cooking pheasant for Christmas dinner again unless charcoal-lined underpants appear in both mine and Hubster's stockings. As far as gardening swag goes, I did fairly well - Hubster renewed my subscription to Gardeners' World, and scored me a free set of loppers. His little brother gave me Christopher Lloyd's "Exotic Planting for Adventurous Gardeners", which I have been devouring, and Hubster and his older brother clubbed together to buy me a new greenhouse!
I was in desperate need of a new one - one of the zips on the old one no longer worked and I was running out of space. As you can see, I've managed to get a whole lot more in - all my pots, compost and mulches are in, along with a number of plants. Most importantly, the greenhouse has been able to accommodate José Cuervo, the Agave tequilana.
I was allowed to assemble it before Christmas to get the Agave in, but I'm a little worried that it's too late. We had a bit of snow 10 days ago, and although I shoved a bit of fleece over the top to protect José I've spotted a bit of leaf damage. The temperature hasn't been below -4°C in the Tropic of Isleworth, so I have everything crossed that I got the chap into shelter in time.
We just couldn't get the Agave indoors again this year - it's grown a fair bit, and both of us are trying to save our backs from any further injury. What say you in the blogosphere - will José be alright in the greenhouse until March or so?
All we managed to bring in for winter was Zamia furfuracea, Encephalartos princeps and Asplenium bulbiferum. Everything else has been left outside, either fleeced or ignored. Still, a dead plant is but a space ready to be filled with a new one in the spring...
I was in desperate need of a new one - one of the zips on the old one no longer worked and I was running out of space. As you can see, I've managed to get a whole lot more in - all my pots, compost and mulches are in, along with a number of plants. Most importantly, the greenhouse has been able to accommodate José Cuervo, the Agave tequilana.
I was allowed to assemble it before Christmas to get the Agave in, but I'm a little worried that it's too late. We had a bit of snow 10 days ago, and although I shoved a bit of fleece over the top to protect José I've spotted a bit of leaf damage. The temperature hasn't been below -4°C in the Tropic of Isleworth, so I have everything crossed that I got the chap into shelter in time.
We just couldn't get the Agave indoors again this year - it's grown a fair bit, and both of us are trying to save our backs from any further injury. What say you in the blogosphere - will José be alright in the greenhouse until March or so?
All we managed to bring in for winter was Zamia furfuracea, Encephalartos princeps and Asplenium bulbiferum. Everything else has been left outside, either fleeced or ignored. Still, a dead plant is but a space ready to be filled with a new one in the spring...
Sunday, 13 December 2009
The Festive Season's Forgotten Victims
It's Christmas in less than two weeks' time, and turkeys all over the British Isles are starting to get nervous.
There is rarely any shortage of jokes acknowledging the humble turkey's ultimate sacrifice for our dinner plates. But what of the conifers?
I confess to getting a bit nervous at this time of year, as I'm sure the owners of pet turkeys and chickens do. Will my beloved Wollemia nobilis be nicked by some feckless youths and turned into a Christmas tree? It would look really rubbish - I know because I put baubles on it the year it spent the winter indoors, and the branches are just not rigid enough to take the weight. I have a friend who threatens to hold my Wollemi pine to ransom if I so much as dare decorate the Agave tequilana like I did last year.
So I empathised completely with Randall Hitchin at the University of Washington Botanical Garden, grieving for the theft of a rare tree, Keteleeria evelynia. No doubt the thieves who cut down the tree had no idea of its botanical significance, and apparently it won't even look like a "proper" Christmas tree, on account of its open, sparse branches.
This year my Wollemia is still fleeced up for the winter - not because it isn't hardy (it's been through 18 ice ages!), but to provide some disguise as our garden is overlooked by a public car park and I don't want it catching someone's eye over the next fortnight!
There is rarely any shortage of jokes acknowledging the humble turkey's ultimate sacrifice for our dinner plates. But what of the conifers?
I confess to getting a bit nervous at this time of year, as I'm sure the owners of pet turkeys and chickens do. Will my beloved Wollemia nobilis be nicked by some feckless youths and turned into a Christmas tree? It would look really rubbish - I know because I put baubles on it the year it spent the winter indoors, and the branches are just not rigid enough to take the weight. I have a friend who threatens to hold my Wollemi pine to ransom if I so much as dare decorate the Agave tequilana like I did last year.
So I empathised completely with Randall Hitchin at the University of Washington Botanical Garden, grieving for the theft of a rare tree, Keteleeria evelynia. No doubt the thieves who cut down the tree had no idea of its botanical significance, and apparently it won't even look like a "proper" Christmas tree, on account of its open, sparse branches.
This year my Wollemia is still fleeced up for the winter - not because it isn't hardy (it's been through 18 ice ages!), but to provide some disguise as our garden is overlooked by a public car park and I don't want it catching someone's eye over the next fortnight!
Subscribe to:
Comments
