Tuesday 12 July 2011

In the garden

Hello everyone!  How are you?  Today I decided I needed to be either creative or active and activity won out.  The front garden has been needing attention for some time as I didn't do very much work out there last year.  I also hadn't quite finished raking up all the leaves at the end of autumn so despite the chilly winter weather, I went to work.

I do like my chooks to free range a little bit each day so I thought they could come down with me to the front garden, scratch around in the leaves for insects, bugs and slugs and keep me company at the same time.  Getting them down from their run to the front yard was quite funny.  I use the leaf rake to guide them in the general direction, but I must say herding chooks is a little bit like trying to herd cats.

Here are Missy and Eagle enjoying a lovely chook brecky.


The old tyre swing the girls use to play on made a handy storage spot for garden tools so they didn't get lost amongst the leaves.


As well as raking up leaves, I stacked fallen twigs and branches, pruned two camellias that had finished flowering and pulled ivy that had gone rampant on the ground.


You can tell by the colour of these photos that it was a cold, cloudy and miserable winter's day.  But I warmed up quickly from working and had to dispense with my beanie.  Of course these days I have my own internal combustion stove working to the max every 1/2 hour or so and then I feel like I'm having day in the tropics!

A couple of months ago I transplanted a Poor Man's Rhododendron, 'impatiens sodenii' in the back garden.  As a number of pieces had broken off with roots attached, I decided to plant a piece in the front garden to see what would happen.


Here is the cutting in front of the agapanthus and Missy.  I was delighted to see new growth and will be looking forward to see how it survives during summer as the two sycamore trees in the front yard suck up all the water.  There is more work to do down the front but at least it looks tidier now with three massive wheelbarrow loads of garden rubbish in the green bin.

 I have one final photo to share.  I think Stripey must have missed me while I was away because he keeps climbing up on my lap at any opportunity for a cuddle.


Wishing you a wonderful day/evening,

Anne  xx

14 comments:

  1. You have been busy!!

    Love the hens, we had some (and ducks) but sadly Mr Fox got them (in broad daylight too!!) - do yours come in the house? Ours used to wander in the kitchen whilst I was cooking - a bit surreal when the dinner was roast chicken!!

    S x

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  2. I know how you feel about internal fires. Thankfully, touch wood, I've passed that stage. You deserved a sit down after all that activity.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  3. My girls enjoyed ' helping' in the garden too ! Couldn't bring ourselves to eat up the roast chicken tonight so had fish instead.

    Lovely to see a picture of you ! xx

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  4. All the palms make your garden look exotic. My parents brought an agapanthus bulb back from your side of the world, but it obviously decided that our garden was not like home. My chickens like to join in too.

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  5. Wel,l if you'd like to do anymore gardening Anne, I'll give you my address.

    I need to follow your lead and finish raking the leaves and tidying up, but I'm afraid it might have to wait awhile.

    It's a good way to warm up on a cold day..........gardening and giving Stripey a cuddle.

    Claire :}

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  6. Big ole sooky Stripey.
    But lots of cuddles - bonus.
    How's the fella going?
    Everything AOK?

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  7. PS - you've got me hooked on Pinterest.

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  8. I think that looks like a pretty good days work.
    LOL on your internal combustion system.... I'm hearing you sister!!

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  9. Hi Anne just passed on an award to you as one of my fav blogs!!!!
    Karenx

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  10. Hi Anne .... thanks for dropping by my little corner of blogland .... you are most definitely not uncharitable re the cyclists .... they moan about impatient motorists but forget that they are the cause of the impatience! My chooks follow us around when we are in the garden ... it looks so funny because when they hear us they come scurrying out and almost walk to heel like a dog. They are extremely useful for bug extermination and of course provide a plentiful supply of lovely eggs. I share your pain as I think some days I am going to spontaneously combust!

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  11. Wonderful pictures Anne! you have a wonderful garden!

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  12. Hi Anne,
    Very nice seeing your garden. Missy and Eagle looks beautiful and have a beautiful color.
    Love also your photo with lovely Stripey!

    Have a nice Sunday.

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  13. Great to see your garden and your lovely chooks. There is alway more to do in the garden isn't there? Good for the soul:)
    Pam x

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  14. Hi Anne, Don't worry about posting on the award :)
    I want you to have it for yourself cause i love your blog
    Love & blessing Karen x

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