I’m quite enjoying the whole work from home thing. I thought I would hate it, but I’m really not. I don’t have 3hrs of commute, I can start early but still have time for a quick potter in the garden, I can have lunch outside, and I can get 1-2 hours of gardening done after work. If it goes on for a month or two more, I think it will re-wire how people think about work. Worrying times in the wider world, of course, but in my little corner, things are good. Time for Six on Saturday then. Six things, in the garden, on a Saturday. Could be anything. A face mask, a plastic apron, toilet roll, overshoes, a ventilator, anything at all. Join in!
Here are my Six for this weekend.
1 – Cordless mower. I treated myself, a bit of retail therapy in these difficult times. I went with this brand because I already have a charger as my drill takes the same batteries. It is very quiet, cuts well and does a MUCH better job of collecting the grass than my push mower, which was also prone to frequent jamming. I have used it once, very happy so far.
2 – Sweet peas. I planted these out last weekend. In the past I have had a couple of cane wigwams on the veg beds. This raised bed was intended for raspberries but for some reason they are deeply unhappy in here. I’ve given up on them. I have put a cane in every 4 inches or so, tying it in to the raspberry wires. Sown in October, I grew the sweet pea plants two per root trainer module, so just planted one pair at the base of each cane. They should grow on quickly now, I am expecting a wall of flowers come June time. I have six rhubarb crowns arriving soon which I intend to plant in the front of this bed, should be room for everyone.
3 – Wall flower. These are just starting to flower, a mixed bag colourwise, I think. This particular plant has several shades on one stem. I was given the plants, spares, so mustn’t grumble.
4 – Daffodil ‘Barret Browning’. New to me this year, I quite like it. It is rather two dimensional for a daff, the trumpet being pretty flat, but it contrasts nicely with the white background.
5 – Cornflower plants. These were sown back in September or October last year. They didn’t grow much over the winter but they are pushing on nicely now. I should plant them out soon.
6 – Tulip ‘Blue Parrot’. A parroty one, not something I’ve grown before. I confess I think they look a bit scruffy, but perhaps they will grow on me. And they’re not very blue. Still, tulips!
Those are my Six, what are yours? If you’d like to join in, please just publish your post and pop a link to it in the comments below. If you also mention my blog in yours that would be epic. For more details I would recommend a quick look at the participant guide.
I hope you are managing through the lock down, and that your gardens are therefore looking tip top! Don’t forget to check back as more links get added during the day.
PS, here is the planter I vowed to build last week, having made good use of my new pallet buster. I have moved a clematis in here and planted one of my new climbing roses. I need to remove that tatty old trellis thing, I plan to put vine eyes/wires in so both plants can clamber up.
I’ll be back next weekend with another #SixOnSaturday.
Well done for your planter, Jon, and for getting your sweet peas planted out – mine should be done soon, now that my supports are almost ready. Thanks for hosting, and apologies for being a day late! https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/six-on-sunday-busy/
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Hi Cathy, thanks, I’m looking forward to the colour in a couple of months time.
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Indeed – as gardeners we always have something to look forward to!
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The planter looks excellent! My six are here… https://mysecretgarden61808037.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/gardening-2020-style-or-how-a-worldwide-pandemic-made-me-grateful-for-my-tiny-patch-of-earth/
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thanks, I enjoyed building it
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What a gorgeous daffodil! Hope your wallflowers do well, I’ve featured some this week too!
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thanks, it is good to have some early colour.
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Thank you for hosting – great job on the planter. More six here –
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thanks! built another one yesterday, luxury accommodation for another climbing rose.
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Daffodils have come a long way since I remember panting many years ago at the family home. There’s so much too choose from. Parrot tulip looks ace. Here’s my Six on Saturday.
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thanks Keith, I’ve planted a few different daffs this last couple of years. They are not expensive so it’s good to try.
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Hope to get more this year as long as supplies are easily available. Seems plants are the least of the priorities with the pandemic.
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Happy Saturday! That’s a nice looking planter you made! I envy you having enough “extra” soil to fill it, I’m completely out of potting soil or bagged amendments of any kind! And books…
https://lisasgardenadventureinoregon.blogspot.com/2020/03/six-on-saturday-march-28-2020.html
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I used home made compost and some loam I had from old turf. Took about 5 barrows to fill it.
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Flowers! Lucky! I managed to find a few crocuses in someone’s very microclimated yard but mine are still mostly under snow, though not f or much longer. Here’s my Six on Saturday from New Hampshire: https://amoveablegarden.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-isolation-walks/
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still cold and snowy there huh. don’t think i’d want to swap my temperate climate for 5 months of winter….
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Afternoon
I’ve been working from home for most of the last 25 years – it’s a great lifestyle if you’ve the discipline and self-motivation. If there’s a downside, it’s that you’re always at work !
And I’ve looked at those cordless mowers before, but I’m not sure if they’ll be powerful enough to cut long wet rough grass – we certainly don’t have lawns like bowling greens. But our petrol mower is getting very old and could probably do with replacing. Is your cordless mower also self-propelled ?
Here’s my six for this week …
https://eaglesfeartoperch.blogspot.com/2020/03/building-new-greenhouse-part-1-six-on.html#more
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Not self propelled, but has a proper metal rotating blade. Supposedly handles long grass although that would drain the batteries faster i expect..
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My impression is electric mowers are lighter than gas powered ones. For one, there’s no gas tank to add weight. Therefore there’s no real need for it to be self-propelled.
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Congratulations on the new mower! I have one with a really long cord. It’s quiet but that *$#^@! cord is always in the way. I’ll be getting a cordless when it bites the dust. Here’s mine: https://stoneyknob.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/sos-pops-of-color/
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makes life a bit easier, definitely. my lawn is quite small so I have no worries about battery life. supposedly these are good for a lawn much larger than mine.
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I have worked from home since 1990. I think you are right it this does go on that long it will change how people think about work. I love the planter and the reuse aspect of it. Wish I could figure out when to plant Sweet Peas here! Look forward to seeing yours My, as usual weird Six http://theshrubqueen.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-spring-flowers/
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wow since 1990, back in pre-interweb days. i had a job once when I was a kid, after school. i used to collect a bag of typed legal notes, jump on the train to the law courts, swap them for a box of tapes and return them to the typist.
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Yes, the dark ages of working at home, no email, just the phone and fax (which everyone thought was a miracle) Nowadays I have clients I have never met or talked to just email. Weird.
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Six rhubarb plants! I have 2 and can’t begin to use all the stems. You’ll have to start a rhubarb recipes group. I really like that planter. Here’s my link.
https://pruneplantsow.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/sixonsaturday-march-28th-promiscuity-and-perfection/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
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a few people have said that 6 is a lot, i’m beginning to think that my eyes are bigger than my garden. shock, horror, I know.
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Now I know what the pallet-buster was for! Your clematis and rose will look great in that planter. Wish I was so handy. I loved your parrot tulip – in spite of not being blue. I’ve continually lost internet connection, so this is my 3rd try at sharing my six: https://gardendreamingatchatillon.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-28-march-2020/
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your persistence is to be admired!
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I love those daffodils! Really pretty – I may peruse t’internet for them for next year. I fear I’m very behind with my sowing – I’ve done nothing with my sweet peas yet! I guess I’m going to have to toughen up and brave the cold. Here’s my six https://greengirlgardener.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-28th-march/
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yes what are you waiting for, get on with it! 😎
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Decided to go for a cycle so am posting late! When I read your post reading about your mower caused me to laugh..don’t know why, its the times. Just how quiet is it? I love quiet but also the sound of the old fashioned hand push mover. Here one advantage is there is no lawn! I’m impressed with the planter. I have a lovely table in my garden made by my friend out of pallets. I hope many people and employers will consider home working for part of the week, when all this is done and dusted. Imagine the difference to the environment and people. Here are my six: https://noellemace.blogspot.com/2020/03/six-on-saturday-28-march-2020.html
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it’s pretty quite, certainly a lot quieter than my old petrol mower. I enjoyed having the push mower, but it frequently jammed and didn’t seem to cut that well. in a fit of pique I broke it, hence the new one….
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What a great Six! I find the Parrot Tulips look better in a vase, on the dining room table, than in the garden. But that’s just me. I’m loving how it’s getting brighter earlier in the day now – great for a bit of garden work before work work!
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yes it makes such a difference. my garden is going to be in top condition by the time spring is over!
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Thanks for the review of your cordless mower. I’ll consider when replacing, which won’t be long. Are you like me and my cordless vacuum, always looking behind me for the wire?
I like the daffies Barret Brown and the parrot tulips. My tulips haven’t bloomed yet but aren’t as exotic looking as those.
Here are my six:
https://thirdageblogger.blogspot.com/2020/03/six-on-saturday.html
Stay well and garden on everyone!
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actually i’ve only ever had “cordless” mowers – petrol first, then a push mower, now this one. this one is less faff than either of those.
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Nice job on the planter! Building something is very satisfying, isn’t it? All the better if that climbing rose takes off with the clematis. My six are here: https://aftereden.blog/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-28-march-2020/
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Hello Susan, yes I like to build thigs for the outdoors, suits my rustic woodworking skills!
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That planter looks great. And I’m looking forward to seeing that wall of sweet peas too. Thank god for the garden, eh? I reckon if we carry on gardening like we have this week, we’ll be able to open to the public when it’s all over! Anyway, here’s my 6:
https://theoptimisticgardener.wordpress.com/category/6-on-saturday/
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was thinking the same thing just this morning. if anyone is allowed out again, ever!
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Missed a – in the link!
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I grew Parrot Tulips for first time last year. Loved them in bud but the love affair ended when they opened. Thought I’d got rid of them but there’s some buds just emerging that look suspiciously like them. Hmmmmm. Planter looks great, might have to buy the N-G that pallet buster when this is all over.
https://thequiltinggardener.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday28-03-20/
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yes i’m sure where my next pallet will come from, i usually nab them from my local garden centre, closed just now of course.
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I thought I was going to be one of the early ones today but look at all those in front of me. Reminds me of something else too! That tulip is fab-u-lous. Stolen the show for me. Pretty daff too. I’ve had my sweet peas in and out of the gh all week but was thinking it was still a little cold for full-time outside planting. But I am persuaded to at least get a space ready for them. Here’s my link https://wp.me/p97pee-x6 Stay safe and well everyone.
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They are pretty hardy, will take down to -5°c no bother if hardened off.
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I rather like those tulips.
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I don’t hate them. Will give them a chance…
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Mmmm, envious of the mower. It looks as though it would make mowing an enjoyable pastime. I look forward to seeing the rhubarb and sweet peas growing together…should be a show. Love the look of the planter- much nicer than my metal ones, and nice and deep too.
http://janesmudgeegarden.com/avoiding-the-obvious-28-march-2020/
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Hello Jane – yes the mower is great, based on first use. will have to see how it is on a routine basis. the batteries are fully charged so it is raring to go next weekend (assuming the lawn needs it…). now that i have a few of their batteries I am considering adding to my makita cordless tool collection
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What great news, your tulips’ve begun to bloom. Looks like there might’ve been a bulb mix-up from the nursery, tho. Or maybe, like red hair being a mutation in humans . . . anyway, let us know if they grow on you. They look great to me. As to the trellis, you are very fastidious. Once vines grow up it, no one’ll see it. That mower looks like great stuff & those sweet peas! Wonder why the raspberries were so fussy about that spot. It looks like a good one. Glad to hear you’re all well & you, at least, are enjoying being home. https://lorahughes.blogspot.com/2020/03/good-mow-ntal-health.html
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That scrappy bit of trellis isn’t up to the job of catering for the rose. It’s out, did it yesterday evening and out the wires up too. On fire.
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Love your suggestions for possible sixes this week Propagator – made me chuckle. I’m very impressed by your woodworking skills. That planter looks great.
Here’s my six for this week
https://www.hortusbaileyana.co.uk/2020/03/magnolias-daffodils-and-tulips.html
By the way, I feel its a little rude that I’ve not introduced myself properly. My first name is Cathy. Seems there are a lot of us here , so I think it would be less confusing to stay with Hortus as my user name. I ought to try to work out how to do one of those picture thingies too which appear next to ones posts.
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hello Cathy/Hortus. yes Cathy, Cath and Katherine seem to popular among the SoS crowd.
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I’d like to get rid of my thumbnail photo, so you can have it. I don’t have a WordPress acct & the photo they’ve chosen is 10 years old, not used for anything I can remember. I’m always shocked when I see the old me here!
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I did it again – I forget to add my link. Never mind, here it is though I’ve just made your phone ping twice. 😁 Here’s my Six on Saturday:
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You made that planter from a pallet? That’s way too cool! If I show this to my husband that he’ll want to go out looking for pallets. 😀 It’s good that you embracing the work-from-home ethic. It doesn’t always suit everyone, but I think most people would trade a 3-hour commute for a work-at-home job any day.
I think you’ll love the parrot tulips when they open a little – they’re particularly effective when they have various colour tones through the petals, they add a lovely painterly touch to the borders. There’s a white with green markings that I love, I think it’s called ‘Super Parrot’ and one I’ll have to watch out for this coming autumn.
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Well, more like three pallets, but yes. I’ve made 10 or so over the last few years. Noted re parrots, will give em a chance.
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Love that planter, make me one please! It will have to be a virtual one obviously. I know what you mean about parrot tulips, but I like that colour, even though it isn’t blue. Can’t wait for the sweet peas, I love them. Is your race still going ahead? Have a great week Prop, here are mine https://offtheedgegardening.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-from-a-safe-distance/
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Made it! You can fill it with virtual compost and plant a virtual rose in it. Much faster than the real one.
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Thanks, that is brilliant. I’m worried that virtual compost is in short supply at the moment. I google it ….
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The good news is that all virtual compost is peat free.
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Your sweet peas will be fab fab fab. I know what you mean about that daffodil but I really like the ones that look like a fried egg.
Grab a glass of champagne, imagine lockdown is over and you’re coming to my place for a ribbon cutting ceremony. The rock garden is finished!
https://www.teabreakgardener.co.uk/rockery-reveal-six-on-saturday/
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Excellent, I’ll be right over!
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You’re always welcome!
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Not sure my jealous heart could cope with seeing your greenhouse in real life.
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Good morning. Just back from our morning constitutional. I am beginning to find too many things so spring must be on it’s way. I have just realised that I haven’t followed Jude’s instructions for publishing my post. I hope it gets through anyway.
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It has 🤣
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Planting sweet peas is on my weekend to do list but now that every day is the same, it’s hard to know when that is. Buying that mower is surely the kiss of death for your lawn, in three years time you will have dug it all up. Fancy daffs and fancy tulips; perhaps I’m getting old but I find myself liking the simpler, more natural looking varieties, of them and much else, these days.
Here’s my six: https://wp.me/p6bCCa-2cs
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if the new mower continues to delight I might reconsider my lawn reduction plans*.
* as if!
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What a lovely planter! I am impressed! The pallet buster was definitely a good buy! Wish I could make one of those….will have to cajole Mr S… 🙂 The daffodil you featured is really beautiful colour-wise, and for the flatter trumpet. I really like it. I will just admire the tulips as it far too hot for tulips to successfully grow here.
https://hairbellsandmaples.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-w13-2020-march-in-the-veggie-patch/
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No tulips! You must move house immediately.
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🥴 I can’t; I’m self-isolating! 😀 Jokes aside, there are definite advantages to the climate here, so I think I’m happy just admiring everyone else’s Tulips, while sharing photos of the more sub-tropical plants with the tulip growers!
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Yeah but tulips though? 🌷
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Guess I’ll have to get the refrigerator involved now? Wonder if a cold chill would work before planting them out?
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We’ve just been doing a virtual pub quiz with friends this evening…but here are my six https://basia329.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-28-02-20/
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Funny you should say that, this evening we have games night with friends. Pictionary via video conferencing is what we have in mind.
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I also grow Blue Parrot tulips, which have never been blue, except at the beginning before they open … some blue reflections … In any case they are beautiful. A new mower for me too but it’s a bigger model (a rider as we name it here). Here is my link this week:https://fredgardenerblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-28-03-20/
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I demand a refund! Blue, it says blue! 😁
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Great planter! I like the daffs – they almost look liked pressed flowers somehow. I’ve struggled a bit with my first full week working from home but I’m hoping I’ll settle into it. I’ve certainly enjoyed the breaks out in the garden though and I’ve been around to administer emergency watering to window sill seedlings midday! https://onemanandhisgardentrowel.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-28-march-2020/
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Yes, I noticed my chillies drooping so was able to do the needful. Handy.
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Oh lovely daffodils. As you can see I have included daffodils in my blog. Your right I think this is going to change the way people work forever. This is indeed historical times we live in. Here is my six. https://sedumsdahliasandhayfever.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-28th-march-2020/
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Oh I forgot my main joke. Cobblers!
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Indeed. We’ll be able to bore grandchildren with tales of the lockdown.
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Early for once! For some strange reason I am finding I can’t sleep very well at the moment. And have the weirdest of dreams (nothing new there). Time in the garden is being carefully monitored as a) I don’t want to run out of things to do and b) I really don’t want to damage my back and end up with sciatica. Other than that life is pretty normal for us as we don’t get out much anyway, though not being able to visit a spring garden or drive to the beach is frustrating. Still we are practising the #StayAtHome and hoping that this all doesn’t go on for too long.
As for your tulips, I grew parrots a couple of seasons ago and hated them! Ugly things. And I discovered that the heads were far too heavy in my windy plot. Yours don’t look too bad being the single colour. And are you sure 6 rhubarb crowns will fit in that bed? The leaves grow very big and will cover those sweet peas!
Stay safe!
Jude xx
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They’ll cover the lower foot or two but they don’t flower much that low anyway. It’s quite a long bed, should be room. But I accept that some might say I have form, eyes bigger than my garden….
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I had sweet peas in a bed that became a bot crowded and they didn’t grow well at all being shaded at the bottom. Maybe a hiding place for the S&S. Yours might be tall enough by then to manage alright. I’m not sowing sweet peas this year, first in years, but they have been disappointing the last two.
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Hmmm ok. Well see i guess.
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I guess we will 😂
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I’ve been waking up very early as well, but strangely not today. I wondered if it was a) the light mornings or b) I wasn’t doing as much in the daytime now I’m not working. Perhaps a little of each.
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Light mornings probably. Plus I have been sleeping through the night, which is not normal for me. I often wake and find it hard to get back to sleep. Or maybe it is just the sense that I need to make the most of life…
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My six are rather colorless while I am not going to work. I could have gone by to get pictures, but it is rather saddening to see everything in such spectacular bloom with no one there to see it. I will be by eventually.
My niece starts her sweet peas in October too. It seems like too much work for something that blooms for such a short season about now. I used to sow mine early in spring. They were able to bloom, but got roasted shortly afterward. again, it was too much work for an even shorter season! I would not bother with them, but I will not argue with my niece.
I believe that most wallflower bloom with a few colors on each stem. That is just how they are nowadays.
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I still think it would be easier just removing the lawn, but Makita should be quality. I was passed on an ancient cordless drill from father in law. It’s just given in, but it’s probably as old as me.
I’ve found the same as you with the parrots. Some formed beautifully. Other were incredibly scruffy.
My six for this week: https://30daysofwildparenting.wordpress.com/2020/03/28/six-on-saturday-28-3-20/
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I love my makita drill, best power tool I’ve ever owned. Builders had one 7 years ago, I tried it out and bought one next time they were reduced in screwfix. Great kit.
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Yes, not sure I can afford to replace mine with another Makita drill. But have felt a few and feels so much lighter than a 20/30 year old one.
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