It is a light week running-wise so I have a whole day in the garden planned today. I have a list of things to do as long as my arm, I doubt I’ll get it all done. It looks like being a grey and chilly weekend, but dry here at least, so I should have a productive day. While I’m busy with all that, let’s do Six on Saturday. Six things, in the garden, on a Saturday. Could be anything – a flower, a job to do, a success, a failure, anything at all. Join in!
Here are my Six for this week.
1 – Daffodil – ‘Jetfire’. A favourite from a couple of years ago, I have added 50-100 more each year. The newer plantings are yet to emerge (I was late planting them), but the established clumps are out in force. They are good value, a nice colour contrast, an unusual form, and prolific, I get 2 or 3 flowers per bulbs.
2 – Tulip pots. Last weekend I finally got around to clearing the patio of detritus accumulated over the winter. Pots with dead plants in, soggy and disintegrating cardboard, leaves, prunings, rubbish, a dead bird, that kind of thing. It was a right mess. At some point I will also jet wash the paving, but for now a good clear up and a sweep and it looks much better. I have moved all the tulip pots up to their starting positions among the permanent patio residents. Each 20L tub has 25 or more bulbs in. The wooden planters each have about 75 tulip bulbs, I’m looking forward to some colour. Unlike most years where I select tulip bulbs like a kid in a sweetshop, this year I actually planned colour combinations. We’ll soon see how that worked out.
3 – Chilli seedlings. These have all done very well, with 100% germination from my recently bought seeds, less good from the ones I’ve had stashed in the shed for a few years. I’ll be potting them up this weekend. They’ll stay on the window sill for now, but at some point I’ll get the big propagator out, with the heat and lights. They can share that with the tomato plants, if I ever get around to those. Talking of which…
4 – Tomato seeds sown. Taking encouragement from my high wire act with the chilli seeds a couple of weeks back, I’m going to repeat with the tomatoes. I’m about a week late sowing them. If you see a picture below then I managed to get it done at some point between writing this and publishing on Saturday morning. If not, then I’m a bad and lazy gardener. Or I’ve forgotten to buy tomato seeds. Hmm, I hadn’t factored in incompetence, so anything could happen now.
5 – Clematis tangutica. ‘Bill Mackenzie’ here is in dire need of a good prune. He is an enthusiastic grower and as you can see from the seed heads, was absolutely covered in flowers last summer. All of this is to be celebrated, even if they are a rather in-your-face yellow. One can’t have everything.
6 – Hydrangea buds. I don’t recall which variety this is, but it is a smallish one, planted in a big pot on the patio. I will try to resist the temptation to cut back last year’s stems to good buds, the old stems give them some frost protection.
Those are my Six, what are yours? If you’d like to join in, 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 triffic. For more details you can read the brief participant guide.
Have a super weekend, stay safe, and don’t forget to pop back as more links are added during the day.
I’ll be back next weekend for another #SixOnSaturday.
Still winter over here in New England, but watching your posts I can look into my future! (Except I have no tulips – the deer eat them.) https://spruceknobgarden.wordpress.com/2021/03/08/snow-mud-and-maple/
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Great to see spring coming to your garden too. More six here https://murtaghsmeadow.wordpress.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-6th-march-2021/
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I am really looking forward to seeing all of your tulip pots in glorious bloom! I also loved the pic of ‘Jetfire’ daffodil. It prompted me to see if it could be purchased in my neck of the woods. I found a garden center in my state, so hope I’ll remember to place an order in the fall.
As always, thanks for hosting!
Here’s my six: https://barefootlilylady.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-awaiting-spring/
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Excellent, good luck with your jet fire.
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Your tulips will look wonderful massed together like that! I realised I had not ordered any tomato seeds but was thrilled to find that seed have saved from last year’s Sungold have germinated really well, and I now have others from Which? Gardening to test as well. Does ‘Bill Mackenzie’ grow readily from seed? If so, could you possibly spare me some of your seedheads? My ‘six’ are here: https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-the-streamside-and-other-projects/
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Clematis is a right pain to grow from seed, can take years to germinate. I shredded it all earlier, but there are probably seed heads knocking about, will have a look out for them.
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Thanks Jon
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Such sunny colours! The snow is thawing, so I’m back with mine: https://dameeleanorhull.wordpress.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-the-thaw/
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Jealous of your seed sowing. Holding off another week or two here. But there are signs of growth in the garden – you can read all about that here in my six
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‘Bill Mackenzie’ is one I am thinking about planting to cover the fence between me and the neighbour. Does it need cutting down each year like the summer flowering ones? Your tulip pots look good. I keep checking mine and saw some buds today, which seems a little presumptuous.
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Yes, needs a hard prune every year.
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Jim has kept tabs on the number of his posts, so I am back to say congratulations on your 200th.
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You obviously found a spare moment to sow your tomato seeds then. I must follow suit once I’m feeling 100% again. Here’s my six for this week. https://greengirlgardener.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-6th-march/
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Always happy to read another Six on Saturday!
My daffodils seem to be pretty far behind yours – they’re still partway through pushing up foliage. Their relative, the paperwhites, are already flowering!
http://mindfulfoliage.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-mar-6-2021/
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love to see your spring flowers. I have just planted my last tomatoes from rooted cuttings…think this may be the best time here. Looking forward to seeing all of your pots. https://theshrubqueen.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-new-things-2/ Thank you for hosting.
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I have done my first SixOnSaturday for what seems like an age. Feels good to dip my toes back in the water. I am very jealous of your chilli seedlings as mine are not playing ball at the moment. I have included a lot of propagation in my Six post actually, as well as an honest unveiling of the level of weeds at the allotment. It happens to the best of us though.
Here is the link:
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Hello again. Propagation good, weeds bad (but inevitable).
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I was telling Pádraig I was amazed how tall his daffodils are! And yours are too And multiple headed!!!! I will take a photo of my little babies later today! I did a cleaning of my front porch this week as well! Such a little thing does make a big difference! I am ready for steady BEAUTIFUL weather…..and not to be in LOCK DOWN! For the time being, I am in a beautiful French Village sipping mimosas this morning, virtually of course.https://thecadyluckleedy.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-bormes-les-mimosas-france/
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I’m having problems with WordPress so I hope this works. Lovely escape to France. We haven’t been for a long time and hope we can sometime soon. Beautiful streets and cafe. Looking forward to summer and an end to lockdown? 🤞
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Oh I can’t wait for REAL Spring and then movin’ on to summer! Hopefully we’ll get to travel to more beautiful gardens! I have been looking for garden trails!
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Joining in for the first time, from the southern hemisphere late summer. Thanks for a great idea and a blog that’s fun to read. Also crazy about seeds…
https://onewordhere.blogspot.com/2021/03/six-on-saturday-2021-03-06-southern.html
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Hello there! Welcome to the gang, hope to see you again soon.
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I’m watching for those hydrangea buds, too, but am way behind on planting seeds. Some springtime reliables are finally beginning to bloom, though. Some of those are pictured here https://aftereden.blog/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-6-march-2021/
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I managed to get a lot of seeds sown this morning then a load more arrived in the post. Sigh.
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Not sure what happened with the date on the link!!! I always copy and paste.
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Getting good on the high wire. I’m getting itchy fingers for seed sowing but will wait until it’s a bit warmer. It’s been a plant merry-go-round this week for me.
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Sounds exciting!
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Morning! It’s amazing how much impact – visually and psychologically – just having a good old tidy up can have, isn’t it? Chilliness and gloominess also forecast here this weekend. Have a good one! https://mysecretgarden61808037.wordpress.com/2021/03/06/sixonsaturday-some-things-old-some-things-new/
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Yes, similar result from mowing and edging the lawn this morning.
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I love the Jetfire flowers with reflexed petals, I thought maybe mine were the same, but I’ve looked them up, they are Rapture, just as lovely and maybe a bit more reflexed! Here are my six:
http://kasmaty.blogspot.com/2021/03/sixonsaturday-filled-with-anticipatation.html
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I shall look out for those, next year perhaps.
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Thank you for your six this week, always full of interesting pics. Your chilles look wonderful and full of promise. My peppers are coming along. Your pots look like mine, full of tulips and I’m looking forward to a riot of colour. Here is my Six on Saturday . https://hurtledto60.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-06-03-2021/
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I look forward to seeing yours in bloom!
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The chillies look promising, have you used all of last year’s? I like the daffodil. Very pretty. Are you having a rest weekend, or are you injured? I hope not. I managed 5k this week and told myself that I only needed to do 31 more of those to match your run later in the year. At 45 minutes per 5k…………….hmmmm.🤔😬
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That might be my pace for the 100 miles! Just a lighter “rest” week, no injury.
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That’s good.
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🙂 I am here with the early risers this week! And I am so impressed by your chilli seed germination. What trickery did you use? I sowed 16 seeds and have only got four germinations! On a less than sunny windowsill but over the radiator. At least four will be enough for me. I am also resisting hydrangea pruning. Tom seeds have germinated and I have started off some early cukes – one showing so far. The tulips will be an amazing show. I’ll look forward to seeing those. Here’s my link – after a week of cold gardening https://wp.me/p97pee-Jp Enjoy your time in the garden.
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The chillies were sown in a half seed tray, just normal mp compost, on a 20°c heated tray.
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Hey Jon, what a brilliant mix from your Six on Saturday – No.4 – interesting comment – will I share my experience – may be at some stage – look out in future Six on Saturday 🙂
Here’s this weeks Six on Saturday from me
Have great time in the garden.
Cheers to all.
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Good luck with your tomatoes then
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Job done 🙂
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Good morning all! Nice to see these bright yellow tones, especially as my daffs are all just at the point on flowering, get on with it, I keep telling them! Here are my six, I fell for the hellebores, I partly blame peer pressure from SOS: https://thenostalgicgardener.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-06-march-2021-hellebore-hard-sell/
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Ah don’t rush them, they’ll be finished before you know it.
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What a lot of pots! Looking forward to seeing your tulip colour combos. I can never remember what I planted, although I have kept a record somewhere. We sowed tomato and chilli seeds this week too but no sign of germination yet, unlike my salad seedlings which came up in a couple of days!
https://carrotsandcalendula.co.uk/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-white-rabbits/
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I should sow some salad as well.
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Morning all – my six for you https://peerlessgardening.wordpress.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-6-3-2021/
Busy morning here so I’ll be reading later…..take care!
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Morning!
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I’ve got eight flowers and a bud from two years worth of planting daffodil Rapture, very similar to Jetfire. Perversely, given my track record, I see that as encouraging. At least they’re not all dead. According to my unreliable counting, this is SoS number 200, for thee and me, so just another week, here’s mine: https://wp.me/p6bCCa-2Ko
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200! Funny how something bombproof in one garden is troublesome in another.
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Especially when they’re growing in every hedgerow in Cornwall, chucked there by the cut flower growers, not even planted.
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Still below freezing here in the Cotswolds so dog walking this morning and hopefully some light gardening this afternoon, maybe seed sowing or shed sorting…again! Here are my musings for the day. https://davidsgardendiary.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-27/
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Yes it is a wee bit cold here too.
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The patio is looking very neat. I’m still putting that job off. Snap with the Jefire this week – although your en masse planting is far more effective than my meagre few. I definitely need to plant more https://onemanandhisgardentrowel.wordpress.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-6-march-2021/
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Lots more! Go big or go, er, home.
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It is good seeing your garden coming alive with colour and new buds after a harsh winter. The Jetfire Daffodils are beauties. I can’t wait to see all the tulips in flower on your patio! That is impressive growth from the Clematis. Sadly my only Clematis spent the summer hiding away behind some other plants, hopefully setting down a good root system, so I do hope things improve in October when our spring begins. Have a good gardening day and week!
Here is the link to my Six on Saturday: https://hairbellsandmaples.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-w10-2021-taming-the-wild-garden/
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Clematis are usually notoriously slow to get going.
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Morning everyone and morning Jonathan. All those tulips – you don’t do things by half do you? I’m wondering if you dot the pots around the beds or if you’ll leave them on the paving for a fabulous patio display?
I’m here watching the cricket and wishing I wasn’t. The garden beckons!
Here are my six – all miniature beauties.
https://www.teabreakgardener.co.uk/small-but-perfectly-formed-spring-flowers/
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I’m all in for the patio, I like to have a wall of colour there.
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I got flowers this time!
I even got hellebore (which I typically avoid) and will get more for next week (just because they happen to be doing well here . . . strangely).
I got daffodil too, although they are not as abundant and refined as yours. Actually, they are feral. I just think they are nice, and happen to be blooming late this year.
You certainly have a lot of tulip pots! I would be inclined to put them in place when planting them, rather than waiting for them to grow and get ready to bloom first.
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Clematis looks much like my Montana and neighbors overflowing. I’d planned out some of my tulips but seagulls are pulling them out.
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I plant them really deep, anti squirrel measures. Ought to work for seagulls too.
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They are knocking them over. Shredded a metal bird feeder and pulling a metal pot apart. Need to use heavier pots.
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Or a shotgun!
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The chimney needs repointing so I’m hopeful builders being around might put them off.
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I can reassure you, it’s been 5 years since I no longer buy tomato seeds … I reuse each year that of the previous year, as well as sending seeds between friends, family and social media’s friends.
I also thought to present my hydrangea buds but the cold of the next 3 nights will perhaps destroy these so I wait a little longer. https://fredgardenerblog.wordpress.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-06-03-21/
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I found some tomato seeds that you might have sent me! ‘Traveller’, I think. Sound familiar?
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Ooh yes I forgot it … give them a try and you’ll be surprised by the shape , sadly not the best taste imo
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Now you tell me!!
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Imo, not juicy enough and with a little thick skin. Nice as an aperitif thanks to the small sections.
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I thought I was up early! We must all be keen to get out in the garden, though I suspect it may be too cold still and I’ll end up taking a cup of tea back to bed for a bit.
The Jetfire is a great looking daffodil, and I love the name too. Good luck with the tomato seeds. I did mine early and now they look a bit leggy, so that is a lesson learned.
Here’s my six for this week
https://www.hortusbaileyana.co.uk/2021/03/early-march-in-garden.html
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I used to sow tomatoes really early but waited till march last year and had better plants. Difficult to resist…
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Good evening from Wellington! Here are my six this week https://basia329.wordpress.com/2021/03/06/six-on-saturday-06-03-21/
I have a few jet fire and really enjoy seeing them when spring comes around. In fact, I think it may even be you who encouraged me to get them….
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May have been!
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Your little seedlings are wagging their little leaves and telling me to get on with my sowing. You rClematis tangutica. ‘Bill Mackenzie’ really did make some magnificent growth, and has given me a preview of what to expect from the one I planted last year. I guess it will take a few years to get this extensive. Here are my Six: https://noellemace.blogspot.com/2021/03/six-on-saturday-6-march-2021.html
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Mine was crazy right from the start, certainly by year two. Quicker than most clematis I think.
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Inspired by the sheer number of bulbs you plant on an annual basis to follow up with resolutions to add to the current collection left over from a previous gardener of our patch. When do you generally prune your clematis? I usually leave dead stems on all winter, but hadn’t realized they were protecting new growth from frost damage. This is good news! Here are mine: roguegarden.wordpress.com.
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I usually prune the clematis in February some time. End of January even, if I’m feeling impatient.
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This is a first for me; to be up so early and posting my Saturday blog at this early hour. Of course, it was written yesterday evening ready to be published this morning. It has been the first really good gardening week here and we have been busy each day in the garden, full days of generally 10 until 5 and the garden has been brought into shape. We also had two firsts of the year so we are certainly moving along towards “normal service” as is said. I did my Zoom talk during the week which went quite well – some issues with bandwidth so that my voice and facial features didn’t quite hit it off together. I am told the best thing to do is to turn off my video and simply show photographs with a voice-over. That’s what I have in mind for the next one – any, to be honest, my face doesn’t really add a great deal to the talk!
Best wishes to all; the vaccine is coming though I will be waiting another while. My son and partner have been vaccinated, as have my neighbours, and all went well for them. We will live in hope. Stay safe and well and enjoy the gardening.
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Glad your talk went well. Get your jab!
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I must wait my turn for the jab but will take it when it arrives.
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Ah I see, thought you were holding back. Hoping to get mine end of the month ish.
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No date given to us yet. It’s going slowly enough here – lack of supply seems to be the problem. My son will be administering vaccines shortly – I wonder if he could slip me a spare one!
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It’s about the only aspect of this pandemic that is going well here.
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amazing to spend 7 hours in the garden, no wonder yours looks so fabulous. Haven’t you had the north easterly wind? You have spurred me on to go outside and get something done.
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It is not warm out, but I’m keeping busy.
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The start of the week was fabulous but these last few days have had that bitter breeze. It’s a case of wrapping up well and keeping moving!
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A full day in the garden? How lovely! I’ll take up where you left off by cycling a few hours after breakfast, then some preparation for potato planting.
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Sounds great, enjoy your ride.
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Good morning! It’s nice to have a day in the garden planned, even if you don’t make it to the bottom of the list. I had a few tulips in the pots on the patio, but I’m pretty sure the squirrels had every last one of them. Not the ones in the ground though, interestingly enough. Anyway, you should have a good show once they get going!
Here’s my Six:
https://kindheartsandcorydalis.co.uk/six-on-saturday-6th-february/
Thanks!
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