Willow Wands and Cheap Seeds

We discussed the fairy and dinosaur day over a cream tea and Anne made a list. We have all been working on various jobs.

My sister has printed fairy notepaper and I am just about to give the fairy writing chest a make-over. The dinosaur eggs are in production. Anne has sourced a huge number of mini-dinosaurs.

I`ve made 50 wands from willow and foil card. The children will take one before they begin the trail. On the way round they make the fairy promise and then they can decorate it in the garden.

With this special day in mind, we are having a good tidy up all round the garden. It is surprising how much dead stuff is needing removal.

Edges have been cut, seeds collected and dried flowers bunched up.

We are having a good clear-out in the polytunnel. We do accumulate stuff here so its good opportunity to throw a few things out. Some of the cushions have had an up-date.

The peppers are doing well with their protective sleeves, made from old lemonade bottles.

And the tomatoes are coming along nicely.

Cucumbers are coming thick and fast.

Jam making has begun in earnest.

 

 

Elsewhere around the garden, the hollyhocks steal the show.

I hope they will survive the current winds.

We have invested in new stakes which will help both hollyhocks and sunflowers.

 

Today we have found seeds and bamboo canes at 75% off at Hilliers Garden Centre in Eastbourne. We are very pleased with ourselves 

(Thanks Amanda for the tip)

Lots going on and lots to plan for.

 

 

Willow Fairies

Fairy and Dinosaur days are coming up.

With that in mind we have been working hard to prepare. On Saturday we began making papier mache dinosaur eggs which are now hanging out to dry in the barn.

At home I have been making willow fairies. Yesterday I set them in situ above the entrance sign, trimming dead willow as I went, along with brambles and bracken.

 

And of course we want the garden to look smart so we trimmed the hornbeam hedge which now needs a ladder to complete it. The next cut will be trimming it down a lot further.

Around the garden the poppy seedheads are stunning.

 

But the hollyhocks are stealing the show.

Luckily they have mostly all been secured against the incessant wind.

 

I have done well with my wallflower seedlings, and after pricking out three trays at home, I roughly transferred them into shallow lines at the garden. It was perfect timing. The rain had soaked the ground. I had old pet cage sides to protect them as well as a net curtain to shade, Here they are a week later.

 

Lovely little plants waiting to be spaced out.
 

In one corner of the garden, the angelica has taken over.

When I was at school we used to use angelica stems, dyed green to decorate our Christmas cakes.

 

The pumpkins are swelling.

The first dahlia is out.

This nicotiania is growing up between two cucumbers.

 

And we had a nice trug of veg to take home.

Lots of visitors enjoying the garden and we have had many compliments for which we are grateful.