tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64313506103424058422024-03-05T16:34:00.673+00:00Notes from a Lake District GardenRamblings, plans, moans , happiness, ideas and photos from my Lake District Garden at White Moss HouseSue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-25130644969777733702015-09-03T10:40:00.001+01:002015-09-03T10:40:18.681+01:00Time to review my Lake District garden 2015It's the time of year when you look at the garden, make resolutions about what to do differently next year- then forget to make a note about it. The result is that you make the same mistakes next year. Or is that just me?<br />
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Here goes on some thoughts about White Moss House garden 2015. It's a Grasmere garden, a Lake District garden , so the thoughts below may not apply to gardens elsewhere.<br />
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First thoughts.<br />
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Two things are totally out of my control<br />
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1. <b>The weather</b>. It's been cold, dull and wet. You know that- we all know that.<br />
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2. <b>Rabbits</b>. We've not had rabbits for years, but in the past two weeks we've seen two. They've eaten the annual cornflowers which I sowed with love, and which were finally beginning to flower well. They've also eaten the Nigellas which had been beautiful. The nasturtiums are another target, and they've even bitten through the stem of a Japanese anenome leaving the stalks with flowers lying on the ground.<br />
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Of course, you might say that I can do something about the rabbits. Get someone to lurk around with a shotgun would be top of my list right now as I'm so fed up with them, Is that legal? Failing that, over the winter we'll have to dig in a rabbit fence around the main beds. We used to have these years ago, but as we've been rabbit free they've all be taken down.<br />
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Here's a photo of the border taken early August.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln_En6sggyqyg5o_X6VHmu4H4NBqImJYjnI7iOYMTha7BkiHcoJLUJBe4tzKPyURWeScBA8EXKRfkLyfNHw3EeFEHSCU40REwAeOHDk0ZuTQMMV7nRAC0xf-X9A_VdS0bIe7NqJUO2wEC/s1600/garden+broder+2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln_En6sggyqyg5o_X6VHmu4H4NBqImJYjnI7iOYMTha7BkiHcoJLUJBe4tzKPyURWeScBA8EXKRfkLyfNHw3EeFEHSCU40REwAeOHDk0ZuTQMMV7nRAC0xf-X9A_VdS0bIe7NqJUO2wEC/s320/garden+broder+2015.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Moss House garden</td></tr>
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The penstemons planted from plugs in 2014 are looking good, and the mesembryanthemum that I bought from the WI market in 2014 is doing really well. I divided it into 3 clumps and each is flowering well ( it's the lilac coloured flower) Also, an erodium I bought last year from the WI market has been brilliant. I divided this into 3 as well, and it's been a really good colour source all through the summer. It tends to be a bit leggy, and I've realised that you need to cut the leaves off from below as they die. It's a member of the storksbills, a relative of the much loved cranesbills.<br />
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When it started to flower in June I wasn't sure of it's name. In the end, I described it to the lady at the WI market, from whom I'd bought I bought it last year. "Erodium"- flowers all summer, just keep deadheading.<br />
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Here's a picture of it taken early in June.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZMAlnaAGS5ULY3x6g4gmGqiCe7FXJCzF9LqQEWlBJcICNh25isa7arFXVYXi3a-CJdjJJDbRTkglYKBnlZ2gWx7dkOi6DwgxV6wtpaGBbhDalGFO-Xs3M1tQk8y67ZLcHJvnizj78kaU/s1600/mallorca%252C+crete%252C+garden+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZMAlnaAGS5ULY3x6g4gmGqiCe7FXJCzF9LqQEWlBJcICNh25isa7arFXVYXi3a-CJdjJJDbRTkglYKBnlZ2gWx7dkOi6DwgxV6wtpaGBbhDalGFO-Xs3M1tQk8y67ZLcHJvnizj78kaU/s320/mallorca%252C+crete%252C+garden+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erodium, White Moss House</td></tr>
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Just a few more thoughts today, looking at the flowers above.<br />
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Plugs- don't bother with them ever again! Yes, I do still have a good showing of the Pentsemons, but I'd rather buy 6 larger good quality plants than fuss around with 24 plugs that need repotting. This is just my opinion. Nothing against Thompson and Morgan who sent excellent plugs.<br />
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Plants from Ambleside WI Country market are an excellent buy. They've been grown locally , so will love the conditions in my garden. Buy plants for a <b> Lake District garden</b> from a Lake District gardener- it makes sense.<br />
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Final thought today, memo to self. Next year, don't both to sow seeds in seed trays and then plant out. Those sown directly into the border did just as well.<br />
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That's enough for one day. Back soon with more memos- mostly for me, but if they help you, you're welcome.<br />
<br />Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-77387140860876703422015-04-13T13:26:00.001+01:002015-04-15T11:11:32.489+01:00How could I make such a mistake- I watch Monty Don every week!I've decided to grow my bedding plants from seed this year. That's what being (semi) retired does to you - well to me anyway.<br />
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On a glorious sunny day last week I sowed Cosmos, Nigella, Zinnia and Cornflowers into seed plug trays ( a bargain at Hayes , £1.99 for 5 trays of 40 plugs).<br />
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I sowed,and then I wrote labels, just like Monty, ("always make sure you label your seeds") and stuck the labels in the seed trays. I made the labels from shiny cardboad, and wrote them with a felt pen.<br />
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3 days later, I have seedlings already- fantastic! The only problem is that the labels are now damp, the ink has run, and I don't know what's what.<br />
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Basic lesson well learned- use permanent ink on plastic, not soluble ink on card. Obviously. Doh!<br />
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I think the first seedling to show are Cosmos. I grew Cosmos from seed last year, as I struggle to find the bedding plants locally and they tend to be quite expensive. They were brilliant. So easy, so impressive. If I'd known years ago how easy Cosmos was to grow from seed ............ but then every gardener always has regrets don't they?<br />
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Here a picture of Cosmos in my Lake District garden last year.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ-ExTaumecS1wG6y1eR7CT7N1yS2FBXp1ZIR-rxiF6c2G16O8NY7sasElabhwI20eK8SWiUHXUCAiFMNu-8s_T3UqmQN-KkA9l7LIMRBuyakUQ0SMkjwhYDVYVizLT4MsS1HGWUMLqSv/s1600/cosmos+2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJ-ExTaumecS1wG6y1eR7CT7N1yS2FBXp1ZIR-rxiF6c2G16O8NY7sasElabhwI20eK8SWiUHXUCAiFMNu-8s_T3UqmQN-KkA9l7LIMRBuyakUQ0SMkjwhYDVYVizLT4MsS1HGWUMLqSv/s1600/cosmos+2014.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmos grown from seed, White Moss House, Grasmere 2014</td></tr>
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If you can't get down to your garden centre you can buy seeds online from Amazon. Here's the link for UK readers<br />
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<br /><iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=whimos-21&marketplace=amazon®ion=GB&placement=B001S1479K&asins=B001S1479K&linkId=3GIJN2WCCR3YPSNB&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true">
</iframe>
Readers in the USA and Canada can buy Cosmos seeds via this picture link.
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=greatgadge08-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B003TJC728&asins=B003TJC728&linkId=BOLOB6Q4ZMFUSDKM&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true">
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Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-73900346093270522782015-03-17T14:52:00.001+00:002015-03-17T14:52:06.017+00:00Now is the time to plant LovageDo you have lovage in your garden? If not, now is the time to sow seeds. In a few weeks you'll be able to buy lovage plants ready to go straight into the garden.<br />
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<a href="http://wizzley.com/lovage-how-to-grow-and-use-the-lovage-herb/">Here's an article I've written about Lovage- how to grow and use the Lovage herb.</a><br />
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If you visit it please leave a message.<br />
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Do you love lovage? It tastes rather like celery, it's easy to grow, you can use it all summer in salads and recipes, and it looks pretty too.<br />
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Here's a picture of lovage in my herb garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDczjZiYoDe2MJwiMiQY9iATy3IT2lc_DGYgb7A4NrGUU2sWSWkmGiWSyL5vUlQLB_LXj4Fxkn7faGthqPfRVji6cSxLGDUqboLdRLuLLlf7YNWvW9Vc2OQn9_2TqFz1QPMtXEufj-Mba/s1600/lovage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDczjZiYoDe2MJwiMiQY9iATy3IT2lc_DGYgb7A4NrGUU2sWSWkmGiWSyL5vUlQLB_LXj4Fxkn7faGthqPfRVji6cSxLGDUqboLdRLuLLlf7YNWvW9Vc2OQn9_2TqFz1QPMtXEufj-Mba/s1600/lovage.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovage at White Moss House, Grasmere</td></tr>
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<br />Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-55249466542890333162015-03-07T10:35:00.001+00:002015-03-07T10:40:59.768+00:00The sorrel is just appearing, but no sign yet of lovage.At this time of year I'm checking the herb garden to see if any fresh herbs are on their way.<br />
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The tiniest shoots of <a href="http://grasmeresue.hubpages.com/hub/sorrel-2">sorrel</a> are just peeping through, but there is no sign yet of the <a href="http://grasmeresue.hubpages.com/hub/lovage-herb">lovage </a>. If you click on the links, you'll find lots of reasons to grow these two great herbs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uecU_8oB-UItCbzqmr5NhW14xb30T4KIX8T3axV2hkS_gdj4sILCOPS91xBrPLBfcUZg5UiKkk_vaLtbqs4Z0umNIkzmL6zX8RqwwWjtbKJ7rjPSzXzgWIOmBwWlSjczTCZUZoL1aNir/s1600/lovage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uecU_8oB-UItCbzqmr5NhW14xb30T4KIX8T3axV2hkS_gdj4sILCOPS91xBrPLBfcUZg5UiKkk_vaLtbqs4Z0umNIkzmL6zX8RqwwWjtbKJ7rjPSzXzgWIOmBwWlSjczTCZUZoL1aNir/s1600/lovage.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovage in my White Moss Grasmere garden</td></tr>
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These two herbs are easy to grow, and as they are not often found in shops, it makes sense to grow your own. Now is the time to sow! You can buy seeds from Amazon.<br />
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For more information about sorrel and lovage see my page<a href="http://wizzley.com/herbs/"> "Two unusual herbs" </a><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=GB&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=whimos-21&marketplace=amazon&region=GB&placement=B009M219SO&asins=B009M219SO&linkId=E5ANXKKMD2DF5HRE&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-77330321302782082222014-04-24T10:14:00.000+01:002014-04-24T10:14:14.322+01:00Rhododendrons - seen around our Lakes holiday cottage and White Moss HouseLast year I took a few snaps whilst on my favourite short walk. White Moss House to Brockstone holiday cottage, left past White Moss tarn, down to the duck pond above Dove Cottage, then left back along the old road , past Mark the ice cream man ( stopping for a chat), and back to White Moss House.<br />
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I took some photos of the local gardens. Here's one of them. For more photos you can click through to my <a href="http://www.brockstonegrasmere.co.uk/rhododenrons/">new Grasmere holiday cottage website. </a><br />
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Here's a sample.<br />
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<br />Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-3116748101915395442014-04-23T13:18:00.002+01:002014-04-23T13:20:03.922+01:00The herb garden is looking good already, and the sweet cicely is ready for the rhubarb.With a warm winter and spring, our herb garden is already offering a good choice of fresh herbs. Whenever we cook, we just pop out of the back door and pick whatever seems to fit the meal.<br />
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Now that the nights are light it's even easier. No need for blind picking when there isn't a torch to hand.
Right now I've got <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/lovage-herb">lovage</a>, <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/sweet-cicely">sweet cicely</a>, <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/sorrel">sorrel</a>, mint, <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/grow-peppermint">peppermint</a>, rosemary, thyme, sage, fennel and marjoram all at hand. Don't think that because you live in the North of England, in a cool , damp climate, you can't grow herbs. You can. We do!<br />
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The thyme and rosemary is actually in a pot, which I've kept under the eaves out of the worst of this winter's rain. In past years I've lost the thyme and rosemary, as they hate having their roots permanently wet. This year they're as happy as the proverbial Larry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFRBIEMSoVE-Yx00KLT84Y0LBJ_byulmmEbS45-IAX5IMpZQouqSUu2xd-p2gjMsObeNfyYQ0l47UhLuvUk7OxHK8N7rvZ-9wes3ux-5q8uY-vV3oReKhWopOqrsSWHs7di07X83kVMBL/s1600/whitemoss+herb+garden+may2010+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFRBIEMSoVE-Yx00KLT84Y0LBJ_byulmmEbS45-IAX5IMpZQouqSUu2xd-p2gjMsObeNfyYQ0l47UhLuvUk7OxHK8N7rvZ-9wes3ux-5q8uY-vV3oReKhWopOqrsSWHs7di07X83kVMBL/s1600/whitemoss+herb+garden+may2010+009.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Cicely in White Moss garden.</td></tr>
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Hers a picture of sweet cicely in our White Moss herb garden. It will be a week or so before it's as high as this, but the great thing is that there is enough leaf now to add to the wonderful fresh new rhubarb that's in the shops. The sweet cicely cuts the sharpness of the rhubarb, so you don't need so much sugar. Grow sweet cicely and keep the calories down. Add it to fruit dishes and halve the sugar. That's Herb Magic.<br />
Speaking of Herb Magic, here's a book for herb fans that's on my wish list.<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=whimos-21&o=2&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B001JEPVX2" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-9037784791712493342014-04-02T09:33:00.001+01:002014-04-02T09:33:12.316+01:00Do you grow lovage?We love lovage ( corny but true)<br />
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During our 30 + years as a top restaurant in the Good Food Guide, lovage featured in many of our dishes. Now with the latest fashion for using a wide range of herbs and finding things in hedgerows, lovage is getting more common in the kitchens of top chefs such as Simon Rogan.<br />
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<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/lovage-herb">Lovage is very easy to grow. Read all about how to grow and use lovage here.</a><br />
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Here in the Lakes our lovage is already 6 inches high in our Grasmere garden and growing every day. Soon we'll be using the leaves in salads, stews, soups, garnishes. Here's a picture if you're not sure what lovage is. It looks a bit like celery and tastes a little like celery.<br />
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<br /></div><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IQF9778/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00IQF9778&linkCode=as2&tag=whimos-21">You can buy lovage plants ready to go from Amazon UK here. </a><img src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=whimos-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B00IQF9778" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
If you prefer to buy the seeds, did you know that Amazon also stock a great range of seeds with free delivery if you order several items? Click on the photo to buy Suttons Lovage seeds from Amazon UK.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00A36FYRK/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00A36FYRK&linkCode=as2&tag=whimos-21"><img border="0" src="http://ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00A36FYRK&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=whimos-21" ></a><img src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=whimos-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B00A36FYRK" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-68032955251909436662014-03-25T09:07:00.003+00:002014-03-25T09:07:58.477+00:00Why no posts for so long?Why have I not posted here this year?<br />
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Well, it was January and very wet. No gardening to be had. I was away in February, then when I returned in March, it was still wet. Very wet.<br />
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The worse thing though was that all the daffodils in our whole garden have been eaten by deer. Usually the large back hillside garden in covered in daffodils that have spread over the life of the house. In our side garden we have the little narcissi that Wordsworth wrote about. <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/william-wordsworths-daffodils">You can see and read about them here.</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wordsworth daffodils</td></tr>
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These are the Wordsworth daffodils growing wild in our garden in happier years.<br />
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In our main garden we also have daffodils that I've planted myself.<br />
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All gone.<br />
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This is the culprit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVk3S-2mZlaQK4x03Rz_2LasHUk-pScSj90iW-BDN7h6pGNUZIJeKXIlPhHUqaEbvX9rVvOEZiZ7kjV6OhXdj0zAwUaLPqF10hgu8EehYwavoFT4FuBlzZy2nNtYbMFOjwXTar3TL7G5mJ/s1600/pegging+out,+deer+hunting+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVk3S-2mZlaQK4x03Rz_2LasHUk-pScSj90iW-BDN7h6pGNUZIJeKXIlPhHUqaEbvX9rVvOEZiZ7kjV6OhXdj0zAwUaLPqF10hgu8EehYwavoFT4FuBlzZy2nNtYbMFOjwXTar3TL7G5mJ/s1600/pegging+out,+deer+hunting+002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer looking down at me from the top of our garden</td></tr>
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The deer are not scared any more. They just look at me, as if saying "so? What you gonna do about it?" The whole area around the deer is usually yellow with daffodils at this time of year.<br />
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Oh, the woes of gardeners! I'm not alone . Every gardener in Grasmere has a similar tale. It's dispriting.<br />
Shall I even bother to plant anything this year?<br />
Watch this space............Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-62892283761274832732013-12-10T08:54:00.001+00:002013-12-10T08:54:07.549+00:00Christmas Gifts for Gardeners.
Here's the gardening book that I would love for Christmas if anyone I know is reading this.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1856267806/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1856267806&linkCode=as2&tag=whimos-21"><img border="0" src="http://ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1856267806&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=whimos-21" ></a><img src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=whimos-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1856267806" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
Jekka is the Queen of Herbs. I love herbs. This is a great book. A very welcome gift....Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-11480723821377229672013-06-15T12:51:00.001+01:002013-06-15T12:51:42.891+01:00Holehird Gardens in the English Lake District - one of my favourite gardens in the world.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXR9xg9cR_IUhhTEHAmEReuaQB8KX9QOTQX9NULOY7Xrmdboi4o3KdaMcC1bawY94dJ2W6_L_TtRxehh0CuMTdE8Khyk4EP2GDMB7tDwViFgonX3bW5JCDuD6nRO0tnZSUhGs47MDF-8H/s1600/Rhododendrons,+tulips,+terrece,+newly+planted+tubs,+tubs+spring+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXR9xg9cR_IUhhTEHAmEReuaQB8KX9QOTQX9NULOY7Xrmdboi4o3KdaMcC1bawY94dJ2W6_L_TtRxehh0CuMTdE8Khyk4EP2GDMB7tDwViFgonX3bW5JCDuD6nRO0tnZSUhGs47MDF-8H/s400/Rhododendrons,+tulips,+terrece,+newly+planted+tubs,+tubs+spring+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holehird Gardens, Troutbeck, Cumbria, Lake District, June 2013 ( please credit me and link to this page if you wish to use this photo)</td></tr>
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Holehird Gardens are in the grounds of Holehird, the Cheshire Home, just outside of Windermere. The gardens are run by the Lakes Horticultural Society, all volunteers. When I visited last week, they were clearing the tulips, most of which had just gone over their best. Along with everything else in the garden this year, they were two to three weeks late.<br />
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Entry is free. There are usually plants for sale at very reasonable prices. I bought 2 fuchsia and 3 scented geraniums. This place is an absolute gem. Here's the link to <a href="http://holehirdgardens.org.uk/">Holehird Gardens website</a>.<br />
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For years it seemed as if no one knew about Holehird. Often I visited and found very few people there. However, word is spreading, and last week there were ate least 30 other visitors there! In theory, if it grows at Holehird, it will grow in my garden. Conditions are very similar.<br />
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If you visit the Lakes and love gardens, put this at the top of your list.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Border at Holehird, early June 2013. Please credit and link if you use this photo.<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6890051.12124;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463811;pid=511608_UK;usg=AFHzDLurxrABMxIxwfjREptzADcIcS3yvQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.lightinthebox.com%252F2-16w-36-light-rechargeable-stainless-steel-led-solar-garden-light_p511608.html%253Fcurrency%253DGBP;pubid=625066;price=%C2%A3127.76;title=2.16W+36-light+Recharg...;merc=LightInTheBox;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcloud.lbox.me%2Fimages%2F384x500%2F201302%2Frbevpn1361174594197.jpg;width=65;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe></td></tr>
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<br />Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-89275156517316573822013-05-07T12:08:00.001+01:002013-05-07T12:08:55.806+01:00Tulips finally out and looking good<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRnqUhyEm8G_ON2cimB-IaHrn_yYqL4KQqt-N_Hxn5iDglLhMl_fefZwdNvASkAvyuHbEWopmlPzkkQ5HtFUjn1yvwfQ6Shl664PvgPbtG0E8jP14lWD7kt9InZ4h5CnRWQox0_Bxmmp3/s1600/tulips,+planted+sink+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRnqUhyEm8G_ON2cimB-IaHrn_yYqL4KQqt-N_Hxn5iDglLhMl_fefZwdNvASkAvyuHbEWopmlPzkkQ5HtFUjn1yvwfQ6Shl664PvgPbtG0E8jP14lWD7kt9InZ4h5CnRWQox0_Bxmmp3/s320/tulips,+planted+sink+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulips at White Moss House, Grasmere</td></tr>
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At last! These tulips were worth the wait.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCYKi12IzheDv0NlVmlVrpm9quQ4Ie67zTiK-RYY0DFISwbYGsf4JK-Bf34-iNX2BL9oU0p214Z-OChREmPFGU0I0pSaONjB_9oN9jbwZfLuVaQUydOy3vCtJbu3Ubj5iFdx3J7vG7Ht1/s1600/tulips,+planted+sink+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCYKi12IzheDv0NlVmlVrpm9quQ4Ie67zTiK-RYY0DFISwbYGsf4JK-Bf34-iNX2BL9oU0p214Z-OChREmPFGU0I0pSaONjB_9oN9jbwZfLuVaQUydOy3vCtJbu3Ubj5iFdx3J7vG7Ht1/s320/tulips,+planted+sink+007.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More tulips, White Moss garden,. Grasmere<br /></td></tr>
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And this is one I planted yesterday- following Monty Don's instructions- grit and John Innes 2.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGus7vzotBHyANV4rBP3MgJhwaTIxfpPZ2eoyroNQdb1Y7plbp7SiulTI_xUmPY0wwASVo5TeZC3GvKP_uOScvSR_AUQJfH6FUdW7pbhAOJDwmbY5z9uzLsTMxVeHAq08g8qlzwZlTSt-0/s1600/tulips,+planted+sink+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGus7vzotBHyANV4rBP3MgJhwaTIxfpPZ2eoyroNQdb1Y7plbp7SiulTI_xUmPY0wwASVo5TeZC3GvKP_uOScvSR_AUQJfH6FUdW7pbhAOJDwmbY5z9uzLsTMxVeHAq08g8qlzwZlTSt-0/s320/tulips,+planted+sink+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planted sink, White Moss garden, Grasmere</td></tr>
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It doesn't look great yet- only day 1. At least nothing (snails, slugs, sheep, deer , mice) ate any of the plants on their first night.<br />
<br />Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-91435865156019772202013-05-04T12:04:00.003+01:002013-05-04T12:08:47.138+01:00The lavender has been chopped- bring in the alpines.The garden area under our lounge bay window was a mess. We asked the decorator to paint the windows, but he decided that after over 150 years, the windows themselves needed replacing. That's now been done, but the lavenders have been trampled, and in any case they had got very leggy and woody. This border needed serious attention.<br />
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We chopped the lavenders right down, leaving a bare area right where guests come in- not a good first impression. Bring on the alpines! John Innes number 2, a bag of grit, a selection of plants and off we went.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKvRHE69B9wRx0HZ0NWdD_ijxx7aHqRGeZgrD4r09YHTa0nNg3r8iOD5ZSVaXVzQQcrqEmdwCGgPYqCUZEA0MY7PEsRs6JmJmsvaJzbfR5lw_7kpaP_68T4tlLHIVLXDxdG3JUGdwiJsQ/s1600/l'enclume,+garden+spring,+alpines,wild+flowers+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKvRHE69B9wRx0HZ0NWdD_ijxx7aHqRGeZgrD4r09YHTa0nNg3r8iOD5ZSVaXVzQQcrqEmdwCGgPYqCUZEA0MY7PEsRs6JmJmsvaJzbfR5lw_7kpaP_68T4tlLHIVLXDxdG3JUGdwiJsQ/s320/l'enclume,+garden+spring,+alpines,wild+flowers+077.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Moss House, Grasmere, Bay window, lavenders cut down, ready for alpines</td></tr>
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You can just see a few stalks of lavender- otherwise it's bare. Not a good look.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Dvznu4m4f-qjwThcH4Bo_5vTltm67gldDk5gcPRqlKbPNLKBOph33XQu2gT-cW9TgUgpbEhO-F33cDOfR_8J38YuzKckA5ktHMj7Vgw2dVHYnlu4WRwClHSj10-DR4CXra5Te6boaxCO/s1600/l'enclume,+garden+spring,+alpines,wild+flowers+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Dvznu4m4f-qjwThcH4Bo_5vTltm67gldDk5gcPRqlKbPNLKBOph33XQu2gT-cW9TgUgpbEhO-F33cDOfR_8J38YuzKckA5ktHMj7Vgw2dVHYnlu4WRwClHSj10-DR4CXra5Te6boaxCO/s320/l'enclume,+garden+spring,+alpines,wild+flowers+079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the alpines ready for planting.</td></tr>
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I've got 1 aubrieta, 2 saxifraga, 1 scabiosa, 2 phlox,2 dianthus and 1 sedum . I usually give pinks ( dianthus) a miss, as they get eaten by mice, or something ( who knows which of my garden enemies gets them?) Watch this space to see how they grow on in the next few weeks.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&field-keywords=alpine%20plants&linkCode=ur2&rh=n%3A11052671%2Ck%3Aalpine%20plants&tag=whimos-21&url=search-alias%3Doutdoor" target="_blank">If you would like alpines delivered to your door, you can buy them here from Amazon.</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=whimos-21&l=ur2&o=2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
I actually like to pick out the plants myself, but I find that transporting compost, and especially grit, which is very heavy, is something I can do without. You can buy compost and grit online- an easy option.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&field-keywords=garden%20grit&linkCode=ur2&rh=n%3A11052671%2Ck%3Agarden%20grit&tag=whimos-21&url=search-alias%3Doutdoor" target="_blank">Grit and compost are so heavy that you might like to order online here from Amazon.co.uk</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=whimos-21&l=ur2&o=2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-14556620709338364562013-04-17T18:22:00.000+01:002013-04-17T18:27:03.744+01:00Things are starting to grow at last- tips of lovage, little sorrel leavesThe ice cold weather has finally relented, and we're up in the dizzy heights of 11C . Not great, but better. It's also raining, which is something I'm not normally a big fan of, but we need the rain now to help the buds open.<br />
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Here is a picture I took in March last year of the lovage just coming up. You can <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/lovage-herb">click through this link to find out how to grow and use lovage.</a> This year the lovage still isn't as big as this. We must be 3 weeks or 4 weeks behind last year. The sorrel is still tiny too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovage at White Moss House, Grasmere , 20 March 2012<br />
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<br />Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-7664421931141149822013-03-21T08:39:00.000+00:002013-03-21T08:39:39.600+00:00Just seen a red squirrel- good news!I was sitting at my desk, checking for any early morning messages, when out of the corner of my eye I saw movement in the garden.<br />
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It was a <b>Red Squirrel</b> hopping about. They're not easy to see right now against the brown bracken, but it hopped onto the trunk of a silver birch and ran up into the branches. The Grasmere Red Squirrel Watch people put a Squirrel cam in our garden the other day . They move it round between the various local squirrel sites. Hope they got a sighting- it makes all the hard work fighting off the greys very worthwhile.<br />
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Yesterday we had two big deer and the normal bunch of sheep, one of which is very bad tempered- practically stamps it's feet when I try to "shooo- go on, get out..." them away. If they only ate the grass I wouldn't mind - just leave the daffodils please.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ7Izx06Z4DLMpz6WaE2A8B9-06AXfHxMMvDQmKAaE7NHoORBhpPQuJp5WLwMQdXtfpfRi-ygRGRgqgdfc8xCxI16o23MOLsF0cbFVd3KKJTJZ8bTmtQNXizaoI3JLfMoMP-gMuazT2cI/s1600/white+moss+grasmere+walk+10+march+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ7Izx06Z4DLMpz6WaE2A8B9-06AXfHxMMvDQmKAaE7NHoORBhpPQuJp5WLwMQdXtfpfRi-ygRGRgqgdfc8xCxI16o23MOLsF0cbFVd3KKJTJZ8bTmtQNXizaoI3JLfMoMP-gMuazT2cI/s320/white+moss+grasmere+walk+10+march+041.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Moss, Grasmere, crocus, 10 March 2010<br /><br /></td></tr>
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I've found this photo on my files from 10 march 2010. This year has been so cold lately that I don't think my crocuses are out yet. I'll look for them today.<br /><br />Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-12539935380022830332013-03-12T11:42:00.002+00:002013-03-12T14:35:41.366+00:00I wonder if HRH Prince Charles has to sweep deer droppings from his terrace?I enjoyed Countryfile this week with HRH Price Charles risking his fingers as Julia Bradbury hammered in fence posts. I know he was wearing very, very thick gloves, but even so....it's nice to know the heir to the throne knows how important a good fence post is.<br />
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Our garden is quite well fenced, but it's a huge Lake District woodland hillside that backs onto farmers' fields full of sheep, and there's no way we can keep all the fences and walls sheep proof , especially at this time of year when they are desperate for anything fresh and green. Our daffodils obviously look very tasty.<br />
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Then there is our number 1 enemy.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8pGojLsGfeZhdf0CeQBUBlOGO-D_ilZ0bXiZ0ssEjnvT15iPQMVfx8CFvyjB73E_t4Cybr6EUWwElDygfpLXZqOaoWx4ElGAAeQXRPrE0ENBsV_E8jdy-KaIEaUy8vt5PZUyEf8XENHX/s1600/deer+in+whitemoss+garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8pGojLsGfeZhdf0CeQBUBlOGO-D_ilZ0bXiZ0ssEjnvT15iPQMVfx8CFvyjB73E_t4Cybr6EUWwElDygfpLXZqOaoWx4ElGAAeQXRPrE0ENBsV_E8jdy-KaIEaUy8vt5PZUyEf8XENHX/s320/deer+in+whitemoss+garden.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer in White Moss hillside Lake District garden.</td></tr>
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You looking at me?<br />
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Big deer, baby deer, 7 at a time, on their own, you name it, we've got it. I have just spent an hour sweeping up deer droppings from our side terrace, and I've been pulling my hair out- literally. The theory goes that if you spread human hair around the deer will stay away. Pure nonsense- they aren't scared at all. Still, we have to keep trying, as they've attacked the laurels, the gaultherea, the daffs and who knows what else whilst we've been away on holiday. Our return doesn't seem to have worried them.</div>
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We do still have some daffodils left though, and it's another amazingly beautiful sunny day here. The guests at <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/grasmere-self-catering-cottage">Brockstone, our holiday cottage with amazing views</a> are loving it.</div>
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We open our Grasmere B & B at White Moss House this weekend, and <a href="http://www.whitemoss.com/special-offers.htm">we are offering great reductions on our usual rates for last minute bookings</a> ( must be made direct to sue@whitemoss.com, or by phone 015394 35295)</div>
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The views at the moment are superb- non of those leaf type things on the trees blocking out the lake and hills.</div>
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Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-53549634152322855662013-03-06T13:01:00.002+00:002013-03-06T13:03:17.234+00:00Rydal Hall GardensWe are very lucky to be just a short walk along a beautiful Lake District path , from Rydal Hall, where the gardens, which were restored about 5 years ago, are now looking very good. We walked there yesterday, along <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/walk-round-rydal-water">The wonderful walk known as the Rydal round, which you can see here</a>
The herbaceous borders are obviously bare at the moment, though there are some signs of life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNNO4A2KCo45UCC28YsZ0J5y3nBldwPDmwTQwDnHJ2_5BiWSf7uoUPgTmqypZPnY6wjgxF_KyX5Fok-wMu3-IDyulrNYRZcGTtBKLvbFpOdGGgIa0wkixFXCxDJ31S3V9PNFGTn6tbBum/s1600/barbados,+kensington+oval,+rydal+walk,+deer,+flowers+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNNO4A2KCo45UCC28YsZ0J5y3nBldwPDmwTQwDnHJ2_5BiWSf7uoUPgTmqypZPnY6wjgxF_KyX5Fok-wMu3-IDyulrNYRZcGTtBKLvbFpOdGGgIa0wkixFXCxDJ31S3V9PNFGTn6tbBum/s320/barbados,+kensington+oval,+rydal+walk,+deer,+flowers+110.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A border at Rydal Hall, 5 March 2013</td></tr>
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However, there are lots of wonderful little spring flowers coming out. I've featured them on my <a href="http://whitemosshouse.blogspot.co.uk/">White Moss House Blog- please take a look.</a><br />
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Here's a taster. This isn't from Rydal Hall, but from Dora's Field. Dora's field is the field in Rydal where William Wordsworth hoped to build a house for his daughter, Dora. The house was never built, but it is now owned by the National Trust, and every spring it is a riot of daffodils- the small wild daffodils that Wordsworth wrote about in his famous poem. <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/william-wordsworths-daffodils">Click here if you want to know more about the poem,</a>, <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/william-wordsworths-daffodils">Daffodils, and to see lots more daffodil phot</a>os<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsg3KjDyKpzxJ4geqLEOHWI4GhNUFN3ZWu3RSz4xv-DzwfrbXjOwfw0U8U-UKfciKEX7Gid6zeSl7WHrq0JFKi5b29Gk59fxhTPoqjPWp6_Uqrwlx464wbkhRINf7XeUl2Qzy8t52vCTmg/s1600/daffodils+dora's+field.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsg3KjDyKpzxJ4geqLEOHWI4GhNUFN3ZWu3RSz4xv-DzwfrbXjOwfw0U8U-UKfciKEX7Gid6zeSl7WHrq0JFKi5b29Gk59fxhTPoqjPWp6_Uqrwlx464wbkhRINf7XeUl2Qzy8t52vCTmg/s320/daffodils+dora's+field.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daffodils in Dora's Field, Rydal, 5 March 2013</td></tr>
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In a few days time this field will be amazing.Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-27830685478534306652013-03-04T21:32:00.000+00:002013-03-04T21:32:23.269+00:00News- spring cleaning, special offers and snowdropsI've put a lovely picture of snowdrops on our <a href="http://whitemosshouse.blogspot.co.uk/">White Moss House, 4 Star bed and breakfast blog.</a>
We've been given an "Outstanding breakfast" award by the AA. Our herb garden plays and important role at breakfast for beautiful garnishes- fennel fronds on the kippers.....lemon balm on the fruit plate......come and see for yourself!Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-59453700820296285912013-03-04T14:36:00.000+00:002013-03-04T14:36:40.450+00:00Snowdrops revealed, but deer let in.We've just had the beech hedge around the side garden cut back. It had become very overgrown, and hung out way past its roots. The good thing is that we can now see snowdrops that have been hiding there unseen.
The down side is that the deer and sheep can now walk much more easily into the garden, as huge gaps have opened up where previously there were small branches.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ49qNP_FP8PDmX-t_0xEhcUXDZjQrL7x2DOLqOvQqCfPFYlUpa6q8rxrmxJUCpehP55WAxDUweyBYYrwlZbv8__rLL5jJDFY6Ou7ybKU6E89LcwkQDxw30c2q-9hzEcpMSTwLdiY6Cacb/s1600/snowdrops+white+moss+grasmere+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ49qNP_FP8PDmX-t_0xEhcUXDZjQrL7x2DOLqOvQqCfPFYlUpa6q8rxrmxJUCpehP55WAxDUweyBYYrwlZbv8__rLL5jJDFY6Ou7ybKU6E89LcwkQDxw30c2q-9hzEcpMSTwLdiY6Cacb/s320/snowdrops+white+moss+grasmere+002.jpg" /></a>Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-81819256233348295092013-03-02T10:01:00.000+00:002013-03-02T10:03:08.126+00:00The deer have been busy whilst we've been away.We've been away for three weeks and the deer have got bolder. Nothing much keeps them out at this time of year when nothing much is growing, but our absence and lack of human scent does seem to encourage them.
Even though it is just the beginning of March, we had hoped to see the early herbs peeping out. The Lake District has had a lovely sunny two weeks, and though cold at night, the days have been glorious. Herbs such as <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/lovage-herb"><B>Lovage</b></a> should be ready to start growing very soon, but any shoots that pop up are immediately eaten. Ho hum- the problems of wildlife in the garden never go away.
This is what that <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/lovage-herb">lovage</a> will look like in a few weeks time- hopefully.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xmBS_qTa2_mfZHrfzZX8eO_PehQH3KslwhyphenhyphenbhjJScDm3aFV6AfnNtQ8xIbt4y9abCCokyiUErbHgeuk_rZ2n1k6dcAj_W-PxiIaGYlU33gjVgKaiufOGiR7TF6_jrJesUuSfINeDPBrG/s1600/lovage+shoots.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xmBS_qTa2_mfZHrfzZX8eO_PehQH3KslwhyphenhyphenbhjJScDm3aFV6AfnNtQ8xIbt4y9abCCokyiUErbHgeuk_rZ2n1k6dcAj_W-PxiIaGYlU33gjVgKaiufOGiR7TF6_jrJesUuSfINeDPBrG/s320/lovage+shoots.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/lovage-herb">Click here for lots more photos and information about lovage.</a>
For more information about herbs <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/My-herb-garden">there are lots of articles and links about how to grow herbs right here.</a>
Get planning your herb garden now for a tasty 2013.Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-12563467338772327102012-09-05T14:14:00.000+01:002012-09-05T14:16:07.951+01:00First post for 2 monthsIf you live in the UK, you'll appreciate why my garden blog has been empty for 2 months. The weather has been so wet that I would just have been writing endless moans about slugs, rotting flowers, no chance to get out in the garden, and lots more negative stuff.
Now it's September and the sun has come out. Time for a mammoth weeding session in the herb garden. It's out with the hoe, and if I don't get around to picking up the weeds right away I'm hoping the sun will kill them off. There's no rain forecast, but the mornings are cold with a heavy dew, so the weeds might not shrivel as much as I want.Actually , most of the herbs are pretty healthy in spite of the rain.
Ayway, here's to happy weeding <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71toOmAuVMCR1LvqZUzZV6DCNysESg2s27O1rTx51K-L62qVS1hgeTKxzDZOqHdNK9R12wsgNGoOwXFlhfdjWUUzifPotUeN8ZWVUndJ7ZicmqgeXV8L4LcAE_BetckipBPLItOfh4JyC/s1600/nasturtiums+white+moss+grasmere+oct+2011+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71toOmAuVMCR1LvqZUzZV6DCNysESg2s27O1rTx51K-L62qVS1hgeTKxzDZOqHdNK9R12wsgNGoOwXFlhfdjWUUzifPotUeN8ZWVUndJ7ZicmqgeXV8L4LcAE_BetckipBPLItOfh4JyC/s320/nasturtiums+white+moss+grasmere+oct+2011+002.jpg" /></a></div>
Here's a flower you can always rely on whatever the weather- taken this time last year, but looking just as good in 2012, the Nasturtium.
So, hoe at the ready and I'm off out in the sun. I love weeding- read all about <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-enjoy-weeding-your-garden">How to enjoy weeding- my top tips, right here.</a>
Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-69029422255416376922012-07-04T08:47:00.001+01:002012-07-04T08:54:03.496+01:00The lavender is strugglingAt this time of year the lavender should be looking and smelling fantastic, but with the wet weather we've been having, only some of the varieties have flowered. Others are trying their best, but the rain is spoiling the flowers. I'm not sure if I'll get a dry enough spell to pick the lavender flowers for drying this year.
I love lavender, and <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/grow-lavender">I've written a whole article which you can see here</a> all about <a href="http://">How to grow and use Lavender</a>
Take a look for some beautiful pictures of lavender too.Here's one of the beautiful pictures of lavender as it should be.!
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<a class="APCTitleAnchor" href="http://affiliates.allposters.com/link/redirect.asp?item=3683887&AID=1801571144&PSTID=1<ID=2&lang=1" target="_blank" title="Lavender Fields in Sequim, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA"><img src="http://imagecache6.allposters.com/LRG/27/2745/2EDTD00Z.jpg" alt="Lavender Fields in Sequim, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA" border="0"></a>
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<a class="APCAnchor" href="http://affiliates.allposters.com/link/redirect.asp?item=3683887&AID=1801571144&PSTID=1<ID=2&lang=1" target="_blank" title="Lavender Fields in Sequim, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA">Buy This at Allposters.com</a><BR>
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I love lavender , but unless the rain stops and the sun comes out soon, I'll be without any dreed lavender for 2012.Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-30855156348373729362012-07-01T12:47:00.000+01:002012-07-01T12:52:23.368+01:00Gertrude Jekyll is doing well this yearI love the rose, Gertrude Jekyll. I planted one a few years ago in the side garden, so that I could catch it's wonderful scent when sitting on my terrace. The problem was that the deer would eat the new shoots and Gertrude never reached her full potential.<br />
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Last year I moved the rose to the front garden. It's not ideal rose ground, being pretty stony, shallow soil, prone to drying out, but this year's odd weather seems to have suited the roses, and I have some gorgeous pink blooms.The rose was named after the gardener who did so much to promote and revive the English love of roses. You can buy a copy of her 1923 book that I think would make a wonderful gift for a gardener. I would love to receive this.<br />
<br /> Click to see this on Amazon.co.uk.
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<iframe src="http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=whimos-21&o=2&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=1140501151" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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Here's a picture of the Gertrude Jekyll rose so that you'll know what I'm talking about- "ah , yes, that's the one !" You knew you'd seen Gertrude Jekyll roses, but just couldn't quite remember exactly which rose the Gertrude Jekyll rose was!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cq-biker/4647468950/" title="Rose Gertrude Jekyll by T.Kiya, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4010/4647468950_bf5244b1df.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Rose Gertrude Jekyll"></a>
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This lovely photo of the Gertrude Jekyyl rose is thanks to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cq-biker/4647468950/">T.Kiya on flickr</a>Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-35508050117770267592012-06-27T16:47:00.000+01:002012-06-27T16:47:31.175+01:00Time to cut the sweet cicely backActually, I should have cut the sweet cicely back some time ago, but it was too wet or I was too busy. I got out yesterday and cut all the foliage and flower heads right down to about 2 inches off the ground. Another crop will come along soon, and we'll be able to use the sweet cicely leaves to sweeten berry desserts, so cutting down on the sugar.<br />
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For more about sweet cicely, how to grow and use it, take a look at my article <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/sweet-cicely">All about how to grow and use sweet cicely, with recipes too.</a> It's a pretty herb when it's in flower as you can see here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jztBNW6JZ7f89oile1e349lK9FRqierelXvhh5u7iXqcWGU_FRmp-T9NcJKkTpDSqrvXh53cHduKvRqECAZHtc4i4NFPvL4t3PWhuOHwEe9dLaBVZCNOdWrXQ71k3ne734AV1YsBQtPQ/s1600/sweet+cicely+low+res+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jztBNW6JZ7f89oile1e349lK9FRqierelXvhh5u7iXqcWGU_FRmp-T9NcJKkTpDSqrvXh53cHduKvRqECAZHtc4i4NFPvL4t3PWhuOHwEe9dLaBVZCNOdWrXQ71k3ne734AV1YsBQtPQ/s320/sweet+cicely+low+res+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet cicely, White Moss House, Grasmere</td></tr>
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<br /><br /><br />Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-47081907238629646682012-06-21T13:07:00.002+01:002012-06-21T13:07:34.979+01:00Away for a few days and weeds take over.I was on top of the weeding,then we went away for a few days, came back, and weeds were everywhere, but that's fine because I love to weed!
In fact I've written a whole article called <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-enjoy-weeding-your-garden">I love weeding. Is that Weird?</a> Please take a look and leave a comment if you have an opinion.<br />
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I hate housework, but will happily spend hours weeding, which is really housework in the garden. It's really important to have the right tools, and to be organised for <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-enjoy-weeding-your-garden">fun, fast, efficient weeding</a>.!<br />
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The weather has been sunny but cool, and sadly, it's raining today. The Olympic Torch Relay comes to Grasmere, then right past White Moss House on it's way to Bowness, where there is a big event tonight. Hopefully the rain will stop. My tubs and hanging baskets are being really slow to get going. Summer, where are you?<br />
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Here's my number one favourite weeding tool- my lovely old fashioned Dutch Hoe.Buy your in stainless steel. Did you know that Spears and Jackson have been in business since 1760?<br />
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<iframe src="http://rcm-uk.amazon.co.uk/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=whimos-21&o=2&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B0006UF69Y" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p>Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6431350610342405842.post-62101331722623946922012-05-15T10:00:00.000+01:002012-05-15T10:00:17.928+01:00We had dry weather for weeks, while the rest of the UK had rain. This week we have had some heavy showers which have brought the azaleas and rhododendrons out in spectacular fashion.<br />
If you visit the Lakes you can go to some wonderful gardens at this time of year.<br />
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You can also just enjoy the scent of the yellow azalea, and the pinks of the rhooddies in our own Whte Moss House garden.<br />
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Pictures coming soon.Sue Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03623687560742872557noreply@blogger.com0