Kokedama...aaah...inspiration!....
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| Kokedama - Japanese string gardens. |
Until yesterday evening I had never heard of these little delights. Then they were featured on the TV gardening programme yesterday evening. Aren't they just charming? Apparently you can Kokedama just about anything.
Here is a link how...and by the way, you do not have to use peat compost and further deplete the world's dwindling source, just general purpose compost will work mixed with the bonsai compost. Just think what a fab present one of these would make for your friend on a special occasion.
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| Hang them inside or outside. |
So...now I have something else to add to my long list of
'to do' things.....
Well, since I am talking about other people's ideas ...and since I was chatting to D (of DnA and, thank you for asking, little sproglet is doing very well,back home from hospital and installed in the family home along with his big sister, 2 rabbits and several plants including some proteas...not bad for Sweden...sorry, I diverse...) anyway D said he didn't have time for Pintrest...I am sure he doesn't! So I had a very quick look there and found these inspiring shabby chic greenhouses especially for him .....when you have the time D!
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| This would look lovely in your garden DnA. |
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| So would this grander version. |
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I rather fancy this little one
but not the stone angel unless it is on a grave...
...That's an idea! |
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| The perfect shed and greenhouse all in one? |
The one on the right is made of all recycled bits.
I expect that the little cupboard one is too. I might have a go at making something similar ...one day!
Now, here is one last idea from another person, though I have to say, I have done this myself before - that second summer I was in this house. This one is rather more fancy than mine - and I think the plants aren't all growing - mine were. It is worth doing again though, to brighten up a dark corner or add a little quirky interest. You could do it with strawberries, or cherry tomatoes, to make it more practical.
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| Handbag flowers. |
That's enough of other peoples' ideas - back to the reality of Molokoloko Garden. What's been happening here this week?
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Busy helping fix the pond.
Or maybe hunting mozzie larvae |
Not much really. Though the pond is fixed with help from Leah and Jonah. Especially helpful are Leah's eagle sharp eyes when looking for tiny holes.
The pond is now up and running again and I think I can remove the safety netting on top because quite frankly it is ugly - also the children are quite capable of taking it off by themselves and falling in anyway!
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| Complete with a rocky island |
Leah shows great interest in the garden. She is curious, observant and retentive to the things she is told. Jonah less interested in plants but very helpful in building things...especially good at digging along with Seren...yes, her of the butter-wouldn't-melt-in her-mouth face.
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| Butter wouldn't melt would it? |
...and him with the cherubic curls. My goodness they can excavate an open-pit mine complex in about 5 minutes flat...as long as it takes to make a cup of tea or turn my back on them for the briefest of moments. Mind you, he is good at finding Seren's poos....each of us has our own strengths. I am training him up to follow in Chris's footsteps - a clever builder and inventor of useful garden structures.
It is almost June and the weather is still cool to cold. The wind is constantly from the north which is dropping the temperatures. June is the month of roses - usually by this time there are plenty already in bloom but not this year - just too cool though a few are making a show. The white ones, which I notice do better in the cooler weather, are opening. I have no idea if the science behind that has been researched, it is just an observation I've made. In cool years the white roses keep their purity more easily. They don't get so 'burnt' at the edges,
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| Margaret Merrill, scented of course. |
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| Rosa Rugosa - the hips are wonderful later |
This week one of the lupins has bloomed. I fight the slugs and snails for the lupins.
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| Lupins |
This is the first year I have had any bloom to speak of ...the nematodes must work a bit. I need to reapply. Certainly the nematodes have worked for the hostas which are looking very good. I will include a photo when the blooms are out. But the leaves are not eaten into shreds this year - I think it is because I repotted them into new clean pots and applied the nematodes immediately to the compost.
I noticed the dog roses are just beginning to bloom here and there. As soon as it warms up they will be a mass of blossom. Maybe the rest of the peas and cucumbers will germinate then too. So far germination of both has been very poor.
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| Iris has bloomed this year, but only those in containers. |
However we have been warned we are in for further high winds, rain and cold weather before it warms up mid week.
I started with Other Peoples' Ideas and I am going to end this post with a little look at some of the wonderful moss growing wild in the valleys of the Brecans - it is amazing stuff. If you put your hand on the moss it is warmer than the air around it - it makes its own micro climate like a minute rain forest. There were so many varieties of moss where we went for a walk and picnic today at Pont Melin-Fach Waterfalls.....so maybe I should end with ideas from nature? After all, are gardens not inspired and created by nature itself?
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| Moss, click on the picture to enlarge it |
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Nature's garden - no way we could improve on it.
Melin-Fach Waterfall |
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| Moss - It is like a little rain forest in miniature. |
Have a great week ahead - gardening, visiting gardens - oh Sandra and Roger - you
must visit some French gardens on your travels....sitting in gardens...dreaming gardens - whatever you are doing have a wonderful week.
Happy gardening.
