tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47937022781300362462024-03-28T09:25:15.371+00:00Veg PlottingMusings from the heart of Wiltshire, erm Chippenham actually... Gardening, GYO, Food, Travel & LifestyleVPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.comBlogger2445125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-22431031925434426152024-03-25T09:36:00.000+00:002024-03-25T09:36:41.051+00:00Postcard from Italy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefc3sZe054iS-jB4ztzRns_LhfyqJdMdNcQnGV319rr_DPr9zxhuArPkPeWsryTRPwx7D2ZbmRFvUhU-g4FGmSbm5L8Z-9JB-eroyxPmapzCC1MgbtbujJygigQjEiqLjk-jpjL-65zf87AROP3JHLl4ZmXwDFiuhymsF24QVpBb3uw_HthyphenhyphenEtyN7c_SP/s4608/IMG_20240317_132028240_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Camogli harbour" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefc3sZe054iS-jB4ztzRns_LhfyqJdMdNcQnGV319rr_DPr9zxhuArPkPeWsryTRPwx7D2ZbmRFvUhU-g4FGmSbm5L8Z-9JB-eroyxPmapzCC1MgbtbujJygigQjEiqLjk-jpjL-65zf87AROP3JHLl4ZmXwDFiuhymsF24QVpBb3uw_HthyphenhyphenEtyN7c_SP/w640-h480/IMG_20240317_132028240_HDR.jpg" title="Camogli Harbour" width="640" /></a></div><br />We're just back from a fabulous time in France and Italy in celebration of significant birthdays and anniversaries. We particularly loved the higgledy hillside clinging buildings we discovered in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genoa" target="_blank">Genoa</a> and its surrounding coastal villages of Camogli, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portofino" target="_blank">Portofino</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nervi" target="_blank">Nervi</a> and the <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/planning-visit-cinque-terre" target="_blank">Cinque Terre</a>. I've chosen a photo I took in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camogli" target="_blank">Camogli</a> to illustrate the perfect combination of bright ice cream coloured buildings, bobbing boats and Mediterranean vegetation we found in many of the villages. Look closer and you'll see many of the buildings have designs painted on them in a technique called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgraffito" target="_blank">sgraffito</a> - one layer of paint or plaster scratched through to reveal a second colour below.<p></p><p>Talking of ice cream, the rich dark chocolate fondant flavour was declared our holiday winner. You're probably familiar with pesto and focaccia already - some of the typical regional (Ligurian) cuisine we sampled along the way. Homemade and freshly made that day took them to another level.</p><p>It's been fabulous to escape the dreary winter we've had and find some warmth and sunshine for a few days. Fingers crossed it follows us home soon.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-83858847040383443922024-03-13T08:30:00.003+00:002024-03-13T09:15:45.520+00:00Chelsea 2024 sneak peek #1: Clematis<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4IjK1K6lQQOo2k8hPOb5KDIZfVsf8pu0yCWGsY4pRk0Kjb_ro223ggdsiRxvDwreHLsyy5WqLHM0D_Z9fgmD0UPRZm-iECPOTDdKjE_xfM1fa-yOGMFQq1In07zxGTkDGr4_aqZUC-vxqygZaI_KvYqYAJDAq0tDGcL_Oe4kP6S66L46VkQaUoJIwp_x/s4608/IMG_20240220_152809909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Clematis 'Lindsay' and 'Guernsey Flute'" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4IjK1K6lQQOo2k8hPOb5KDIZfVsf8pu0yCWGsY4pRk0Kjb_ro223ggdsiRxvDwreHLsyy5WqLHM0D_Z9fgmD0UPRZm-iECPOTDdKjE_xfM1fa-yOGMFQq1In07zxGTkDGr4_aqZUC-vxqygZaI_KvYqYAJDAq0tDGcL_Oe4kP6S66L46VkQaUoJIwp_x/w640-h480/IMG_20240220_152809909.jpg" title="Clematis 'Lindsay' and 'Guernsey Flute'" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of the highlights of the recent Garden Press Event was the Guernsey Clematis stand where they showcased their two clematis due for launch* at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. If you're unfamiliar with the company name, then I'm sure you know of <a href="https://vegplotting.blogspot.com/2009/09/evening-with-mr-evison.html" target="_blank">the lovely Raymond Evison</a>, who is the breeder behind these two new plants.<p></p><p>* = if they're launching them at Chelsea, then it looks like I've let the cat out of the bag 😉</p><p>On the left of the photo we have 'Lindsay' with 'Guernsey Flute' on the right. Both have been selected for their plentiful blooms across the entire length of their stems, flowering from May through July with a second flush in September. They grow to around 6 feet in height (90-120cm in metric) and are good candidates for a large pot as well as the more usual site in the garden.</p><p>'Lindsay' is the one for sunshine and 'Guernsey Flute' for the shadier side of things - as is the case with most white clematis. Unlike its forebears, the petals are thicker and able to withstand poorer weather, which often turns white to a splashed, mushy brown in other cultivars. The flute part of the name is because the opening buds are held in a fluted shape for quite a while before they fully open.</p><p>I must have been looking longingly at 'Guernsey Flute' because I was asked if I'd like to take one home. I enthusiastically said yes before thinking about the practicalities. I spent the rest of the show hiding behind my plant surprising passers by and then wrangled it onto the Tube at the Angel. 'That's lovely' said the lady going in the opposite direction on the escalators, so I showed it off proudly to everyone. Luckily I'd just missed the rush hour so I was able to nurture my plant onto the Circle Line and onto the train at Paddington. I felt like I was in in one of those post-Chelsea plant sales segments on the telly when impossibly tall plants make their way home with their new owners.</p><p>Thank goodness I was booked onto a table seat, where my new friend waved at her fellow passengers. I did get a few looks of amusement from everyone and the gentleman sitting opposite finally steeled himself out of his typically British demeanor to ask how on earth was I sporting a fully grown, prolifically flowering plant<i> in February</i>. Kudos to the staff at <a href="https://www.guernsey-clematis.com/" target="_blank">Guernsey Clematis</a> for getting so many plants in tippity top condition so early in the year. See you at Chelsea!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill5pkNF9v8WnJHpn6VT6J6ehafmZiOIQI_B2mA9QOS7WpPrz0tvu1EiSqAjHekD06zm6_CrPHfFQmPLidHcOf_jkMwULNH_0HZQJxAF1i6ClSUB7MsOphui9PmVt-s4B1bWSTxZwDCpnnUNiQgRLwz4c2JFhn0yKVR_xWIMN30sco6qWTqvxAAk4KOzdM/s4608/IMG_20240220_193640719_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Clematis 'Guernsey Flute' on the train" border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill5pkNF9v8WnJHpn6VT6J6ehafmZiOIQI_B2mA9QOS7WpPrz0tvu1EiSqAjHekD06zm6_CrPHfFQmPLidHcOf_jkMwULNH_0HZQJxAF1i6ClSUB7MsOphui9PmVt-s4B1bWSTxZwDCpnnUNiQgRLwz4c2JFhn0yKVR_xWIMN30sco6qWTqvxAAk4KOzdM/w480-h640/IMG_20240220_193640719_HDR.jpg" title="Clematis 'Guernsey Flute' on the trai" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-89690355549486522552024-02-19T08:30:00.002+00:002024-02-19T15:27:16.355+00:00Primroses and The Flood Resilience Garden<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcgJYXFwFKnm4gcEOPhV2y_T3GHU-JIsrwe2TWRvPUbcRHY99TmrZcWA-7cpac2_-w-M2138cWs8YjSgsxhkzoqpLhWpfgO50hwCcM2TdOKGcya6n3aB96XKG2AEKnG8qvTaHtpveLPAXXRxjFjbg9vas9ml4u-ZUJlI39FOcgKFRUpyEpNlgVPQh-gyN/s4608/Primrose%20on%20Old%20Hardenhuish%20Lane.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Primrose on Old Hardenhuish Lane" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcgJYXFwFKnm4gcEOPhV2y_T3GHU-JIsrwe2TWRvPUbcRHY99TmrZcWA-7cpac2_-w-M2138cWs8YjSgsxhkzoqpLhWpfgO50hwCcM2TdOKGcya6n3aB96XKG2AEKnG8qvTaHtpveLPAXXRxjFjbg9vas9ml4u-ZUJlI39FOcgKFRUpyEpNlgVPQh-gyN/w640-h480/Primrose%20on%20Old%20Hardenhuish%20Lane.jpg" title="Primrose on Old Hardenhuish Lane" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've spotted primroses popping up in many places on my walks this week and it's a welcome sight to see them. I found the pictured ones in Old Hardenhuish Lane on my way to Lidl* yesterday. They're in a patch on the edge of damp woodland next to Hardenhuish Brook and I've also seen them close to the River Avon right in the middle of Chippenham.<p></p><p>They're a timely sighting as I'm thrilled to be working with FloodRe's <a href="https://www.floodre.co.uk/flood-resilient-garden/" target="_blank">The Flood Resilience Garden</a> team in a small way during the run up to Chelsea Flower Show. I'll provide the written content for their <i>Plant of the Week</i> spot on the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/flood_resilient_garden/" target="_blank">garden's Instagram account</a> over the next few months. It just so happens the primrose is my first entry this week - you'll find snowdrop, birch and dogwood there already, as provided by <a href="https://www.naomislade.com/" target="_blank">Naomi</a>, the garden's designer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xDHXgZHebvO_CvQ9eD2hA6ky-VG-4Rijw0AjRUxVxF2c1TWD9GiCXYOK8BfWuMyIMVlo4_98b17kcm4KKeN-pj0vfXLK6wBP9OFtdoQOcveo1nXYaod8NZr3I2VSbCKYvVl00dBl6fMlmlz8n_h9htfmP2H7a9Haw5i4_r7NMfMY3X83IYBvcuqD55Cx/s1600/Primrose%20flowers%20in%20close%20up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Primrose flowers close up" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xDHXgZHebvO_CvQ9eD2hA6ky-VG-4Rijw0AjRUxVxF2c1TWD9GiCXYOK8BfWuMyIMVlo4_98b17kcm4KKeN-pj0vfXLK6wBP9OFtdoQOcveo1nXYaod8NZr3I2VSbCKYvVl00dBl6fMlmlz8n_h9htfmP2H7a9Haw5i4_r7NMfMY3X83IYBvcuqD55Cx/w640-h480/Primrose%20flowers%20in%20close%20up.jpg" title="Primrose flowers close up" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>My primrose finds show they're an excellent fit with the show garden's ethos which is to demonstrate simple choices in design and planting can help a garden withstand what nature can throw at it. I was amazed to hear from the garden's sponsor that 5 million homes are at risk from flooding here in the UK and that's a lot! I look forward to learning so much more about the garden's design and planting as my work progresses and it's also a great way to add to my <a href="https://vegplotting.blogspot.com/search/label/Climate%20Change%20Gardening" target="_blank">Climate Change Gardening</a> knowledge.</p><p>I won't feature all the plants I'll write about, as that's the show garden's story which you can follow on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/flood_resilient_garden/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. However, I will have plenty more to say here in my future <i>RHS Chelsea Sneak Peek</i> and <i>VP's VIPs</i> slots.</p><p>Watch this space!</p><p>* = NAH and I think of Lidl as 'our corner shop' as it's only 5 minutes away.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsIPr7rGjNZDwygO7viPTCTo-bXz3cP19fl9sJdHKNF72zkcP3aDhsoW8ZYcx-HoXpNhB0VHL1CwRsIyVcnVR4QEab5IBO8my-XhAgrTN7W0_rjrEw8nCsUA7e4HeERlJmMiCXZ2UlhOrMj5-hc1USt3Hztzc4MbK6V6PZZoffW1E6DA4wcuoG6hSO-XO/s1600/Blackthorn%20flowers%20on%20Old%20Hardenhuish%20Lane.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blackthorn flowers on Old Hardenhuish Lane" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsIPr7rGjNZDwygO7viPTCTo-bXz3cP19fl9sJdHKNF72zkcP3aDhsoW8ZYcx-HoXpNhB0VHL1CwRsIyVcnVR4QEab5IBO8my-XhAgrTN7W0_rjrEw8nCsUA7e4HeERlJmMiCXZ2UlhOrMj5-hc1USt3Hztzc4MbK6V6PZZoffW1E6DA4wcuoG6hSO-XO/w640-h480/Blackthorn%20flowers%20on%20Old%20Hardenhuish%20Lane.jpg" title="Blackthorn flowers on Old Hardenhuish Lane" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>PS don't be fooled into thinking spring's here yet. I found the pictured blackthorn in flower just a few feet away from the primroses and we know we should all 'beware the <a href="https://vegplotting.blogspot.com/2013/04/gbbd-blackthorn-winter.html" target="_blank">blackthorn winter</a>'.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-40315819165564904322024-02-12T08:30:00.008+00:002024-02-12T08:30:00.400+00:00Bumblebees on Blooms<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbf9sX99SvpXPvA-SuDfNqxz_FgCxfsQ-Mto35OPG49K6oqP60-iF0J40iQD7TQPyKcTOIWNkQ7kl3mumAOL43h2yrchkvHOI3CmBLEhtLUlLzGeGNORpyyU_g4gC4eqF6aSNVTzTc-lIGPhvh__htq2vJ9uTb9n4eMW3V-4fYYPdQrlpDIWWEdakVorz/s1600/IMG_20210227_133908151_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bumblebee on crocus in my garden" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbf9sX99SvpXPvA-SuDfNqxz_FgCxfsQ-Mto35OPG49K6oqP60-iF0J40iQD7TQPyKcTOIWNkQ7kl3mumAOL43h2yrchkvHOI3CmBLEhtLUlLzGeGNORpyyU_g4gC4eqF6aSNVTzTc-lIGPhvh__htq2vJ9uTb9n4eMW3V-4fYYPdQrlpDIWWEdakVorz/w640-h480/IMG_20210227_133908151_MP.jpg" title="Bumblebee on crocus in my garden" width="640" /></a></div><br />Regular readers know I do love a good citizen science project and I'm happy to announce the latest one is launched by The RHS/Bumblebee Conservation Trust today.<p></p><p>What can be better than watching bumblebees bothering our flowers on a sunny day and help science to boot? From today until 31st May we're asked to submit our sightings from our gardens and parks around the UK.</p><p>Why is this important? Well, bumblebees are a vital pollinator for our garden flowers plus crops such as apples, tomatoes and peas. When the weather starts to warm - even on the odd warm late winter's day - queen bumblebees emerge from hibernation to find nectar to help fuel themselves and gather pollen to feed the hungry larvae of worker bees back in the nest.</p><p>Finding out the exact situation in springtime is particularly important as habitat loss/climate change may be affecting the availability of springtime flowers, which in turn will affect the successful establishment of bee colonies at the start of the season.</p><p>Our help will ensure the best possible picture and widest coverage of what is actually happening out there. This in turn will feed into the best advice given to gardeners and also help experts answer questions such as whether particular flower colour(s) or types of site or habitat are the most favoured by bees.</p><p>I'm particularly looking forward to finding more bumblebees on my springtime flowers such as the pictured crocus. Will you join me? All you need to do is:</p><ol style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><li>Photograph bumblebees on flowers</li><li>Check its identity <a href="https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/beethechange/resource/how-to-id-common-bumblebees-video/" target="_blank">here</a> (or say 'bumblebee' if unsure)</li><li>Submit your sighting to the Bumbles on Blooms project on iNaturalistUK (app or online)</li></ol><p>You can find out more on the <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/help-our-research/bumbles-on-blooms" target="_blank">Bumbles on Blooms</a> page on the RHS website.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-30261763228615202922024-01-29T14:28:00.005+00:002024-02-14T19:19:52.965+00:00Hurrah for the NGS!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYgyae16wWc_Ey6LQbR-h9pbYV0Q6EuViHx627NffFDl1P5weNia4AchV_Had82qcfwzlhkJDhQgpvB2p897K-FFr6vcZh_esrmd2n8w_4-W310CXbFsUm9bncszi4Zmhwsv5fXviHCXJlpVDJJ-8S5VH3I0-D5qDRgcgz2VRQjOWkOUMhZ42695woMk5/s1679/NGS%20media%20launch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="NGS where the money goes" border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1679" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYgyae16wWc_Ey6LQbR-h9pbYV0Q6EuViHx627NffFDl1P5weNia4AchV_Had82qcfwzlhkJDhQgpvB2p897K-FFr6vcZh_esrmd2n8w_4-W310CXbFsUm9bncszi4Zmhwsv5fXviHCXJlpVDJJ-8S5VH3I0-D5qDRgcgz2VRQjOWkOUMhZ42695woMk5/w640-h348/NGS%20media%20launch.jpg" title="NGS where the money goes" width="640" /></a></div><br />This image makes my heart sing and is why I love the <a href="https://ngs.org.uk/" target="_blank">National Gardens Scheme</a> (NGS). It doesn't cost much to visit a garden tended by an enthusiast, yet see how all those entrance fees can grow into something life changing.<p></p><p>My visits are going to start early this year with a trip to <a href="https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/22098/westcroft" target="_blank">Westcroft</a> next month, a Wiltshire garden near Salisbury which is stuffed with snowdrops and so is opening happily as part of the NGS's Snowdrop Festival. See you there <a href="https://www.torontogardens.com/" target="_blank">Helen</a>!</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-9502189978156527932023-12-22T14:45:00.003+00:002023-12-22T14:51:31.595+00:00Season's Greetings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0zhChq-atmuRH6g4m7jRK7lC7KrgfPr2N54ZNviWO9erxCxOEDuBWerKmVVLbR62LTYqArKWmzmEArD3WzHUiOQW6ya48St-6540Lz4tsyqTAbtlJpXraj7DiswZrSHS4t_jvxCQA7Zwh0nc-nZ5X12ltYOBvc5k-BRCpfriN0BDW9T9zJTU5t3OEuEa/s4608/IMG_20231218_163958157_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Festive postbox topper outside Chippenham sorting office" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0zhChq-atmuRH6g4m7jRK7lC7KrgfPr2N54ZNviWO9erxCxOEDuBWerKmVVLbR62LTYqArKWmzmEArD3WzHUiOQW6ya48St-6540Lz4tsyqTAbtlJpXraj7DiswZrSHS4t_jvxCQA7Zwh0nc-nZ5X12ltYOBvc5k-BRCpfriN0BDW9T9zJTU5t3OEuEa/w640-h480/IMG_20231218_163958157_HDR.jpg" title="Festive postbox topper outside Chippenham sorting office" width="640" /></a></div><br />As you can see, Chippenham's Knatty Knitters have once again cheered up the town with their postbox toppers. This one greeted me outside our main sorting office when I went to post our Christmas cards and there are more to be found elsewhere; some familiar from previous years, others are new like this one.<p></p><p>We're in the process of changing our Christmas plans as my BIL and wife have tested positive for Covid, thankfully with just mild symptoms but we thought it best for them to concentrate on getting back to full health for now. We plan to meet up in New Year for jolly times, so we'll have a quiet Christmas here instead. Thank goodness we'd already bought our own turkey!</p><p>Have a healthy, peaceful, and wonderful Christmas and New Year wherever you may be.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-30056857280397860142023-08-10T08:30:00.013+01:002023-08-12T19:57:19.803+01:00Testing Times: Tomatoes<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpg5BBOobRXou89fT12lMaOMGTYhYQ-6VzHm1vDYtyo5QAiW8dVbBmNsIqAun60FYvxAUC6e9IYbQALxJaymbhd5r6Up189okwFAF7aGSJN0Z4WwgYE7mQQjhoDoogVC5JbLtaYMkCxEumIIkDIDeyd4OxHRy02KDbNckYDF8jUBk2VSWtk6FSs-j0WOr/s1600/IMG_20230807_105101406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tomatoes on my patio allotment" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpg5BBOobRXou89fT12lMaOMGTYhYQ-6VzHm1vDYtyo5QAiW8dVbBmNsIqAun60FYvxAUC6e9IYbQALxJaymbhd5r6Up189okwFAF7aGSJN0Z4WwgYE7mQQjhoDoogVC5JbLtaYMkCxEumIIkDIDeyd4OxHRy02KDbNckYDF8jUBk2VSWtk6FSs-j0WOr/w640-h480/IMG_20230807_105101406.jpg" title="Tomatoes on my patio allotment" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I've run a couple of tomato trials this year. The first is a revisit of the <a href="http://vegplotting.blogspot.com/2012/11/getting-to-grips-with-biochar.html" target="_blank">biochar trial</a> with Oxford University I attempted some years ago (with a different organisation this time), and the second is a trial of a water gadget called <a href="https://plantsurge.com/" target="_blank">Plantsurge</a> which I was given to try at Malvern Spring Show earlier this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGQ_MAR81vdcOzRYGebJ63AWlb3XbYM4eUVBCJpmg2EIYVjXB1qIpBLokUyOh5sdBNt3D2IEIsbD63faxQu5oota7N_Iwts3ziFSI7gyyHJ8qYqSwjmBA8BWtlvmm55Xu_T6_sDo7kbFjNea_usRdHsMEpOjgnyJ1spEuAJ2y-drAu1qx1TTU1IWfW7Yb/s1600/IMG_20230810_154835454_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Plantsurge water magnet around my outdoor hosepipe" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGQ_MAR81vdcOzRYGebJ63AWlb3XbYM4eUVBCJpmg2EIYVjXB1qIpBLokUyOh5sdBNt3D2IEIsbD63faxQu5oota7N_Iwts3ziFSI7gyyHJ8qYqSwjmBA8BWtlvmm55Xu_T6_sDo7kbFjNea_usRdHsMEpOjgnyJ1spEuAJ2y-drAu1qx1TTU1IWfW7Yb/w640-h480/IMG_20230810_154835454_HDR.jpg" title="Plantsurge water magnet around my outdoor hosepipe" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Most of you have probably heard of <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/biochar" target="_blank">biochar</a> already and the claim that this inert, carbon-rich material can help soil fertility and plant health. The RHS information in the above link says results can be mixed, with reduced effects found in alkaline soils. This may help to explain the lack of difference I found in my previous trial as <i>VP Gardens</i> is on a lime-rich soil.</p><p>Plantsurge is a different beast altogether. It's a strong magnet which is attached to a hosepipe as shown in the photo above. It's claimed that it softens water, with the result more like watering with rainwater. The higher nitrogen found in rainwater is thought to be beneficial to plants. Gardeners who've trialled the product already report improved growth, flowers and fruits with their plants. My initial thought was it sounded too much of a gimmick to be true, but if it could do the same for me, then I was keen to try.</p><p>I used nine plants for the trial, three for each treatment category. Why three plants? The biochar trial specified the use of three plants per category and I simply added an extra three for the magnetised water. My chosen plants were 'Crimson Crush' as I grow my tomatoes outdoors and a blight resistant tomato gives me the bast chance of producing a good crop. All plants were grown in equal quantities of Dalefoot tomato compost on my patio allotment and they had a constant supply of water through a wick and tray system I set up. I've found method this is an excellent way of preventing <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/problems/blossom-end-rot" target="_blank">blossom end rot</a> in the past. </p><p>I've had little success with mail order plants in recent years, so I was pleased to find <a href="https://www.simpsonsseeds.co.uk/index.html" target="_blank">Simpson's Seeds</a> is local to me and has in-person sales as well as the mail order operation they run. Having enquired on availability, I was delighted to find nine healthy and even sized plants all boxed up and waiting for me when I picked them up in June. I planted them out straight away as we were enjoying such good weather then (ha!). Flowering and fruit set began within days of planting. So far, so good...</p><p>Then of course we had a miserable July, which has mostly continued into August too. My tomato plants just stared back at me forlornly, refusing to ripen their fruits and with little sign of anything developing beyond the second truss. </p><p>Then I received this report a couple of days ago - eek!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGj4VrHAUs_ew9G2VuVhqQ3LCG7xvxiix6k8zcToBYrXw9s85Mf3jVKm9Mdyd_Q5oaxqwqU04ZaDT1pwPWEBYMKPZ5xdNI1SbRAwMRr6CCtZGw0hoF16JrAJ6-kW_zzamTntZAMRlNsijSO74ojIVHu-YsmTaN0qkcUkZzXlgslbfiOiuJERA9Gb16_eR/s817/Blightwatch%20report.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blightwatch report" border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="817" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGj4VrHAUs_ew9G2VuVhqQ3LCG7xvxiix6k8zcToBYrXw9s85Mf3jVKm9Mdyd_Q5oaxqwqU04ZaDT1pwPWEBYMKPZ5xdNI1SbRAwMRr6CCtZGw0hoF16JrAJ6-kW_zzamTntZAMRlNsijSO74ojIVHu-YsmTaN0qkcUkZzXlgslbfiOiuJERA9Gb16_eR/w640-h576/Blightwatch%20report.jpg" title="Blightwatch report" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'd already been stripping off <a href="https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/disease-and-pests/tomato-blight/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">blight</a> affected leaves despite 'Crimson Crush's good blight resistance. This worked well for me last year and delayed the final onslaught of blight for around two weeks. The above report from Syngenta's Blightcast service was the last straw and meant I needed to harvest my tomatoes straight away if I was going to have not only a usable crop, but also some reportable results (as shown below). At least I have some usable results, unlike the last time.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITvMpNBSHrn84TmGA8La6w5csn50NlD751gper1K99THmc_YiKkfgIaUsO0Xms8PTQJmm_RBOIQy48xdk9kleGB4g0iuexLH05oqp0HlBF1OpvjFAXtRiWVu6Nhg8QUrOotd3zv8B8tNa4xqn_04UaBK-e6WqQrX6sDUVesAy90vR6p2OYkdAbvTPuWM6/s931/Tomato%20trial%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img alt="Tomato trial results 2023" border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="931" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITvMpNBSHrn84TmGA8La6w5csn50NlD751gper1K99THmc_YiKkfgIaUsO0Xms8PTQJmm_RBOIQy48xdk9kleGB4g0iuexLH05oqp0HlBF1OpvjFAXtRiWVu6Nhg8QUrOotd3zv8B8tNa4xqn_04UaBK-e6WqQrX6sDUVesAy90vR6p2OYkdAbvTPuWM6/w640-h440/Tomato%20trial%202023.jpg" title="Tomato trial results 2023" width="640" /></a></div>As you can see the results are mixed, with winners and losers in all categories, though on the whole the Control plants have the lowest results. I'm surprised the plants with both treatments had a lower yield than the single treatment as my hypothesis was both treatments would give a double gain for this part of my crop. With just three plants though it's hard to say if this difference is significant (the biochar treated plants cropped around 88% of the magnetised water only ones). The same remark also applies to comparison with the control, though it's gratifying to see both treatments have higher yields (plus 13% for the biochar/magnet and plus 27% for the magnet only). I'm one of many gardeners involved with the biochar trial, so it will be interesting to see what our pooled results are.<div><br /></div><div>The curtailed season may also help to account for the uneven results as well as the much lower yields as plants have not been able to reach their full potential. I obtained around 1.5 to 2 kilos per plant in last year's hotter and sunnier season. With hindsight I should have also had a biochar treatment only category, but I didn't have enough space or containers of the right size to do this.</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all it's been a fun trial to do, and my scepticism that Plantsurge wouldn't make much difference isn't proven. I reserve full judgement until next year, when hopefully I can do more hosepipe watering on some of my plants instead of the constant rain doing the bulk of it!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-26676906821908249072023-08-07T08:30:00.005+01:002023-08-07T13:25:40.902+01:00Big Butterfly Count 2023: The results are in<p><a href="https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/" target="_blank"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPLgIOYm7rlws4Dauks1WhBkv9IdkDOMhIl_kyEl4O4g0jp0fqlqcyC0a03usnEZLaVb3z9dH6M9vY2RACC6lKmvHF0RtLw3SjpV2qWzliciwmKz18n4ZoiAUT6xdbAx4y9O2ceSXk6edtoGZwWjPmO7SvYDe7NZGuecN4KPuP0kXi1Lm5bDKzRNfuzES/s1600/IMG_20230807_105434305_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gatekeeper butterfly on a sedum flowerhead in the large terrace bed in my garden" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPLgIOYm7rlws4Dauks1WhBkv9IdkDOMhIl_kyEl4O4g0jp0fqlqcyC0a03usnEZLaVb3z9dH6M9vY2RACC6lKmvHF0RtLw3SjpV2qWzliciwmKz18n4ZoiAUT6xdbAx4y9O2ceSXk6edtoGZwWjPmO7SvYDe7NZGuecN4KPuP0kXi1Lm5bDKzRNfuzES/w640-h480/IMG_20230807_105434305_HDR.jpg" title="Gatekeeper butterfly on a sedum flowerhead in the large terrace bed in my garden" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/" target="_blank">The Big Butterfly Count</a> is one of my favourite 15 minutes of the year. Being in the garden without a thought of all the jobs lying wait, just admiring the natural world is time well spent in my view.<p></p><p>I don't always document my count on here, but it's time to do so again this year as I have some new observations to make. Earlier in the year there was plenty of speculation on social media on the lack of insect life and what might be the cause - last year's dry summer, and/or cold winter, and/or climate change were often cited as potential causes. I often wondered myself especially during June when I was gardening without the usual accompanying <i>thwing</i> of various bees and other insects around me. I also thought our dreary July might affect the results.</p><p>It was reassuring to find on my count yesterday that nature has restored itself over the past couple of months, in my garden at least. As well as more plentiful butterflies than usual - in numbers and species - there were plentiful bees - bumbles, honey and solitary - hoverflies of various kinds from large down to tiny, and many other insects, including plenty of angry ants crawling up my legs from the nest I disturbed on the lawn! Prize spot of the day has to be the humming bird hawk moth I saw bothering one of the clematis on my obelisks.</p><p>However, most important of all is the butterfly count I've just submitted on the website as follows:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Gatekeeper (pictured above) - 4</li><li>Speckled wood - 2</li><li>One each of:</li><ul><li>Comma</li><li>Holly blue</li><li>Large white</li><li>Red admiral</li></ul></ul><div>I found most of them on the <i>Echinops</i> in the large terrace bed, plus the phlox next door and the self-seeded sea holly in the lawn below. The holly blue was fluttering daintily over the cotoneaster in the double terrace bed opposite, and the large white decided to dive bomb me on the lawn. It's too early for the sedum to flower (and the usual accompanying hordes of small tortoiseshells), but I found the gatekeepers did like to rest and sunbathe on the emerging flower heads there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Did you take part in the count this year? What did you find? How's the insect life doing in your neck of the woods?</div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-80434656982836641622023-07-24T08:30:00.004+01:002023-07-24T14:09:13.518+01:00The Resilient Garden<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpe3-YVVWW_z8z9xoFD0m0y9Oa5Wk5kPFHlL0q7mDJ4AYzIP_bXf1FbCgog8EowNYa7JEZCqInfdQRxGTkZdhRrsMIoddvZru3wEB1safd2q_dO5UFKWzjw18b_tw6N1TaX4fAQzDGaAIxzEvMlNoyiEGEaw-b0Tdx2FXkkXB4YTZNWLNEuwBbvOhDqil/s4608/IMG_20230703_141251170.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tom Massey's Resilience Garden at RHS Hampton Court" border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpe3-YVVWW_z8z9xoFD0m0y9Oa5Wk5kPFHlL0q7mDJ4AYzIP_bXf1FbCgog8EowNYa7JEZCqInfdQRxGTkZdhRrsMIoddvZru3wEB1safd2q_dO5UFKWzjw18b_tw6N1TaX4fAQzDGaAIxzEvMlNoyiEGEaw-b0Tdx2FXkkXB4YTZNWLNEuwBbvOhDqil/w480-h640/IMG_20230703_141251170.jpg" title="Tom Massey's Resilience Garden at RHS Hampton Court" width="480" /></a></div><i>Part of Tom Massey's Resilient Garden at RHS Hampton Court</i><p></p><p>I've been pondering <i>VP Gardens</i> a lot lately. Last year's drought conditions set me off initially, then our harsher than usual winter combined with this summer's flip and flop weather means the thinking continues. It's a huge topic which I freely admit I'm struggling to get my head around.</p><p>Tom Massey's <i>Resilient Garden</i> at Hampton Court recently tackled this topic brilliantly and was a timely interlude which gave me much food for thought. There he encapsulated the detailed research he'd found which informed both his show garden and book of the same name. I think it's one of the most important show gardens I've ever seen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMlsE2V-yMy2IRej7GVVw9p8qhjtoQnVwlA3I1cpoPAv-19bnn43nc00U_5syEznNLFdyRp68ZpQ618SETc7a4fJ31PZhegSp8w36IL3fkHgRTF5JKjwAzEJCFOion2tqlh7JTKisw_THEQUum-bYEgBfOlWZKVtlkUR6OqBREAYRMeGKnsezclTpR_K6/s4608/IMG_20230703_133013486_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Another view of the Resilience Garden" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMlsE2V-yMy2IRej7GVVw9p8qhjtoQnVwlA3I1cpoPAv-19bnn43nc00U_5syEznNLFdyRp68ZpQ618SETc7a4fJ31PZhegSp8w36IL3fkHgRTF5JKjwAzEJCFOion2tqlh7JTKisw_THEQUum-bYEgBfOlWZKVtlkUR6OqBREAYRMeGKnsezclTpR_K6/w640-h480/IMG_20230703_133013486_HDR.jpg" title="Another view of the Resilience Garden" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It's clear the way I garden needs to change so that I have my own resilient garden. I haven't worked out the exact details yet, but Tom's book plus a couple of others (see below), alongside the rainwater management handout from the show garden's <a href="https://www.aco.co.uk/house-and-garden-overview" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sponsors</a> will help me do that. I've also discovered the RHS' <a href="https://mains2rains.uk/" target="_blank">Mains to Rains</a> website, which has plenty of guidance at the more practical, gardener level. It's worth taking a look if you haven't done so already.</p><p>I have plenty more to say on this topic - far too much to say in this post - so expect lots more to come as I take my first baby steps into my garden's new world. I'll gather these posts under my new <i>Climate Change Gardening</i> label.</p><p>Has the recent weather and/or climate change changed the way you garden. What have you done, or are thinking about?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStJgpWimFu-iImavmdnZZ0WwQZZLu4SWOtEjYPG4a3LUIgtjr2WQb3Za3wgVj2jhC5DFLSAa9OWmDLWVl5Z5ApdH5bwHBbB0927MYwNZXV6RMawBmk7TWrhyy5-8KqeXAzoWdrJvkNNazCvgm05Qu7h4k2ZILjJ5ARCO6_U9A-2Et8ln1KEa-cmSn7n8s/s1600/IMG_20230724_115948155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My current reading list" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStJgpWimFu-iImavmdnZZ0WwQZZLu4SWOtEjYPG4a3LUIgtjr2WQb3Za3wgVj2jhC5DFLSAa9OWmDLWVl5Z5ApdH5bwHBbB0927MYwNZXV6RMawBmk7TWrhyy5-8KqeXAzoWdrJvkNNazCvgm05Qu7h4k2ZILjJ5ARCO6_U9A-2Et8ln1KEa-cmSn7n8s/w640-h480/IMG_20230724_115948155.jpg" title="My current reading list" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>My current reading list</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Thanks to <a href="https://www.stihl.co.uk/en" target="_blank">Stihl</a> for kindly inviting me to attend RHS Hampton Court as their guest this year. Without them, I wouldn't have embarked on a new series for my blog: Climate Change Gardening</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Also thanks to ACO's Angus Crichton for speaking to me with such enthusiasm and detail at the show. It's clear that he's very passionate about gardening and rainwater management 😊</i></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-60682763314310834052023-07-15T08:30:00.012+01:002023-07-15T08:30:00.143+01:00GBBD: Unexpected item in the gardening area<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH42yJzZQjOyxAIq15UY57ceNhBGaOaDFbu6KLcnud-sl-hskJEwOUymHIxexQfHUJufPyfH8VWglGG6__nsT5Y6Agi0iTZqU7-fCVH3fswCbsi_b6yZAqF6gwzEIedfS5eo2uuTgXqusSDDkYJA6lzEL9dzdo8lqzh8jJxAOT9aiVu7HeH-6HPKNwGhn/s4608/IMG_20230711_104824970.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Echinacea purpurea and rocket in a pot" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH42yJzZQjOyxAIq15UY57ceNhBGaOaDFbu6KLcnud-sl-hskJEwOUymHIxexQfHUJufPyfH8VWglGG6__nsT5Y6Agi0iTZqU7-fCVH3fswCbsi_b6yZAqF6gwzEIedfS5eo2uuTgXqusSDDkYJA6lzEL9dzdo8lqzh8jJxAOT9aiVu7HeH-6HPKNwGhn/w640-h480/IMG_20230711_104824970.jpg" title="Echinacea purpurea and rocket in a pot" width="640" /></a></div><br />I have two huge pots either side of the central steps leading down off our patio which I decided a few weeks ago should be graced with Echinacea this year. This is a relatively short lived perennial* which sadly decided to leave my garden a few years ago, and it's lovely to welcome it back along with attendant butterflies, hoverflies and other insects in abundance.<p></p><p>What I didn't expect was some rocket plants** to decide to join it to make a quite unusual planting combination. What do you think? I have no idea where the rocket has come from, though I'm pleased to add its leaves to my salads and sandwiches on a regular basis. I especially like how the yellow flowers echo the pollen rings that have appeared on the Echinacea's central cones.</p><p>Sometimes it's good to go with the garden's flow and enjoy the unexpected items that appear in the gardening area 😊</p><p>Which combinations - planned or otherwise - do you enjoy in your garden?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn0hTP0v6QSz2y2l8FmB_ya-Vgsh23CjIPiau-dU0ovEeUfJZN7rK7_TTpat2dxmjsyu7PG-coRYLSx08E_q7K-8bFb3XrG8NoByfABTrllBYYFRdxzTOBGI0qj79JBIioL4zg5HNz-7ZvzuBhgEa-ywqlMcX8Dd73gphfHxZkGbSHgaXy4gG8e8nQ2oV/s1600/IMG_20230706_190032654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Echinacea flower showing the yellow pollen ring on its central cone" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn0hTP0v6QSz2y2l8FmB_ya-Vgsh23CjIPiau-dU0ovEeUfJZN7rK7_TTpat2dxmjsyu7PG-coRYLSx08E_q7K-8bFb3XrG8NoByfABTrllBYYFRdxzTOBGI0qj79JBIioL4zg5HNz-7ZvzuBhgEa-ywqlMcX8Dd73gphfHxZkGbSHgaXy4gG8e8nQ2oV/w640-h480/IMG_20230706_190032654.jpg" title="Echinacea flower showing the yellow pollen ring on its central cone" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>* = though <i><a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/details?plantid=683" target="_blank">Echinacea purpurea</a></i> such as the plants pictured here tends to live longer than most of its kind in my experience </p><p>** = arugula for those of you viewing from across the pond</p><p><i>Garden Bloggers' Blooms Day</i> is hosted by Carol at <i><a href="https://caroljmichel.com/category/blog/" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a></i>.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-80694853005534526382023-07-14T17:13:00.002+01:002023-07-14T17:31:52.082+01:00Phoenix Plants<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4VAdqlTrY5raJKScCvk5imiwg9-Ww9dHu6cGB9TofSZrKjY5L7Goij8ycxOc3CnfiH8CwnNhoDMx-bYncGfvrCQFnIdWJqtsjfLod4ONjHu0K0Ra838XU__lUA4R5ilbAA57fzzSZcExEGunO4gCxXPlbMLIOIcmPLH3T7e4CSK5wH4scdw8Kgh63QC3/s1600/IMG_20230710_104517667_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fuchsia 'Hawkshead' just coming into bloom" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4VAdqlTrY5raJKScCvk5imiwg9-Ww9dHu6cGB9TofSZrKjY5L7Goij8ycxOc3CnfiH8CwnNhoDMx-bYncGfvrCQFnIdWJqtsjfLod4ONjHu0K0Ra838XU__lUA4R5ilbAA57fzzSZcExEGunO4gCxXPlbMLIOIcmPLH3T7e4CSK5wH4scdw8Kgh63QC3/w640-h480/IMG_20230710_104517667_HDR.jpg" title="Fuchsia 'Hawkshead' just coming into bloom" width="640" /></a></div><br />Like many gardeners I've been evaluating the plant casualties in my garden resulting from last year's drought/cold winter/this year's record rain spring. Mine include some winter flowering clematis, dahlias, and some - but not all - of the Mexican fleabane.<p></p><p>I also thought the hardy fuchsias in the front garden had gone, unlike their cousins in the back. I naturally assumed this was down to the front garden facing north not quite giving them the conditions they need to thrive. I even bought a replacement '<a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/87155/fuchsia-hawkshead/details" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hawkshead</a>' at Malvern show recently as I'm particularly fond of its more delicate, pure white blooms.</p><p>And then, I saw last week the stems I'd cut down to the ground in the spring have sprouted lots of lush, new growth as shown in the top photo, so my latest 'Hawkshead' has a new spot in the back garden instead. I shall bear in mind the top tip I was given in Malvern and give all my fuchsias a thick layer of mulch in late autumn to help them through the winter.</p><p>I used to go by the adage 'cast ne'er a clout until May is out' to mean don't discount a plant has really gone until June. It looks like I should give a plant until at least July instead. I've heard reports of other 'phoenix plants' from other gardening friends and others on Twitter, such as Phormiums, dahlias, and even tender bananas.</p><p>Have you discovered any 'phoenix plants' in your garden this year?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4GHoZvfqW7r-q6XtRY_s3GjutTOGfzaG9Pd8h07Z7vOO2D-B66gn_BmSczvVglKfaTdBX5u1Cx4IqX11QFqLnREFpTE6Cc9TYPrOr5njNDDoc47Q3FFYpt0G3UynxgW6Sw7hExh1LEn-s6szog518-TprsuXFrNOz-3ZI6T8wky1VU5hAhfh-_7Hsjkh/s4608/IMG_20230710_104355457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lots of lovely new growth on Fuchsia 'Hawkshead'" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4GHoZvfqW7r-q6XtRY_s3GjutTOGfzaG9Pd8h07Z7vOO2D-B66gn_BmSczvVglKfaTdBX5u1Cx4IqX11QFqLnREFpTE6Cc9TYPrOr5njNDDoc47Q3FFYpt0G3UynxgW6Sw7hExh1LEn-s6szog518-TprsuXFrNOz-3ZI6T8wky1VU5hAhfh-_7Hsjkh/w640-h480/IMG_20230710_104355457.jpg" title="Lots of lovely new growth on Fuchsia 'Hawkshead'" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-48683402040315570512023-03-29T08:30:00.004+01:002023-03-29T15:40:24.396+01:00Things in unusual places #26: Rubber Ducks<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFRMk3f6UqOyCYacrkIPiA9zQGa2dYIzz2drW4EXdDJL2a1uU15eRQ--v3zpMB0h7xEHUU_C0pHwyCcq1igQGYwmDSKgFzt_2SG43njCNtJByyAypbUcfrQ5CT4YiNTmbfBxX1RQdEGCvrdNlV7rMzOTAihWbVqMb167DL6dXGiBs0OmdjNoDTx5Khw/s4608/IMG_20230327_122203321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rubber ducks lined up outside Lidl in Chippenham" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFRMk3f6UqOyCYacrkIPiA9zQGa2dYIzz2drW4EXdDJL2a1uU15eRQ--v3zpMB0h7xEHUU_C0pHwyCcq1igQGYwmDSKgFzt_2SG43njCNtJByyAypbUcfrQ5CT4YiNTmbfBxX1RQdEGCvrdNlV7rMzOTAihWbVqMb167DL6dXGiBs0OmdjNoDTx5Khw/w640-h480/IMG_20230327_122203321.jpg" title="Rubber ducks lined up outside Lidl in Chippenham" width="640" /></a></div><p>Rubber ducks lined up outside my local Lidl*, why? I don't mind because they gave me a giggle on the way home from the physiotherapist the other day. My guess is they're something to do with the virtual duck race <a href="https://springboardchippenham.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Springboard School</a> are running, but I could be wrong.</p><p>There's news on our local Facebook group this morning that chocolate's appeared on the same route home and also in <a href="http://vegplotting.blogspot.com/2011/03/abc-of-chippenham-john-coles.html" target="_blank">John Coles Park</a>. Perhaps someone's on a mission to cheer up Chippenham?</p><p>The mystery continues...</p><p>* = NAH and I call it our corner shop seeing it's such a short walk away 😂</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-10284702688905588812023-02-15T08:30:00.001+00:002023-02-15T08:30:00.217+00:00Garden Bloggers' Blooms Day: Experimental and Guerrilla Snowdrops<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdjyP5WD-KzntEK2fUbsbOZR_NGzWVg7zQcDnud0eMs2-c8PL_7iq23qWDGXT9GftCczaoyBNb1n1XoOnW8EIhD9z0UDoOOY6lk1xr1v1JT0JFgEii2LQ36kOK10WUVlPi6vAj5JTn-a9lFz5t0133OtG2LkmM2yDr1HN4snffoo5RaNK4dyzEkJ_gw/s4608/IMG_20230210_112505875_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Original guerrilla gardened Snowdrops" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdjyP5WD-KzntEK2fUbsbOZR_NGzWVg7zQcDnud0eMs2-c8PL_7iq23qWDGXT9GftCczaoyBNb1n1XoOnW8EIhD9z0UDoOOY6lk1xr1v1JT0JFgEii2LQ36kOK10WUVlPi6vAj5JTn-a9lFz5t0133OtG2LkmM2yDr1HN4snffoo5RaNK4dyzEkJ_gw/w640-h480/IMG_20230210_112505875_HDR.jpg" title="Original guerrilla gardened Snowdrops" width="640" /></a></div><br />The snowdrops are finally coming to the fore this week, does anyone else think they're later this year? Of course I could be comparing them to years when they've been early 😉 Early, late or on time, they're still most welcome. The photo above shows some of the snowdrops I planted over twenty years ago - the first time I'd tried my hand at guerrilla gardening. They form a welcome to the shared space on our part of the estate and it gives me a warm feeling when I hear local walkers saying how pretty they are.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW85Ln0EdA9RlqvZgk4w-OIIfbRcmoM3eOKffFg8OmPhPlo4S9eXmZH3CicRYDeiKRZ7yjpNhQUQOF51QaPkyuHL0-OZ8sAjKjYSKbisTOultfVfjro_-IxMCKLHgMRluKMn0iPGRnhIXnEDRjX07otIwu0Lh-hN-BJmAU33fuWNXIoN6G3MYr3rpY6g/s4608/IMG_20230213_145332598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Snowdrops planted in gravel" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW85Ln0EdA9RlqvZgk4w-OIIfbRcmoM3eOKffFg8OmPhPlo4S9eXmZH3CicRYDeiKRZ7yjpNhQUQOF51QaPkyuHL0-OZ8sAjKjYSKbisTOultfVfjro_-IxMCKLHgMRluKMn0iPGRnhIXnEDRjX07otIwu0Lh-hN-BJmAU33fuWNXIoN6G3MYr3rpY6g/w640-h480/IMG_20230213_145332598.jpg" title="Snowdrops planted in gravel" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Last year I was gifted two huge carrier bags full of snowdrops in the green, so I've taken the opportunity for some experimental planting in gravel having seen some of mine have self seeded themselves there elsewhere in the garden. We have two narrow strips of gravel which border our front drive and the path which leads through to the back. I planted lots of small clumps there and I'm thrilled they've come back this year to welcome us home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmurfTwO5Z7hTUl350SXDOpKpJ_f8Q3ZNv8yvSsqEHHCepIu1BJKbdUneBOA1hdP5Qy-ccSGfX2kIjB6VRmnVglNrXfypRLAHK6u4AghS_66-lvU9ylcF3sUeRyPugoauAF8QI6ca_Io9FClfgcIhkI6Qrg7gWs3HVKhqGQ38yQyR_6HuFC9XhsXWrFQ/s4608/IMG_20230213_145034949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Streamside snowdrops" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmurfTwO5Z7hTUl350SXDOpKpJ_f8Q3ZNv8yvSsqEHHCepIu1BJKbdUneBOA1hdP5Qy-ccSGfX2kIjB6VRmnVglNrXfypRLAHK6u4AghS_66-lvU9ylcF3sUeRyPugoauAF8QI6ca_Io9FClfgcIhkI6Qrg7gWs3HVKhqGQ38yQyR_6HuFC9XhsXWrFQ/w640-h480/IMG_20230213_145034949.jpg" title="Streamside snowdrops" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The rest I added to the guerrilla planting on our public land to help fulfill my vision of a wooded streamside full of snowdrops and hellebores. Those plantings and the gravel experiments are running a bit later and are relatively small clumps compared to my original plantings two decades ago, but it's exciting to see which clumps are pushing their noses through the soil. Numbers are changing from day to day 😍</p><p>Seeing I have some self-sown snowdrops in the garden as well as the usual ones that have bulked up, I'm pondering trying to <a href="https://www.galanthus.co.uk/Cultivation-Growing-from-seed" target="_blank">save some seed</a> to scatter latter streamside. I know it'll take some time to see the results of this particular experiment - at least three years - but I reckon it'll be fun to try. What do you think?</p><p><i>Garden Bloggers' Blooms Day</i> is hosted by Carol at <i><a href="https://caroljmichel.com/category/blog/" target="_blank">May Dreams Gardens</a></i>. It's lovely to take part again Carol!</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-26025645729918460972023-01-15T10:30:00.002+00:002023-01-15T11:03:08.305+00:00For Houseplant Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJR_22w6P5PrUZhux1UYVw4rNEX2NKWn5woIpimQCgMJ9UH8KJFTy1D4xOBdesFRLsUZMS1qiSD60cvvQ4R7idFz-Ao7LmsouViJpHYN_wm-Gkl5a0pcA9EEujZcZXJy1_KwF--z2yYZDCnBZytnkvFlmnp8Lb3bjgzMkuyrPFZAGTCcc2DVSQEUyMSg/s4608/IMG_20230112_110038741_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chilli 'Basket of Fire' for #houseplantweekUK" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJR_22w6P5PrUZhux1UYVw4rNEX2NKWn5woIpimQCgMJ9UH8KJFTy1D4xOBdesFRLsUZMS1qiSD60cvvQ4R7idFz-Ao7LmsouViJpHYN_wm-Gkl5a0pcA9EEujZcZXJy1_KwF--z2yYZDCnBZytnkvFlmnp8Lb3bjgzMkuyrPFZAGTCcc2DVSQEUyMSg/w640-h480/IMG_20230112_110038741_HDR.jpg" title="Chilli 'Basket of Fire' for #houseplantweekUK" width="640" /></a></div><br />I must have picked up the housplant week vibes (which ends today) because I've spent lots of time tending to my houseplants. This chilli 'Basket of Fire' is one of my more unusual specimens and I'm pleased to say it's now entering its third year of cultivation. It can be a bit rampant, but a severe haircut soon brings it back under control. The last one was back in November and as you can see it's ready to give me plenty of chillis for 2023. A sunny windowsill is all it seems to need and I'm growing mine in a self watering pot, so only an occasional top up is needed at this time of the year. I'm pretty frugal with feeding it too.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislHQQ--8aBy6QKxqvRS6-nQ7kyv0kjk4FKvHfp3znwRfiPmArVVlmR2WB30FSkliw6ZIhPVnQud0GrQ-FsAOK27RGVX0uOdKN3xiRcckE2_ZGToxQn8WCmXKqHRYmCwpp7kW48t46ntQSR4KpzHJ5x-1K2W0CfIo0Q5WdtxwlnAp8Ue36IZd14PVBig/s4608/IMG_20230112_110823559_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Housplants on our bathroom windowsill" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislHQQ--8aBy6QKxqvRS6-nQ7kyv0kjk4FKvHfp3znwRfiPmArVVlmR2WB30FSkliw6ZIhPVnQud0GrQ-FsAOK27RGVX0uOdKN3xiRcckE2_ZGToxQn8WCmXKqHRYmCwpp7kW48t46ntQSR4KpzHJ5x-1K2W0CfIo0Q5WdtxwlnAp8Ue36IZd14PVBig/w640-h480/IMG_20230112_110823559_HDR.jpg" title="Housplants on our bathroom windowsill" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I've also been tidying up the houseplants on our shady bathroom windowsill. They've been suffering from scale which is proving tricky to eliminate, so the unrescuable ones have gone, hence the empty pots awaiting fresh plants. Don't be alarmed by the jade plant on the left. This is a bit of an experiment as it had got rather tangled and overgrown and I noticed last year some small shoots on branches that had fallen off. If that doesn't happen again in its now trimmed and stable state, then I have plenty of cuttings waiting in the wings to replace it. If and when that happens the new plant(s) will be the third generation from the original one I was given when we moved down here in 1984.<br /><div><br /></div><div>It's great to have something <i>gardeny</i> to do in the depths of January. What are you up to this month?</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-43491550205608717532023-01-02T12:58:00.002+00:002023-01-02T20:55:52.714+00:00Planting Hope<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuXrm2XeZgr6ESMFtF7kKOK0gXx_7a11y_mS6bDSr3M1WGHRIDGwL1O_gGPf7boZFNTX-MXejUmrg4p5AYBh4xlnv4fPcXI6O8aliYz3M5HO6k3vfq4_cB767EVTTTJI2S4cIpttbZTId7QgPKeUv85NIN9tnYgs36SQFexNNdhtNoFSFqRWW-yOfGQ/s4608/Planting%20hope.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Planting hope in the shape of tulip and daffodil bulbs" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuXrm2XeZgr6ESMFtF7kKOK0gXx_7a11y_mS6bDSr3M1WGHRIDGwL1O_gGPf7boZFNTX-MXejUmrg4p5AYBh4xlnv4fPcXI6O8aliYz3M5HO6k3vfq4_cB767EVTTTJI2S4cIpttbZTId7QgPKeUv85NIN9tnYgs36SQFexNNdhtNoFSFqRWW-yOfGQ/w640-h480/Planting%20hope.jpg" title="Planting hope in the shape of tulip and daffodil bulbs" width="640" /></a></div><br />Happy New Year! It's a gorgeous day here at <i>VP Gardens</i>, so I've been out planting hope in one of the large pots in my front garden. It currently has some deep red <i>Alstromeria</i>, which more than takes care of the summer, but I reckon these daffodil and tulip bulbs are just the thing for spring.<p></p><p>You may think these are rather late to plant, but I've checked the bulbs and they're still sound. Fingers crossed for some frosts and they'll still perform magnificently, though probably a couple of weeks later than if I'd planted them last autumn.</p><p>I've also looked around the garden this morning and there are plenty of signs of other bulbs pushing their noses through the soil. It's always a good time to do this when the nights are at their longest because it all adds to that feeling of hope. Let's face it we all need as much of that as we can get these days.</p><p>More floral hope can be found by taking part in this year's <a href="https://bsbi.org/new-year-plant-hunt" target="_blank">New Year Plant Hunt</a>, which ends tomorrow (3rd January). Take part and you'll be surprised at how many flowers are currently in bloom, though the hope here is a double edged sword as the long term purpose of this project is to see how our flora is responding to climate change.</p><p>And if you ever get the chance to visit Austin, Texas, one of the highlights of your trip will be to go to the <a href="https://www.wildflower.org/" target="_blank">Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center</a>. It's a wonderful place and together with the many verges stuffed full of wildflowers around the city, it showcases the legacy and hope she left for her home state.</p><p>What are your garden plans for the New Year?</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-76680816199780032102022-10-14T08:30:00.001+01:002022-10-14T08:30:00.246+01:00Unusual Front Gardens #38: Lawnmower<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRtZt7QYDq8AN8Q502TQt7OIy_OBGBrDaMIq-zWp9M7Bkk4M1H00_gr5_ajEq0u0cMHRD-4-57GWn_9E1y4sM8BT5Ud5QqZwZ8nfCYpJwEwg39djntdHuZAUulByLh3LzySwVmiJ3K3g79FFTEXxpU2IMJXZFfwAYz2JEXkKIRGf3osC3pU8C4HJrpg/s4608/IMG_20221009_144155768_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Atco lawnmower in a front garden" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRtZt7QYDq8AN8Q502TQt7OIy_OBGBrDaMIq-zWp9M7Bkk4M1H00_gr5_ajEq0u0cMHRD-4-57GWn_9E1y4sM8BT5Ud5QqZwZ8nfCYpJwEwg39djntdHuZAUulByLh3LzySwVmiJ3K3g79FFTEXxpU2IMJXZFfwAYz2JEXkKIRGf3osC3pU8C4HJrpg/w640-h480/IMG_20221009_144155768_HDR.jpg" title="Atco lawnmower in a front garden" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sunday's scarecrow trail over at Pewsham provided the latest unusual front garden in the shape of a vintage lawnmower used as a plantstand. It's quite ironic seeing there's no lawn!<p><a href="https://www.atco.co.uk/about-atco" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ATCO</a> is a century-old* lawnmower manufacturer and judging by its appearance this is a relatively old one. Unusually it's been quite hard to find out much information about it online. According to <a href="https://oldlawnmowerclub.co.uk/restore/mowers/dating/atco" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this guide</a>, my best bet is to go back and see if there are any useful looking numbers on the metalwork.</p><p>* = just over as the company was founded in 1921</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-68916661756961333822022-06-22T09:30:00.003+01:002022-06-24T14:08:40.174+01:00Wildflower Wednesday: There's an orchid in my lawn!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5_FMSTfHBccihPvcCGnmJQvUdpa8rZLRjggBGwPa4Q8W2W03HgkR-TQhcpbrJJ84qEwPnAyaNoxrkVX1MO0Hzm2_vh9gMnWvsc-JTABRCvey87Q7jzNSok3K4GJzmxDyj_cPLaHH5ZadFiKnZvZ87i6TQkeul3f9fgbWWrHxmcC7wqQepNAqJ4lqqQ/s1600/IMG_20220621_113959987_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pyramid orchid in my front lawn" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5_FMSTfHBccihPvcCGnmJQvUdpa8rZLRjggBGwPa4Q8W2W03HgkR-TQhcpbrJJ84qEwPnAyaNoxrkVX1MO0Hzm2_vh9gMnWvsc-JTABRCvey87Q7jzNSok3K4GJzmxDyj_cPLaHH5ZadFiKnZvZ87i6TQkeul3f9fgbWWrHxmcC7wqQepNAqJ4lqqQ/w640-h480/IMG_20220621_113959987_HDR.jpg" title="Pyramid orchid in my front law" width="640" /></a></div><br />My wild and woolly front lawn has just got a little woollier with the surprise addition of the above beauty. I spotted a strange looking spike emerging a couple of weeks ago and hoped it was what it's turned out to be: a lovely, lovely orchid.<p></p><p>This one's a <a href="https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/pyramidal-orchid" target="_blank">pyramidal orchid</a> (<i>Anacamptis pyrimidalis</i>), which according to the link likes a milder climate and chalk or limestone grasslands. It also goes on to say that it's developed a liking for the more artificial kind of environment - such as beside roads and canals - so perhaps a front lawn on a limey clay soil is just the kind of place it likes to be nowadays. I'm delighted it's chosen my front garden!</p><p>I've asked NAH to refrain from mowing the lawn for a while to enable it to set seed, though he's keen to mow the 'meadow' now <a href="https://nomowmay.plantlife.org.uk/" target="_blank">No Mow May</a> has finished. Perhaps we now have the perfect compromise, leave the front lawn so there's taller herbiage there with a lower back lawn to offer the shorter grass and flowers that other insects love. Thankfully our front lawn is behind shrubs so people won't know just how wild and woolly it is there.</p><p>Our local town council has adopted a policy of less mowing this year, which is proving to be controversial. Some welcome it and others hate the unkempt appearance, saying it will attract vandalism and grafitti. Perhaps a compromise is the way forward by mowing edges and pathways through the grass, so there's signs of care in our public places. This would also fit with Plantlife's findings from their No Mow May research: there's a need for both short and tall grass habitats to help maximise biodiversity.</p><p>Has your local council adopted No Mow May? How has it gone down in your neighbourhood?</p><p>Have you see any orchids this year? It looks like it's been a good year for them.</p><p><i>Wildflower Wednesday</i> is hosted by my dear friend Gail at <i><a href="https://www.clayandlimestone.com/" target="_blank">Clay and Limestone</a></i>. Hope you have a good time at the Fling in Madison Gail!</p><p><b>Update:</b> Thinking back to last week's post on <a href="https://vegplotting.blogspot.com/2022/06/book-review-attracting-garden.html" target="_blank">Jean's garden pollinator book</a>... here's an example of a flower which relies on butterflies and day/night flying moths for pollination. A great reason why we need to consider and welcome all kinds of pollinators to our gardens.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-63349908318958483842022-06-16T08:30:00.038+01:002022-06-16T09:31:01.394+01:00Book Review: Attracting Garden Pollinators<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqU2A3dkvkIHt4ddx1nJdOS8Tgwi5O2LHuBwISddxzpZbBvmRSWdFBzX2XWG-rKzn05xc2CWRnRuzgjEEgQLDh2aS7I9woYE3ifxYqlRWfO0ZyYDfzq-XSJpt-m3sbYg4fQmWu9xqcVyCF5crFmojPi6BJktVh1pXK12xskeYGdEG4DbEz5DII2W8Kw/s4608/IMG_20220615_190337124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Attracting Garden Pollinators book in my wild and woolly lawn" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqU2A3dkvkIHt4ddx1nJdOS8Tgwi5O2LHuBwISddxzpZbBvmRSWdFBzX2XWG-rKzn05xc2CWRnRuzgjEEgQLDh2aS7I9woYE3ifxYqlRWfO0ZyYDfzq-XSJpt-m3sbYg4fQmWu9xqcVyCF5crFmojPi6BJktVh1pXK12xskeYGdEG4DbEz5DII2W8Kw/w640-h480/IMG_20220615_190337124.jpg" title="Attracting Garden Pollinators book in my wild and woolly lawn" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Attracting-Garden-Pollinators-Hardback/p/20489" target="_blank">Jean's lovely book</a> looks perfectly at home in my <a href="http://vegplotting.blogspot.com/2015/10/our-wild-and-woolly-lawn.html" target="_blank">Wild and Woolly Lawn</a> - my original plan was to photograph some of the insects featured, but Covid means I've been watching and reading lots about them instead. It's been great to use the fab photos in this book as a spotter's guide the past few days.</i></div><p></p><p>The review bus has ambled down the lane and I'm delighted I'm the next stop on the blog tour for Jean Vernon's latest book <i>Attracting Garden Pollinators</i>. It's great to have a volume which covers all kinds of insect pollinators - as well as bees - as the importance of many of them is often overlooked for our gardens.</p><p>In the opening chapters stuffed with fascinating insights we find: without wasps we wouldn't have any bees (they evolved from them); some bees nest in snail shells as well as thrushes liking to find them (the snails that is); and hoverflies are highly useful pollinators as well chomping away at those pesky aphids. Jean neatly shows how inter connected everything is and we interfere with just one element at our peril. </p><p><a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2019/february/the-world-s-insect-populations-are-plummeting-everywhere-we-look.htm" target="_blank">Findings reported by the Natural History Museum</a> recently show there's been a shocking decline in the world's insect populations. Our extensive network of gardens is a wonderful opportunity we as individuals can help pollinators and other insects back from the brink of extinction.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5afZ5WdPXTir0dfLfXf8bTLSmQuSW1CXTI3GtfobdFrNslG9YaaD9DXIdwgXKKodfGA6TBmHNZkqGw9CazfxX15KalVX0YvMaMCMyVvBNsVUB0LSQ-2bw2D1t6u-WX4eWPabgjQP1Exw_2fetXsWOCXNXkOP8__dkgHNxHHY20cBbIF_TmXxg_-41OQ/s1600/IMG_20220613_130129864_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Erigeron with bee" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5afZ5WdPXTir0dfLfXf8bTLSmQuSW1CXTI3GtfobdFrNslG9YaaD9DXIdwgXKKodfGA6TBmHNZkqGw9CazfxX15KalVX0YvMaMCMyVvBNsVUB0LSQ-2bw2D1t6u-WX4eWPabgjQP1Exw_2fetXsWOCXNXkOP8__dkgHNxHHY20cBbIF_TmXxg_-41OQ/w640-h480/IMG_20220613_130129864_HDR.jpg" title="Erigeron with bee" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Jean provides plenty of guidance on how this can be done and suggests a patchwork of key habitats that are important. Amongst the usual suspects, I was surprised to see bare soil has a role to play as it provides a nesting site for some wasps and bees plus a space for pupating moths. I've revised my plans to re-sow a bare patch of lawn as a result. I'm also pleased to find my relaxed way of gardening has reaped benefits for hoverflies as many of them love to lay their eggs in rotting leaves and vegetation; I've left quite a few seed trays around the garden which have filled up with leaves over the winter. Perhaps that explains the clouds of hoverflies I've enjoyed watching around the <i>Erigeron</i> this week?</p><p></p><p>A major chunk of the book looks at which plants are good for our garden insect friends with recommendations given for individual species as well as specific chapters at the end on pollinator friendly garden plants and weeds - the latter cheekily entitled plants behaving badly. For those cautious about introducing weeds into their garden, I liked Jean's suggestion of confining valuable-to-insect-plants such as dandelions and nettles to a few easycare pots. </p><p>Jean is a delightful companion who gently takes you by the hand to show you what's actually <i>there</i>. She was totally captivated by nature from an early age and it's refreshing to find someone who still finds that world fascinating, and now has the knowledge to match. She provides plenty of references at the end of the book should you wish to follow her and learn more. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ1w4ybRs2z5sLaHzSJ7QaGIuIo-ABFtTTtR-DnIVAH2UJVQf3yDRVg24gRoWQbQCCj2q3hs0uXGJ2HkQ8VQd3-rvhy7YjRaQ15YkSURS8j14lNR_zlReWVawJa9da_7aD3O0JVepH-2ZA3HfMXwKEyQ-iKu3802cjkm32Ghi4GcDEJ-OVN3voVSbBw/s4608/IMG_20220615_190316009.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="The Secret Lives of Bees by Jean Vernon" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ1w4ybRs2z5sLaHzSJ7QaGIuIo-ABFtTTtR-DnIVAH2UJVQf3yDRVg24gRoWQbQCCj2q3hs0uXGJ2HkQ8VQd3-rvhy7YjRaQ15YkSURS8j14lNR_zlReWVawJa9da_7aD3O0JVepH-2ZA3HfMXwKEyQ-iKu3802cjkm32Ghi4GcDEJ-OVN3voVSbBw/w640-h480/IMG_20220615_190316009.jpg" title="The Secret Lives of Bees by Jean Vernon" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The book's a natural companion to Jean's previous one, <i><a href="https://addictedtobees.com/the-secret-life-of-garden-bees/" target="_blank">The Secret Lives of Garden Bees</a></i>. It's also a timely publication judging by the amount of chat I've seen on Twitter lately about the absence of swifts and swallows over our gardens this summer. If we welcome all kinds of insects to our gardens, then we'll provide a better space for our more obvious and well-loved garden visitors too.</p><p><b>Note:</b> I received a copy of <i>Attracting Garden Pollinators</i> from the publisher in return for an honest review. <i>The Secret Lives of Garden Bees </i>is my own copy.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-44541712909046382192022-06-03T09:20:00.004+01:002022-06-03T15:39:03.187+01:00Have a Jubbly Jubilee<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitgGYHN6iw5eBtCPDp6rMaVQHTdBRn9J58llFQ-kxnJVrK2-IoGIoBrO2Y-5OgploeJWZqZIEhvOPej31Pxk7iLZ7T9k8eN7ZIlKui7rYTnDXVTVLwncraowOjMrtusExLn6uH27UhkI9zyYf4vGIR7xeacfksxKc74ft0HcZrnkqJGruL6C3V2sIEQ/s4608/IMG_20220530_154618556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Platinum Jubilee postbox topper" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitgGYHN6iw5eBtCPDp6rMaVQHTdBRn9J58llFQ-kxnJVrK2-IoGIoBrO2Y-5OgploeJWZqZIEhvOPej31Pxk7iLZ7T9k8eN7ZIlKui7rYTnDXVTVLwncraowOjMrtusExLn6uH27UhkI9zyYf4vGIR7xeacfksxKc74ft0HcZrnkqJGruL6C3V2sIEQ/w640-h480/IMG_20220530_154618556.jpg" title="Platinum Jubilee postbox topper" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's Bank Holiday time for us to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and amongst the usual Union Jacks and bunting, Chippenham has put its own special touches to the celebrations. Like many communities we have some special postbox toppers and I found the one above earlier this week gracing one in Monkton Park. I know our Knatty Knitters have other plans afoot, so I'm off to explore the centre of town later today.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgus4OGqZgYcw4OOX8I2MiRKgVZwjOkKGflTLMpfqmMAO_E-T_juOFIp5h5nv2VHKxN1zZC4H7PtY2wxtl8W9vlGN8xP4AoWBSqD_OIfC-7kz63ZoN7gYm_4eK_n5r49HvjjN702rXPj6oaWJ8qIgnOdS3ODdRMRF0Eh6oPnqLgrYk2lcW07y_EkUc8FA/s2688/PXL_20220531_095323082.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Me beside my photo" border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2688" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgus4OGqZgYcw4OOX8I2MiRKgVZwjOkKGflTLMpfqmMAO_E-T_juOFIp5h5nv2VHKxN1zZC4H7PtY2wxtl8W9vlGN8xP4AoWBSqD_OIfC-7kz63ZoN7gYm_4eK_n5r49HvjjN702rXPj6oaWJ8qIgnOdS3ODdRMRF0Eh6oPnqLgrYk2lcW07y_EkUc8FA/w640-h360/PXL_20220531_095323082.MP.jpg" title="Me beside my photo" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The Museum has had a couple of Jubilee projects I've been involved with. The Young Photographers group worked hard on their '70 Years, 70 Faces' and found at least one face per year of the Queen's reign. NAH and I went along to see ours at the Yelde Hall and add a new meaning to 'we were beside ourselves'! You may recognise a couple of the faces as Mark Allum (below me) and Lisa Lloyd (top right) from <i>Antiques Roadshow</i> live in Chippenham.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBJkikIZNYpxflVQUcferFh3ijY644mxTS3dA6i4lFWrDZrtXzAvZ8vyJbL1fDw4LpP7yRRWP8oq5HARQFU8678IkZojk7C-pXjhsV_OFeVqe_8II9Raq_na0bk7cCxrEIueeStiTjKNSyq1GPSVePYCN2E3PB968XevsoFYAlYOQ8OMf-4ntsXxmGw/s4608/IMG_20220531_104747407_BURST001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="NAH beside his photo" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBJkikIZNYpxflVQUcferFh3ijY644mxTS3dA6i4lFWrDZrtXzAvZ8vyJbL1fDw4LpP7yRRWP8oq5HARQFU8678IkZojk7C-pXjhsV_OFeVqe_8II9Raq_na0bk7cCxrEIueeStiTjKNSyq1GPSVePYCN2E3PB968XevsoFYAlYOQ8OMf-4ntsXxmGw/w640-h480/IMG_20220531_104747407_BURST001.jpg" title="Nah beside his photo" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I think NAH has fared particularly well in the photos, but then I'm biased!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIA9p5vhk2vKtPYNofVVPEm9aIRmAUXIGhAYCQR4PytbG1xv2Y9rFR6vG4aYcKRYg84NdwsBd-N_b2MA-rFyM-xGhYTtZdXy-tHChN6vojZjnR_7ieDLFhRPDV8Sy1HlGOxBmpw0ZecWFCYckjr7YAJ7F9lrquxvbJJQuD08tmyIQ1SLSbykFaxD_-g/s4608/IMG_20220531_111345092.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Joy of Community Bunting display" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIA9p5vhk2vKtPYNofVVPEm9aIRmAUXIGhAYCQR4PytbG1xv2Y9rFR6vG4aYcKRYg84NdwsBd-N_b2MA-rFyM-xGhYTtZdXy-tHChN6vojZjnR_7ieDLFhRPDV8Sy1HlGOxBmpw0ZecWFCYckjr7YAJ7F9lrquxvbJJQuD08tmyIQ1SLSbykFaxD_-g/w640-h480/IMG_20220531_111345092.jpg" title="Joy of Community Bunting display" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I - along with my WI - made lots of pennants for the 'Joy of Community' bunting display which celebrates what Chippenham means to its contributors. I thought we'd manage 10 if we were lucky, but in the end made 29! I added three of my own as well, and there's around 100 pennants with all kinds of craft and thought on display. If it's crochet, then you know it's from us with love.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRuoV5qgAzNi4kwl0N8VzDILSERUNf_yLuU3z7xNgrFuiBP53mAGtoIUV8K8QXUZyB6oz_XvbTbGGOxFzmZ2ityYPrlcb-C_LQCkzH1mpPAEVXoOtTGl-xue2zb2CNyVDcL5NF6d0bNvxznQPRPtVcIm4dKjPpWhtRfRc__V_ZzEh5Oe5i_0knYeeAA/s4608/IMG_20220530_120724707_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jubilee flowers" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRuoV5qgAzNi4kwl0N8VzDILSERUNf_yLuU3z7xNgrFuiBP53mAGtoIUV8K8QXUZyB6oz_XvbTbGGOxFzmZ2ityYPrlcb-C_LQCkzH1mpPAEVXoOtTGl-xue2zb2CNyVDcL5NF6d0bNvxznQPRPtVcIm4dKjPpWhtRfRc__V_ZzEh5Oe5i_0knYeeAA/w640-h480/IMG_20220530_120724707_HDR.jpg" title="Jubilee" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>We also found time to crochet 205 red, white and blue flowers for a local care home to help decorate their garden area ready for their Jubilee party. Five of us managed all of the above in less than 4 weeks. We look forward to seeing what they do with them, just don't ask us to crochet any more flowers for a while 😉</p><p>And finally, here's a local phonebox, which always has seasonal decor to brighten my walk home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaik3v_qWYLwjnhRlU0_TRRY0Wh6iuuJl4xS4CkodUSe6dqlMgIS1La1i6HcimV4ZgXjMb5K9s5zEacKqtdBqkBcogPnYLDlop3tPSrG6CTivhRMVrREIpmp8ac92iYHETXdNgdUz-QJqTNZkv0k2MGbQ44Y3IHHK_ueL6js2jqNSXE8aeI2HXpcv3QA/s4608/IMG_20220528_163609889_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Phonebox decorated for the Jubilee" border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaik3v_qWYLwjnhRlU0_TRRY0Wh6iuuJl4xS4CkodUSe6dqlMgIS1La1i6HcimV4ZgXjMb5K9s5zEacKqtdBqkBcogPnYLDlop3tPSrG6CTivhRMVrREIpmp8ac92iYHETXdNgdUz-QJqTNZkv0k2MGbQ44Y3IHHK_ueL6js2jqNSXE8aeI2HXpcv3QA/w480-h640/IMG_20220528_163609889_HDR.jpg" title="Phonebox decorated for the Jubilee" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Have a wonderful weekend, wherever and whatever you're doing x</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepcIDoAHdbQYPMkwgVsqXQOUDZqvRkxlRPxZachBJIifszAUWtFDP2kaZe0nsLuS8OK3uduRQ8uays3o1PwY4IcTP65EpMWFuoooI601LkFe7-SuczR1D3r6-bN_3l95aKdjlg75IkMcevubCW8oKXKIxXlrFJdVMGkq2EvnMGTB3f3nusj-grXfP6Q/s2304/IMG_20220603_151237853_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Me with a Jubilee crown knitted by the Knatty Knitters" border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="2304" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepcIDoAHdbQYPMkwgVsqXQOUDZqvRkxlRPxZachBJIifszAUWtFDP2kaZe0nsLuS8OK3uduRQ8uays3o1PwY4IcTP65EpMWFuoooI601LkFe7-SuczR1D3r6-bN_3l95aKdjlg75IkMcevubCW8oKXKIxXlrFJdVMGkq2EvnMGTB3f3nusj-grXfP6Q/w640-h480/IMG_20220603_151237853_HDR.jpg" title="Me with a Jubilee crown knitted by the Knatty Knitters" width="640" /></a></div><br />UPDATE: Found and claimed from the entrance to Monkton Park this afternoon, here I am seated on my 'throne' in the Donkey Field. Thank you Knatty Knitters!<p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-18896624212087104652022-05-16T08:30:00.003+01:002022-05-17T22:52:30.473+01:00The Big Plastic Count<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSGzX7yKX38wLqKUSmQaBA6RkjrFU6tZ-knAJMS8Vp3mCm3vdusbaN_YRlGAHBKdeskEKf6Tm4anGfGdWLKNEy57bXK-_I0cfieT5s7_0VqiyNMVVg3ELQTLsMSXPKoPl9W8b340NjvpJQ224nYanQI6PrBVzoJdmEVZAVI_TJMd4hq-OugAa51SzWQ/s4608/IMG_20220512_140617243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Big Plastic Count information pack" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSGzX7yKX38wLqKUSmQaBA6RkjrFU6tZ-knAJMS8Vp3mCm3vdusbaN_YRlGAHBKdeskEKf6Tm4anGfGdWLKNEy57bXK-_I0cfieT5s7_0VqiyNMVVg3ELQTLsMSXPKoPl9W8b340NjvpJQ224nYanQI6PrBVzoJdmEVZAVI_TJMd4hq-OugAa51SzWQ/w640-h480/IMG_20220512_140617243.jpg" title="The Big Plastic Count information pack" width="640" /></a></div><br />It's citizen science week here at <i>VP Gardens</i> as I've signed up to take part in <a href="https://thebigplasticcount.com/how-it-works" target="_blank">The Big Plastic Count</a> which starts today. The aim of the count is to gather data from as many households as possible on how much and the kinds of plastic we throw away as part of our everyday lives. Around 150,000 households are said to be taking part, including myself and at least one of my friends.<p></p><p>Once the results are in, the organisations involved will have a better picture of the scale of the problem we face here in the UK. They also will have better facts to take to government (both local and national) and the organisations who create or use the plastic - such as food companies - to lobby for alternative packaging solutions.</p><p>Like with any project of this kind I'm sure the results will lead to further questions and the potential need to drill down further in the data. Whilst there are 19 categories of plastic in the survey, many of them are quite broad and only give an idea of numbers not volume. For instance one of my pieces of plastic this morning is the small wrapper which goes around a milk bottle. This sits alongside much larger items such as carrier bags and in this count has the same 'weight' as its larger cousins.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pOyciJqb-fVodD605-JafoM5BL3mLhs6oymu6qYp1wVPLBjxJ1Oe4r2dRU05fGfl-Tff1yaVFxza3y6p2W9AtAHg_dYwgrEYjRi1s1vMOzITHe0LvlZ7OJoPYedps-2SGObsBPapaZOaYL3bobLV5Ki5b_tKrcfujwwgicqFk1MK6AepKUbxrFYc1A/s4608/IMG_20220516_083043705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The plastic rubbish we generated first thing on Monday morning" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pOyciJqb-fVodD605-JafoM5BL3mLhs6oymu6qYp1wVPLBjxJ1Oe4r2dRU05fGfl-Tff1yaVFxza3y6p2W9AtAHg_dYwgrEYjRi1s1vMOzITHe0LvlZ7OJoPYedps-2SGObsBPapaZOaYL3bobLV5Ki5b_tKrcfujwwgicqFk1MK6AepKUbxrFYc1A/w640-h480/IMG_20220516_083043705.jpg" title="The plastic rubbish we generated first thing on Monday morning" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Nineteen categories might seem a lot, but on the whole I've found it quick and easy to assign this morning's plastic. I've also used the online help to decide where to put pet food pouches and a yoghurt pot lid.</p><p>I was prepared to be quite shocked at my individual results, but not this early in the count! Just a couple of hours of our usual activities - breakfast, feeding the cats and preparing NAH's healthy packed lunch - has generated 12 items of plastic in 9 categories, with just 5 of them going into our recycling bin. It's time for some thinking about the way we live our lives.</p><p>If you'd like to take part, you can download <a href="https://thebigplasticcount.com/media/The-Big-Plastic-Count-Tally-Sheet.pdf" target="_blank">the survey form</a>, or complete your tally online at the end of the week. There's also <a href="https://thebigplasticcount.com/how-it-works" target="_blank">lots more information</a>, <a href="https://thebigplasticcount.com/faq" target="_blank">FAQS</a> and <a href="https://thebigplasticcount.com/media/BPC-ID-Sheet.pdf" target="_blank">categorisation help</a> on The Big Plastic Count website.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-80856973390034628242022-05-02T08:30:00.003+01:002022-05-02T08:52:58.137+01:00Weekend Wandering: Bluebell surprise<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9yWP10EoEco_fEyG8nqs7J-b4fGTdyaU_27iKH--MrrNH02bzKUig14JnQ1LPC7iPV6cTQWWCWjNt2oDjdItviPPw_JbsO7-vftSEP1vyYEYIw0lofkN3dfINZRrh8VY4hPb1T12EFBKLyBja4Z7S1jn_hrMSohY5lgIzOsq7WIYDf_7yY31dr542g/s4608/IMG_20220430_111438415_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bluebells at the side of the Chippenham to Calne old railway path" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9yWP10EoEco_fEyG8nqs7J-b4fGTdyaU_27iKH--MrrNH02bzKUig14JnQ1LPC7iPV6cTQWWCWjNt2oDjdItviPPw_JbsO7-vftSEP1vyYEYIw0lofkN3dfINZRrh8VY4hPb1T12EFBKLyBja4Z7S1jn_hrMSohY5lgIzOsq7WIYDf_7yY31dr542g/w640-h480/IMG_20220430_111438415_HDR.jpg" title="Bluebells at the side of the Chippenham to Calne old railway path" width="640" /></a></div><br />Some days just make your heart sing and Saturday was one of them. One of my <a href="https://pewshambelleswi.wixsite.com/home/news" target="_blank">WI</a> friends arranged for us to walk to Calne along <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chippenham_and_Calne_line" target="_blank">the old railway line</a> and laid on the perfect day for us to enjoy six miles of walking in the finest of company.<p></p><p>Lockdown made this a familiar walk for us all. it's one of the few which takes you to a destination instead of around in a circle and has more of a sense of a journey as a result. Familiarity doesn't mean there aren't any surprises - we were delighted to find extensive bluebell woods either side of the track once we were close to the <a href="https://www.bowood.org/bowood-estate/" target="_blank">Bowood Estate</a>. I thought I'd found all the local, walkable bluebell woods during the past two years, and I'm delighted to be proven wrong.</p><p>There was plenty of wild garlic too - walks there during the rest of May are going to be quite pungent!</p><p>May the month of May be as delightful for you, whatever's happening in your neck of the woods.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-58937577159615437492022-04-17T08:34:00.002+01:002022-04-20T23:07:56.256+01:00Happy Easter!<p><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiW4e3_3iHOgSNcVaKzhnTQNDS6n8eNkikw-PGSk-XAr2A8fJGVd6x6xdVKQCQBMtC2ui39l-S9-zv3Hccb1C5wMY6CB3rZO6As-8HlnfiDRVLvbeiAbxSb8cnQDcVrBqoMRwBFNUGH0hVT4nesKg7RneWI-cN6nldf8GuVZn-TnrOEMxJObYVW0J1g/s4608/IMG_20220417_080634286.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Daffodils and Easter bunnies" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiW4e3_3iHOgSNcVaKzhnTQNDS6n8eNkikw-PGSk-XAr2A8fJGVd6x6xdVKQCQBMtC2ui39l-S9-zv3Hccb1C5wMY6CB3rZO6As-8HlnfiDRVLvbeiAbxSb8cnQDcVrBqoMRwBFNUGH0hVT4nesKg7RneWI-cN6nldf8GuVZn-TnrOEMxJObYVW0J1g/w640-h480/IMG_20220417_080634286.jpg" title="Daffodils and Easter bunnies" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sunshine, spring flowers and the Easter bunnies have been. It's a perfect day. A bunch of British daffodils is my weekly treat from January through to now, they are such happy flowers. This year in an unexpected turn of events NAH has made it two bunches!<div><br /></div><div>Have a good Easter everyone 😊</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-47775685541146952042022-04-05T08:30:00.001+01:002022-04-05T08:30:00.227+01:00Extra virgin olives<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_Wcsh8HjdIEBuLDuRse9qJl0szENUJLADtdPTVvYORUA6v7hWFxsoUex4rsUYXglGZenxuMSYWJkBiPUdQL-l0yMMiuexgiP2zx2tKE4uYEwFnnaOd36rbK2Trn10wpJvB_EwYJRbm4VIpi_hj8B7-bZGl6rZ6zE5gS51xht6PPM_b39uJ5xMViXrw/s1600/IMG_20220402_104020716_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Olive harvest" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_Wcsh8HjdIEBuLDuRse9qJl0szENUJLADtdPTVvYORUA6v7hWFxsoUex4rsUYXglGZenxuMSYWJkBiPUdQL-l0yMMiuexgiP2zx2tKE4uYEwFnnaOd36rbK2Trn10wpJvB_EwYJRbm4VIpi_hj8B7-bZGl6rZ6zE5gS51xht6PPM_b39uJ5xMViXrw/w640-h480/IMG_20220402_104020716_HDR.jpg" title="Olive harvest" width="640" /></a></div><br />I harvested last year's olive crop from my patio allotment over the weekend. As you can see the olive growers of Spain, Italy and Greece can rest easy 🤣 <p></p><p>Inspired by <a href="https://happyretiredblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Andrew's</a> recent post on Facebook and being a curious, experimental soul, I'm having a go at turning them from completely inedible* into something that might just**, grace one of the Greek salads we have on a weekly basis.</p><p>I've have some of those teeny tiny jam jars - saved from tea shop forays just in case they come in handy - and after discarding the wrinkly ones and the stems into the compost bin, I have just** enough olives to fill 2 of them. I found the instructions for <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/dry-salt-cured-olives-1327914" target="_blank">dry salt-cured olives</a> Andrew mentioned in his post, which in turn has a link to <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-pit-olives-2216958" target="_blank">how to pit olives</a> when they're ready to eat in around three weeks time.</p><p>Wish me luck.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyjyA-zCmzNRn9Bc8ncvgPiV7M86lo44CQf0M9FEM98XDu4hlKFQxk8X1-AlacLzZ3sN7QsGaxdeIbKSC-_Cs3_Z6aB3EDUGHzTVuvSmkZTbA9vpJwSwDi_b72vFnP72MiLi2lwbI6gCJwp8GWAnqs3WVWrN7uyOfFhl3I3uXG4rdg-DnogpzaH_U8g/s1600/IMG_20220404_084010368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Olives prepared for dry salt curing" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyjyA-zCmzNRn9Bc8ncvgPiV7M86lo44CQf0M9FEM98XDu4hlKFQxk8X1-AlacLzZ3sN7QsGaxdeIbKSC-_Cs3_Z6aB3EDUGHzTVuvSmkZTbA9vpJwSwDi_b72vFnP72MiLi2lwbI6gCJwp8GWAnqs3WVWrN7uyOfFhl3I3uXG4rdg-DnogpzaH_U8g/w640-h480/IMG_20220404_084010368.jpg" title="Olives prepared for dry salt curing" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Next up is olive tree pruning***, once we've got rid of this spell of cold weather.</p><p>* = reader, I tried one 😬</p><p>** = only just mind</p><p>*** = I'm going for a loose, topiary-style effect</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-3450259814797717822022-03-18T08:30:00.001+00:002022-03-18T08:30:00.217+00:00Friday Bench: Badger<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXnajYw6_njB5frdou32pdlsJ2D0nzfvrmMavTMx8xyJEDirnlOTmumCPCNF8CiqDBttBw6zTsJTDffHA_Tja6LJbbAJnIu67iSy2vwlIQkXEhOxWTVmN4m3aPmkN50nGqRyi8m6SP9TlgsFuD9HTcdf5opNg7o5np6M5VUokNZlMtW6XDsL9tQyUUWA=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Badger bench at the Forest of Dean Sculpture park" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXnajYw6_njB5frdou32pdlsJ2D0nzfvrmMavTMx8xyJEDirnlOTmumCPCNF8CiqDBttBw6zTsJTDffHA_Tja6LJbbAJnIu67iSy2vwlIQkXEhOxWTVmN4m3aPmkN50nGqRyi8m6SP9TlgsFuD9HTcdf5opNg7o5np6M5VUokNZlMtW6XDsL9tQyUUWA=w640-h480" title="Badger bench at the Forest of Dean Sculpture park" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It's been a while* since we visited the <a href="https://www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk/" target="_blank">Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail</a> and we had a marvellous afternoon there last weekend following the waymarked trail and finding out which ones** from last year's temporary exhibition are still there. The trail's website says these will be absorbed into the main trail, which brings the sculpture total up to 20.</p><p>It was great to find <a href="https://www.michellecainwillowartist.com/" target="_blank">Michelle Cain</a>'s <i>Animal Shelter</i> is one of them and it's inspired me to return to one of my favourite regular blog features, <i><a href="https://signothetime.wordpress.com/tag/bench/" target="_blank">Friday Bench</a></i>. Previously seen on <i>Sign of the Times</i>, I've decided to retire that blog because I think <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vegplotting/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> is the appropriate platform for most of that content nowadays***. <i>Friday Bench</i> is the exception, so please welcome my seated discoveries to their new home 😊</p><p>* = um, decades</p><p>** = we found four out of the eight</p><p>*** = which has more of a <i>VP out and about</i> style about it</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4793702278130036246.post-11053812842887099842022-03-01T11:16:00.002+00:002022-03-01T11:29:34.427+00:00Daffodowndilly<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi92vLSLDaMZaGqmKxr3xxR9bRRXRTVlNLVVsIcWHIELgFkBDz9Xisvh3nFcN3Gu6FIm2hIODN_ryQusSg3jxqbcQjcnrKa0OoTQ9TQSwCjAwlHAoLNlXWH-bE9MZD8ekZCv1P3MBcXhJpQ9rEPMS2-BPxChMfTqTFpAAZfvYH1lm6BZeMq-msqm9JM2A=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Daffodowndillies aka daffodils on Cepen Park North Chippenham" border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi92vLSLDaMZaGqmKxr3xxR9bRRXRTVlNLVVsIcWHIELgFkBDz9Xisvh3nFcN3Gu6FIm2hIODN_ryQusSg3jxqbcQjcnrKa0OoTQ9TQSwCjAwlHAoLNlXWH-bE9MZD8ekZCv1P3MBcXhJpQ9rEPMS2-BPxChMfTqTFpAAZfvYH1lm6BZeMq-msqm9JM2A=w640-h480" title="Daffodowndillies aka daffodils on Cepen Park North Chippenham" width="640" /></a></div><br />Winter reminded me she's not quite dead when I stepped out this morning to photograph these daffodils. However, it's clear today that spring is beginning to win the battle of the seasons, with winter's snowdrops just beginning to look a little on the tired side and the daffodils definitely looking perky in the stiff breeze, even on a dull day like today.<p></p><p>I can't remember <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._A._Milne" target="_blank">A.A. Milne</a>'s poem from childhood, but it must have been there somewhere as I often think of them as 'daffodowndillies' or 'dillies' instead of their real name. Perhaps mum read <a href="https://allpoetry.com/Daffodowndilly" target="_blank">the poem</a> to me when I crept onto her lap for a story, or maybe she gave me the name from her own childhood memories.</p><p>Here's to spring and daffodowndillies, wherever you are x</p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">
If you're not looking at vegplotting.blogspot, or your own web reader such as Bloglovin' or Feedly, then be aware the website you're on publishes stolen content. Why not go straight to the source instead? That's vegplotting.blogspot.com</div>VPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02732971362066784175noreply@blogger.com7