Comments for The Stopwatch Gardener | A gardening blog for time-poor plant fanatics

Comment on Ten signs you’re obsessed with the garden by SussexSarah

SussexSarah — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:01:43 +0000

I love obsessions – how else to get through the boredom of a shopping queue, or a late train, and please dont get me started on the swimming lengths.
One of my obsessions at the moment is how I am going to fit all my annuals in. I have three types of cosmos, four of sweetpeas, cleome nasturtiums, not to mention marigolds and all the veg. What was I thinking of?
I spend all my free time in a logistical nightmare – if I just move that I could perhaps squeeze that in….

Comment on New Year’s gardening resolutions I can live with by Phil (Smiling Gardener)

Phil (Smiling Gardener) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:28:37 +0000

I have a food garden at my parents’ place that I put in so they would have fresh food throughout the year.

My main goal this year is to continue making it as self-sufficient as possible since I am not there much to care for it.

That means choosing perennial plants over annuals when possible, lots of thick mulch to conserve moisture, good design, etc.

Comment on New Year’s gardening resolutions I can live with by The StopWatch Gardener

The StopWatch Gardener — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:55:01 +0000

Kath – have you planted yet? Would love to know what grasses you are looking at!

Comment on New Year’s gardening resolutions I can live with by The StopWatch Gardener

The StopWatch Gardener — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:54:27 +0000

Juliette, I’m sorry to leave it so long without replying! I know that ornamental gourds can be so enjoyable, even if they’re not edible. I do not use grow bags & had little success with potato bags, which just did not hold enough compost to cope with my erratic (or should I say total lack) of watering.

Have a look at the ornamental gourds…the kids might really go for it! there are also seed mixes that let children grow food for rabbits and other small animals that some of them may have as pets – the seed mixes actually include dandelions, carrots, and something else I can’t remember. I saw the mix today at a garden center shop. My daughter really wanted one but we ended up buying cress instead!

Comment on New Year’s gardening resolutions I can live with by The StopWatch Gardener

The StopWatch Gardener — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:49:27 +0000

Thanks Teri! I purchased my irrigation kit today for the raised bed, and I am promising all my vegetables that they will be fat and lovely this year, instead of gaunt and starved of moisture. Sounds like big plans at your house this year – we love Alys here, too, my husband calls her “the little pixie”!

Comment on It’s my garden and I’ll purge if I want to by The StopWatch Gardener

The StopWatch Gardener — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:47:17 +0000

You’re making me nervous about my lamium, which my mother-in-law has told me I absolutely must purge, but I do love its silvery loveliness! I’m telling it that it must not pass the line of the Apple tree, so I’ll see if I can contain it there. I love your phrasing about pushing something further into the gloom at the bottom of the garden…paints a real picture.

And Sarah here’s to your zero tolerance on the scentless violets, which in my garden too taken with their fingernails and won’t let go, holding on with surprising strength even if they are tiny little plants!

Comment on Ten signs you’re obsessed with the garden by The StopWatch Gardener

The StopWatch Gardener — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:43:42 +0000

Thanks Sarah – it’s funny that you should leave a comment on this post, as I was thinking about it only today, wondering if I should do another post about the fact that worried – really worried now – about the extent to which I’m thinking about the garden! But maybe that is just a function of it being January, the most awful month for gardeners with itchy fingers.

I’m so thankful you left a comment, it makes me feel much better!

Comment on Ten signs you’re obsessed with the garden by SussexSarah

SussexSarah — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:54:21 +0000

Oh oh oh. I laughed till I cried. I think I score 11 out of 10! Especially reciting plants when swimming laps – I never knew anyone else did that.

Comment on It’s my garden and I’ll purge if I want to by SussexSarah

SussexSarah — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:46:34 +0000

Hmm, interesting blog. I thought I was going to say that I never purged, but it’s just not true is it… first of all to go was the Kerria which thinks it is starring from escape from Colditz and is forever tunnelling under from next door. Next was the Variegated Lamium which I am pleased to see is recognised as an invasive pest in the UK – it certainly is in my garden. And then I got to work on the thousands of tiny scentless violets that get their roots under the concrete edging and the smudge coloured Aquilegias.

It’s rare though that I get rid of something I actually bought; normally I can’t admit that I wasted my money. Instead I experiment on it, pushing it further and further into the gloom at the bottom of the garden till I either find somewhere I can cope with it or it gives up the ghost.

Comment on New Year’s gardening resolutions I can live with by Teri Sherman

Teri Sherman — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:24:37 +0000

I have huge plans for my garden this year. Watched Alys Fowler’s Edible Garden programme last year and want to do something like that. Hubby wants to make an observatory slap bang in the middle of it all too, so have to plan around that. Should be an interesting venture. Have fun with your apple training!
Teri x