General Chat

When I was married to my ex he used to say that my "interest" in the garden was good for me as I would go out and weed or tidy up the garden (during the day of course) after a blazing row and come inside all calm & serene - now being a "horticulturist advisor" I find my customers saying the exact same thing - any one else?

Definitely therapeutic! When My uncle died last year, my husband and I spent ours on our seperate allotments, just digging and planting, took us both away from all the things we were feeling and couldn't talk about. My uncle was my last relative and it was very hard for me, hubby didn't know what to say or do, so we just gardened, now I have a beautiful rose garden and a huge pond to look at and remember my uncle with. Gardens are great!

My garden is small and messy (rather like my house). Because it is untidy, despite living in the middle of an estate, I have blackbirds, sparrows, robins and even a mistle thrush in the garden eating the berries from the unpruned plants. Can't wait for the weather to improve so I can sit on my back doorstep and look at the 'mediterranean' bank (Filled with plants that survive drought - I don't water!)

Until recently I used to go to an old friend's place and keep his garden in trim. Now all my gardening is indoor. Mind you last year the tomatoes escaped out of the window and ran riot all over the back of the flat. It is relaxing to be surrounded by greenery.

Tracy, I have the most beautiful King Protea growing in the little bit of front garden that I have. I have nursed this wild bush/tree for seven years. Up until two summers ago we had her in a metal pot. Then I planted this beautiful specimen in our garden.The first time she bloomed after seven years ( the tree no taller then just over a meter) the flower did not open completely. The bud takes a good few months in the winter season to grow and is already bigger then the size of a human hand. This year we have two buds.. so I estimate one bud a year. The flower is pink in color and when it opens has large petals that are pink and grey. My husband is taking photographs of the different stages of the growth. Our home has a ceramic tile of a protea in the front wall. (As well as one of our beloved bulldog, Feia.) Most houses in the Algarve have names. Ours is "Casa Protea" meaning "Protea House" The national flower of South Africa. Also, I have two bushes of "scarlet ribbons" which also belong to the protea family. Imagine a man's bow tie as a very red delicate flower. When they open they are dainty red ribbons. The two bushes have numerous buds. Then, there are the elephant ears, Huge green leaves and white lilly's that love the humidity that we have. I love roses but in our new garden which is small. I have only planted two ramblers, red and yellow. The garden is therapeutic. It is my sanctuary. Lindy

Life, for me, would be nothing without a garden. gerry

don't think gardening for me this will be theraputic, more a case of necessity. Sister in Nottm. loves her garden when its looking all pretty, but its me that has to do it twice a year to keep it up to scratch. My visit is a little earlier than usual this year, silly sister fell downstairs and broke her arm. She'll do anything to get out of doing her garden LOL. So think of me during this coming week, digging and weeding! All say AAhhhhh Norah in Hampshire - and off in an hour

The garden, is where peace can be found

I'm glad you all agree - I've worked indoors since leaving school all them many years ago (and it is a few) but for the last 2 and a half years I have worked outdoors at the Nursery - My love for plants has increased tremendously and knowledge also and i find it fascinating watching them grow and develop into mature specimens - remember if you are going to dig do some warm up exercises as gardening can be a killer on the back - I know I put my back out on Thursday just gone. On a Tuesday night I go to College and study Horticulture too so a hobby that I had has now turned into a career. Carry on with all your hard work and remember that a weed is an unloved floewr and can be friends in the Garden including the nettles as this is the only place a butterfly will lay its eggs. So save a space for them We can't be the only ones who thoroughly love and appreciate our gardens surely lol to all

I quite agree I think the garden is very peaceful, everytime you go in the garden there is always something different, I am in the garden every morning around 6.00am watering & doing different things, I could quite easily stay out there all day. Its the best time of the day here in Western Australia early morning with a cup of coffee. Rita

Gardening was a chore until I emigrated. Here you can literally watch the grass grow. Some of the 200 trees I planted this year are now taller than me and I can't see the rocks on the rockery I built 4 months ago. Dug up two snakes whilst terracing the hillside at the back....after that the spiders are childs play. The Eastern Water Dragons have taken over the swimming pool and the fruit bats are raucous at night. All a bit surreal. John in Aus

nudge !!!

Gardens of our hearts....where would we be without them..it does not matter if its a little plot of land or acre's,sitting and drinking your fav drink and watching everything grow. I worked in a garden nursery for over 30 years and met the most lovely people.

Brenda - why did you give up at the nursery - did you get fed up? I'd love to start my own - what do you think?

Hello Tracy, I worked with 4 different owners and the last owner changed the look of the nursery to almost all hydroponics.I then left when we moved out of the area. We were going to open our own nursery but again something happened and so we shelved the idea. If you are that keen on gardening...give it a go. There are always changes in the nurseries,plant fashions come and go but I recon if you grow cottage plants etc which always seem to be in fashion you should go ok. Brenda

I find that listening to music, almost any music, calms me down. I go out to garden because I love being outside and listening to the birds, watching the squirrels and birds, etc. A friend of my mum's planned her "backyard" to resemble a New Orleans (French) garden. I was thinking of doing the same to our backyard, but would like to use an English theme. Anyone have any suggestions? Our yard is in an "L" shape (actually backwards L) and receives full sun. We have a garage along the side, and a shed connected to it. Currently, the walls of the shed are latticework and we will soon be installing a shingle roof. We also have a white iron bench, white iron arch and a picnic table. We have: apple tree, lemon tree, geraniums, lavender, mint, hydrangeas, jasmine, etc. Colours are pinks and purples. Any creative ideas are greatly appreciated. Hope the weather where you are is as nice as we've been having this week. What a great time of year to work in the garden!

Hi Tracy, Do you have any idea when to take a cutting from a bush for potting. I started off with nine "Scarlet Ribbons" and made the mistake of planting them too close together. Last Spring I replanted seven of them and they all died. The remaining two are full of buds and should be opening any day. These bushes grow wild in Africa and they have adapted to the weather in the Algarve. I would not like to loose these as well. Lindy:-)

I have replied to Lindy and Lisa personally so this is to say I am still here - Thanks for the advice Brenda I will bear it in mind. Lol Tracy

Tracy, Thank you very much for your detailed reply, I shall file it untill the end of summer. I very nearly went and killed off the last two "Leucadendrom Salignum's" What a mouth full! With the early Spring that we are having all the buds are nearly open. Thanks again. Regards Lindy:-)))))))))))))

Hi Tracey, Some of my Scarlet ribbons are in full bloom.. will send you a photo. Lindy:-)))