Back in the garden

I've not been out and about in the back much recently, what with rain and hurricanes (there was even a tornado down the road from where we live!) I haven't really felt like venturing out.  The has also been another reason why I have been a absentee gardener.  At the ripe old age of 39, I have decided to learn to drive.  I've had a few lessons and last week I sat my driver theory test. I don't think I revised so much in all my life!  Not even for my G.C.S.E's!

Anyway the hard work paid off and I passed!  Coming back home from my test, I decided not only to treat myself to some chocolate but also some gardening. 

It was nice to see that my Asters are starting to flower

 

 



Baby bear has produced a baby!  Fingers crossed for an Indian Summer to give it some much needed sun shine!

 

 

My spaghetti squash is still hanging on in there!  Again fingers crossed!

 

And finally

 

 

I have tomatoes!  I best stick to gentle watering to prevent any splitting!

 

So that's me pretty much up to date in the Pot luck garden, drop by again soon! ;)



Two word Tuesday - Flowering cannas

An alternative use for potato bags

We used to love potatoes in our house. From deep fried to those well known snacks featuring a man with a big 'tash on the tin, we couldn't get enough.  Then hubby was diagnosed type 2 diabetes.  It was a real wake up call and following a bit research he decided to gave up carbs and sugar, as a lover of all things sweet, I decided to cut down carbs and sugar too.  A few months later we had both lost weight, and my husband's blood sugar levels had stabled all without medication.

From a gardening point of view his diagnoses has had an impact on what veggies I grow, out went sweet corn and new potatoes.  In came courgettes and aubergines, both low carb and versatile (recipes to follow when veg is fully grown :)



Sweetcorn plants  from 2010

 

With spuds no longer growing in the garden, a large collection of potato bags sat unused in the shed until I had a brain wave. Just because it said Potato bags on the wrapper it doesn't mean they can't be used for anything else.

 

So with that in mind, I decided to pot up my sunflowers in these sacks and it's worked quite well,  it means I can put these tall plants into hard to reach gaps without that hop, skip and a jump which usually entails when planting at the back of the bed.

 

 

And there you have it, a sunflower at the back of the boarder and

all without falling on my face!