A few months ago we got some seeds with one of our gardening magazines at work. I didn't want to throw them out, so I brought them home and planted them, and here's the result. It's Linaria maroccana, or Moroccan toadflax. Mostly through my own neglect we only have a few surviving plants, but that's enough for me. At least the seeds didn't go to waste.
I've had a busy couple of days around the house and garden.
On Thursday I repotted our gigantic aloe, because it had become so top-heavy that it was prone to tipping over. Here it is in its new pot, which I weighted with some rocks in the bottom:
I've had a busy couple of days around the house and garden.
On Thursday I repotted our gigantic aloe, because it had become so top-heavy that it was prone to tipping over. Here it is in its new pot, which I weighted with some rocks in the bottom:
Unfortunately it was really cumbersome to handle and I bent or broke some of the leaves and possibly broke at least one of the stalks. I can't see a break, but that stalk on the left is hanging funny. I tried to be careful but that plant weighs a ton. Time will tell how well it recovers.
And yesterday I undertook my annual patio cleanup.
Here's the before shot (above), showing the patio in all its weedy splendor.
And here's the after, following a couple of hours on my knees pulling weeds and scraping moss and sweeping. As you can see, there's still some moss left behind, and I kept the coltsfoot and the ladies' mantle that grows between some of the stones. And I did not move some of the big pots because there are critters living under them. I am not a perfectionist. If I were Mr. Russia the whole thing would be sandblasted and sprayed with weedkiller and all the cracks re-grouted.
Speaking of which, he was out front yesterday sanding and painting the front porch railing. Is it terrible that I don't offer to assist with some of these projects? After all, it's our railing too. But it really is a landlord thing, and if it were only us living here it wouldn't occur to me to touch it.
Dave is leaving for Dublin today for an overnight meetup with a friend from college. Adam is visiting from New Jersey in preparation for bringing his music students to Ireland next year. I was invited too but I'm staying here with Olga, until I go on my own overnight adventure tomorrow (stay tuned!), by which time Dave will be coming home. I went to Ireland in March and don't feel any need to go back right away, especially since we'd have had to arrange dog care.
Yesterday in my e-mail I got an advertisement for "Wooden Granny Annexes." I didn't open it, but got a dark-humor chuckle from the thought of annexing Granny to a wooden garden shed.
I always leave pots that have critters living under or in them too. Good job on the weeding and I like that you left a few plants in some of the cracks. Sandblasted and sterilised is a terrible way to treat a patio or garden.
ReplyDeleteAnnexing Granny to a wooden garden shed? Or annexing a wooden Granny to a garden shed?
ReplyDeleteThat Aloe looks dangerous! Have you read Day of the Triffids?
ReplyDeleteNo - you are not Mr Russia - you are Mr America! And as Mr America you chew gum, put your i-pods in and say "Whatever dude!" as you yank out a couple of weeds as though they were perhaps woke Democrats. Then as Mr America you message Deliveroo for some hot dogs and pepsi.
ReplyDelete“Wooden granny annex.) Is that seriously like a granny flat?
ReplyDeleteThe patio looks great. So glad you’re not like Mr. Russia. And, no, you should not offer to assist with any of their projects.
I want to go to Dublin!
I used to keep weeds etc under control on our courtyard paving with boiling water. Boil a kettle full of water, pour over the weeds, repeat as necessary. The weeds die before your eyes. Looking at your paving, use the boiling water before growth gets so large.
ReplyDeleteI wonder where you are bashing off to tomorrow, on you own.
Great patio jobs! Hope your knees held up.
ReplyDeleteThat aloe could do with splitting it into two plants - and two pots. They may thrive in an upright fashion. I trim offending aloe branches/leaves as I see fit. Never does them any harm, they are hardy desert plants.
Mr Russia sounds a bit driven! No wonder they don't like birds and trees, you can't control and paint them. I'm wondering about wooden Granny, too.
ReplyDeleteThe Russians are an interesting pair. Perhaps they could use a Granny Annex, wooden or not.
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to regularly break the ends off her aloe and smear my sunburns and other ouches. I think yours will survive repotting!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd rather live in a wooden garden shed than in assisted living but by the time I'm ready for assisted living, I suppose a garden shed, wooden or not, would not be a great idea.
ReplyDeleteyou could always just break that alow stalk and stick it back in the pot for it to root. the patio look nice. looks like there is a cut out on the right for a plant to go in the ground. or on second look, maybe that's a grate for drainage.
ReplyDeleteGreat patio clean-up! Of course that makes me feel guilty about my pots on my porch!
ReplyDeleteAre those strange big leaves part of the aloe plant? I didn't know they grow something like that. I thought the same as Sabine that you should have divided into two pots so they would have more room but you know I am not good with plants so I'm sure you know better!
ReplyDeleteThat last sentence made me laugh out loud. The patio looks good. That is a lot of work. Fingers crossed for the aloe but they are pretty resilient so I'm betting it will be fine.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear about your adventure.
Do you listen to music or audiobooks when doing work like that outside?
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and her husband joke about putting a mother-in-law pod in their backyard for me. I told them that suits me! 😂 Sounds more exotic than a wooden granny annex.
Going anywhere is difficult with an animal. My cat can be left for a day or two but any longer than that, she needs to be checked on. And I worry about her throwing up or getting into stuff out of boredom. That's a great clean up job! Much neater but still rustic in a good way.
ReplyDeleteYour Aloe plant looks like three plants growing together in one pot; it is beautiful. Nice job on the patio. My stone walkway on the shady North side of the house gets patches of mold in addition to the weeds. I use vinegar to remove the mold/discoloration. The vinegar helps keep the weeds down if used when they are small. There is always something to do in the garden.
ReplyDeleteThat aloe looks like an alien being. I'd have to agree with Sabine, wouldn't it like two pots and more room?
ReplyDeleteJust to give you a heads-up: President Biden has just dropped out of the race, has endorsed Kamala Harris for President! I think she will make an excellent President!
ReplyDeleteDo you put down anything for your knees to rest on because although the after shot of the patio is lovely I kept thinking OUCH!!
ReplyDeleteI'm off to catch up - I think I've missed about three days of posts!
Granny annexes! That's funny. Here they call them 'she sheds'. I'm guess that this is what they are talking about.
ReplyDeleteIf you have any recommendations for Dublin, let me know. We're spending a few days there before the UK and apart from a Rick Steves book I haven't read yet (and internet that I haven't looked at yet) I'm ignorant!
ReplyDeleteThe garden clean-up looks great! Well done!
Life breathed into a dying gasping futile campaign! Relief!
ReplyDeleteThe grannie shed, yes please, I would take it. Olga is the only person I know that stays as cute as can be as she gets older.
River: Ha! I didn't think of that -- what's wooden, the granny or the shed?
ReplyDeleteFrances: Oh yes!
YP: I'm not sure I said "Whatever, dude" but otherwise the description is pretty accurate!
Mitchell: I think it must be. What else could it be?!
Andrew: I remember you suggesting that method before but I'm reluctant to use it because of all the bugs and worms that live between and beneath the pavers. I don't want to scald them all.
Sabine: Yeah, they ARE tough plants. I may cut that saggy branch off. I suppose I could have divided the plant, but I don't really need two of them! I'm trying to have fewer plants, not more.
Boud: That's exactly it. They're very meticulous and nature is just too wild for them.
Bob: Ha! A Granny Gulag!
Ed: Yeah, we used to do that too! I haven't used this one for medicinal purposes but I suppose I could.
Ms Moon: Granted, some garden sheds are quite nice. Virtually palaces.
Ellen: It's still attached enough to stay put, so I'm thinking it may grow roots as it is? And it will eventually turn more upright, I think.
Barbara Rogers: No feeling guilty! Our pots are still something of a mess. Mrs. Kravitz occasionally says to me, "Why don't you weed them?" Which makes me NOT want to weed them.
Ellen D: No, the spotted leaves are part of a begonia just out of the frame on the left. And the big green leaf on the right is another plant.
Sharon: They ARE resilient. I think it just needs a little time to adapt to its new home.
Kelly: A pod is so American! LOL! I do listen to music sometimes, but only if Dave is home so he can hear the doorbell if need be.
Margaret: That was my goal -- to clean it up but not make it TOO clean. I used to leave my cat for a night or two, no problem.
Susan: There really is ALWAYS something. This isn't mold, it's moss -- though I imagine vinegar would fight that too!
Allison: I think one big pot will be fine (the new pot is at least twice the size of the old one) and I don't really want two aloe plants.
Marcia: Thanks for the news flash and I agree -- I am excited about her candidacy!
Bug: I don't. Fortunately I have good legs for kneeling. My massage therapists have all commented on my flexibility!
Debby: "She sheds"! I've never heard that!
Jeanie: I was in Dublin for only 48 hours or so, and Dave was there even less. I'd say definitely see the Book of Kells and the library at Trinity College. The Guinness factory (or tap room or whatever it's called) is also cool if you like beer.
Linda Sue: Yes! A breath of fresh air! Olga has indeed retained a lot of her puppyish appeal.