Thursday, 29 May 2008
Valerian
I'm away for a couple of days now, so I just wanted to thank everyone for stopping by and leaving such kind and interesting comments .. I will be back on Sunday to reply to everyone and visit you all again. Until then, I leave you with a little photo of the Valerian which is just coming into flower, as we were talking about it this week.
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Sunflowers and Strawberries
I know I've posted twice already this month about the Sunflowers and Strawberries.. but you're going to want to see them again, just look!
I was so relieved to see my sunflowers after the buffeting they must have taken.. they are sheltered on two sides by brick wall and chimney stack and I think they were lucky that the direction the strong winds came in was shielded. My tomatoes and sunflowers get to share this best sunny sheltered spot. The first bloom is still going strong but now the others are opening to join it .. I was so thrilled!
The first strawberry is turning a lovely red (as well as doubling in size!) - I have carefully placed the clump containing the large red strawberry inside a glass jar, so that our resident blackbird doesn't get to dine on it before I do.
I was so relieved to see my sunflowers after the buffeting they must have taken.. they are sheltered on two sides by brick wall and chimney stack and I think they were lucky that the direction the strong winds came in was shielded. My tomatoes and sunflowers get to share this best sunny sheltered spot. The first bloom is still going strong but now the others are opening to join it .. I was so thrilled!
The first strawberry is turning a lovely red (as well as doubling in size!) - I have carefully placed the clump containing the large red strawberry inside a glass jar, so that our resident blackbird doesn't get to dine on it before I do.
Bean Update
The weather here was atrocious over the Bank Holiday weekend .. gale-force winds and torrential rain .. so I was extremely concerned about my poor veggies struggling manfully up on the roof, exposed to the elements. But everything seems to be not just surviving, but thriving and I am so delighted (and relieved!)
Most of you know that I am growing heritage dwarf french beans (you can see previous posts about them here). Well, I figured it must be time for another Bean Update, as we now have actual BEANS!! The beautiful deep dark purple variety haven't come out too well in the photo as I didn't want to disturb them, but are looking good.
Most of you know that I am growing heritage dwarf french beans (you can see previous posts about them here). Well, I figured it must be time for another Bean Update, as we now have actual BEANS!! The beautiful deep dark purple variety haven't come out too well in the photo as I didn't want to disturb them, but are looking good.
Saturday, 24 May 2008
Mystery Peas
Remember my mystery peas, which I was given by a lovely lady at the North London Organic Gardener's Society?
Well one or two of them have distinct red markings now, which Rebsie at Daughter of the Soil kindly suggested I look out for. This means when they grow up they will be purple-podded peas! I can't wait .. having never grown peas before, its all magical to me.
Its just a little red ring where the leaves join the stem? By the way, the big marbled leaves you can see which the peas are scrambling over belong to the round courgette I am growing this year.. the magnificent foliage was a lovely surprise and I'm looking forward to the fruits!
These veggies are comfortable bedfellows in the cold frame where they are hardening off and gearing themselves up for planting out anyday now.
Well one or two of them have distinct red markings now, which Rebsie at Daughter of the Soil kindly suggested I look out for. This means when they grow up they will be purple-podded peas! I can't wait .. having never grown peas before, its all magical to me.
Its just a little red ring where the leaves join the stem? By the way, the big marbled leaves you can see which the peas are scrambling over belong to the round courgette I am growing this year.. the magnificent foliage was a lovely surprise and I'm looking forward to the fruits!
These veggies are comfortable bedfellows in the cold frame where they are hardening off and gearing themselves up for planting out anyday now.
Friday, 23 May 2008
Saving the World
Want to help fight climate change? Install the '350 Challenge' badge on your blog and Brighter Planet will offset 350 pounds of carbon in your name... so what are you waiting for? Earth and Tree is in!
Thanks to Earth and Economy for alerting me to this initiative, and for posting this wonderful list of 50 simple ways to save the world...
Thanks to Earth and Economy for alerting me to this initiative, and for posting this wonderful list of 50 simple ways to save the world...
Thursday, 22 May 2008
Speedwell
Regarded as obsolete by herbalists today, Speedwell (veronica officinalis) was a popular healing herb in the middle ages in Europe, known as ‘herba Veronica majoris’.
It was formerly taken internally for nervous exhaustion and stomach upsets, as well as for bronchial, arthritic, rheumatic and skin complaints, and was used externally for minor injuries. The name ‘speed well’ is testament to its reputation as a healer!
An infusion is now suggested for digestive problems, diarrhoea, coughs and colds or as a gargle for mouth and throat infections.
A bitter, astringent herb with weak diuretic and expectorant effects.
Flowers June to August.
PLEASE NOTE: These notes on the history and use of herbs have been compiled for general interest and are not intended as medical advice, for which you should consult a professional herbalist.
BIBLIOGRAPY:
‘Herbs and Healing Plants of Britain and Europe’ Dieter Podlech (1987)
'A Modern Herbal' Mrs M. Grieve FRHS ed. Mrs C. F. Leyel (1973)
'The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal' Penelope Ody MNIMH (1993)
'RHS Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses' Deni Brown (2002)
It was formerly taken internally for nervous exhaustion and stomach upsets, as well as for bronchial, arthritic, rheumatic and skin complaints, and was used externally for minor injuries. The name ‘speed well’ is testament to its reputation as a healer!
An infusion is now suggested for digestive problems, diarrhoea, coughs and colds or as a gargle for mouth and throat infections.
A bitter, astringent herb with weak diuretic and expectorant effects.
Flowers June to August.
PLEASE NOTE: These notes on the history and use of herbs have been compiled for general interest and are not intended as medical advice, for which you should consult a professional herbalist.
BIBLIOGRAPY:
‘Herbs and Healing Plants of Britain and Europe’ Dieter Podlech (1987)
'A Modern Herbal' Mrs M. Grieve FRHS ed. Mrs C. F. Leyel (1973)
'The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal' Penelope Ody MNIMH (1993)
'RHS Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses' Deni Brown (2002)
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