In The Garden - A Creative Crafting Collection

For Tina, From Creative Crafting Discover the growing beauty of Tinas photography throughout the articles.

Images and content are the property of Tina and Creative Crafting Magazine www.creative-crafting.com.

Hi! I’m Tina, I love my garden and would like to share with you some of the pleasure I get from it and the birds and creatures which inhabit it.

The garden is situated between the rolling countryside and the sea. It is really magical and I am so lucky to live here with my better half, who is both my husband and my best friend. He also does all the landscaping and construction work. Without him it would have been impossible to make a garden from the weeds, brambles and nettles which covered the site when we purchased the house 19 years ago.

He is also the commonsense part of our partnership as some of my ideas can be a bit off the wall.

Follow my journey as I discover a love of photography during articles written for Creative Crafting Magazine between 2009 and 2014.

in the Garden

This was the first Tina in the Garden article published in the December 2009 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Hi! I’m Tina, I love my garden and would like to share with you some of the ple asure I get from it and the birds and creatures which inhabit it.

I don’t do computers, the Internet, anything like that. Technology I do not do. Therefore I wil l just write my accounts of the garden and send them to my very dear friend the Crystal Lady, she is jus t great at all of this computer stuff. She’s a real wiz . I will take some pictures of the garden, it loves to be photographed. I can ma nage that, the camera is more or less idiot proof.

I am a bit of a fraud writing in this magazine, as I am not talented like the other participants. The items they create are so ima ginative and beautiful.

The only thing I have to write about is the garden, and that creates itself with a little help.

Well, I know that you all lead busy lives, so make yourself a cup of tea, cof fee or whatever you fee l like.

Maybe a biscuit or two, no put the packet back in the cupboard we must not over indulge, and spend a few quiet moments in the gar den. rolling and I en the e w t agical e b m d y e ll t who is rea itua en is s he sea. It is y better half o does d r a g The hm e als an d t n d. H ere wit yside out countr cky to live h my best frie work, with en n d lu io uc t a gard d an am so constr le to make usban h d n y vered a m ich co ossib both aping p h c s w im d s n n la ago. ttle ee all the ould have b bles and ne se 15 years u w nership , bram sed the ho him it r part u a weeds o h e f c h o r t u t from n we p onsense par ff the wall. e whe o the sit o the comm an be a bit e been c ls s a a is e r hav e id e He b y o t m h Oc e of t for t r and as som embe perfec e passion t t p s e u S j ere of m, , th onths ful, so war fused eek there w n m o c e h e T er ar are tw wond plants Up until las ulbs, they y M really ! b t , it is ring. n. Bu pring garde s still flowe , and the s s I tell them with a i i s h a flower d sweetpe ‘Don’t do t cover them s an g up. n do i s. roses comin . So all I ca ve y a d e l a e alr early’ d the fallen o o t il an much ore so m e l t t i l

Already, I have ra the path ked e fa llen leav is such as and patio. Nth just like waste but ontoot for the bonefis up from the win a duvet for the the flowerbedre, that s, is r. By the plants a where dte d bulbs it they go,summer each n over into the id y e a a s r th is, I nevesoil to enrich it ey have gone Idwonder much ch r notice this ha. But the strang own eaper th e pening an comp nd als thing mercial ,a mulcheso. it is

ed slug pellet or we l organic, not a in e liv ey th The garden is al b, jo is . The birds do th rden, killer to be seen hedges in the ga d an es sh bu r he ot the d ed an fe e t ps no co the ream. I do om the small st fr s e og m fr e co th be d t an ey do no and seed, so th rries birds with nuts lves from the be se em th ed fe ey th an e, m Al on reliant e planted. so hedges which ar d an ses as bs gr ru e sh th e on th seeds on and so produces ld wi e ft th le ep is ke I ea ar ial, so . Water is essent and wild flowers t do it for me. no es do in ra if the birdbaths filled, , he can be seen likes a wider diet ird kb ac Bl .

Mr t Bu bashing them on in his beak and picking up snails eaks, it is until the shell br th his mate the path or patio er Also, togeth wi h. tc wa y to g in at fascin from the mulberr t the whole crop os e m m al so ve d ha ha I ey e th first tim however for the I d an , ar ye Tree. This year st d la e which I plante grapes on the vin d those as well. ha o wh e in ag im am sure you can g bulbs planted. , I have the sprin re fo be d ll ne tio en As I m little cold, so I wi ht sunny day if a ig br a ve is ha I it y ich da To tree wh ange and a lemon be covering an or up to the fence em th g in ac pl e, then in pots with fleec we are, tucked e er ld winds. Th co e th f of ep ke to help . up for the winter

‘The viole t gr t he o mou ntai wing al f or o n pa no o t h g ng But n row peop e in pa s rt le ca nno icular. t or f orge overloo k t it.’

Maybe we will have a cold winter as there are so many berries on the ivy, hawthorn and lots of rose hips, and I have never seen the holly so full of flowe rs, promising the berries to come.

So the garden is going to sleep for the winte r, my better half and I will make our numerous walks each day around the garden and the birds will come and greet us, and we will be grateful for such a wond erful gift.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to the garden and that you were not to bored, maybe you could visit again in the next issue. Well that is if I have not made too much of a hash of it this time.

Have a great Christmas and New Year.

Your green fingered friend, Tina

This is m y mas cot C little ha he lo rlie, Chris ves tma s.

in the Garden

Hi I’m Tina, Well this is great, they asked me to visit with you again and I am really pleased.

This article is from the February 2010 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Now did you have a good Christmas and New Year? I imagine you made all these resolutions which are so hard to keep.I just made one, to try to take a little time each day to be still and really look at the beautiful world of nature around us, but then that is easy for me as I have ‘The Garden’.

I see that all my old friends are already sitting comfortably, now come on new readers, take a little time to make that cup of tea, coffee or whatever you choose. Oh! You have those lovely chocolate biscuits, I love those, but remember we must not over indulge.

Since our last visit we have had some serious weather, first all the rain. Well yes, I know that it is a pain, when you have to do the shopping, get the kids to school and of course when Rover comes in from the garden with wet muddy footprints on your kitchen floor, particularly when you have just washed it. But to the garden it is life, well to us as well really. You can almost hear the plants and trees drinking and the soil absorbing the water ready for spring. The stream was singing along and the waterfall really beautiful.

As the garden is sleeping at the moment my better half and I have taken the opportunity to visit some good friends in Florida, and that is where I am now.

Charlie my mascot was a little miffed to be left.

I could tell by the drupe in his spines. Yes, I know it is all in my imagination, he is in the conservatory and being looked after, together with the garden by a good friend who loves the garden as much as we do. So I am afraid there is no picture of Charlie this time. If you wish to see him new readers just look at the last issue, there was some great stuff in there just as there is in this one.

So I would like to sh ar the things I have en e with you some of joyed on this trip.

When we first arriv ed it was great. We we we went on a cruise, nt ashore on this private island in th e Bahamas, it was wonderful all white sa plants were beautif nd and blue sea, the ul as you can see, th e bougainvillea and hib iscus which we all know from the Medit er different colours. Th ranean, so many e other plant is the sea grape which grows in the sand right on the edge of the beach.

It has white flowers followed by the fruit, the leaves as they ge older turn a beautif t ul dark red. Boy! would Mr. Blackbird lov they do have very lar e these berries, but ge seeds, so perhap not. s Then we returned to Flo rida, and you would not believe it, so cold, well for Florida, but I will not com plain hearing of all the snow and ice wh ich you have all been enduring. It has been the coldest weather known here for a long time.

The temperatu turtles were sure of the sea dropped so m and kept warmffering and many were re uch the scue until the water normal. Also goes back to d th er e w er e re iguanas falling ports on the TV hibernation, w from the trees as they w of ent into he they should be n it warms up again they OK, I hope so. said I have a pictur e for you from the newspaper showing the or strawberries wanges, they also had to spra it with ice to prot h water at night to cover y the them picture is of a ect them from the frost. Th tr ee fu ll of be England has na rries, not just e other in tu re pr epared for the winter, but th birds this ey do ne ed w at from the birdba er so do keep the ice ths etc.

Well now that hope not depr I have made you all feel co essed, good ne ld warmer, the su ws! it is gettin , but I n g much is sh in ing climbing fast . From what I and the temperature is he changing for the better also ar your weather is .

It is beautiful here with the palm trees and vegetation which is so different to in England and the very different birds, the pelicans for instance, the jumbo jets of the bird world, they are my favourites and we have had such a wonderful time visiting our good friends.

I hope you enjoyed your trip with me to Florida, sorry that we did not visit the Theme Parks, but then you know me by now s I just cannot stay away from plants, bird next se Mou etc. Maybe we will see Mickey time.

In the next issue I will of course be back in ‘The Garden’ and should have some pictures of Spring. The bulbs which are such a blessing after the winter, they always amaze me with their beauty and strength to have survived the bitter weather. Also, I may have done the pruning required on some of the shrubs so that we get the best from them in the summer.

So much in The Garden depend s on the weather, but part of the excitem ent is every year it is different, you can just never predict the exact time the bud s will appear or the flowers open, but we kno w that it will happen, and I can hardly wait.

My better half has lots of plans for construction, which depend s a great deal on the weather, so I will giv e you updates on these as they happen.

Well we will soon be going hom e, not looking forward to the plane but will not complain as long as it takes us back home safely as we are looking forward to seeing our family and of course ‘The Gar den’.

Looking forward to visiting wit h you again in the next issue.

Best Wishes, Tina

in the Garden

This article is from the April 2010 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Hi! I’m Tina, Well hello, I am so please d that you have taken the time to visit with me again in So first things first, get com The Garden. yes maybe a biscuit or two fy, put the kettle on, well , but remember we must over indulge. not I am back now in merry plane flight, and am so old England, survived the happy to be back again The Garden. in

Spring looks like being a little late r this year, but even more beautiful after a hard win ter. The birds are singing their little hearts out, and the flowers show the promise of the beauty to come.

The bulbs, which I planted last November as you can see, are coming up well. The photo of the Camellia is beautiful but a lot of the flowers were damaged by the weather, but they are still a joy.

ed surviv ar e v a h y is e rbs My he does but th parsley, ! e s i r ds of l surp sually nderfuRosemary u nd both kin o w a I had ter. The e, Chives a t a bonus. n ft a the wi Thyme, Sag ealthy, wha sia I le o h h e c v o u f s a d k Ih nd the ed. I ey loo dleia a ow complet wing tall and th d u b of the it is n them up gro runing is year, but ushes end if you want em p e h T b e . B ut t, the ater th they s little l I find if lef l at the top ave them, hese l , e this as e flowers a n you can l e more of t rflies, bees h h e e t t t c h t u h d u with ll hedge t ay, an the more b ich do so m w r a t e h a t h ei w ve as sects been happy you ha to be rful plants any other ins have also those after wonde flies, and m n. The rose gh as I did e Hover n The Gard mblers thou i good , not the ra ring. e d prune nished flow i f y e th

Here is somethi and I would no ng I do, it is not in the garden t I prune the sh expect it on Gardeners Wor ing books, rubs and roses, ld, discovered this I plant the prun but when w ings. I he n using the fuchsia to supp ort spring bulb prunings of buddleia and with rose prun s, they rooted in , win some lose gs and it worked, not every so I tried it some. This is tim e though, just something give gardening I do, I do not advice ever, le I just enjoy ch atting with you ave that to the experts, and Garden. about my pass ion, The

what else have Now let me see, d the odd lle I done? Well, pu , these things ng ki jo am I d, wee r what the survive no matte ise that a weed al weather. I do re the wrong place in er w flo a st ju e in is to do as they lik and they do get ters of The Garden, ar at least three qu ugs and in a few th be n ca ey th t bu scouraged. areas they are di ws through a e stream. This flo ich my better th of o ot ph a is Here y, wh and I mean bogg as ep you informed very boggy area, ke ll wi I t. ec oj pr s at hi th g pe in ho ak . I just half is m it will not be easy to his progress, as ul him out of the mud too often.

I do not have to ha you can spend g up, so maybe in m lk co is er st Ea Well, tio, or have a wa ur garden, or pa spring. The some time in yo d enjoy the joy of in the country an knows, but if it does rain try to o weather, well, wh s and plants need it. Well yes, I ee tr e think that th will be hard. understand that den, and I visit to The Gar iends and ur yo d ye jo en my old fr I hope you to chatting with do look forward again soon. s the new reader gered Friend, Your Green fin

Tina

As y o phot u can s e o frien graph m e I have d hat, s. Well y masco been ab y b le dres ut then es, I kn t Charlie to s o look sense, Cacti do w it is a and s ha a ppy. nd don not hav silly ’t yo e u th good ink h e

This article is from the June 2010 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

in the Garden Hi! I’m Tina So glad that you are visiting again and I hope you enjoy the garden.

Now first things first, get that kettle on, what do we have in the biscuit tin today, oh Ginger Nuts, heaven, my better half is not too fond so I have a packet just for me, although of course I do not over indulge.

Well, spring certainly is here, as you can see the forsythia flowered beautifully and I have now cut out all the branches which have flowered, then I should get a good show of flowers again next year.

Forsythia

All the bulbs, which I had on the patio, have almost all finished now, so I will be taking them out of the containers and leaving them to die down in the greenhouse. In the autumn I will plant them in the main garden where they will be left to get on with their lives, and fill the containers with newly purchased bulbs this seems to work well. Also the Polyanthus plants are taken from the containers after flowering and planted in the main garden. In the spring when the bees get busy they cross-pollinate them and the wild primroses to make some beautiful variations in colour the following year.

Bluebell Wood As you can see the copse is absolutely packed with bluebells, and the smell is just wonderful, the trees are mostly sycamores, but there are some elder.

We have also introduced a mountain ash, wild cherry, silver birch and one other, which I must look up in my tree book when the leaves come out as the marker is missing and I cannot for the life of me, remember its name.

In the garden we have a small potting shed, one side of which is a trellis covered by Honeysuckle, this also is over the windows. The other day when collecting tools we noticed that a blackbird had made a nest in the Honeysuckle and could be seen through the window of the shed. My better half tried to get a photo for you but it did not come out, I think the window was too dirty. She is still there and has four eggs in the nest. We have moved the tools to another shed so we do not disturb her.

Then I will start filling the containers with compost and mixing in some water retaining gel, this is great, it really does help to keep the compost moist, of course they still must be kept well watered. As to the plants I will be putting in I have not purchased them yet, but they will be planted and growing well in time for the next issue, so please come and join me in the garden.

My better half has started work in the bog garden. Have a look at the photo. At the moment he is dragging out all the old fallen willow trees and dead branches.

Also over the past few months he has been planting cuttings which we hope will replace the dead trees, and they are doing well, it is wonderful to see the new green shoots.

The long green leaved plants which you can see on the photo are wild water Iris and have a lovely yellow flower, I will photograph them when they come out, so you must read the next issue or you will miss them. There are also some in the stream.

The bog

Clematis on the pergol a

The clematis are wonderful this year as you can see from the photos, one is in what I like to call the secret garden, while the other is on the new pergola which my better half made such a good job of last October, the plants are just starting so I will wait a while before photographing.

I have just gone mad snapping photos and I want to share them all with you as the garden has erupted with colour and perfume, the wall flowers scent is just intoxicating and they have beautiful velvety flowers. But then I must leave you, as there is a lot more fascinating articles for you to read in the rest of the magazine.

So I will just say thank you again for joining me in ‘The Garden’ and I look forward to your next visit.

in the ‘s Clematis

den’ ecret gar

Your green-fingered friend Tina Here is Charlie hiding in the flowers, you just cannot keep him in these days, and I am as bad, still better go and get some lunch ready its hungry work in the garden.

Wall flowers

This article is from the August 2010 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

in the Garden Hi! I’m Tina Well hello again, you really have chosen a beautiful day to visit with me in ‘The Garden’.

As always first things first, but it may be a little warm for the kettle today, how about a nice cool glass of something cold and refreshing. Maybe we will leave the biscuits as we need to keep our figures to show off our summer Clothes. Oh! As I am writing, my better half has just asked if I would like one and what do I say, why yes of course, no will power what so ever.

After the wonderful spring the garden seems as if it just cannot wait to produce just one beautiful flower after another. I have taken so many photo’s. I would like to share them all but would need a whole magazine to myself, and there are lots of other good articles which need space.

So I will stop waffling, and get on with it.

The bog, well the bog is looking very overgrown and mysterious and the wild water irises which I mentioned in the last issue are now out as you will see, they really are lovely.

The Bog

is

Wild Water Ir

Foxglo ve

The foxgloves are wild and do seem to place themselves in the most unusual and sometimes difficult places, but I leave them to do their thing and am rewarded tenfold as you can see.

Roses

We have a number of roses, a lot of which are from the cuttings taken, of course even these are a little unruly as is everything in ‘The Garden’.

There is a photo of the old tree which had to be taken down last year, we were so sad to see it go. But this year Wow, its back and looking stronger and more beautiful than ever, what a gift. ee Old Tr

We do have a wild part of the garden, well yes I know it is a little untamed everywhere, but this is seriously wild and there were lots of caterpillars, I checked in my book but was not sure what variety they were, so I thought I would share the photo with you, they look very sporty don’t they?

I am not writing so much this time as I want to leave room for more photo’s, and I do leave ‘The Garden’ to get on with it at this time of year. Of course there is some weeding to be done, but the main job is the dead heading. I do it on the roses and bedding plants, but not on the aquilegia and foxgloves as I like them to seed. Also there is a lot of tying up to be done everything grows so fast.

Do you know what kind of caterpillar this is?

The Wild Garden I have planted a lot of seeds and bedding plants in pots on the patio and elsewhere but they are just starting to flower so I will photograph them for the next issue. Also, my better half and I have created a green roof, well that was something else, but I thought that I would save that tale for later in the winter when there is not so much going on in the garden as that may take up one issue in its self, with before, during and after photo’s.

Well now I bet you can hardly wait!

Aquilegia

Another vi ew

of the bo g

So I will leave you now and thank you for visiting me again in ‘The Garden’, enjoy the lovely sunshine, and if we do not get too much rain spare a thought for the plants and the birds, they still need water as we do to survive.

I’m looking forward very much to your next visit.

Your green-fingered friend arlie!

Chilled out Ch

Tina

This article is from the October 2010 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

in the Garden Hi I’m Tina!

You have picked a beautiful day today to visit The Garden.

Shall we go and sit under the pergola, the sweet peas have almost reached the top and the smell is wonderful. The sun is filtering through, just the perfect place to relax. I have made the tea so sit down and make yourselves comfortable. I will fetch the biscuits, they are special, my friend and neighbour brought them back from holiday for me and they really are very habit forming, but remember we must not over indulge.

First of all, the magazine will be one year old with this issue. My how time flies when you are having fun. I would like to thank our two very hard working lady editors as without them there would never have been a magazine, and all of the talented crafters who have taken time to share their wonderful ideas with us.

You may remember last time we visited together, I shared with you all a photo of a very sporty caterpillar which I found in The Garden. Well, it was The Mullein Shargacucullia Verbasci, my goodness what a mouthful, and I would like to thank you Michelle (from Socklings) for taking the time to research this for us, it is very much appreciated.

yT Myster

Do you k

now wha t these ar e?

l? oadstoo

Well, there is no stopping me now! Here is not one, but two photos which fit in rather well as it will soon be Halloween.

They may well be toadstools I am not sure, perhaps someone could enlighten me. One of them has a piece bitten out but I guess that will remain a mystery, who knows what creatures abound in the wood.

We have had a wonderful summer in The Garden, it was a little dry and I had to do a little more watering, but we got to sit and enjoy the beauty of the hot sun on the patio with the bright summer bedding and the cool shade under the trees with the soft greens and pastel colours of the woodland plants.

It has also proved a bountiful harvest, if I try to show you photos of everything The Garden has produced there would be no room for my writing, well yes it may be a better idea, I do go on a bit sometimes.

Cool Shade

The apples and pears and crab apple trees are full, as you see they do their own thing in the borders and seem to enjoy the companionship of the other plants. The mulberry too is full of fruit it is a beautiful old tree, how old I do not know as it was here when we arrived. The leaves are such a lovely shape, it is just so graceful. I do not get to all of the mulberries as Mr Blackbird can reach them better than I can, but I do not mind as he has produced two families this year so I think he deserves them.

Apples

Crab Apples

Pears

Some of the raspberries have already produced this year but the autumn ones will be ripe soon, the grapes also have really done well. On the patio we had tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, peppers and lots of salad greens.

Although we have a large garden salad crops do not do well, because of the slugs and snails. Well, I know they have to live somewhere so I leave them to it and grow my salad crops in pots on the patio. That also is their hunting ground but I put used coffee grounds around the soil in the pot and around the base on the patio. It does work, maybe they object to it under their feet, I do not know, coffee grounds for the patio I can manage but for the main garden no thanks.

with Charlie helping t es rv ha e th

Mulberries

Grapes

Blackberrie s

Hawthorn

Hops

The wild plants are producing their berries, the Hawthorn, the wild rose, and of course the blackberry, I do love blackberry and apple pie don’t you?

Another fascinating plant to me is the wild hop, with those delicate green flowers it just clambers over everything, and then turns to a rich russet brown which is the real colour of the Autumn.

Well we have finished our tea, and left some of the biscuits, we have been good, so I will thank you again for your time and look forward to your next visit with me in The Garden.

Your green fingered friend, Tina

This article is from the December 2010 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

in the Garden Hi I’m Tina, Well it’s so good to meet with you all again. Thank you for taking the time as I know you are all very busy preparing for Christmas.

Sit down, well just anywhere, oh that’s great yes just squeeze over a tad, wonderful.

The kettle is singing, and I have some lovely cake, well just a little slice, remember we must not over indulge, well not until Christmas anyway.

The garden is dressed for Christmas with the sparkling red berries of the holly, and the ivy trailing with glossy green leaves and deep black berries. The trees just look wonderful after the rain, shinning with all the rain drops, we could never decorate a tree so perfectly.

Here are some photos of the last roses to bloom, it has been very good year for them.

Most of the bedding plants have been removed from the pots, but some are still blooming and I do not have the heart to throw them on the compost heap, so am still enjoying them.

The empty pots are all planted with the spring bulbs, and wallflowers, don’t you just adore their scent, and tucked up warm under the fallen leaves just waiting for spring. duced rack Plant from the re

As this is after all a crafting magazine, and I am just an interloper I thought that maybe I should share with you some of my Christmas present ideas. Now do remember as I said I am a gardener not a crafter, bear with me please.

When I visit any garden centre I always make for the reduced plant section, almost all of these poor things need is a little TLC and mostly just some water, but be warned some really are dead so check them well.

As soon as you get the plant home stand it in a container of water, in the shade until the soil is moist.

Some, as the one on my photo are made up of a number of small individual plants which makes them easy to divide, if you try to divide one big root sometimes it works, but I prefer the easy way.

As you can see from the photos it is very easy, just pot up the small plants with some compost, top with a little gravel and stand in a container of water again until the compost is moist, remove and that’s it, but do not forget to keep an eye on them as with all plants keep them moist but not wet.

The Basil; I bought it from the supermarket, in a bag, to use for cooking; if you put it in a small pot as you would flowers, keep the water topped up in a cool place it will make roots in a couple of weeks, but keep an eye on it as some may rot. When the roots are formed just pot up in compost, top with a little gravel, then it can be displayed in any container you wish. I just used a coffee cup I had in the cupboard.

The other two ideas are even easier, the little teapot was picked up from a boot sale and the cup and saucer was left from a set, yes the other one had an accident. Any plant can be used for these provided of course they are in a very small pot.

Just put the small pot into the teapot or the cup, finish with a little gravel and your done. Also the plants can be changed so easily in just a minute.

The herbs in the mugs are easy too, just a little compost and top with gravel. These however are not so easy to change the plants and the watering also has to be watched more as there is no drainage in the mugs.

Charlie is getting ready for Christma s!

Well those are some of my present ideas, I have packaged them for Christmas, and yes I know my package ideas are rubbish so I will not dwell on those, but I can just imagine what some of you could come up with in the way of packaging.

I hope these ideas are of interest to you, I just hope that I get the photos in the right order, but then again my dear friend The Crystal Lady bless her will sort them out, what would I do without her.

Well the rain is still coming down gently outside , we have finished our tea and our slice of cake, yes just the one, so I will say goodbye to you all, have a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to meeting with you all again in the New Year.

Your green fingered friend,

This article is from the February 2011 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

in the Garden Hi I’m Tina, I hope that you all had a great Christmas and New Year.

The white stuff that came down was very seasonal. if a little cold. Now, it’s nice and warm in here, the kettle is on for a good warm cup of tea. Maybe today a nice shortbread biscuit, but remember we must not over indulge.

The Magnolia Plantation

I am so pleased that you took the time to come and join me again in The Garden. It is a little grey and wet today and the Garden is still enjoying its winter sleep, so there is not much going on yet so I thought you may all like a little Sunshine. I would love to share with you a trip which my better half and I took in October to a most wonderful and unusual garden.

The Magnolia Plantation and Gardens are just outside Charleston in South Carolina U.S.A.

In the past it was an old rice plantation, but the rice fields have long since been claimed by the natural plants. The main bushes were Camellias , they were smaller flowers than the ones we have in the garden and of course were flowering at a different time of year, but they were such delicate blossoms.

Rice Fields

Camellias

The house was beautiful but not as I expected, as thinking plantation I expected to see something of the style of Tara from Gone with the Wind But not so, although it did have its own beauty. As it says on the plaque there have been three houses on the site over the years. The first house 1680-1811 burned down, the second 1811-1805 was burned down by General Sherman’s troops, and the third house has been altered in 4 phases to make it as it is today.

The Plantation House

Plaque

We then toured what was my very favourite part which was the Swamp Gardens. There was much more water of course than our bog but I checked to see if my better half was making notes for the future. It would be just great to have something like this, if on a smaller, drier scale. However there were some residents which I would not welcome in the bog, no thanks!

Swamp

Here is a beautiful photo of the bridge over the lake. the Spanish moss is just wonderful like silver cobwebs, we were told that it does not harm the trees at all, they live in perfect harmony.

Alligators

Another special feature is the large river that runs through the property. This was used in days gone by to take the rice by paddle steamer into Charleston. You can see from the photo just how tranquil it looks on such a beautiful day.

Bridge

The River

What about this gazebo? I did draw the attention of my better half to this, maybe he could knock one up for me in his spare time, not that he manages to get much as I always have the projects lined up.

I have not written so much this time. More photos are better than my ramblings and there will be so much next time as Spring will really be with us and lots should be happening in The Garden.

Now, I will clear away the empty cups and send you out again into the dull wet weather, but I hope you will take with you a little sunshine from the photos of Magnolia Plantation.

Gazebo

I am looking forward to visiting with you all again in the next issue, and sharing with you the awakening of Spring in The Garden.

Your green fingered friend,

Tina

in the Garden Hi! I’m Tina, Good to have you visit with me again in The Garden.

I think we will sit in the conservatory this morning the sun is just streaming in, it is so wonderful to feel the warmth after such a cold winter. I have the kettle on and some little iced biscuits, but remember we must not over indulge , me especially as I have not been working in the garden so much ,just sitting in doors munching.

Well, Spring is here at last and it does seem to be in a hurry this year, the crab apple is already in bud and also the fruit trees.

Here is a photo of the willow catkins, or lambs tails as my mother used to call them, she was a country woman and knew every wild flower by their old country names, she loved all nature and her garden, and was my inspiration from an early age.

I had my own little piece of garden and the plants there were in my charge, if I forgot to water them and they died mother would say you have to be responsible, give them a little care and you will be rewarded with so much beauty, and as I look around the garden today the beauty just takes my breath away.

I checked out the herbs after the winter and just look at this monster, it’s the parsley how great is this.

Also I think that this flower is really confused, it is of course an antirrhinum, when I emptied the summer bedding from the tubs, some were still fine so I planted them in the garden, and as you can see have been well rewarded. Also, some silver foliage plants, which I cannot remember the name of and of course have lost the label, they seem to think that it is already summer.

The bluebells are coming through in the wood, not long now before they flower, they have to hurry before the trees get their leaves.

At the moment you can get into the bog, it does not look half as mysterious as it does in the summer, you can even see the stream.

My better half and I have one or two projects this summer, well I have the ideas and he makes them work , how lucky am I. So watch this space.

Oh you have to leave, well thank you again for coming, be safe until your next visit with me in The Garden.

Your green fingered friend, Tina

This article is from the April 2011 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

This article is from the June 2011 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

in the Garden Hi I’m Tina, Good to see you all again, and what a wonderful day you have bought with you on your visit to The Garden.

As the weather is so good shall we take a walk around the garden first and then have our refreshments later , I just cannot wait to show you how everything is just so beautiful.

The Clematis has been flowering for so long and is even better than last year if that is possible.

Now please be careful as you go down the steps, there are some bluebells right in the centre, it is a little difficult but don’t they look great. This is how it is in The Garden the plants choose their place , and as they do such a good job why would I change it. The Iris is here hiding under the trees, what a gorgeous colour, and the Rhododendron, this is an old plant and was here when we came to the garden in a very poor condition ,but as you see it did survive and is very happy.

As we stand here you can just look out over part of The Garden and see all the fresh green leaves and blossom.

Last month I mentioned that the crab apple trees were in bud, well here they are in full bloom.

Well just a little walk down our leafy lane, look at the hawthorn you would think it was some exotic shrub, and it just smells so wonderful too.

Here we are at the bog, this I think is the best time as it is so green and fresh the Marsh Marigolds are out with their shining golden cups, and The Wild Iris is coming through and will soon have its own rich yellow flowers.

We will go back through the Bluebell wood, just look at the brilliant blue and the fresh green leaves, and of course the smell just out of this world, could you find a more beautiful place.

This is one of our special places where my better half and I have a little rest and a welcome cup of tea when working in the garden. I don’t think that we can do that today we would never all fit on that little seat.

Now back by the wild garden and up the steps to the patio, but we must just stop and look at the Laburnum in all its golden glory. Ready for a sit down? Me too. I will put on the kettle and oh great, some of you have bought biscuits. Chocolate ones to, well, you know I just might over

So as we all enjoy our tea and biscuits, I would like to thank you all for taking the time from your busy lives to enjoy with me the peace and beauty of The Garden.

See you all again soon.

Your green fingered friend, a

Tin

Hi! I’m Tina, Welcome to The Garden on this bright sunny morning. Shall we have coffee today as you are here early and some nice chocolate biscuits, lets indulge, well it is summer.

I see we have some new readers, well welcome come and join us, I have lots of photos of The Garden since the last issue.

Well it was rather dry last month and the hydrangeas were suffering they are a little smaller this year.

So there I was doing the rain dance, praying for rain and yes I got my wish and down it came. The Garden really enjoyed it and went into overdrive, and so did the weeds, there is always a down side.

The roses have been just wonderful and flowered earlier than usual I took so many photo’s it was difficult to choose.

My better half and I also got a little project done. We had a new Shower fitted in the house and were left with the old shower tray and down by one of the sheds. It was a bit scrappy, so he dug a hole big enough to fit the tray in,(I know you do not need a photo) then he sealed the drain to make it watertight, I placed stones around the edge and some washed gravel in the bottom and filled it with water, purchased some pond weed and what do you have? A pond. I put some stones in the bottom as a shelter for any little creatures, but (Top Right) Sunny View (Four Centre) Various Roses (Right) Shower Tray Pond Project.

Tina in the Garden

so far nothing has taken up residence.

What do you think to this plant with the butterfly on it. It really is beautiful and has a strong perfume or should I say smell as it does tickle my nose a bit. It is privet which is normally clipped close as a hedge but like everything in The Garden it is left to do its thing and is full of flowers this time of year. My better half will prune it back in September.

especially when they are free.

I thought you would like to see the bog as it looks so nice and cool. It never fails to surprise me how many shades of green there are in nature.

At the moment the roses are still flowering, and the hydrangeas are coming out, also the apples and pears are coming on fast.

The main job is the dead heading which is so important if you wish your plants to keep flowering, but

Well time seems to have run out on me again, thank you for taking the time to join me in The Garden.

See you all again soon.

Your green fingered friend

Tina

A little project

boy do they take some keeping up with.

The cotton lavender has also overflowed onto the path, so I just cut it back and from the clippings selected some cuttings. As you see it is so easy. I take a lot as not all root and if you have too many, well give them to your friends and relations, we all love plants,

Cotton Lavender

Pull off Cuttings from old stem.

This article is from the August 2011 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Take off lower leaves, plant around the sides of a large pot in compost plus a little grit, top dress with grit, water and leave in the shade.

Hi I’m Tina, It is so good to have you all here again in The Garden. Let’s just get our nice cup of tea and spend a few moments before we look at how The Garden has been faring since your last visit.

I was so pleased to hear that you are enjoying my article and pictures, it is a real garden and I do take all the pictures myself.

But I do have to come clean on one point, I do not look like the picture of Tina, well you would be a little worried if I did and so would my better half.

Glad you liked the pond, we did also make a feature of the old toilet and wash basin, but they are not ready for publication yet as the plants have not matured enough but watch this space.

This article is from the October 2011 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Tina in the Garden

The Garden is still

Blue Hydrangeas

Pink Hydrangeas

Apples

Well, I think that I have been talking quite enough, so what has been happening in The Garden?

The hydrangeas which I mentioned last issue as being a little small, I am pleased to say have proved me wrong, just look at them they are just gorgeous!

I have been told that differences in the soil produce the different colours.

The roses are still flowering, they have been since May, I cannot remember a better year.

The fruit, apples, pears and crab apples, are producing well, do you remember the beautiful blossom in the spring? As you can see they are all happy in with the flowers.

The montbretia is beautiful now it does give such a golden glow to the Garden at this time of year.

Pears

But this week I think that Autumn is really with us. The leaves are coming down fast as we have had some wind and rain ( I did not need the dance this month). So I will start to prepare for Spring. It is such fun choosing the bulbs, and before the next issue I will be taking out the bedding plants and planting the bulbs and other spring plants, wallflowers, winter pansies and primroses.

The main jobs at the moment are just tidying the plants and

Montbretia

Crab Apples

borders, and taking out any weeds. The buttercups are really hard to get out but my arms get a better workout pulling them up than going to the gym. As you tidy the paths just keep an eye out for the small seedlings which have self set.

Take them out gently and replant elsewhere, more free plants.

The hawthorn berries are already bright red, the rose hips rich yellow and orange and with the The Enchanted Bog

luscious black elderberries the birds are already having a feast.

The blackbirds are just stuffed they are in the mulberry tree just all the time eating the rich fruits.

I could not finish today without a photo of the bog in its late summer glory.

Well time is up again the teapot is empty, and you have to leave, I must not take up too much of your time as there are so many good things to read in the magazine.

See you all again in the next issue.

Your green fingered friend,

Tina

Tina in the Garden

H

i! I’m Tina, It’s great to be with you all again. Thank you so much for joining me again in The Garden.

Well, it is a little wet today so let’s sit indoors and look at the Garden through the window. It is so enjoying the rain.

Come and join me for a good cup of tea, and maybe a biscuit or two.

First an update on what has been happening in the garden since your last visit. You will be able to see the change from the picture at the top of the article taken at the beginning of October, and the one at the end, which is late October. Note the smoke from my better half’s bonfire - it does look like Autumn.

As you can see, we still have roses.

They just do not want to stop. The Pampas Grass is here in all it’s glory and the Hydrangeas are still great even if they have changed their colour.

Nature is just wonderful.

As you can see, the Nerines were all just gorgeous in October. Of course I just have to show you the bog. It still manages to look mystical and you can just make out the end of the wooden bridge over the stream.

left - Roses above - Fatsia

I just have to share this plant with you, it is a Fatsia. Yes, I know that it is an indoor plant in England, but this one evidently does not understand ,so who am I to argue.

There is, however, a little story to this plant. Only a little one I promise.

When we moved here about 16 years ago, the house was in need of repair and the garden as it is today did not exist. I arrived with a small collection of plants, one of which was the Fatsia from the conservatory of our last house. Well, there was no conservatory and the house was a bit of a state, so as the weather was good I put it in the garden thinking to move it back indoors later. The work however took some time and the following summer there it was, a little scrappy, but still alive. Just look at it now, all set to take over the top - Roses garden and every October it produces middle - Pampas Grass these wonderful, if strange, flowers. bottom - Nerines

The Garden now is ready for its winter above sleep. The berries were on the holly in The Bog October - holly berries and roses, what a strange, but wonderful year. The bulbs and spring plants are all set and the tidying up is done.

So, what about Christmas? I have done a little project, well, quite a big project actually. I hope our dear lady editor will

give me a little extra space and that you will bear with me as it is a little bit of a craft project too. I am sure that all of you could do a better job on the crafting side and if any of you do please let us see the finished article.

Throughout the summer we have been enjoying a lot of fruit and I have built up a collection of plastic containers. They do no recycle the containers in our area, so I came up with this idea. Maybe it has already been done., If so, I apologise.

I have used paper to decorate the Christmas Pot and the Lighthouse Pot. The extra Pot is made with cards, although you could use photographs and make one for any occasion at any time of year. You will need three plastic containers for each pot.

1. Christmas Pot. First measure a piece of Christmas wrapping paper and cut to fit around the sides of the first container and cut to size.

5. Lighthouse Pot. You will need the first container to be larger to enable you to fill. Insert second container.

2. Wrap paper 3. Place the first container inside 4. The finished pot. around the side of the second container and push the first container down. and hold in place.

6. Here are the plants we potted 7. Fill a third container with a up in the last issue. mixture of compost and grit.

8. Replant new plants into the container and top with grit.

All finished!

9. Fit into the finished pot.

10. This is an extra pot showing that you can just make any design.

I have used paper to decorate the Christmas Pot and the Lighthouse Pot. The extra Pot is made with cards, although you could use photographs and make one for any occasion at any time of year. You will need three plastic containers for each pot.

Oh! You have to leave now. I was so enjoying your visit, but I do understand that coming up to Christmas is your busy time. So do not work too hard - easy for me to say, I know.

Have a great Christmas and New Year and I will see you all next year.

Your green fingered friend, ~x ~

Tina

This article is from the December 2011 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

This article is from the February 2012 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

n ot ^

Tina in the Garden

H

i! I'm Tina

Well, Christmas and New Year celebrations are over and I hope you all had a great time. I am so pleased to welcome you all on your first visit of 2012 to the Garden.

Do make yourselves comfortable and we will enjoy as always a nice cup of tea and maybe the occasional biscuit.

The garden has kept well this year into winter and if this weather continues we may have an early spring. Some plants are still flowering and a lot is going on under ground, but as we have done in past years, I would like to take this opportunity to share a trip which my better half and I have made. This time it was to visit with some very dear friends, at their home on the shore of beautiful lake Michigan.

Chicago Park

Chicago Flower Beds

It was in July and the weather was just wonderful when we left from dear old Heathrow. We arrived in Chicago. We had not visited before and it was just unbelievable. The buildings,the parks, the shops, and so clean. I know that this is a gardening article but I just must show you this sky line. If you are familiar with it I hope you enjoy it again. If you have not been there well maybe you should go, I know we would love to go back.

Flowers were just everywhere, this is a photo in just one of the many parks. These enclosed flower beds were everywhere on the sidewalks - on the sidewalks - did you notice - not “pavement�? I did try with the language!

We spent three great days riding the open top bus, just getting on and off as we liked.

One stop was the Museum of Science and Industry. You would need at least two weeks to explore the whole of this building, and it also has a garden, as you can see.

Then a short flight, I like those the best, you all know how I love flying. We were met by our friends and after a short drive, and lunch where we had a great view we arrived at their home. There It was all made of wood, like a Hansel and Gretel house in the woods, on the shore of the lake, in a beautiful bay. It just took our breath away and not just the house but also the garden.

They gave me a real gift, permission to share these photos which I took of this lakeside, woodland garden.

As you can see it blends so beautifully into the natural woodland, which to me is how a garden should be a - companion to nature.

Tahquamenon Falls

We enjoyed a few days seeing the surrounding area. There are so many lakes. We took trips on some of the smaller ones. They were all so blue, words cannot describe their beauty. There were roadside stalls selling really good fresh fruit and vegetables; what a wonderful area.

They took us to the Upper Peninsula. There was so much to see that if I told you of all the unforgettable scenery and showed you all the photos, I would take up the whole magazine. So here are just a few.

The first is Tahquamenon Falls, there are two, an upper and a lower.

It is just spectacular, but you really need to have sound for the noise of the water to experience the full impact.

Then we travelled further north to the shore of Lake Superior. Did I say lake? It just did not relate to me coming from our little island, it just went on for ever! We stayed for a night at the Shipwreck Museum at

Magic Woodland Garden

So much colour

Peaceful Patio

Blue Heaven

Peaceful Area

Snow White

What a tree!

Pictured Rocks Lakeside Garden

White Fish Point. When you learn of all the ships which have perished on this lake and the terrible storms which it has all the time, it does sound a dangerous place.

So the next day arrived and we were due to go on a sightseeing tour by boat on (guess where!) Lake Superior.

After the museum visit and seeing all about the shipwrecks and not liking water, I was a little nervous. But the day was just gorgeous, the sun was shining and the lake was like a millpond, so I boarded happily.

We were going to see the pictured rocks, just one more wonderful sight, and once again I am amazed by the mixture of colours in nature.

I just had to photograph this tree. You would not think that it could survive but it does and seems to thrive.

Sunset over Lake Michigan

For the next night we stayed at a small hotel right on the shore of the lake, and here there is another unusual garden.

We travelled back to spend a few days with our friends, followed by the short flight back to Chicago.

At this point please bear with me as I would just like to say to our friends, who are also readers of the magazine, thanks guys for a great vacation. We will never forget it.

One more day in Chicago and then we set off home to Blighty.

Well I have taken enough of your time for to-day, so I will leave you with just one of the many photos which I took of the sunset over Lake Michigan. It just takes your breath away.

See you all again in the next issue.

Your green fingered friend,

Tina

H

i! I'm Tina,

Florida

England

Daffodils

Azaleas

Back in England we have not had the early spring I had hoped for and the main display of flowers are not yet in bloom. I have a few photos to share with you but take a look at the next issue for the main display.

So how about some photos of Spring on both sides of the pond?

We have daffodils in England and azaleas in Florida. Just look at the Spanish moss in the trees , they are live oaks so do not ever seem to lose their leaves.

Camellia

Antirinums

Florida

England

Well O.K. that's a confusing title even for me, so I will explain. As I am writing this it is the first week in March, so my better half and I have taken the chance to visit with our friends in Florida.

The white camellia is just coming out. They are so delicate and if we have a cold wind will turn brown very quickly. In contrast here is a bed of Antiriums. They are flamboyant and tough enough to take the strong sunlight and dry conditions. We will not see them in England until July or August, so here is an early preview.

Tina in and out of the Garden

Hyacinth

Iris

Florida

England

Spring is coming

England

Spring is only just arriving as you can see from the photo of the daffodils and primroses back home in The garden.

Just look at this beautiful photo of Spring in Florida. So much light and colour! It is such a pleasure to see and I am just so lucky, well more than lucky, as I will also be able to enjoy the full beauty of our English spring on my return to The Garden.

Crocus are making an appearance and in sheltered areas the hyacinths, while in Florida I found this Iris. We do have them in The Garden but not until around May and then I have not seen one exactly like this.

Daffodils

England

Florida

Florida

The birds behave in the same way in both countries singing, displaying, generally just looking for a mate. The one in the picture is a mockingbird Their song is so wonderful and they just sing from early morning until sunset. Speaking of Sunsets, I love to photograph Mocking Bird them and so I have squeezed Daffodils, are to me the most beautiful sight in the world one in later in the article. after the winter and I just cannot wait to get back to England when the garden will have erupted with Spring Still on the subject of birds, this one is certainly on colours. display! Perhaps he thinks he is more noticeable than in a But at the moment I will just have to get by with the tree, and he could be right - we certainly noticed him. My beautiful sunshine, temperatures in the upper seventies, better half said he was just glad that it was not his car sitting here, looking across the golf course with good that he was perched on, ever the practical one. friends and enjoying a nice cool drink with my feet up with the added bonus of no weeding to do.

Florida

England

Here is a photo of the stream. It is flowing well. The bog is not at its best at the moment as there is not to much to see. Here is the Florida Stream bubbling away in the sunshine, where it has widened out, you can see a very Spring-like picture of a family of ducks.

So! Happy Easter to you all, hope business is good and I will see you all back in The Garden in the next issue. I will have the kettle on.

Tina

In the next issue I will have lots more photos of the garden to show you, including all the places you are getting to know. We can take a look at how some of last year’s projects have come through the winter and what new projects we can look at for the coming summer.

One job I need to do when I get home is to work on the shower pond as it is really yucky. When I made it (being me), I did not even think about the fact that it was surrounded by trees which, of course, lose their leaves.

They have filled up the pond and it is just a black mess.

I have left it during the winter to see if the leaves do dissolve into the water, but I have my doubts as it is so shallow.

These recycling projects can be a little difficult, but it is worth the effort. I will let you now how I get on.

The Easter decor is in the stores here across the pond. It is wonderful. I could bring a suitcase full back but my better half says that is not going to happen, so I have to be satisfied with a photo! I just have to show you, don't you just love him?

This article is from the April 2012 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

This article is from the June 2012 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Tina in the Garden

H

i! I’m Tina,

Welcome to The Garden. My, it’s a little chilly and wet today. Come in. Leave the umbrella in that urn thing I have by the door and hang your macs on the hooks there.

The kettle has boiled so let’s enjoy our tea and maybe a biscuit. There should be some in the tin on the table and I will bring you up to date on what has been happening in The Garden.

I arrived back from the U.S. and spring had come, or maybe it was summer - it was so glorious. But it was so dry the poor plants just dried up and the beautiful spring bulbs did not last long at all. The camellias did not last long either.

Then boy, it turned cold! I was wishing for some of the Florida weather I had taken for granted. The winds in the garden were really cold and very strong. A tree fell in the wood leaving my better half with yet another job. The cold wind burnt some of the blossoms and turned them brown.

But as always in nature when the rain came, and it did come, the stream was full to overflowing, and the garden became lovely and green. We had a few odd days of sun and it looks wonderful again. Just look at all the new growth around the seat! I will have a job to squeeze on to take a rest.

The flowers, especially the bluebells, are beautiful again, although there are not as many as last year because it was so dry earlier. I know that you are familiar with them from previous years, the Iris too, but these photographs show them from a different angle, along with the wallflowers.

Just look at this beautiful Spurge! There are so many shades of green in one flower they are one of my favourites. They just self seed and grow anywhere, although they are very good at placing themselves in good positions - better than I could, I’m sure.

The wild flowers are making themselves at home in the wood and they have also made a good job of arranging themselves.

As for the bog - I think it looks rather good, don’t you? All new and crisp.

Here is a tester. What do you think is under this part of the garden? I don’t imagine you could guess. Though maybe you could. It’s a septic tank, yes really! When we arrived at the house, the previous owner had just had a new tank fitted. No, we do not have regular drains, but that’s just fine. They had dug a very large hole in order to install it, leaving a very large pile of earth and stones which did not look too good.

However, if you plant the type of plants which we have in The Garden, they just multiply and over the years

this is the end result. Well maybe there was rather a lot of digging and planting in the beginning as my better half just pointed out, but it sure was worth it!

Here is a nice sunny photo of the woodland. It really cheers you up on a grey day.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot to tell you about the pond. I have not done anything with it at the moment as the water actually appears to be clearing and I do not want to disturb any little creatures which may be in there, although I am not too hopeful on that score, but you just never know.

Periwinkle

Rhododendron

Aquilegia

Silver Plant

Here are photos of a few of the flowers performing now in The Garden, and more appear every day. Remember the silver plant from last year? It made it yet again through the winter! It is longest living annual I have ever had, long may it continue to return.

The rain does appear to have stopped, but it is still very wet outside and my plants do tend to hang over the paths and soak you a little. Perhaps next time we can actually be in The Garden and not just look at photographs and view it through the windows.

Thank you for visiting with me in The Garden once again. I do so enjoy your visits and I am so happy and grateful to be home in this wonderful garden.

Bye for now and see you in the next issue.

Your green fingered friend,

P.S. I have cows too! #COW

Tina

A view with a Moo and the Moo has a view!

#COW

Tina in the Garden

Hi! I’m Tina Good morning! Well not really as it is still pouring with rain, and it is the second week in July. Where is the lovely sunshine?

You should all know the drill with the macs and umbrellas after your last visit.

Please sit down have a hot cup of tea and help yourselves to a biscuit. Custard creams today, yummy.

A lot has been happening in the garden since your last visit. It so enjoys all the rain and is growing like crazy and is beginning to look just like the Amazon jungle.

The trouble, is when I do manage to get out there I need a machete, not a hoe. However the garden does not really need me at all, the weeds are just flourishing and I have to say that some look quite good.

I did manage to get some photos on the odd day when it did not rain so here is a selection of what has been appearing in the garden since your last visit.

The honeysuckle is just beautiful growing at the side of the old shed. <

Laburnum

Foxglove

Solomonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seal

Escallonia

The roses are wonderful again, although they are not lasting long as the heavy rain dashes them and they lose their petals quickly, but here are a few photos. The plants are all from cuttings taken over the years.

The Bog has almost disappeared under the lush undergrowth and is very boggy now, as the stream has flooded into it.

The Very Boggy Bog As I have just mentioned, the stream is in full flood. Here is a photo. The second photo is of the drive which now has its own little brook thanks to the overflowing stream.

The Stream The bedding plants are doing well, I do still have more to plant out and it is getting a bit late, but I will get them planted somehow dressed in my mac and wellies.

The Drive

There were so many projects I had in mind for this summer that are not even started, let alone finished trellis to put up, sheds to paint for example. However there is always another year and the garden still manages to take your breath away just doing its own thing. I hope I can at least get something done to show you in the next issues.

The main fight I have at the moment is with the snails! They are everywhere and so huge, just eating everything day and night. My usual coffee grounds do not work as the rain washes them onto the soil. So off they go, chomping everything before them. I have a new everlasting sweet pea plant and they just love it.

It must taste extra special to them. I suppose I’d better stop ranting on. I’ll just keep removing them from my plants and taking them down to the copse; they have to eat and I don’t mind them eating the weeds down there.

Here is a photo. I suppose they are unusual creatures. This one has been caught in the act of eating my new sweet pea. It has nearly made it to the top of the trellis, and boy can these things eat.

I see that the photo of the snail did not put you off the custard creams as they have all disappeared, though I think I had more than my share.

Oh look, it has actually stopped raining so I will let you get your coats! You may even get home before it starts again but I am not making any guarantees.

Thank you again for joining me. I enjoyed your visit as always, and look forward to meeting with you again in the next issue.

Until then, think of me chasing snails in the rain in The Garden.

Your green fingered friend Tina Guess what we have cows again don’t they just get

This article is from the August 2012 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Good Morning to Moo!

Tina in the Garden

This article is from the October 2012 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

H

i! Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Tina

Glad that you could all get here today as it is a beautiful sunny day. Yes I agree, one of the few. Shall we have our tea out in The Garden and take advantage of the sunshine? It really is looking spectacular at the moment. The hydrangeas are better than ever before and so are the rest of the plants, thanks to all the rain.

There are a few more weeds as I have not been able to be as diligent with the weeding. It was just too wet even for me.

Perhaps I should mention that this visit is in the last week of August so it will not look like October when it appears in the magazine, but I hope the bright colours will help to cheer up the autumn for you all. However we could have an Indian summer, you just never know!

First of all, do you remember the new everlasting sweet pea the snails were chomping on? Well it defeated them in the end and although the lower leaves are shredded, it has now reached the top of the trellis and is producing so many beautiful flowers.

The hanging basket has also excelled this year.

Shall we go around the garden first and enjoy our tea on our return?

The patio is looking good and the rain has certainly saved me from all the watering I would normally have to do in the summer. There is always a plus side to everything, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you think?

Do you like the new flower bed that my better half made in the autumn last year.?It is great, and has been made from a spare piece of window sill left by the fitters when we had our windows replaced a couple of years ago. He really is wonderful and can always come up with some material when I ask and make a good job.

The plants seem to thrive as they have more soil than when in pots and the Agapanthus looks so exotic.

This patio rose was originally one of four miniature roses which I bought from the reduced plants section of the garden centre. It is my favourite department as with a little TLC, the plants have a new lease of life. But I digress. About three years ago I set these small roses out one summer as they did not seem happy indoors. Unfortunately I lost the other three over the following winters but this one is a fighter and so pretty.

The Honeysuckle and the Passion Flower are both doing well on the fence.

This lily is so beautiful and the perfume is wonderful. Do you remember the Acanthus last year? It is just as good, if not better, this year. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leaves have such a lovely shape and are a beautiful lush rich green.

Do be careful on the steps as the Montbretia is hanging over and still very wet. Talking of this plant, it really is the most wonderful one I have in the garden. I move it all over and it also spreads like crazy, but just look at the colour of it at this time of year.

Another plant which spreads is the Day Lily and these flowers take your breath away. They, of course only last for a day, but if you dead head them they will continue to produce further flowers for a considerable time. They have lasted longer this year because of the weather.

The roses are still flowering as well as ever.

Here we have the Hydrangeas. They have done so well this year and what a selection of colours! As the flowers open, the colours change, as you can see. As I have mentioned before, the colour depends on the type of soil.

These are all cuttings taken from four plants which in their original position, produced only pink flowers.

How do you like the Artichokes? They are spectacular this year. When we first arrived here, I found one plant in a pile of rubble and they produce more every year. I just keep splitting the plants and moving them to a new position. I think it might be time to have a look at that in the spring as they are getting quite big. The Phormium are planted on a slope as they love well drained soil; they do hate wet feet, as do we all.

Here is the pond. It does look quite good now. It did need a good clean after the winter but is so small it was not much of a job and the water was soon clear again. I am a little disappointed that nothing has taken the opportunity to make itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home there, as I was very careful when cleaning it. I still live in hope for next year.

Now we are at the bog. My better half has made a path a little way into it so you will not all disappear. As you can see, he is in the process of making a natural pond. It is still in the early stages but maybe the wildlife will be more at home here than in a shower tray.

Well we will make our way back to the patio and enjoy our tea, and as we have had a little exercise, maybe some scones and jam. That will inspire us as we make the walk back as it is uphill.

I would like to thank you all again for visiting, and I hope you enjoyed an end of summer visit to The Garden.

Your green fingered friend,

Tina

This article is from the December 2012 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Tina in the Garden H

i! I'm Tina, Welcome to the garden.

Do come in and make yourselves comfortable. It's a little chilly this morning, the kettle is on and the custard creams are at the ready.

While we enjoy them let's have a look at some of the plants which have been appearing in the garden since your last visit at the end of August. The above photos were taken in October. Now, of course, it is the first week in November so there are the last of the summer colours to enjoy.

The trees have kept their leaves for longer this year, perhaps as a result of all the rain.

Some of the bedding plants were too good to take out when the time came for planting the bulbs and wallflowers, so I left them in and planted in between, I can always replace them later with some winter pansies or primroses.

The patio has really been beautiful this year, and I managed to enjoy the odd cup of tea between the showers. The roses are from the garden.

I must show you more of the roses.

These photos were taken about mid October, as I have cut them down lower now to avoid them being caught by the winter winds which loosens the roots.

They grew so amazingly tall this summer I almost needed a step ladder to cut them and some were definitely above my head.

As I have mentioned before, I do plant the pieces which I cut off but not if they have carried a flower. Just put them in pot as you would any other cutting and leave them in a sheltered spot, or if you have the space, straight in the garden.

Of course there is no guarantee they will root, because in gardening, as with other things, we have to have hope. But over the years I have been very lucky.

You can label the cutting, noting the colour or just plant them and have a surprise when they flower.

Planting for Spring

Refreshing break

The hydrangeas are still good but have changed colour to fit into the Autumn landscape.

As you can see by the photo of the drive (on the right) we saw the full beauty of them, followed by the nerines which

Above - Roses

Below - The Drive

were a little later coming into flower this year. The drive is still very wet and although we have a 4x4, my better half had to put on some wood chippings as we were finding it difficult to get up. We have never experienced this before - just shows how much rain we have had.

I have never known an autumn when there has been so much water in the stream. It is already full to capacity and you can actually see the

September

October

water in the bog. The photo, which I like to call â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;no barbecue todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, was taken early October but could have been any time this summer.

The rain, however, has made the plants very happy and they have grown very well.

The Russian vine has covered the seat and is trying to cover the fence as well. I had to cut it back just to get to the seat.

Needless to say the watering can in the picture was not used this year, but it is always there if we need to use it as we take water from the stream nearby.

No Barbecue today!

It has not been a good year for fruit,. The blossom came out early and then it turned cold. The wind swept across the garden and killed them all except for two apple trees which were protected by formium that wonderful versatile plant which we have used all over the garden for its beauty, but it is useful too. So we did have a few apples, not to many crab apples though.

We did have some lovely butterflies. The rest of the summer was so wet for the poor things but the few sunny autumn days gave them a chance.

Here is a true sign of Autumn - the Michaelmas daisies. The bees and the butterflies just love them.

The Pampas is out again in all its glory, it's soft plumes waving in the breeze. It never fails to amaze me that after the rain it looks just like a bedraggled feather duster, and in no time after the rain is gone, the wind blows it out again all soft and fluffy.

Seed heads have their own beauty too as you can see from the artichokes. I do not pick them for, although I do like the taste, I cannot seem to get the hang of cooking them correctly. They are always hard and stringy, so I just enjoy the spectacular show they give as plants every single year.

The hawthorn is sporting lots of berries again this year but the holly trees do not seem to have many. The main holly was in a hedge which did get a little out of hand and had to be seriously cut down.

Moving all the trimmings, or should I say branches, down to the copse was not an easy job. My better half said it was the best workout heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d had in a long time.

Although he added that maybe we should not leave it so long to cut it next time. I did take a photo as the whole of the patio was covered with foliage, but unfortunately as I took it from the conservatory there were a lot of reflections. Just goes to prove once again that I am a gardener not a photographer, so you will I am afraid have to use your imagination, which I know as crafters you have in abundance.

As you all are very talented crafters I have not done a Christmas project this year. I will leave it to the professionals, and will just add a few more photos of The Garden.

How about this one of the Honeysuckle at sunset? It is lovely and a little different .

Shall we just have a walk out through the Autumn garden before you leave? I am pleased that you all bought your wellies you will need them as it is a little damp.

Michaelmus Daisies

Artichokes

Pampas

Hawthorn

May I just take the opportunity to thank you all for taking the time to visit again with me in the garden. It has been a pleasure as always.

This time before Christmas is a very busy time for you all, with business as well as the normal preparations for Christmas, which in themselves can be stressful enough. So just take a break now and then, have a cup of tea or whatever takes your fancy, look out of your window at your garden, be it trees, flowers or grass. If you are in a flat look out at the sky or a beautiful vase of flowers; nature will give you a little peace.

I am sure you will work better and it will stimulate your creative spirit.

So from me, Tina and my better, half I wish you all a very successful and happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year, and look forward to seeing you all again for the first visit of the new year to the garden.

Your green fingered friend,

Tina

This article is from the February 2013 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Tina away from the Garden H

i I'm Tina

I trust that you have all recovered from the celebrations of Christmas and New Year and that you all had a wonderful time.

We are here again starting another year in the Garden. Do leave your umbrellas and your wellies in the usual place.

January and it's STILL RAINING. It seems impossible that we can have so much rain for so long; we will all be developing web feet and gills at this rate.

Do sit down and we will enjoy our cup of tea and a slice of cake, no way are we going outside in the garden today.

The garden is enjoying the rain as always and when it stops, (if it stops) and the sun comes out the spring flowers will all spring forth.

So I think we will all go to Hawaii, how does that sound? Let's go to the Sunshine.

My better half and I took a trip there last year and I would very much like to share with you the beauty of these wonderful islands.

We flew to Los Angeles. I will not go into details of that, you all know how I love flying. But we did have time to take a tour and there were plenty of flowers in the city, even with all the traffic.

We picked up a cruise ship, which I do love, a very civilized way to travel. It took three days to reach the first island and we docked in Hilo, on the big Island and set off on an excursion.

Just beautiful warm sunshine, palm trees and so many flowers.

Oh and there are waterfalls everywhere.

We arrived at the macadamia nut factory. I have never seen a factory set in the most wonderful garden. Here is just a small sample of the flowers we saw there.

Then we went into the shop. Oh chocoholics, you would have been in heaven! I was. There were macadamia nuts covered in all different flavours of chocolate and free samples. I really did not ever want to leave .

My better half did finally get me out in the end and back onto the bus.

No, this is not Jurassic Park, however some of the scenes for the film were shot on one of the other islands. What a dramatic place to visit.

I took so many photos on this trip it was hard to choose which to show you.

We called at an orchid nursery. Here are just a couple of photos as there were so many different kinds.

The next day we arrived at Honolulu, on the island of Oahu and guess what,it was raining, dark and a bit stormy. But by the time we left the ship it had stopped (don't we wish that would happen here). We boarded the bus and set off along the bay en route to the cemetery and the memorial to Pearl Harbour. We were to going to the memorial which has been erected out in the harbour on top of the wreck of the Arizona. Both of us were looking forward to seeing this but it was not to be. You have to travel on a small boat to get out to it and because the water was choppy they were not taking it out. It was such a shame and we were really disappointed.

Next was the island of Kauai. This was my favourite and there were more waterfalls.

We were taken to the hotel where they made the the film Blue Hawaii, but before we could leave the bus we had to sign a disclaimer to say we entered at our own risk. Evidently it had been damaged by a hurricane some years ago and is derelict. It was so sad but also beautiful as the plants and trees were taking over and creating a mystic feeling that was really special.

Just look out side at the rain it has not stopped yet, so letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have another cup of tea, although we had better not have any more cake as we must not over indulge.

Let's look instead at this sun kissed beach.

Now we all feel better, don't we?

The next island was Maui and we were on the bus again on our way up into the mountains to the Haleakala National Park.

We made a stop and I managed to get a photo of some protea flowers I know they grow in South Africa but evidently they grow in Hawaii too. They are very exotic and do not look real.

We carried on up and up until we reached the park. This is a plant called a Silver Sword and it grows in the lava fields.

Then we were there. No, not the moon, but just look at the colours! Unbelievable. What a landscape. Just another of natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wonders to take your breath away.

Down we came. We seemed to get down a lot quicker than we got up, and we stopped for a meal.

Don't forget that we were on a cruise they had to feed you at least every two hours!

This was another nursery. Who needs food with views and plants like these, but the buffet was good too, and you have to test the cooking, don't you?

It is now time to say goodbye to the beautiful islands of Hawaii, and just look - I managed to get my favourite mode of travel in the photo.

I have only just given you a small taste of their beauty and the atmosphere really has to be experience. Once seen, you will never forget them. I know I will not.

Three more days at sea, what a way to travel. I think my clothes have shrunk though as they feel a little tighter.

Oh no, it can't be all these desserts, can it?

Back to Los Angeles and my favourite, the airport and the plane, but not to grumble, I could not have got to Hawaii without them both.

I do hope I have given you a little taste of the Sunshine, and I think the rain has finally stopped.

Thank you all for coming it is always a pleasure to share my photos with you all and I look forward to your next visit to The Garden, you never know it might have stopped raining by then. Who knows?

See you in the next issue, Your green fingered friend,

Tina

on the golf course!

Tina in the Garden

Hi I'm Tina !

Yes you did read it correctly I am on the golf course and not in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Gardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, because I am on my yearly trip to Florida.

There are so many golf courses here I thought you might like to share the beauty of them with me.

I just love being outside in the fresh air, but the golf I produce however leaves a lot to be desired.

Over here in Florida they are all wanting rain as it has been a very dry summer they tell me; I keep saying they could definitely have had some of ours. There you are, as always we all want what we do not have.

All the courses are irrigated - there are miles and miles of underground pipes. The water used is from the lakes and ponds, most of which are man-made.

Here are just two, there are so many and all so different, but all beautiful. When they are watering though it can be a little smelly.

The Lakes and ponds are stocked periodically with fish, but fishermen are not allowed - they are just for the birds who flock in their thousandsâ&#x20AC;Ś who wouldn't for a free meal. There is the odd alligator and snake, and turtles which are not the most attractive, but give me those any day rather than the other two. Well it is Florida after all.

Many of the birds are residents, these in the photo are herons and wood storks. The storks are really big birds and seem to look even bigger when they fly, which they do a lot from one pond or lake to another. The delicate white birds are white Ibis, and boy you should see them dig out the worms and insects with those beaks. Sand cranes are really unusual with their pretty red heads; they are large and so noisy, you always know when they are around.

Not a lot of flowers are used, just the odd perennials.

The plants and shrubs are green all year, it is very cleverly done. It is central Florida so there are a lot of the live oaks with Spanish Moss as you may remember from last year's article.

If you are a new reader you should check out the past issues. They are just packed with good ideas.

Ok enough of the commercials now back to the program. Let's get back on the golf course, our friends are very patient with me and my camera, but maybe I would play better if I concentrated on the golf as much as I do on the photos. Well that is my better half's opinion, and he may well be right.

What a feature this dead tree makes, quite beautiful!

As with the lakes all the courses are very different from the rustic ones of the old Florida to the new more manicured ones.

Now I am off on a totally different subject, I do this as you know, but I just had to share with you this new top which I bought. Just read it, it is me isn't it! Well me and the garden and I had to come all the way to Florida to find it. I just could not resist it.

But we can always do with a new top anyway, can't we girls?

Good sign for a golf course don't you think?

This photo is a little different - a frosty morning in Florida, yes they do have them here in central Florida.

But of course it does not stay long, then the warm sunshine is back.

It is early March as I write this but before I close I will just update you with a few photos that show how the garden was looking in February.

It has kept remarkably green, could that possibly be due to all the rain do you think? Some parts of the Bog are turning into ponds and the water Iris are just peeping up through the water. A natural pond without all the work can't be bad, and they look so clean and fresh. A few spring flowers are beginning to make an appearance.

Well I will leave you now to enjoy the rest of your day, or morning or evening whatever time it is with you, as of course we have readers and friends all over the world.

What a wonderful thought.

Thank you for joining me again and I look forward to your visit in the next issue when I will be once more in The Garden, I can't wait.

See you then.

Your green fingered friend,

Tina This article is from the April 2013 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

This article is from the June 2013 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Tina in the Garden

Hi! I'm Tina, Yes I am back in the garden and very pleased to welcome you all on this beautiful spring day. We will have our tea in the conservatory where we can see the garden and enjoy the sunshine, as the wind is a still little cold.

It is the May Bank Holiday and I don't believe this weather. We never get this on a Bank Holiday do we? Spring has really arrived!

So shall see what has been appearing in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Gardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; since your last visit.

We had the early daffodils but it was still so cold, now everything is coming out so fast the bluebells are only just going to come out before the trees have their leaves. They are also spreading all over the garden I just keep finding them everywhere, what a bonus.

The forsythia has been absolutely gorgeous and so many primroses just everywhere, the tulips also such bold colours.

There is some blossom on one of the crab apples but the other two have been in the path of the cold winds, the pears and apple trees have blossom but not as much as in other years. But just look at the delicate pink and white blossoms, and the fresh young leaves.

Above - Forsythia Left - Apple Blosson Right - Tulips Below - Crab Apple Blossom

So many shades of green and so fresh and vibrant, the trees don't need blossom they are beautiful with just the leaves.

There is the cow parsley it looks wonderful in the summer with its lacey white blooms, but now what a wonderful shade of green. Also the water mint which is wild, not to be confused with cultivated mint, smells the same but is not edible. It is very pretty and shows more shades of green.

Of course we have our resident crow, same tree, same nest it just keeps getting bigger each year, it is so special to see them bring up a new family every year. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help saying yet again nature really is wonderful.

Cow Parsley

Water Mint

Resident Crow

The Bog has dried out a lot and the water iris are coming up so fast you can almost see them growing. The marsh marigolds are just finishing now but have been like a patch of golden sunlight.

The clematis in the hidden garden is in bud and the grapevine, if this sunshine keeps up the will be out in all their glory very soon. The skimmia grew so big last year it is huge now and is flowering and smells just wonderful.

The parsley came through the winter well but I lost the thyme and sage.I will have to restock the herb pots this year. Also I was so pleased and surprised to find that some cuttings which I had taken of roses and shrubs have survived , I just left them in a sheltered spot in the hidden garden.

Also the roses are all getting their new leaves and I have been trimming the dead wood from them where it was killed by the cold winter winds,just tidying them up a bit. Also the passion flower was damaged by the winter and I had to cut it well back, I will keep you informed of its progress.

At the moment I am sure you can almost see the leaves coming out and the plants coming up. After the cold winter this sunshine is wonderful long may it last, not just for the plants but for us to.

66

The rain last year was good for the garden and some of the plants need pruning back a bit but with the cold weather lasting so long it has to be done quickly or it will be to late. The Russian vine over the seat being just one. Did I say over the seat you could hardly see the seat at all, I had to get my better half to attack that and he came through as usual.

In some of the wild parts of the garden we have brambles, (well my better half does love blackberry and apple pie) and they are a lovely free fruit. But boy did they love the rain last year and the fact that it was so wet we could not get out to deal with them and they have spread like mad so we are on the offensive but they do fight back. Of course I am not going to show you a photo of brambles I will leave that to your imagination .

Well I think I have talked enough so I will show you some random photos.

The garden really is so special at the moment so new and exciting, I am snapping photos all the time.

Oh! I guess we drank the tea and ate the biscuits, so who's for a walk in the sunshine this beautiful Spring day?

Thank you all for taking the time to visit with me, and I look forward to seeing you all again in the next issue when I will again be in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Gardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Your green fingered friend,

Tina

67

This article is from the August 2013 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine Hi! I'm Tina, What a beautiful day! We will sit on the patio and enjoy a nice cool glass of lemonade and some fresh fruit, I just love the summer.

Here we are the second week in July, how did we get here so soon. It won't be long until Christmas at this rate. The garden is in such a hurry as the winter lasted so long this year.

First, as usual I will bring you all up to date with what has been happening in ‘The Garden’ since your last visit.

I had a very unusual plant. It was a foxglove, one of many but very different as you will see. Here is the story. With me there is always a story!

In the spring after the bulbs have finished flowering in the pots on the patio, I give them some new compost and slow acting fertilizer and put them over at the side of the conservatory to rest for the summer. In late September I bring them back to the patio and tidy them

up a little, add compost, maybe the odd primrose plant.

This time I was surprised to see the pots full of young foxgloves, where the seed came from I have no idea.

Well, we gardeners as you know cannot waste any plant, why would you, so I carefully moved them all to the flower bed below the patio. There they were all through the cold winter and then late May they started to grow and grow. Making such strong growth, beautiful plants I thought they were all the wild variety which grow all over the garden but no, when the buds came some were cream and two plants had the usual foxglove bells but the flower at the top of the spike was really different as you will see. Then these two plants gradually changed to all pink and they have been just wonderful. The flowers are fading now, but of course I have photos.

“Is this your first visit to ‘The Garden’?”

The tale of an unusual foxglove!

Remember these bedding plants from last year, well here they are again. I cannot believe that they came through the cold winter.

The apples and pears are forming well now that the blossom has gone looks like it will be a good year for fruit.

I always show you the Bog as it is a special favourite with my friend The Crystal Lady and she is the editor after all.

So here it is and looking a little different, more growth it must be all the water last year. But it always has this mystical feel, to me anyway.

Here are a few of the plants which have been performing in the garden since your last visit.

Aquilegia

Allium

Valarian

Campanula

Now shall we have a walk around the garden as it is such a lovely day?

Laburnum

Water Iris

The lampranthus are looking wonderful,they just love the sunshine, well, don't we all.

Here we are at the star performers of the summer the roses, they are always so beautiful. I will apologise to you regular readers as you have seen them every August for four years, but I am sure that you feel as I do they never lose their appeal. As this is a real garden we do have repeat performances but some how they are never quite the same.

Well take your time feel free to walk around and enjoy the garden, sit and in the sunshine a while, who knows how long it will last so let's take advantage of it while we have the chance.

I will leave you now as I have some weeds awaiting my attention.

It was a pleasure as always to have you visit with me in the garden, and I look forward to meeting with you again in the next issue.

Your green-fingered friend

Oh, by the way I saw this little item on the Foxglove, I do hope it's true.

This is the flower of the Faerie, legend says when the foxglove bows its head the Faerie folk are passing by.

Thus it is considered lucky to have foxglove growing from seed in your garden.

Maybe I can find some more on other flowers in the coming issues. Watch this space.

This article is from the October 2013 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine Hi! I'm Tina Welcome once more to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Gardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. I am so glad that you took the time to visit again.

Do sit down and enjoy the lovely September sunshine. We must mention September to the readers as this article is of course in the October issue of the magazine. The Garden is beautiful throughout the year, but there is just something extra special about the early Autumn or as I like to call it, late summer.

First of all here are some of the performers in the Garden since your last visit.

We were away for a couple of weeks in late July, not a good idea, look what happened while we were away its Bind Weed and it was everywhere.

Just cannot take your eyes off this garden in the growing season. Boy does it grow!

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Mystery!

In the last Issue we had the saga of the unusual foxglove. Well, I have another intriguing plant. Now please no yawning, it is interesting so please bear with me.

How excited I was! Off to the gardening books, wildflower books, I could not find out what it was. It really became an obsession. My poor better half despaired of me.

Oh! You are not looking for that plant again are you? Well, I was every minute in all of those books.

Then I mentioned it to my dear friend the Crystal Lady. Well in no time at all she had it. Looked on the Internet of course, as I said in the very first issue she is a wiz with technology. So I had it, was it some exotic unknown plant? or a new hybrid?

No I am afraid it was a bit of a let down, it was Buckwheat. How did it get in the garden?, well evidently according to the Internet the seeds are used in bird food, and yes I have a bird. He is a cockatiel and when he sorts through his seed any left in the pot I put out for the wild birds. So mystery solved, not half as exciting as I hoped, but it is quite a pretty plant and I do love them all.

Ok you may all yawn now, I will understand.

Well, it is the first week of September so the Autumn plants are just starting to perform. The Common Fleabane is a wild flower some may say weed. I prefer wild flower and it's golden daisies are a real rich Autumn colour.

2 1 3

The fruit is just unbelievable this year the trees cannot stand the weight it will be an early and fantastic harvest.

4

5

6

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Phormium Pentstemon Crab Apples Pears Blackcurrants Apple Tree

As this is the October issue, Halloween and all that, here are some toadstools. Are they a little spooky?

Ok maybe not, I do try you know.

There is unfortunately not a photo of the Bog as I have not ventured in there as it is an insects paradise at the moment. I know they have to live somewhere, but they do bite when disturbed so I will leave them to enjoy having it to themselves for a while.

My better half was trimming the hedge and had to cut these hops off. They are so delicate and unusual.

The Butterflies this year have been just wonderful, and here is just one of the many photos I have taken.

When you see this article in the October magazine it will remind you of the close of the really beautiful summer of 2013.

My better half has the barbecue going and this may be the last this year. But enough talking, lets enjoy the food. Yes, maybe we will over indulge, just a little.

See you all again in the next issue, oh no! It will be nearly Christmas again, time sure does fly.

Your green fingered friend,

Tina

Tin

This article is from the December 2013 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Hi I'm Tina, Welcome again to the garden. Do make yourselves comfortable, I am afraid you picked a rainy day but that is not too difficult at the moment. At least it isn't windy, I was surprised we did not lose any trees recently.

The tea is made and shall we have a little treat, a nice cream cake to cheer us up on this rainy day.

I also have some sunny pictures of the garden taken since your last visit, they should help too.

We are of course enjoying your visit at the beginning of November and the article will appear in the Christmas issue so the garden does not look too much like winter. That comes soon enough anyway, so let us keep it off a little longer. We have photos from late September and October.

September is the month of Michaelmas Daisies. They have appeared before in my articles in the magazine. Also the silver plant as I like to call it, which was an annual of a few summers past which so far has survived the winters, fingers crossed for this year.

How many of you remember the silver plant? Some of you? Well done. I will be making checks like this in the future so don't forget to get the next issue. I must not be bossy, but I don't want you to miss out there is always so much good stuff in there.

In my last article I had an unusual plant. See what you missed if you did not get the October issue!

Well this month it is an unusual fungi. It arrived and grew under where the foxglove were. OK another test, which issue where they in?

But I digress as usual, a bad habit of mine I know.

Well it arrived and only lasted one day, turned brown and disappeared, and that was it, gone. I checked and it was a Scarlet Elf Cup, it has a long latin name but as you know I don't tend to use those. I am just going by pictures and I am no expert on fungi or anything else for that matter.

It did appear underneath the foxglove and remember what I read about those and the Faerie? Well just look at its name. Very strange don't you think.

Well enough of that. Next plant, I have two photos of the Fatsia. One before it came out and one almost in full bloom and they are both so different. Yes, this also has appeared before as with some others, the problem being the garden is full of perennials and that is just what they do keep appearing, but I do try to get different photos every year.

Fatsia Before Fatsia - Almost fully open

opening.

Here are the Hops you saw them when the were green and now they are brown, another unusual and beautiful plant. They are wild too, just another gift of nature to the garden.

Here is the Sedum a self set, I could not have managed to plant it there. But it looks perfect.

I just have to show you a rose, and this one does look like an Autumn rose.

This is also a time for grasses. They are so beautiful waving their delicate heads in the autumn sunshine.

As we have already eaten our cake here is a photo of a much healthier option that would have been much better for us.

It was a very good year but I should have removed more of the bunches early then the fruit would have been larger. I will do that next year, but they were very sweet if a little small.

Now this article is in the Christmas issue so I just had a look around for a seasonal plant and saw a Christmas Cactus. They look such delicate plants but are very easy to look after, do not need much water and after they finish flowering they are an attractive green plant. Keep them indoors but in the summer when the nights are warm they can go outside. But well before it gets cold bring them back inside a little new compost and some food and they will flower again for you. They are very good inexpensive gift.

If you want to make them a bit more special you can put them in a pretty container or basket.

I just know as expert crafters you will have lots of novel ideas.

Also in the Christmas mood here is Holly. It is a beautiful plant with its berries, but just look at its delicate flowers

of the photos r the quality f!

Apologies fo ite up to snuf ey are not qu this time, th d ly giving up an era was slow t bu My little cam ograph ter this phot finally died af e for on w ne a ised Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been prom Christmas.

Well all too soon it is time for you to leave, time goes quickly when you are with friends.

Thank you for taking the time to visit with me again in the garden.

We will be making some changes in the spring and summer next year and I look forward to sharing their progress with you all.

Have a wonderful and profitable Christmas and I look forward to visiting with you all in the New Year.

Your green fingered friend,

Tina

Hi! I'm Tina, Well here we are the first of the new seasonal magazines.

Valentines day is almost here as I am writing this in the first week of February, and Easter is yet to come.

I am sorry that you all could not visit me in The Garden, but as you see I am not there. I am making my usual winter visit to Florida.

As I have mentioned before I love flying (I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really), but I love to visit here. So this year we came by sea and it was a great trip. It took two weeks! It was hard, no cooking, no cleaning, no washing, I don't know how I survived. I enjoyed it so much it was a holiday in itself.

Ponta Delgada

We left from Copenhagen in Denmark, a really beautiful city, sailed into the Baltic Sea, then the North Sea and into the Atlantic Ocean. The first and only stop was made in the Azores (a group of small islands in the Atlantic), they are Portuguese.

We docked in Ponta Delgada on the Island of San Miguel.

It was a damp and misty Sunday morning and we thought we should take an excursion to see the island.

Our first stop was in the town of Ribeira Grande, it had some quaint Portuguese buildings and the river ran though the town.

Ribeira Grande

Gardens Then through some lovely gardens and out into the Atlantic Ocean. Most shops were closed but that did not worry me, I was quite happy in the gardens with my camera.

We then got back on the bus as we were going up into the mountains to see the lake which looked a beautiful blue on the photos shown to us when we booked the excursion.

On the way up we stopped at some hot springs, it was quite a walk but well worth it.

Hot Springs

The Colours in the rocks were amazing, and just look at this forest of tree ferns.

There was a swimming pool (we did not try it as we had further to go), but it looked very tempting.

Remember the bind weed I was fighting all summer in The Garden, well they had it too, but a lot more colourful. If mine was this pretty I would leave it alone.

It does however seem to have my other problem the snails and slugs. Or maybe something more exotic but just as greedy judging by the holes.

Then back on the bus and on to the Lake. We kept climbing on the narrow road with a steep drop on either side. The mist got thicker, by now it was fog we could not see a thing. We were all a little worried, except the driver who luckily seemed unconcerned, this made us all feel a lot better.

We stopped as we had arrived at the lake, but could not see a thing through the window, just the thick fog.

Then our guide asked if we would like to get out.

Someone asked is the view any better outside and we were told no. As it was wet and thick fog we all declined. So back we went all the way down the mountain. I have to say it was not the most rewarding visit.

Pineapple Farm

Next we arrived at the pineapple farm which was very interesting, a small family business. They grew the pineapples from small cuttings in a series of greenhouses. I could not resist taking a photo of this statue and the beautiful bougainvillea which grew everywhere.

The weather was beautifully warm and humid, but still grey. I love the warm humid weather, my better half just hates it, he is happy at 60 or 70 degrees. It would not do for us all to be the same would it.

Well back on the ship bound for Florida, for some sunshine and to meet up with all of our good friends. I am sure that they do get some sunshine in the Azores but unfortunately we missed it. Maybe next time.

Here in Florida there are some beautifully kept gardens some of the plants are similar to at home, but others are totally different.

Here is the dahlia which we all know and love, but this other beauty is a desert rose. I would love some of those in The Garden, but they would not care for our weather I am afraid.

Back in Florida

I am having a great time here but am looking forward to getting back to The Garden.

With our new four seasons magazine of course I will be giving you three months of what has happened in The Garden in one article, I will never manage to get it all in will I. I will let you all get on now as I am sure you are all busy with work and family.

Maybe you relaxed a little on your trip across the Atlantic Ocean with me I do hope so, and I look forward to our next meeting when I will be back at home in The Garden.

See you then, Your green fingered friend

Tina

FUN FACTS The Pineapple

This article is from the March 2014 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

This article is from the June 2014 Issue of Creative Crafting Magazine

Hi I'm Tina, It is the second week of May and I would like to welcome you all back to the garden.

Do make yourselves comfortable I have made the tea and have chocolate biscuits today, yummy.

If you are one of my regular readers you will know that we have been visiting Florida for a number of years in the winter while the garden is sleeping. Well, now we have a small home there with guess whatâ&#x20AC;Ś a garden! Nothing like the English one as there could never be one quite like this one, but a small space with colourful flowers.

This means that in the winter when we visit I will be able to show you the Floridian Garden.

So watch this space next spring, to see our new garden.

In the last article do you remember our visit to the Azores with the dull weather? Well on our way home from Florida we visited again and I just had to show you the difference. The sun was shining it was beautiful but it was about 5 months later. In the town square there were some plants for sale. Gardening is the same the world over.

I was away for longer this year and missed the spring flowers, which I love so much.

My good neighbour told me they were beautiful. The garden is just romping away, everything is trying to come into bloom at once.

Everyday there is something new I just can't keep up, my camera will be red hot.

When we returned, unfortunately the strong winds had done some damage although not too much, we were really lucky. The greenhouse has lost some panes, but that can be replaced.

The main damage was to a large fir tree.

As you will see it had two trunks one has completely broken off, the wind must have been really strong to have caused this. It has not done too much damage that we can see at the moment. We are waiting for a friend with a chainsaw to help my better half to cut it up and remove it. I should then be able to see just how many plants have been flattened. But they are very resilient and will soon pop up again I am sure. The two crab apple trees are safe so that is good.

Here is the first picture of the year of the Bog, especially for our lady editor.

It has dried out a lot but there is still a lot of water in there somewhere.

The bluebells are as wonderful as ever and with the fresh green leaves it is truly magical.

Also the Sycamore trees are in full flower, maybe we don't always notice how special these trees are. Their leaves are so crisp and fresh after the winter, but just look at the detail in these flowers, another wonderful shade of green. Better not get me started about the shades of green in nature, I could go on all day. But just one then I will stop just look at this it is lichen very different, it is like fine lace.

I think we checked on some of the usual areas, now let's see which plants are performing in the garden at the moment.

Iris

Wisteria

The apple trees are just full of blossom this year, the winds seem to have missed them, we are so lucky.

The Butterflies are out early, here is a cabbage white. Good job I don't have cabbage.

Aquilegia

Rhododendron & Wallflowers

The foxglove are not so big this year and there are not so many, no special ones this time just the ordinary.

But they are beautiful and are bending their heads so I guess the fairies are still with us, that's good.

The clematis on the pergola looks good but the one in the secret garden has been completely damaged by the wind, I will have to cut it right down.

I just have to show you a sample of the wild flowers they are so delicate and have a beauty all of their own.

The red champion, and my very favourite the cow parsley.

Well, the garden is still bathed in sunlight and so peaceful and still, I think Summer is on its way.

Maybe you would like to stay a while and walk around, just enjoy its wonderful feeling.

But I will say goodbye until the next issue when I look forward to welcoming you all again to the garden.

Your green fingered friend

Tina

FUN FACTS The Bluebell or Wild Hyacinth Another flower beloved by the faerie. ( Yes I do find them don't I.) Folklore says that mortals who wander into bluebell rings will fall asleep and wake in a hundred years.

That would be interesting, but maybe I will stay on the path.

Seems a good way to deter clumsy mortals from crushing them underfoot too.

Also not so magical, the crushed bulbs provided starch for the ruffs of Elizabethan collars.

www.creative-crafting.com