Ready, Set, Go!

wow what a year you have had Karen. No wonder you wish to simplify the gardening process. 60 is a great age, wisdom and the excuse [not that we need them] to take things at a more leisurely pace.

My main gardening plan is to get on top of and stay on top off the weeding. Snag there is if its nice weather hubby & I go out on one of the motorbikes.

I have started the clear up and need to get it sorted by mid April as our youngest Victoria, gets married from home at the end of April. I am focussing on the front garden but hope to get out to the back one too.

Thankfully when Elizabeth got married it was from the venue in Halifax so the garden didn't need anything drastic doing.

I'd like more height in the garden, it is very flat and hubby is reluctant to allow me more beds. haha claims the grass is bad enough to cut with out having to go round extra beds.

It sounds like you have had a full-on year, Karen, so I hope this year will allow you to take breath! It seems a sensible policy to cut down on the number of plants you have to deal with when you have so many other important calls on your time. Your garden will still look wonderful, I'm sure.

My plans? Well, I have to think (like a lot of people) how to repair the ravavges of drought then rain then ice then rain (then moles). I'm not sure what has survived yet. The hebes have gone, I know - but not much of a loss there. Except to concrete the lot I don't have many ideas!

Karen, I was so sad to read you have removed many of your lovely Roses, the 'Perennial Blue' cutting you kindly gifted me still grows well!

Our rose arch blew down in a gale force wind and I have yet to find two matching obelisks to put either side of the stepping stones. I have 'Iceberg' too, just need to give it some kind of support.

I have a milestone birthday too this year, 70 years young, and have acknowledged that I must take things easier since my heart procedure last April. It was difficult at first to sit awhile in the garden and not jump up to pull out a weed, or deadhead a spent bloom, but gradually I have got accustomed to it!

Michael and I went to Nymans Gardens this morning and saw Snowdrops, Crocus, Camellias, Cyclamens which were all beautiful and heart warming to see.

Thanks SBG…how about a few Standards for height. Photinia, rose, ceanothus etc. A wedding from home…lovely! Although I’m glad I didn’t have to cope with that. :)

Thanks Ange…step away from the Concrete mixer! :)

Shirley, I’m so glad you are feeling better after your heart issues. :) Nymans sounds lovely. I love a good winter garden.

Klahanie, thank you. I’m following an amazing garden in BC on Instagram. You have a great climate there. So much milder than the rest of Canada…and hummingbirds too! It’s a strange thing…I feel unsettled by all the travelling up and down the UK, but so so privileged to be able to do it. :)

Hi Karen, what a lovely blog, I already know how hectic your lives have been in the last year, your granddaughter is gorgeous and I'm loving watching her grow, I'm pleased you are able to spend so much time in Dorset, I've often wondered about your beautiful garden and wondered how you coped with being away for so long, all those changes do sound sad in some ways but I can fully understand, you love it too much to allow it to be neglected so those changes were neccessary, I have no doubt whatsoever that your little courtyard in Dorset will be an abundance of plants and colour...
I'm sorry you cannot go to Canada together but it will still be exciting for both of you, I knew Willow had a few problems but didn't realise it was as bad as that, I wouldn't want to leave her with strangers either if she was mine, its right what you said, they become family and are ours for life no matter what problems they might have later on..
I too am slowing down, mind you I'm way in front of you as regards age, apart from caring for what I already have, only one plan in mind, that is to change the rose garden, that won't happen until after all the bulbs and spring flowers have finished, I didn't grow any salad crops last year, good decision in the end because of the drought and extensive heat, haven't made my mind up yet whether to grow them or not this year, I might just close the g'house down again for the summer, similar reason as you just not as drastic, since hubby retired completely we like to go away most weekends and don't like having to ask people around to do the watering......

Aw, thanks LL! Lovely message. I hope you have some wonderful weekends away!