Gardens

[Patches59]

@Dimity @Appleblossom @Shaz51 @Jynx 

Last night I watched short video on FB which I found interesting about making water dish for butterflies

Dig small to medium terracotta pot partially into the ground.  Place saucer from the pot on top, fill with bags of bright coloured pebbles (video suggested dark blue).  Final step, add enough water to cover the pebbles.  

video mentioned the pebbles will help attract the butterflies  whilst providing them area to land on.  Shallow depth of water being perfect for them.

[Dimity]

@Patches59 it's a shame you lost your mohave everlastings as butterflies like them. Gardens for Wildlife sometimes list plants good for butterfly feeding and breeding.

[Patches59]

My neighbour came over today @Dimity and took variety of measurements.  he is going to work out estimates for me of cost of sleepers to build 3 good size raised garden beds plus cost of other items needed.  With me wanting them approx 90cm tall, he has suggested laying piece of Ag-pipe in each.

going to be a slow process that will be expensive ….. cost of sleepers, stakes, rocks etc.   I’m looking forward to being able to plants without bending over.  once done I hope to buy couple Mohave plants 🤞

[Dimity]

It's good the raised beds will be more accessible @Patches59 . I haven't thought about workarounds for my eyesight. 

I finally planted my daffodils today.  Some were starting to sprout. I also started a couple of geranium cuttings. 

The grapefruit have started falling so I'll think about making marmalade.

It's very cold here and the reverse cycle a/c isn't enough. I hope you and your cats are keeping warm.

[Patches59]

@Dimity  Far too cold to be outside due to the wind.

if the sun is out and no wind, only thing garden wise I’m doing is trying to get rid of self sown seeds from the big osteospermum plants that used to grow both side of my drive way.

as kittens I got the cats used to curling up on my legs on a rug in the evenings.  As soon as it starts getting cold now I get stared at by at least one of them.  Feet on the small ottoman, blanket over my legs and they curl up together on me.  Yesterday afternoon there was couple of hail storms, sound startled them both.  Add 2nd blanket for them to hide in plus extra warm for me 😸

over night hasn’t been quite as cold last few nights but still taking couple of hours for reverse cycle air con to warm inside.  I miss the ducted heating I had in my last place

ive started tidying and sweeping the garage, might take another 2 or 3 days to finish, depending on my back.  I’ve started wearing brace on my right hand plus taking a tablet due to very painful, inflamed joint at base of thumb

[Appleblossom]

Was just outside doing a little in the garden @Patches59  yep I have a pesky joint on both hands at the base of the thumb.,,, ah.., getting old ain’t for cissies.

 @Dimity @Shaz51 … need to get some winter veggies in today.  

[Shaz51]

hello @Appleblossom , @Patches59 , @Dimity 

I did a little bit weeding today 😁

[Jynx]

@Patches59 ach so CUTE!! I may have to give that a go, love making my garden a nice spot for local bug life!! You should see all the preying mantids I get in the summer!! 

Good on ya @Shaz51 hehe I gotta get some done my own self! Might be a good time now that the ground is all soft. 

@Appleblossom @Dimity 💜

[Patches59]

I pulled out some weeds after walking home from croquet. @Shaz51

Felt good plus helped stretch out my back.  Need to get some spray for weeds growing through pebbles.

@Dimity  I’m unsure whether to buy a terracotta bird bath or bird bath that has been painted.    There is small wood work area here where I can ask for bird feeder on a post to be made, need to have some idea of design I want.    Fingers crossed I can, with help of neighbours, have backyard as I would like it to be, ready to starting planting late next year.

[Dimity]

@Patches59 my birdbath is a large terracotta dish with a blue glazed interior. The glaze makes it easier to wipe clean.

When I moved into my unit my dad made me a little bird table soon after. But it only attracted non-native birds and a few years later I was concerned about possible rats and mice .

I'm doing some physio to improve core strength to better support my back. It's cheaper at the community health centre than privately.  My previous gp gave me a few subsidised sessions on a care plan but that was a while back. I think it helps to keep moving when you can but sometimes you have to rest up.