Sometimes we use words and phrases without knowing their true origin. For example, today I heard someone say something was "in the offing". It's a funny expression when you really look at it, isn't it? I was impelled to find out more, and was surprised at the etymology and real meaning.

So, without reference to a dictionary or goggle-ducking, who can explain what, who, or where an offing is?

Does anyone remember the F Plan Diet? High Fibre. Well, this has nothing to do with that.

I've been thinking up yet another Plan for the garden focusing on priorities and realised how many "ingredients" begin with F.
Food
Fruit
Flowers
Foliage
Fragrance
Flavour
Ferment
Friends
Foes
Forest
Fertilise
Forage
FUN.

Any more F words before I Finalise my plan please?

Anyone got any ideas why my salvia hot lips has changed it flower colour to all red this year?
 Instead of it’s usually red & white. 
It’s not a young plant. It’s been here longer than me so it’s at least 8 years old. It did try to curl its toes up last year for some reason. So it’s about half the size it was. Don’t know what that was all about either. Nothing had changed that I know of . It was getting treated with the same amount of neglect as always    .

Something a little different.
Tomorrow, go outside and see what you can spot that is Purple - and, of course, report back

Can any one ID this please?

   


Sends runners in all directions...need to try and kill it off

I'm sure I've already started a thread on this ....but I may be losing my marbles!

I bought 45 taxus bare roots last Novembernot one of my better ideas - preparation for a hedge 

Anyway I planted them all up in MFB and they are all doing brilliantly.

Now I was wondering if I could make some into some lovely topiary - I'm sure I remember VC saying make some chickens  Or chess pieces.

Anyway - when would you start?

Should I make chicken wire sculptures to sit over the tree and cut it when it sticks out? What would you do? They are still small but putting on good growth now. 

I did go on you tube but they don't seem to show any starting from a small one foot stick. 

Someone on the island has put up pin hole cameras in lots of different locations. We had one on our fence post from winter equinox to summer equinox. 

This is the result.

   

I think it’s pretty amazing.

As usual, I have ended up with more tomato plants than I need. 

They're too leggy to give away and I know from experience that, if I plant them outdoors, they'll be blighted. 
Can't add them to the compost because.............every plant deserves a chance!
There's some empty space in GH No 2 where I usually grow toms - its about 8' long and I could plant 4/5 toms there - but which to choose - they're all equally deserving?
There's only one fair solution - plant them all and let the strongest toms win.
Result - 27 plants in a bed 8' x 2' - no pots, in old compost approx 4" deep.  About 7 plants in a 2x2 square.

       

Does anyone make their own willow supports???
I would love a go - I'm sure it would be reasonably straightforward but it's getting the sticks that bother me. I'm not cutting down my tres and I just had a little google at buying them and they cost a fortune!!!

What do you use as supports? I think the willow ones are beautiful as a feature in the garden. Most of mine are makeshift. Some not to be seen. 

Most plants that I grow need supporting in someway. I definitely favour cottage garden plants and they are often tall, sometimes floppy  and need a little help. 

I've just got myself another order of 6mm steel rods - wish I'd just bitten the bullet last year and bought loads when I did as the price increase was huge this year.

They charge for cutting - but I can't get 6metre lengths in the car   so even though cutting and delivery worked out the same for 40 rods thought I would get them delivered so that I didn't just have them in 3 metre lengths and can cut  some in 3 and have 2metres per support. A couple of my neighbours had some so it's worked out well having them delivered to be honest.

Any ideas what’s doing this to our lawn? It’s all over the grass...we are in the countryside here so maybe pheasant or deer or something else? No animal dropping anywhere to give us a clue! TIA