What have you done today in the Garden?

Oreti take care of the knee and sending good vibes on the doc visit. You are a good sister always looking in on your brother. It’s always a tough time . Keep us posted ok!

 

Too wet to do anything today, other than a walk around to see how things are doing.
The last of our rhodos has flowered, the tortoise shell one, as usual. The lawn is still recovering.
















These new rhodos in front of the bamboo at the bottom of the garden are doing well. I'll dead-head them tomorrow. They'll be a fast-growing variety, but that's what we want, to fill this gap.



We've two of these hydrangeas I bought earlier in the year, this one has flowered, but the other on the other end of the steps, hasn't. But it looks very healthy.






I've pruned off any dead wood from this acer palmatum Taylor. It now looks quite healthy. But it'll go back in the room in the garage again this winter.





We've no second bloom on the wisterias, as I prune off any side shoots that they produce, from where they would come. They are more trouble than they are worth.
It took me two hours on Wednesday afternoon to clear all the dead blossom around the twelve pots on the rose patio.

 

Looks magical DHR. As usual your garden never disappoints, always beautiful and as neat as a pin.
Adore the hydrangeas. Do you save and dry them for wreath dried arrangements ?

 

First day in a while that has no rain. Everything seems do be doing well considering how late I got it in. I think the critters (bother land and flying) may have moved the seeds around.

I don't know what these are, in the top picture They're in the carrot row. But they're so big compared to the rest. You can see the itty bitty ones beyond them and in front near the shadow, if you look close! The rain has made the potatoes shoot up.

 

Nothing today as Fridays are one of the days we go for a wander and some lunch out.

Thanks @Sjoerd and @Pacnorwest .
Not the the right place to post really but sadly my brother's Alzheimers has rapidly progressed in the last few months and due to his physical disabilities he is mostly bed bound now and usually in deep sleep when we visit. Yesterday he was awake but very agitated. He can't make any conversation now and doesn't recognise us at all. Heart breaking.

Consultant didn't share the same concerns as my Dr and thinks everything looks to be steadily progressing in the right order. He just repeated that everyone's experience of the healing process is different and comparisons shouldn't never be made ( which I haven't done as I was very aware of this from past family members experiences). He did think maybe my activity levels are a bit on the high side but knew from past chats that I like to be busy so suggested I make more time for resting up......shorter times of good quality rest periods are more beneficial than longer half hearted ones. Hmm he seems to know me too well.

I'm just not a sitter but will try harder. My charity fund raising knitting needs to be handed in at the end of June so I will sit and keep busy with a final knitting marathon during rest periods..

 

Heartbreaking news indeed. So sorry to hear that your bother is existing like that.

And you, young lady had better behave yourself or your gardening fun will be much less. Come on now, show a little backbone and take it easy.
Don’t mind me, I’m just talking big. Haha. But please do take care of yourself and those knees.

 

@Oreti , sorry about your brother being so sick with the Alzheimer's. It is a dreadful disease. I have worked in nursing homes, taking care of some with Alzheimer's and other dementias.

We are still having lots of rain. I have pulled more black eyed Susans to transplant. They are in a bucket of water until I can plant them. I have been harvesting raspberries and enjoying them. My strawberries seem to be taking a break??? Blackberries won't be ready until later in July.

The newest potatoes are up and going. The onions and horseradishes are doing well. My gingers are both up and going The rhubarbs look good so far... I need to tie up my raspberry bushes so I can get at them better. The tomatoes and peppers look nice, but we are getting so much rain here. The beets are up nicely. Carrots are still tiny. The beans look good. I have not seen any beans on them yet, nor peas on the pea vines.

friends will be working on my mowers in a couple days when the rains clear out.

 

More harvesting, tying in the beans again. The wind is hard, so the vine tips are swinging .
Gave water to the toms in the greenhouse.

 

Sorry of the progression of your brothers illness. It’s hard to watch. Same issue with my DH. We were all young and full of it , time seems to sneak up on us take a toll with the good, bad and the ugly. Sending blessings your way.

I’m with you I’m not much of a sitter either. Good your keeping up with your charming knitting pieces and for a good cause. Creative bottle tops . I saw this and thought of your clever knitted pieces . At first glance they fooled me thought they were real.

 

Thank you @Sjoerd , @AAnightowl and @Pacnorwest for your kind and supportive words/support.
I try and tell myself that with his memory now gone hopefully that in itself has acted as a cushion by protecting him from having the knowledge of what he's got now and of what he's lost ......if you get my meaning. He was only in his 50's when we realised things weren't right and got him diagnosed.

Fab pic @Pacnorwest .....you've given me ideas for further projects so it's been safely ' saved and stored' thank you.

@AAnightowl you and all your colleagues have my undying gratitude for the dedication, care and patience you all give your care home residents. Since my brother has required support from a wide range of sources I am truly amazed by all you lovely people.

@Sjoerd I will make it a priority to behave....the weather today is helping me in choosing wisely as well....thunder and rain are forecast .

 

Oreti, I'm sorry to hear about your brother. I personally don't know how that would be, but I know how hard it was watching my mom after her brain tumor. I would never wish either for anyone.

Pac, I love those! Kind of makes me wish I crocheted or knitted better ( but not enough to do it).

I've been up for several hours now (thanks cat, and having just enough sleep to not get back to sleep). Its 7 now so I'm going out to start watering everything. I did notice some green berries on my strawberry plants, the other day! They're all covered to make sure we get them and not the squirrels. Lots of blooms on both the black and raspberries. The wild black raspberries are just getting going. It's supposed to be really nice today, but rain tomorrow....not enough to not need to water today. Well, I'm off to water.

 

Oreti— chuckle, the wind and rain here kept me in as well. Just as well, the house had to be cleaned and that load of toms that had to be jammed. We are sitting about turning the pots every so often so the bits will be evenly distributed. Such a lovely tint of red— all fresh and delicious. Oh my word, I do enjoy strawbs so much.

I think you have a healthy outlook on your brother’s condition and the reality of his and your family’s situation. Obviously you cannot have the normal impact on your relationship with him because of his changed mental perception; but having and showing your love and respect is a good thing… as much for him as you and your families. I hope you are at peace with this realisation, Oreti. You seem like such a good person, whose heart is in the right place.

 

Didn't do much apart from dead-heading the new rhodos.
On the next dry day, I'll clear the annual shed of bamboo leaves.





Within two years, these rhodos will fill the space behind the hydrangea the yellow rhodo and the acer bush and hide the stems of the bamboo.