What ya bought lately - CONFESS

[Jasmine]

I had a little spend yesterday...



A guy in the village has been making them for the past few years with a portion of the cost going to charity. The first year he made 10, the second he made 20 and this year he made 30 and I finally managed to get one before they were all sold. He said he couldn't make more than 30...will to live and all that!

This morning I got this little haul at Morrisons and Lidls...



The poinsettia is beautiful!

I wonder how much more discount FG will do - I have my eye on Peony Lemon Chiffon and it has gone down but it's still too much!

[Barbara]

I used to have a little wooden man Jasmine, he eventually rotted at all the joints but he was nice while I had him, he sat on the rocks on the front path.

[Jasmine]

I've put Rudolph on the drive rather than the grass Barbara in the hope his feet will stay a little dryer, I think his antlers will go first, the rest of him is quite sturdy. I drove him home to the village hall and then wheelbarrowed him the rest of the way - he's very heavy!!! I posted on FB and other folk posted there's - it was quite sweet. There was one in a soft top car riding home and one in the snow last year looking very festive!

[Barbara]

I'm sure you can replace his antlers, and I would think his legs as well.

[Ladygardener]

That's a very unusual and beautiful poinsettia Jasmine, I love the reindeer.

[Tig]

It is a fabulous reindeer and does indeed look sturdy. He shouldn't blow over in a gale.

[Dutchy]

He might wander off to the nearest shed for shelter though…
Love him.

[Jasmine]

I succumbed and bought Peony Yellow Chiffon and Cora Louise from FG. I got an extra 10% off with my GW Subscribers discount and P+P was free.

[Ladygardener]

I got an email to say my FG order is on it's way.

[Dutchy]

Now the sun is out I do want to go and buy things but I feel I first have to shoehorn those 20 bulbs in. It is finally dry but today is art day so I am off.

I did get a mini Amaryllis at the supermarket and steered far from several ones coated in wax. Cruelty to plants should be punnishable.

[Ladygardener]

So, our FG order arrived as planned yesterday.
15 Tulip "Bright Gem", 10 Tulip "Negrita Double"10 Tulip "Orange Emperor", 15 Tulip praestans "Shogun", 10 Allium atropurpureum, 5 Nectaroscordum siculum and 1 Paeonia "Flame". I've done the labels and hope to get them all into pots later.

[Jasmine]

All the bulbs were 50% off at the GC this morning so I bought Tulip Pacific Pearl and Daydream and some yellow iris. The bulbs were all firm but the tulips have started to sprout. Will have to get them planted quickly.

[Dutchy]

Something I need to take a pic of as you lot won’t believe it otherwise…

[Dutchy]

[Dutchy]

And yes this huge thing will suit my new veg bed as that is equally huge....

By the way it is the real deal as it says so.





Ah and if any of you can sort of tell me what you believe its age is I would be chuffed.
I think it might have been sold as a child's plaything in the 50ies or 60ies.
Or as tourist tat.

I payed a whopping € 2,50 at the charity shop.

[Tig]

Oh wow, what a bargain Dutchy. These are still made today and from the colour of the wood I would probably say it isn't more than 20 years old. With the added coloured bits of wood & crudely carved name I think this one may have been a 'tourist' piece & probably cost more than a basic model for daily use in the garden. Traditionally made from sweet chestnut & willow. I absolutely love it!

[Dutchy]

Thanks Tig,
I always wanted a Sussex Trug. Blame Monty Don.
This one is small but lovely. The thing that got me thinking it is older, are the nails which have given their tell tale coloring to the wood. It feels as if it was given as a pressie and whosoever received it did not have the heart to tell they did not like it. So it got bunged at the back of a closet. Hence the never used blonde of the wood.
It is willow and chestnut I think.

[Tig]

Dutchy or loved it so much they couldn't bear to get it grubby so put fruit in it as an ornament indoors. You'll get some good use out of it I'm sure.

[Jasmine]

Oh wow, a Sussex trug - good find Dutchy. They are expensive!

[Ladygardener]

Fabulous find Dutchy well done and for some reason I'm able to see your photos!

FG have 23% off all plants etc until New Year's Day with code HH23

[Jasmine]

Thank you very much Ladygardener, off to deal with my basket!

I bought some bird food at the GC this morning!

[Dutchy]

It is a mini one. 1 foot by 1/2 a foot.
But perfect for my new veg bed harvest

[Tig]

I've dealt with my FG basket and a few extras found their way in as well - worth waiting.

[Jasmine]

I dealt with my FG basket over Christmas (thank you LG!). I ordered: Gladiolus 'Ruby Red', Dahlia 'Café de Paris, Dahlia 'Lavender Perfection', Dahlia 'Mango Madness', Dahlia 'Kelsey Annie Joy', Panicum 'Squaw' and Gladiolus 'Happy Touch'.

Then this morning they send through an email with the most gorgeous lupins...

[Jasmine]

I had to do another FG order! I got Caladium 'Florida Elise', Caladium 'Miss Muffet', Lupinus 'Desert Sun' - 3 bare roots and Lupinus 'Melody' - 3 bare roots.

[Tig]

I've resisted. Although I love lupins they always get the giant lupin aphids here. My caladium buying has also come to an end, same with colocasias, too much faff trying to lift and keep them over winter. I will just have to enjoy seeing photos of yours

[Jasmine]

I'm going to try them as houseplants...they have 2 chances!!!

[Barbara]

Seeds, veg. seeds, from 'seeds direct' leeks, squash, French beans, lettuce, cabbage, parsnip and swede, that should keep me quiet for a while.

[Ladygardener]

I gave in and sent off a small order to FG yesterday.

[Jasmine]

Well done Ladygardener, hope you got the good deal!

I did a SR order. Alan has a Bluelight card and SR do 20% off and free p+p with a Bluelight code! I got: Sweet Phlox Collection (loved these last year), 3 Nepeta x faassenii 'Kit Kat', 10 Panicum capillare 'Sparkling Fountain' seedlings and the Pastel Cosmos Collection.