I think it may have rained pretty much every day last week. And my, what rain. Horizontal at times. As a full-time nine to fiver, gardening opportunities are limited to weekends during the autumn and winter and if the weekend forecast is bad you’ve had it. Luckily, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning turned out to be pretty decent weather-wise, providing a few shower free hours to tackle my first Six on Saturday…
1. Bulbs. Alas, after taking this photo I got completely sidetracked and ended up spending both days moving shrubs instead (more on that next week), although I did manage to plant a few packets of ‘Ballerina’ Tulips. I’m going to do better today, weather permitting.
2. Growing nearby is the fragrant Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima). I usually chop a few of the older stems right down to the ground in April or May but didn’t bother this time. It has just started to flower and will hopefully go on flowering from now until the spring, providing nectar for the odd brave bee over the coming months.
3. Remember the Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-no-mai’ last Saturday, with its flaming red foliage? Well this is it what it looks like now…
4. Growing nearby is the lollipop Bay Tree that was planted back in 2019 I think. I’ve yet to pick any leaves for culinary purposes as someone on Twitter put me off the idea after suggesting it would have been sprayed with who-knows-what to provide a pristine, sale worthy specimen. Surely it should be okay to pick the odd leaf now though, 3 years later?
5. Up next, a Viola. A few trays of these bargain beauties were bought last Saturday from the plant man in town. Most of them will probably end up being plonked on the top of potted up tulip bulbs. Expect to see more in the coming weeks.
6. And finally… a non-pesky snail. It’s been a while since I’ve featured Bolt. He’s still hanging around the wildlife pond and occasionally getting toppled by the boisterous sparrows.
They were my Six on Saturday, a meme originally started by The Propagator. For more Sixes on Saturday, from all around the world, head over to the blog of the current Six on Saturday host, Jim.
One Man And His Garden Trowel 
Ah I remember this snail: I love it! (It was so rusty before ? )
Nice choice of bulbs.. now go to finish to plant them before the frost.
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Yes Sir… when it stops raining! Bolt has got a little rustier with time.
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I just realised yesterday that a neighbour’s Kojo-no-mai’ is poking above the fence. I hadn’t noticed it until it coloured up. I can’t imagine what chemical would persist on your bay for three years, there is probably far more on the fruit and veg at the supermarket.
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Good point. Right, we’ll be adding fresh bay leaves to our stews before the year is out.
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I do enjoy a pretty Viola, much more than their cousins the Pansy. Violas seem to last longer for me.
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I’ve never been a fan of the Pansy – too blowsy. The Viola on the other hand is perfection.
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Ah, yes, Bolt. The only snail we all love. Are those flower buds on the Bay tree?
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They are. It usually flowers in the spring but with the way things have been so far they might flower before then.
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I think you could safely use the leaves, perhaps feed them to your snail and see if it keels over! If it doesn’t it is safe, cast iron guarantee, but beware of the rust!
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Ha! It was shortly after I got it that someone advised against using the leaves – one of the main reasons I planted it. I think we’ll risk it some time soon. If I don’t post again assume the worst!
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Shall you come and rescue the large bucket full of my bay leaves next time we trim the ‘bay lollipop’? One year I sent them to a friend who keeps a pig but didn’t hear back whether the pig liked them or if it was ready seasoned when they came to eat it. I shall have to ask.
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We’re making soup this afternoon so I’m going to risk a leaf or two!
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Lovely violas….and nice to see bolt,
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Thank you. I almost bought some more Violas this morning but resisted.
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Your bay is looking very healthy, mine needs serious cutting back as it has grown far too much. I would imagine all the rain has got rid of any chemicals by now, so should be safe to eat.
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That’s what I’m hoping. We’re making soup this afternoon so it might be the perfect opportunity to try a leaf or two.
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That pile of bulb packets looks like lots of fun when you plant them. 💮🦋 Love little bolt the snail!
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I must stand Bolt back upright again as the sparrows have knocked him down!
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Looks like you have a great bulb haul there, and the violas will be just perfect to pop on top of those pots. btw has anyone clicked on the ‘plant bananas in your garden’ link that appears on the bottom of your page? I’m intrigued!
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I think that must have been a random advert WordPress put up because I won’t pay for the ad-free version. It had gone by the time I went to look for it. It did sound intriguing!
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I would risk the bay leaves definitely, you could wash them before they go into your stew/curry which then subjects them to many minutes, or even hours, of boiling temperatures. Finally, welcome back to Bolt! He’s looking good.
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A little older and rustier but still a good addition to the garden. The chap I bought him from was back at the Taunton Flower Show last summer. I was tempted to get Bolt a companion.
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