Category: Miscellaneous

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The Gardening Blog in the News!

I was so excited when Christine told me that “We are in the Fair Lady Magazine!!” It was such a surprise to the both of us that our “little” blog made it in one of the top woman’s magazines here in South Africa! We are both grinning from ear to ear and had to share this with all our gardening friends!

[one_half]The Fair Lady May Issue (cover)[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The Article on the Gardening Blog![/one_half_last]

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And the Article reads:

“Life long friends Barbie and Christine are working moms who both developed a passion for gardening in their 40s. Their busy lives meant the didn’t get to visit each other (or each other’s gardens) as much as they’d like, so they decided to start a blog to share their successes, discoveries, photos and advice with each other.

The result is a warm, chummy blog packed with personality! Of course, you can get information anywhere, but what makes this site shine is the way Barbie and Christine – amateur gardeners, just like us – engage readers in their daily gardening lives, with beautiful photos to match. They also encourage readers to share their gardening successes and advice.

Visit www.thegardeningblog.co.za to catch up with them.

Look out for Barbie’s fabulous “1 Minute Tips” videos.”

I think it is just great that we managed to put together a blog worthy of being mentioned in the FAIR LADY!

Happy gardening everyone! xxxxxx

 

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Barbie's garden Do it yourself Home page features Miscellaneous

Easter Egg Treasure Hunt in Barbie’s Garden

This Easter, I had great pleasure arranging an Easter Egg Treasure Hunt in my garden for all the children !! The little “Easter bunnies” had to prepare for the big event by putting on their bunny ears and bunny tails. Hannes created such a fun video of the day and it went smoothly without one forgotten easter egg. Thank you Mr Easter Bunny!!

 

For all the blogging friends – the two beautiful girls are Jessica (the oldest bunny and “team bunny leader” at 7 years) and Tamsin (the bunny with the pink easter bag and treasure map monitor, at 4 years) and they belong to my son (in the wings  taking photos) & daughter-in-law,  Brandon and Nicky, and the cutest little boy is Brandon at 3 years together with his enthusiastic mommy (wearing the bunny ears), that being my daughter, Kristen, and my son-in-law, Gary is in the background. And me, you can just see every now and again – mostly  just the legs!

If you want to know who the wild man in the helicopter is – why, thats Mr Easter Bunny! 🙂

Happy Easter to you all xxxxx

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Scary Centipede

I had to post this photo my sister took of a huge centipede she found. Oh My Word!! It has a long tail and this one was about 10cm long without the tail. The legs, for me, are the creepy part! I get goosebumps just looking at it!

Centipedes

Centipedes (from Latin prefix centi-, “hundred”, and pes, pedere, “foot”) are arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda of the subphylum Myriapoda. They are elongated metameric animals with one pair of legs per body segment. Despite the name, centipedes can have a varying number of legs from under 20 to over 300. Centipedes have an odd number of pairs of legs, e.g. 15 or 17 pairs of legs (30 or 34 legs) but never 16 pairs (32 legs).

A key trait uniting this group is a pair of venom claws or forcipules formed from a modified first appendage. Centipedes are predominantly carnivorous.

Centipedes normally have a drab coloration combining shades of brown and red. Cave-dwelling and subterranean species may lack pigmentation and many tropical ones have bright colours. Size can range from a few millimetres to about 30cm. Centipedes can be found in a wide variety of environments. Worldwide, there are estimated to be 8,000 species of centipede, of which 3,000 have been described.

Centipedes have a wide geographical range, reaching beyond the Arctic Circle. Centipedes are found in an array of terrestrial habitats from tropical rainforests to deserts. Within these habitats, centipedes require a moist micro-habitat because they lack the waxy cuticle of insects and arachnids, and so lose water rapidly through the skin.

Accordingly, they are found in soil and leaf litter, under stones and dead wood, and inside logs. Centipedes are among the largest terrestrial invertebrate predators and often contribute significantly to the invertebrate predatory biomass in terrestrial ecosystems.

Some species of centipede can be hazardous to humans because of their bite. Although a bite to an adult human is usually very painful and may cause severe swelling, chills, fever, and weakness, it is unlikely to be fatal. Bites can be dangerous to small children and those with allergies to bee stings. The bite of larger centipedes can induce anaphylactic shock in such people. Smaller centipedes usually do not puncture human skin. Even nonvenomous centipedes are considered frightening by humans due to their dozens of legs moving at the same time and their tendency to dart swiftly out of the darkness towards one’s feet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centipede

Anything creepy in your garden?

 

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Early Autumn in Two Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

The cooler days are slowly replacing the swelter of summer. The refreshing rains in March will give the Two Gardens a welcome time out! This is the time to reflect and review – what is coming up this season and what can we look forward to.

Here’s what’s blooming in Barbie’s garden in March 2013

I have started early with all the cleaning and cutting and digging and clearing. I feel ready for the cooler march weather and I can start sowing my new seeds for the winter. But there are still some really pretty blooms in my garden – you might have seen them all before, but they still delight me.

My new Dietes I bought and planted this week are blooming!

[one_half]I still love this forever bloomer[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Gerbera[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Roses always delight![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Still blooming – Fuchsia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Newly trimmed Hotlips Salvia[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Barrow full of blommies[/one_half_last]

Mexican Petunias are blooming with my Gaura

[one_half]My Leopard Tree is looking gorgeous![/one_half]

[one_half_last]My whirling butterflies[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Euphorbia in bloom[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My white Salvia[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Tansy cut back and already blooming again[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Another view of Tansy and Salvia[/one_half_last]

I still think this useful medicinal plant is pretty in bloom – Bulbinella

[one_half]Loving this bed with Peach and Blueberry too[/one_half]

[one_half_last]My flowering Potato Bush bed is also all tidy[/one_half_last]

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[one_half]Squash flowers all over the place![/one_half]

[one_half_last]New patch with Yarrow and Bulbinella[/one_half_last]

 

About Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Join Carol and friends over at May Dreams Gardens to see what other gardeners around the world have blooming in February! And if you haven’t joined yet and have some blooms you’d like to show off, please join in the fun of showcasing your blooms! We’d love to see what YOU have blooming in your garden right now!

Thank you for joining us!

PS: Please join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter – we’ll be so happy if you do!

Happy gardening xxx

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Barbie's garden Design Do it yourself Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

Throwing Stones

This seems like the week of garden activity for me! Thank goodness, I have the strength to do the manual labour needed to get this job done! But – here I had lots of help! We finally got around to throwing stones for our new Zen area. It is already taking shape and I am so pleased that my hubby is gonna be part of this garden feature!

My faithful work horse! This is going to be a tough delivery!

[one_half]Ok – this is the 40 sq.m. area we need to fill[/one_half]

[one_half_last]It is a substantial piece of land[/one_half_last]

[one_half]This is 4 tons of stone![/one_half]

[one_half_last]13mm Worcester – from Bark & Stone[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Working my butt off![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Nearly done! Whew![/one_half_last]

Zooooooom!! Who would have known that this job took us exactly 1 hour to complete!

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[one_half]Neatens up the whole area[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Also brightens up the area[/one_half_last]

I am super happy that we have leapt over this hurdle. Again, we have used the services of Bark & Stone in Montague Gardens. Their service is great and Dennis, who delivers the stone, maneuvers his huge truck through narrow gaps like a pro. Thanks guys, once again! Now comes the decorating. We want to put up a sheltered cover where we can sit (maybe in our hammocks) and enjoy the cool evenings or just relaxing with a good book and dozing in the late afternoons – hey? What do you think?

Happy gardening this week xxxxx

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Sheeping around

I have been so busy with work and stuff that the garden has been neglected and the two bored chickens have been given full access to the front and back garden – out of pure guilt, I must add. There is method to my madness though – I intend to rip out old growth and prune out-of-control perennials. So, let the chickens have there fun.

I have started cutting and mowing and have a pile of all this overgrowth taken to the back (back) garden …… where the sheep can have a feast!

[one_half]Hey – quit shovin’![/one_half]

[one_half_last]My turn now![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Enough for everyone![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Fresh mowed grass for all![/one_half_last]

These are not my sheep, but my neighbours’ sheep and they graze in the field behind our house. I call this my back (back) garden because we have a gate to this area! It’s nice to have these guys around when you have excess garden refuse. My compost bin can’t handle all this extra load and the sheep enjoy themselves!

What animals are you feeding from your garden?

Happy Gardening xxxxx

 

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Bye-bye Buffy

A sad day indeed. My favourite pet – Buffy passed away this weekend -Friday 8 February 2013. She had been bravely coping with Bumblefoot and the traumatic operation on both feet in December. It took its toll on her and she developed breathing problems and finally stopped eating. Her life with us was a full 6 years and she was the Queen of the Roost! She always made sure she had the best spot and was the first to inspect new quarters and give it the OK. She was the best egg sitter and there were times when she had a hidden stash of eggs she was sitting on. Buffy was one of the original chickens we started with in 2006 and was the best swimmer! She also made a huge fuss to alert me when one of the naughty ones (usually Skollie!) escaped the chicken run – not wanting anyone to have a better adventure than her! Oh, I will miss her. Bye-bye Buffy!

Buffy – February 2010

The Life of Buffy – October 2006 to February 2013

Buffy with Mary, her sister – October 2006

Fully grown in 2007 but she couldn’t fly – she had crooked wings. The reason her name was Buffy – short for Spicy Buffalo Wings.

She was a really good swimmer – enjoyed the pool in the heat of summer!

Buffy – ever the opportunist – she was always there hoping for a handful of sunflower seeds!

Buffy?? What are you hidding?

[one_half]This was November 2012 -in the meadow[/one_half]

[one_half_last]A last goodbye – we will miss you![/one_half_last]

She was a great pal!

xxxxxx

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Hen House update

Well, the final touches have been done and voila – the Girls have a fully “furnished” 5 star abode! We still need to add a perch and zoomy up the laying stations, but all in all I am sure not one of them will complain. We have 3 happy hens! The Great Hen House Build was posted earlier – (link here to see)

[one_half]Getting the room ready[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Have an ABS plastic base for easy cleaning[/one_half_last]

[one_half]The Head Hen comes for first inspection[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Her OK is crucial! Like it Buffy?[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Hmmm…you missed a spot! Points deducted![/one_half]

[one_half_last]All of the girls inspecting now. Must impress[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Having a site meeting, I’m nervous[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Just a few adjustments as per request[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Right – the gang has arrived for final appraisal[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Oops! forgot the roof adjustments[/one_half_last]

[one_half]There – the roof is on![/one_half]

[one_half_last]OK – ready for the final final inspection![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Hmm.. just testing the bedding! Yes! It’s GREAT![/one_half]

[one_half_last]View from the back[/one_half_last]

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We have approval and a 5 Star rating!!

[one_half]Fixed the fencing towards the veggie patch[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Ta…Da…..!!! A job well done![/one_half_last]

I hope you enjoyed the Hen House Build!! We also had a blast!!!

Happy Gardening xxxxx

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Barbie's garden Design Do it yourself Gardening Home page features Miscellaneous

The Great Hen House Build

The much anticipated and prepared for Hen House and Chicken Run happened this holiday!! I so wanted to make a real Hen House for “the girls” because the reclaimed area has left them with no real home of their own – just a makeshift place that was only meant to be temporary. I was lucky to have the help of my many-talented hubby – the one with the real skill – and the time to build it during the holidays!! So all the photos with me in it – don’t be fooled! I am just the rookie! But nevertheless, I did pull my weight – I drilled and hammered and sanded and painted and lugged and assembled ….whew! This was a really big project. I’m exhausted!! I guess you can see by the photos 🙂

[one_half]The big start![/one_half]

[one_half_last]All measured and ready for drilling[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Preparing the sides[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Assembled and sanding[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Grinding the windows straight[/one_half]

[one_half_last]View of sides-big hey?[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Me inside with “the girls”[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Starting to look like a home[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Painting of primer coat-whew![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Assembling on site the next day[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Painting the interior with Wall n All[/one_half]

[one_half_last]First coat done![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Now the outside! A bright red![/one_half]

[one_half_last]First coat done! Nearly there![/one_half_last]

[one_half]Waiting patiently![/one_half]

[one_half_last]Now for the windows[/one_half_last]

[one_half]This one large enough for me to clean inside[/one_half]

[one_half_last]Ta da! Love the final outcome![/one_half_last]

This is the Chicken Run fence …

I decided to keep to the rustic look and “plant” dropper poles as fencing rather than build a chicken wire fence. The new area is right in the back corner of the back garden – part of the Meadow area. The chickens like it here and there is plenty of shade and stuff to scratch!

[one_half]Droppers just stuck in the ground[/one_half]

[one_half_last]The girls seem quite happy here[/one_half_last]

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I am so happy now that this can be crossed off my New Year’s “To Do” list!! We just have to get the area spic and span and the house kitted out with feeder and watering hole and the bedding. Maybe a picture or two on the inside walls 🙂

Do you have a New Year project? Please share it!

Happy DIY-ing xxxxx

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Seasonal Celebration

Seasonal Celebrations are the joys that continually bring a smile to your face. If I had to choose one area in my garden that has always given me the greatest pleasure – I have to say that it is my Grass Feature. From the designing of it to the shopping expedition that Christine and I made to the Elgin area in the Cape to find the best grasses. Then the layout and the planting of the different grasses around a dry river bed. This became my Grass Feature in my front garden.

And every month this patch gives me something new. I celebrate this part of my garden this summer. Summer is a time for giving back to yourself. All the months of hard work and dedicating your time to others should be celebrated in summer, when the weather is warm and the sun is out.

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I am joining Donna from GardenEye View on Seasonal Celebration.