Monday 15 April 2013

A Desirable Residence

I love to provide lots of habitats for wildlife in my garden, so I couldn't resist this Insect House which I saw in Morrisons. It was only £3, much cheaper than something similar would be in a garden centre. I'd seen a blog post about this very thing a little while ago, but I can't remember now which blog it was on. Morrisons is great for picking up bargains for the garden, I also came home with some pansies which I'll plant up in my hanging baskets. They were £2 for a pack of six quite large, healthy plants, but they were on a buy one get one free offer, so I ended up with twelve plants for £2. They sell a good range of plants and even have very reasonable fruit bushes too. It was a weekend of bargains as I also bought some Puschkinia Libanotica which were reduced by 75% from the garden centre, and also some bright red Geranium plug plants which were half price. I shall grow these on and they'll look lovely in my tall blue pots at each side of the door.

It's been a mainly dry weekend, so we've managed to get more digging done at the allotment, and also some seed sowing done at home. I forgot to mention that the broad beans were planted out a couple of weeks ago. I'd kept them in pots much longer than I would have liked due to the prolonged cold spell, and they were really beginning to suffer. I don't know if they'll give a worthwhile harvest now but I'm not losing anything by trying. They've rallied round a bit since being planted out, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

The tomatoes were potted on yesterday, I chose the best of the seedlings and I've ended up with thirteen plants. Now that a little bit of warmer weather has arrived, I thought it was time to get some more seeds going. I sowed three varieties of cucumber, Fanfare, Mini Munch and Crystal Lemon, and a whole host of brassicas, kale - Dwarf Green Curled, cabbage - Advantage, broccoli - Autumn Spear, broccoli (purple sprouting) - Claret, Swiss chard - Bright Lights, kale - Cavolo de Nero and kohl rabi - Purple Delicacy. I even managed to get some flowers sown, they're usually put to the back of the pile in favour of edibles, but not this year. I sowed heliotrope - Dwarf Marine, dahlia - Mignon Mixed, cosmos - Purity, stock - Ten Week Mixed and the pot marigold seeds kindly sent to me by Flighty from Flighty's Plot - Flighty's Favourites. The potatoes I planted in containers a few weeks ago aren't showing any signs of growth and I'm wondering if they've rotted away in the cold, even though they were swathed in fleece. I only planted a couple of tubers so I won't have lost much if that's what's happened but I planted up some more containers yesterday which should get going soon now that the weather's warmed up a little. It's great to finally get going with everything at last.

46 comments:

  1. I look forward to seeing if anything takes up residence, may have to have a look and see what our Morrisons has to offer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm hoping that something makes use of it. There were some good bargains on offer in Morrisons, definitely worth a look.

      Delete
  2. I've never seen those insect houses before. I will be really interested to see what enjoys living there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think solitary bees make use of these type of houses, I'm really hoping that I get some guests.

      Delete
  3. I love the little insect houses a worthwhile investment I'm sure.

    I have lots of seed sowing to do, hopefully I will get an hour or two down the potting shed this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've got all sorts of wildlife houses in the garden, I do my best to attract beneficial insects. Hope you manage some time to get some sowing done.

      Delete
  4. £3 is a very reasonable amount to pay for an insect house!

    I wonder if it was my blog you saw as I have blogged about the insect house in our village, put up by the commune. We have also banned pesticides etc - very important of course, but particularly so here as we have a honey farm in the village.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think I'd find one in a garden centre for that price. The one I saw on a blog was the exact same as this one, which was also bought in Morrisons. It sounds as though you live in a place which looks after wildlife and the environment.

      Delete
  5. I must have a look in Morrisons as our branch has just taken over a larger area for gardening and cut flowers etc. and it's our local supermarket.
    It was interesting to go and take a look at our daughter's allotment when we visited the southern counties at the weekend. Everything is so much further on down there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't visit Morrisons all that often as there isn't one local to me, but I find they have some good deals when I do go there. I always find it amazing how one part of the country can be so different to another. The South is always much further on than we are in Yorkshire.

      Delete
  6. I was intending to put the potatoes in this week. It's amazing what a bit of warmer weather has done, seeds seem to be sprouting all over the place now - welcome and not so welcome!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I couldn't believe how slow the weeds were growing this year, but of course, they'll now be springing up along with everything else which we do want to start growing.

      Delete
  7. You certainly have a good eye for a bargain, Jo! £2 for 12 Pansies soundslike a brilliant deal.
    Just, like yours, my spuds have yet to emerge above soil level. I hope they are all right... My tomato plants are only a few inches tall still, so not ready for potting-on, but they are out in the garden enjoying some sunshine today - protected by a plastic mini-greenhouse. I currently have 29 tomato plants, but that will have to be halved when it comes to potting up! Like you, I'll keep the best, and maybe find alternative homes for a few more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do like my bargains, I have a keen eye. I'm going to give my potatoes a bit longer to get going, but I'll have to have a root around in the soil if I don't see any growth soon. It's a bit windy here to stand the tomatoes outside, even protected by a mini greenhouse, I think it would blow away. I'd like to grow more tomato plants, it's just finding the room for them all, along with everything else I want to grow.

      Delete
  8. Good to see that you've been busy and thanks for the mention.
    I've only just sown some broad bean seeds in the ground, with more to follow so yours should be fine. Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome. It's made a change to have some decent gardening weather. It's the state the plants were in that gave me cause for concern, though they seem to be doing a bit better now they've got room to stretch out their roots.

      Delete
  9. It is great to get things moving. It was a lovely sunny day here in Dublin just right to get a few tray of seeds sown. The bees have started to pay a visit to the garden. It is the first time this year.

    It will be intersting to see what moves into your insect house.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think we're all a bit late with things this year due to the prolonged cold spell, but I'm sure everything will catch up if the nice weather stays. I noticed the first bee of the season too.

      Delete
  10. Jo I love your little insect house. I must pop to my local Morrisons to take a look. My seeds for the season are mostly sown now apart from the cucumbers & squash. I forgot I also need to sow some runner beans too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Morrisons gardening department is definitely worth a look. I've only just started my seed sowing really, I've still got lots more to do, though where they're all going to go I just don't know.

      Delete
  11. Hi Jo, I managed to get quite a bit done in the garden too yesterday. I love the little bug house, what a bargain price! Morrisons is brilliant for garden supplies and odd novelty items but also for plants, some of which are quite unusual too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a great day for gardening yesterday. I didn't get the chance to have a really long look in Morrisons, but did notice the fruit bushes, and there were some climbers which looked reasonable too. I should really go back for another look, but I'll probably end up spending.

      Delete
  12. hello jo,
    what a sweet insect house and the price was great. we had a lovely sunny day here in germany.
    have a nice time,
    love regina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope I get some residents in my new insect house, some solitary bees would be nice. Glad to hear that you're getting some sunshine in Germany too, we've waited long enough for it this year.

      Delete
  13. What a lovely little ladybird house. I don't usually shop at Morrisons but I shall certainly pop in now as those sound like good bargains!

    How wonderful that you are cracking on and getting things planted out and sown. It is a very exciting time isn't it.

    I have my fingers crossed for your beans and potatoes.xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were lots more bargains too, I just didn't have time to look at them all properly so I'll be popping in again too. I love this time of year when everything's so busy gardening wise, there's still plenty more to do. My beans are looking up a bit since they've been planted out so I'm hoping they do ok.

      Delete
  14. I love that little house. You'll probably been inundated with a variety of solitary and carpenter bees laying their little egg in each hollow "twig" and then sealing it up until the larvae hatch, and eats its way out. I wish I could get hold of one of those in the USA. I'll just have to look a little harder or maybe use cut-down bamboo sticks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. I'm really hoping that the insect house is well used, it will be fascinating watching the comings and goings. I hope you manage to locate one for yourself, or if not, as you say, you can always cut down some bamboo sticks.

      Delete
  15. That is a really good price, I can see a trip to morrisons coming on! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never seen anything like this at such a cheap price before. Do have a look in Morrisons as they have lots of other bargains too.

      Delete
  16. I wish we had a Morrisons near us I keep reading about their amazing bargains. Love the insect house I am sure the beetley things will love their des res. You have been busy but it's that time of year isn't it - lots to do - it's a great feeling after the l-o-o-o-ng winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Morrisons isn't my local supermarket, but there's a couple within driving distance so we're quite lucky really. I'm so pleased to be finally cracking on with some jobs, I thought winter was never ending.

      Delete
  17. Hope that the insects soon take up residence in their new des res Jo. Morrisons is great apart from their vermiculite :) Hope that the broad beans turn out to be tough customers and not softies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The insect house is fully installed so I'm just waiting for the first lodger now. I don't buy vermiculite from Morrisons so don't know about that. The broad beans have lived in the greenhouse throughout winter so I hope they're tough enough, they seem to be rallying round anyway.

      Delete
  18. I love a bargain and you did really well. I love the little insect house, great price. Amanda x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always on the lookout for a bargain. I've got quite a few insect and wildlife habitats in the garden now, I do try to encourage them to stay.

      Delete
    2. I looked for one in my local Morrisons but they didn't have one. I've put a link for your blog on my pinterest gardening page x

      Delete
    3. What a shame. Keep checking back, they may get more stock in.

      Delete
  19. Bargains all round and lovely ones at that.Well done with all the seed sowing,your cucumbers sound an interesting mix.I am sure your potatoes will be fine,just like everything else is going to be this year-SLOW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm trying three totally different cucumbers this year, one is a mini cucumber, one is a bush variety which can be growing in containers outside and the other is one which gives strangely shaped fruit. I think most things will be slow to start this year because of the weather, but I bet most things will catch up.

      Delete
  20. Loving the bug habitat Jo...I will have a look myself in morrisons this week when I go shopping. You are certainly getting on well now the warmer weather has arrived. I have only just sown my broad beans and tomatoes...fingers crossed they catch up!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think we all just needed a bit of warmer weather to enable us to get on with some jobs. Everything seems so far behind at the moment, but I'm sure they'll catch up.

      Delete
  21. That's another great bargain Jo. I made some little bug houses with plant pots and sticks last year as the ones in the shops were so expensive. Wish I'd have seen the Morrisons ones!

    You've been really busy with all your seed sowing. So great to finally get gowing isn't it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've kept saying that I'll make some wildlife houses, but I never seem to get round to it. I don't mind buying them at this price though. It's great to get going with some jobs, though they're on hold again at the moment as we've got high winds today.

      Delete
  22. I'd better hurry up and get to Morrisons before we all clear the shelves of insect houses! That is a real bargain. Isn't it so nice to be busy again! Though its been sooo windy here the last few days. Looks ok for this weekend too so I hope you get lots done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're such a good price, I think we should all have one or two in the garden. We've had blustery weather here too, all sorts of things blowing around the garden, and my poor daffodils which have only started flowering this week are being battered.

      Delete

 
!-- Start of StatCounter Code for Blogger / Blogspot -->