tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post469491829171152473..comments2023-05-02T12:33:58.182+01:00Comments on Perpetually In Transit: Life in the great outdoors Perpetuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-22208949405391380252015-06-14T08:32:22.651+01:002015-06-14T08:32:22.651+01:00Oh, Vagabonde, I do wish I could have given you my...Oh, Vagabonde, I do wish I could have given you my mint! You have so many wonderful ways to use it. Sadly it had spread so far that I had to get rid of it, but I have a small plant in a pot that I can use for cooking. After the summer, I plan to plant some more mint in the garden, but in such a way that it can't run wild again. I have a wonderful summer starter that I often make in France which uses soft goat's cheese, melon and mint. Mmm...Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-25751687020565655612015-06-14T04:13:24.370+01:002015-06-14T04:13:24.370+01:00I’d love to get all this fresh mint. Years ago a ...I’d love to get all this fresh mint. Years ago a friend, now passed on, gave me a bunch of mint and I made mint jelly. I used a lot of mint and it was so tasty – went so well with roast lamb, or with cream cheese on toast. I also like to place fresh mint in “Mint Julep” a drink make with Bourbon and mint. Or I like it in fresh Tabbouleh salad, or Middle Eastern salad with mint and feta, or Indian recipes – so many things you can make with mint. Actually when it is very warm I like to make iced tea with half regular tea, half peach tea then crush some mint with the ice. I wish I could help you get rid of your mint!Vagabondehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10774109692564954568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-34591951932151461692015-06-12T12:47:04.172+01:002015-06-12T12:47:04.172+01:00You have so much more land to care for, Penny, so ...You have so much more land to care for, Penny, so I'm not surprised some of your beds become unruly. I had to stick at this because we're going away so soon and it needed to be finished before the weather broke, which is due to do today. We have a severe weather warning for rain and possibly thunderstorms, but no mention of tornadoes, thank goodness.<br /><br />Yes, it was fun to find the potatoes, but unfortunately only the tiny baby ones turned out to be edible.Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-37695146886863751642015-06-12T12:43:24.811+01:002015-06-12T12:43:24.811+01:00It was good hard work, Kathy - out in the fresh ai...It was good hard work, Kathy - out in the fresh air and sunshine and it's very satisfying to see what I've achieved. Wow, a scorpion! I'll stick with unexpected potatoes, thanks. :-)Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-41933168315994034972015-06-12T05:53:19.933+01:002015-06-12T05:53:19.933+01:00You have inspired me to try to tackle one of my mo...You have inspired me to try to tackle one of my more unruly beds, Perpetua. I do admire your stick-to-itiveness. As labor intensive as it can be, there is a certain amount of satisfaction that comes with some steady weeding. Today, it poured and poured and poured with some tornado warnings tonight. I think it will pass, but, we keep an ear to the television, radio and such - just in case. <br /><br />I'll bet it was fun to discover those potatoes. Penny O'Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14665025558373015362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-67255253185864225592015-06-12T01:44:10.289+01:002015-06-12T01:44:10.289+01:00Such hard work, but such great results, Perpetual!...Such hard work, but such great results, Perpetual! And surprise potatoes, too! The only surprise I've found in my garden this week is a scorpion!Dr. Kathy McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02903015507894951725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-7286202532499839712015-06-11T22:07:30.010+01:002015-06-11T22:07:30.010+01:00It really is, Annie, and I'm looking forward t...It really is, Annie, and I'm looking forward to deciding what to grow in the cleared space, especially when the dreaded privet has finally gone. It's good soil, so whatever I plant should flourish.<br />Only certain bits of me are flexible, I'm afraid, but thankfully my back is still one of them. It's probably protected by all the padding I now carry. ;-) I like to think of myself as Rubenesque!<br />I'm sure I'll come home to see new weeds there, but they won't be anything like as bad as what I've just cleared.Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-62356240270451070862015-06-11T18:46:19.866+01:002015-06-11T18:46:19.866+01:00It must be incredibly satisfying, Perpetua. I'...It must be incredibly satisfying, Perpetua. I've been following your efforts on Facebook and appreciate that a lot of work has gone into sorting out your still-new garden. <br />Glad you're feeling more flexible - I'm afraid I can't tell you what it's like to be sylphlike but I don't really think we're missing much! <br />Here's hoping the weeds stay back during your period in France.<br />AxxxArtyZenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-311845820851624862015-06-11T17:05:45.037+01:002015-06-11T17:05:45.037+01:00Not a bad cost, Kristie, as I feel so much better ...Not a bad cost, Kristie, as I feel so much better for the exercise. It's also very satisfying to see the difference I've made, especially as I finished digging out the big mass of weeds this morning.:-) I'm sure they'll keep popping up, but not in these numbers. Now to plan what I'm going to plant in all that lovely clear soil...Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-85239646438485260142015-06-11T13:53:55.172+01:002015-06-11T13:53:55.172+01:00The good night's sleep sounds like a wonderful...The good night's sleep sounds like a wonderful thing, but at such a cost! :-) I'm not a huge fan of weeding, but there's no way around it when you have garden. It will be fun to see what it all looks like by next year. kristieinbchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08620113214111945592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-2674048345660616172015-06-11T09:43:21.905+01:002015-06-11T09:43:21.905+01:00It certainly does, Debra. I'm sleeping SO well...It certainly does, Debra. I'm sleeping SO well. :-) Yes, you're quite right about our having to come home early last summer. It was because of the death of a close friend and we wanted to be at her funeral in late August. It was on our earlier trip to Scotland that we came back early because our near neighbour had died. What a good memory you have! The chances are that the French garden has taken the opportunity to run wild as usual. :-)Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-42156381745680375602015-06-11T07:32:43.598+01:002015-06-11T07:32:43.598+01:00You're right! All that work does keep the join...You're right! All that work does keep the joints moving and contributes to a good night's rest! It can feel so good to get to those gardening chores. I seem to recall that you were pulled away early from your French home last year. Do I have that right? I recall the death of a neighbor. The only thing that has me questioning my memory is the idea that it doesn't sen that it was that long ago! I admire all the preparation, and look forward to seeing what your French garden has been up to! :-) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-61193367478208346232015-06-10T22:57:22.003+01:002015-06-10T22:57:22.003+01:00Absolutely, Bonnie. I really enjoy this kind of wo...Absolutely, Bonnie. I really enjoy this kind of work as I can see the difference it makes. I've just googled privet and see that it isn't known in North America. It's a shrub used for hedging which can be very invasive if not kept under control. The big one in our garden has been allowed to spread far too much and will be a lot of work to get rid of. I'm lucky to still have a pretty flexible back for my age, but it's stiffened up a bit this evening. :-)Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-26436054458244600252015-06-10T22:44:25.913+01:002015-06-10T22:44:25.913+01:00You're the second person to comment about the ...You're the second person to comment about the memories conjured up by privet, Jean. It really was ubiquitous in the post-war years and much preferable to the dreadful leylandii which became fashionable in the 70 s and 80s. I think it makes an excellent hedge, but I really don't want it taking over half of my biggest flowerbed. :-)<br />That's a very sad story about your father's cantakerous neighbour. How can people be so small-minded and unkind? I grew up in rural Lancashire where there were drystone walls rather than hedges and at least these didn't need trimming.Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-10493087058778584112015-06-10T22:33:06.120+01:002015-06-10T22:33:06.120+01:00Privet has been popular and much-used for a long t...Privet has been popular and much-used for a long time in the UK, Shirley, and it's fine in its proper place as a hedge or divider. I really don't like it in a bed, hence all the hard work to remove it, despite the scent. Unfortunately it leaves a big gap and as yous ay, my new plants will take time to fill it.<br />The tiny potatoes are waiting to be eaten with beef stew tomorrow. I was too tired to do more than heat something from the freezer this evening.:-)<br />I won't be doing any gardening after the next couple of days. We're forecast heavy rain on Saturday and after that I'll need to start packing. Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-22412520170518959902015-06-10T13:44:57.385+01:002015-06-10T13:44:57.385+01:00So much work, but so satisfying. I have not heard ...So much work, but so satisfying. I have not heard of privet, but it sounds like I wouldn't want to have it in the garden. You have accomplished so much. Stay well. I can bend over too, but the problem is getting back up to stand straight. A few ews, and ahs accompany the movement. :)Bonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05250212496391989223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-11568284492192715612015-06-10T13:27:32.600+01:002015-06-10T13:27:32.600+01:00Privet was everywhere when I was a child, separati...Privet was everywhere when I was a child, separating spaces and gardens. There was (still is) a privet hedge between us and our neighbours when we lived in the family home, one of those between-the-wars semis of which thousands were built. Privet was cheaper than fencing or walls I think. I have a fondness for privet as a result.<br />When my father was recovering from heart surgery and the neighbour was going through one of his obnoxious and cantankerous phases, he (the neighbour) would cut the hedge either leaving the top precision trimmed to only half way across or, all the way across with the trimmings tipped onto our garden. How mean people can be when they put their mind to it! I always think of this when I see a privet hedge.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09726164724131916224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-87442912890238415232015-06-10T11:18:45.454+01:002015-06-10T11:18:45.454+01:00You have a task ahead Perpetua ... privet is not f...You have a task ahead Perpetua ... privet is not favoured in many parts of the world though I do like the perfume. The 'new' garden will look much better once the plants have become established and taken over their little patch.<br />I hope you had those tiny new potatoes with mint sauce!! Reminds me of Christmas childhood in NZ ... our first lot of new potatoes were eaten for Christmas dinner, with lamb and mint sauce, along with tiny new carrots. <br />Don't overdo the gardening! You have France ahead of you:)Shirlwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02582037340209866437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-571958931290363832015-06-10T11:14:24.782+01:002015-06-10T11:14:24.782+01:00Privet is great in the right place, Val, and makes...Privet is great in the right place, Val, and makes a wonderful thick hedge. But i don't think it belongs in a flowerbed which is where two out of our three were.<br />I've got most of the mint roots out now and am working on the buttercups and nettles. I'm sure some will come back while we're away over the summer, but they will be much easier to deal with in the autumn, now that I've cleared so much. Have you tried growing mint in a pot, so that you can move it around to find the position it's happiest in?<br /><br />Our whole plot,including the house and drive is about a third of an acre, so I guess I'm gardening in about a quarter of an acre. Quite enough for me at my age. :-)Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-22899692477030824532015-06-10T11:08:53.076+01:002015-06-10T11:08:53.076+01:00I'm not surprised, Susan, as I've seen how...I'm not surprised, Susan, as I've seen how far it can spread when not kept in check. The big one in my flowerbed is a rough triangle 2 metres on each side! It takes up half the bed now. I think hard work in the garden is good for body and soul and am sorry your computer problems are keeping you indoors. I'm just waiting for the washing to be ready to hang out and then I'll be back outside.Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-37613816114271019802015-06-10T11:05:49.546+01:002015-06-10T11:05:49.546+01:00As it happens, we plan to do exactly what you sugg...As it happens, we plan to do exactly what you suggest, Vic, using the ride-on mower instead of a tractor. No time to do it now, but we'll have a go in the autumn. Judging by the smaller one we pulled out with the winch, the hole shouldn't be too bad as most of the roots are fairly superficial. In any case I'm very good at knocking soil off roots. :-)<br /><br />Your Garden club tour has certainly given you a deadline to aim for and I can well imagine how much work it involves. In France I'm a member of the local garden club and very much enjoy the visits to members' gardens, though mine will never qualify.Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-14730018394295050092015-06-10T11:03:10.237+01:002015-06-10T11:03:10.237+01:00Sadly we only have one a year, Helen, always in la...Sadly we only have one a year, Helen, always in late May/early June. I'll have to look elsewhere to start filling the gaps. <br />I really enjoy hard work in the garden, as it always feels so worthwhile. Obviously I can't aim for perfection while we're away so much, but I do my best and this is a lovely site for a garden. Not being able to kneel is a real pest. I'm being careful to look after my back so I can continue to bend properly. If I reclined to weed, I might never get up again!<br /><br />DeletePerpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-21686266851435132572015-06-10T08:33:14.607+01:002015-06-10T08:33:14.607+01:00I have 3 privet trees..but keep them trimmed .. I ...I have 3 privet trees..but keep them trimmed .. I have a lot of space.. they have given no problem<br />Mint can either go wild or die, the roots are really imbedded into the ground.. its best to use a root killer to get rid of them.. it takes two weeks and there will be no roots left.. it doesnt affect other plants.. i would love some mint.. but i seem to have bad luck with it. it dies on me. I get it from my son's farm next to me.<br />My garden is looking a little untidy.. always work to be done in the garden<br />you will be off soon Perpetua.. how time does fly by.<br />happy gardening.. it looks so much better your little patch.<br />val x<br />valerietilsten59.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05617190196811279000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-50742205573228794642015-06-10T04:33:48.733+01:002015-06-10T04:33:48.733+01:00Privet is classed as a noxious weed here in the no...Privet is classed as a noxious weed here in the north of New Zealand (not sure about further south). I also enjoy hard work in the garden. Would love to be in the garden right now instead of having technical problems setting up my new computer.Susan Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14400003572211042194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3705825161954545710.post-3141755764900138472015-06-10T02:17:09.076+01:002015-06-10T02:17:09.076+01:00Oh my garden work can get hard if you let it. Tha...Oh my garden work can get hard if you let it. That bigger privet may require a tractor attached to the roots to pull it out. Can you maneuver a tractor into your yard? And how big a hole will it leave?<br /><br />I've been working like a stevedore the last several months. My garden is on the yearly Garden Club garden tour later this month. I had no idea how much work it would involve and having to get it ready by someone else's time line makes it especially difficult for me. No time for procrastination.<br />vichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18428581552807859803noreply@blogger.com