Just as I'm getting used to the holiday season it's over. It took me awhile to get the hang of the festive season and once I did every moment within the period was thoroughly enjoyed and relished. From tomorrow onwards though it's back to usual and the world goes back to its usual, not so festive business.
That's good though, back to normal, just need to readjust again, like going back to your usual routines at home (and work) after a long holiday.
Saying that there are so many things to look forward to, like spring for a start. Another fabulous gardening year potentially lies ahead and there are so many possibilities!
Anything new for 2015 gardening wise? I made a quick a short list the other day and in it are the following tasks:
Paint the jungle area bench - after having a year of brown bench as a post fire replacement of the old one in the jungle area we both concluded that we miss having a coloured one in this very leafy and shady part of the garden, especially every time we see the photo that Loree took of that area when she visited. It's nice to have a shot of light colour in that spot and we'll reinstate that.
More large vases and urns in the garden
Custom make a table for top patio
Irrigation - been on our list for a long time and it's still outstanding! Will this be the year it gets ticked off? We'll see...
Clad top patio fences
Paint top patio bench
Hang more ornaments
That's it for now. I'm sure more will creep on to the list as days and weeks go by.
What about you, any grand plans for 2015?
Looking back on our activities in the past that we usually blog about there may be a few changes this year like: a little cut back on the events and plant fairs that we usually cover, perhaps lesser nursery visits or at least on those that we've covered so many times before, more focus on individual plants, more focus on garden accessories and 'quirkiness', and hopefully...more travel!
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| Not too idle during the festive season... |
Wishing you all a fabulous New Year and a fun filled 2015 ahead!
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I know what you mean about adjusting to the festive season and then it ending just as you get used to it.
ReplyDeleteReality definitely hits tomorrow Helen...
DeleteIt sounds like you're in for a fun year. I went back to work on Friday - just to remind myself where my desk is. My biggest problem is that I am still in festive eating mode. More brandy sauce anyone?
ReplyDeleteWe hope so Sarah and hopefully you too as well :) we still have a couple of boxes of chocolate left, festive season ain't over till those two boxes are eaten away, oops!
DeleteYay for more travel! Looking forward to seeing you both in Toronto for the Fling. I have lots of items on my to-do list this year, as my garden will be on tour for the first time next fall. The pressure is on.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, see you at the fling again Pam, excited! Quite a pressure to open your garden for the first time but you'll breeze through it I'm sure and will enjoy the experience.
DeleteDear Mark, I am in the same boot with you. I feel, I have just gotten used to the holidays and now they are over already. I haven't made a project list for the garden, yet, but will certainly do so in the next couple of days. For now I am very busy pruning the roses, which is always the first project to tackle each new year. Wishing you guys also a wonderful 2015, hopefully it is a good year for the gardens as well. Warm regards,
ReplyDeleteChristina
It must be nice to be able to do some gentle gardening at this time of the year Christina, pruning roses and all. Wishing you too a fab new year ahead!
DeleteHappy New Year! I always take down the Christmas tree and other decorations before Jan.1, so that the New Year has a fresh, clean start. After Christmas, I am ready for spring, though our winter is just getting started. Bitter sub-freezing temps are headed our way later this week. Nevertheless, spring will be here in 2-3 months, no matter what, and today I saw the first daffodil bulbs beginning to emerge from the ground. I hope this will be the year I finally get my long-awaited-for garden house! As well as a new path and fence around my kitchen garden. More native azaleas and other plants are destined for the woodland garden. Best wishes for your own garden plans, and happy travels! Deb
ReplyDeleteAnd you too Debs! Liking the sound of the new path and more azaleas in your fab woodland garden. Funny enough I just saw some daffodil bulbs sprouting earlier today, yep spring won't be long!
DeleteIt's always a pleasure to visit your garden , have a great New Year and looking forward to more of your interesting posts
ReplyDeleteThank you Klara and happy new year! :)
DeleteThat photo makes me happy (such great memories) every time I see it. Sounds like you've got a good "to do" list going. I'm pretty excited that I'm looking at a gardening year with no big projects, just tweaking and enjoying. Sure there will be a few plant moves, some sod removal and things like that but nothing BIG.
ReplyDeleteOh my, same here Loree! Weboth decided not to do any big projects this year. Just like you, there will be plant moving, sod removal, maintenance, etc. but definitely nothing big :) great minds think alike!
DeleteOops, no sod removal, lawn all gone years ago...
DeleteYes, back to normal now, and sad though it is, that 'normal' means loads of garden time as the days get longer ... can't wait! You sound as if you have lots of plans in the offing - do you grow much from seed every year ? I always love planning which seeds to grow and sourcing the varieties.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you both! x
The bit of the longer days we're starting to look forward to is to be able to see the garden in daylight after work, which during the winter we tend to only experience during the weekend. We don't start much or any from seeds anymore like we used to, mainly due to time constraints. Looking forward to reading more of your adventures Jane :)
DeleteHa, irrigation has been on our list for a long time, as well! It never got done at our last place, maybe at our new one.. We always have a lot of plans for the garden. This year we hope to get our veggie garden really going, as well as enlarge some of the garden beds. Happy gardening in the new year!
ReplyDeleteThere's something about installing irrigation Indie, very helpful and handy and yet so easy to put off and it never gets done. Who knows we may both break the trend :) good luck with your gardening plans, all sounds good!
DeleteSometimes you do have to shake off the holidays and move on, don't you? I find they're a little like glitter - they stick and can be hard to shed. My own holiday decorations have been tucked away but, while I've given some thought to my next projects, I'm resisting making any actual list out of fear that it will get too long and become daunting. Your starter list sounds reasonable to me (except maybe for the irrigation item - break that one up in do-able pieces is my recommendation). I look forward to seeing the results of your labors! Best wishes as you return to the weekday grind!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kris :) I like your analogy there with the glitter and suggestion with the irrigation. I suppose that one should start with buying a timer first really...
DeleteAll of your goals and changes to come sound great! I would love to see more of your garden 'quirkiness'! And urns will look fantastic throughout your garden. P.s that little bird is adorable and I love the photo of the bench in the garden that Loree took! It's like a lush paradise.
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy :) everytime we see that photo reminds us how good it was to have a bright bench there. Just hope I remember the exact shade of that paint
DeleteOne of the advantages of no longer working is that the festive season does not come to such an abrupt ending :) I hope that 2015 is a good one for you both. It sounds as if you will have much to keep you occupied.
ReplyDeleteAhh the joys of retirement Anna :) thanks and wishing you a fab year as well!
DeleteI quite like that list, which has no doubt been banged on a spreadsheet, costed and turned into an App by Gaz. :-) All seems pretty simple stuff to me with the exception of the irrigation and the actual paint colour of the bench. On the subject of irrigation I can give you expert advice on how not to do it ^ 10 :-)
ReplyDeleteWe'll pick your brains next time we meet up Don :)
DeleteWhile it's back to work today, we're leaving our holiday decorations up a little longer this year for a belated 12th night party on Saturday. Like you, I didn't really get into the spirit of the season until it was nearly here and now I want to keep it going. Oh well, time marches on. No big plans for the garden this season, just the regular fun!
ReplyDeleteBelated 12th night party sounds fun Peter! Hopefully you'll have more of the fun and less of the hard work in the garden this year :)
DeleteGood luck with your plans. I'll be moving on to a new area of the garden this year, really focus on it and get it sorted. When we put irrigation in the two wettest summers on record quickly followed.. Beware!
ReplyDeleteHaha! We'll keep that in mind Jessica ;)
DeleteCan't wait to see everything unfold. I am going to try to sell and downsize all my plants. I want to be able to walk around and enjoy the gazebo with all the plants in the way. The insanity needs to stop. Thank goodness my sister is moving home from Phoenix. She wants to start succulent gardening.
ReplyDeleteIf you do give some of your plants to your sister it won't feel like you were letting go of your collection so much Candice, and you'll still get to see them :)
DeleteYou have some fun projects planned for '15. I look forward to seeing how they turn out for you. What color will the bench be? Orange? Purple? Something bold, I hope.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about shifting back to work routine after the holidays. I cling a little too firmly to routine so it is healthy to disrupt it at least once a year.
Funny enough the first coloured I considered for the top patio bench was orange so that may be it Gail. Speaking of routines I thought the brief break from it won't make going back to it difficult, not the case at the moment. Oops!
DeleteYou´ve got some interesting projects for the garden! Happy New Year and I´m happy to be back to read your posts! I loved the lotus seed pod vases and I think your garden looks very nice in the winter...I want an Aloe polyphylla like yours :) It is sooo big and beautiful...
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, so glad to hear that you managed to join your family during the festive season. Hopefully you'll be able to source an Aloe polyphylla in Peru :)
DeleteI have some new areas to work on, but most of our changes happen "organically". The big plans tend to follow that "life is what happens while you are making other plans" arc. I am always impressed by the way you guys make big plans and then carry them out. I hope, coming back to your blog again and agin, some of that will rub off.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ricki :) there's that element too which can greatly change or guide things. No big projects this year, or at least that the intention for now...
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