There is never a dull moment on Piglet’s Plot. Despite temperatures still in the 20C, a stroll around the garden signals summer is over, and I really do need to get my butt into gear.
Birds and the Bees
This morning I was surprised by the number of bees on the nespera tree. It seemed as if the whole tree was buzzing. There was not just one type of bee; there were several, all working side by side in their frantic bid to collect the pollen.
Don’t laugh. I tried to take a photo with my mobile phone.
Birds – I am sure they are still amorous as they are still furtively disappearing into the hedges.
The Mystery of the Stinky Dracaena Plant
A few weeks ago, I was on a mission to save our monster Dracaena plant.
Sadly, despite digging out the plant and replacing ALL the soil a week or so later, the musty smell gradually began to return. I then had an A-HA!! moment (as you do) and smelt the pot. Yep, the Terracotta pot was the culprit. I’m not sure why, since the plant has been in this pot for years. Now we will need to invest in a heavy plastic pot.
Rotting Romeo and Juliet Bench
One of the jobs on the list was to restain the Romeo and Juliet bench to protect the wood. What should have been a simple rub down and lick of paint job turned into a reconstruction project as Mr. P discovered worm/bugs or whatever squatting in and munching on some of the timber supports, which he had to replace/is still replacing. Thank goodness he is creative with wood, and as you can see, this is still a work-in-progress.
Re-planting Freesia Bulbs
For years, I have grown freesia in pots. Store and stack the pots over the summer, and allow them to dry out until new shoots push through in late autumn. This year, as part of my pot clearance plan, I emptied the contents of the pots into my failed herb garden. We will see. I did add wooden markers because, knowing me I could well forget where I planted and dig them up.
I did add wooden markers because, knowing me I could well forget where I planted and dig them up.
Deadheading
I hate this job
One Job Leads to Another
Yep, photographing the plectranthus (according to Google Lens) as I zoomed into the flower, I noticed something was eating my basil! Holy Moly, there is no rest for the wicked!
That’s my Six for this Saturday, folks. Now it’s time to make a nice cup of tea and put my feet up while I check out other Six on Saturday bloggers over at Jim’s place
Piglet in Portugal 
Good work getting those “not so fun” jobs done. I wonder what’s up with that terra cotta pot?! The colder mornings are remind me how unpleasant it is to work outside with cold hands & feet – I need to get a move on.
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Hi Tracy, it’s certainly strange re the pot. But on a positive note it will be a good excuse to move it ourside and buy a new plant.
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No rest for the wicked is right! Sorry about the bench but glad you solved the problem of the stinky plant. Or rather, the stinky plant pot.
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Yep, just another fun week on Piglet’s Plot LoL Now we just need to find a replacement pot which is not going to be cheap,
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Glad the stinky problem was solved!
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Yep, so am I. The solution was right under our noses all the time.
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You work hard and have a beautiful garden!
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Thanks, Maria but it is still not as organised and as productive as yours 🙂
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A busy time of year. Tidying up the garden, sweeping up leaves, planting spring bulbs and deciding which plants to bring indoors and which to leave out to take their chances. A quiet week forecast ahead so I am hoping to get most of these chores done.
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Hi Jude, it certainly is and the joblist seems endless. At least on a plus I don’t need to overwinter anything indoors…. well not so far… but with climate changing who knows
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I’m aiming to cut down on what needs to be overwintered indoors. Just some of the succulents and pelargoniums. Though I often put those under a bench just to keep the rain off.
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I look forward to seeing the Romeo and Juliet bench once repaired – it has to have a happier ending than the actual Romeo and Juliet.
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I hope so, Trowel. Apparently it just needs sanding down, painted and rescrewing back together.
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They’re saying we have a chance of snow here in the next couple of days. Time to get ready to head to south Texas! I’m so thankful we have our winter getaway there … I’m just not looking forward to all of the yard work that’s waiting for us. We hire someone year round to tend to the lawn, but the flowers and shrubs will no doubt be unruly, as they’ve had an unusual amount of rain there this summer and early autumn. I’ll keep you in mind as my inspiration, Carole!
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Snow! Yes defintiely time to get ready to head out to your winder getaway. We call you guys who escape the winter weather in Portugal ‘snowbirds’ 🙂
At least with the rain your garden will be alive :when you return
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In California, Arizona, and Florida, we’d be called snowbirds as well, Carole. In Texas, we’re called “Winter Texans”. 😊
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Lovely plectranthus but deadheading was necessary… is it a loquat tree in bloom picture 1 ?
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Hi Fred, yes it is also called a loquat, or medlar.
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I have one but I’ve never seen the flowers (young shrub and it was too cold last year to flower I guess: fingers crossed for this year)
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I have similar feelings to those you describe in your opening paragraph. We’ve had mild weather to-date, with no frost or freezing, and I don’t look forward to the colder weather. But I need to accept it’s on the way, and get going with my seasonal prep tasks. I don’t mind the deadheading, but the digging, storing, and planting of some of the bulbs is quite a task. Your potted Plectranthus with the Basil is lovely!
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Hi Beth, it’s strange to be thinking of hunkering down for autumn winter when the weather is still so mild. the weather could change in a blink of an eye (as they say) and we need to be prepared. Although looking at the weather ap no rain and inclement weather is imminent.
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