Gardeners World Live 2011

This garden is called 'Grass' by Tony Smith. It was quite striking - if you like grass. The square in the middle is dug out and has a sunken seated area - made of flowers - no, don't be silly - made of grass. It's about sustainability and the way that we use grass these days. Do you use grass?

These people know how to use colour and contrast. I just chuck stuff in - nature doesn't clash right? Some of the stands are artistic perfection.

The wonderful Monty Don was there filming for Gardeners World. We hid from the cameras and watched from the edge. He's even got his red braces on. Hail the Don! Hail the Don!

We collect guitars in our house. Every one with its own specific purpose of getting in my way. They had a great idea of using them for planters....I have this idea filed away under 'Spring Cleaning'.

See what I mean? Look at this - some neater Aliums that mine in the Floral Marque.

The Delphiniums in all their glory. Mine always get slugged.

I'll try again with them next year. They are too nice to give up on. Some people don't like fox gloves in our house, but it was pointed out that 'you can't have a cottage garden without them' and it's right. How can you not like these? I'm planting some next year - shhhhhh don't tell and nobody will notice.

Fancy them letting a live gorilla in. You'd think it would be dangerous. He just stayed up there like a statue - amazing.

The carnivorous plants are always a bit Tim Burtonesque. On the way out we saw an old man and his wife with bags of them - you can't always trust the old timers - vicious streak well hidden under all that beige clothing.

The orange and reds in this garden were so vivid and vibrant they were like fire. Yes! Fire!

Nice roses - I saw a purple/blue one but it was gone when I went back for it. Next time Mr. Rose you will be mine.

What are these called? I've forgotten - they have them abroad - the ones from abroad we'll call them.

'Simple Elements' by Stephen Cobb. A garden to be viewed rather than used. The different elements representing fire, water, earth and wind. Far too neat and tidy for me to recreate, but I like the idea of living sculpture. We should have more of it.

This one is 'Remember the Dream' by Yvonne Mathews in honour of Macmillan Cancer suppot. There is a wishing pool and a place to sit and dream. It was a mass of pinks roses and clematis leading to the swing where you can reflect and breath in the scent of lavender and sweet peas. Every hospital should have one of these gardens.

The bonsai trees are always incredible at these shows.

They are like little works of art.

I like aliums. Hurrah for aliums. They are kind of fun.

This is the garden that Monty was filming in. He mentioned the combination of flowers and vegetables together. This is probably how my allotment should look and if I had more space it would do. It's got to be the best way to trick the naughty pigeons and to attract the good bug eaters.

Fancy a sit down? I'd pinch this idea if i had a big garden. It would be really easy to do. There should be more of this too. Why don't they put some of these in the parks? I'm always tempted into doing some gorilla gardening when I look around our boring town. I don't think I'd get away with this recreating this one though...

We stumbled upon Joe Swift in The Bodgery garden designed by Chris Myers.

What is a Bodger? They make parts for chair makers but never the whole thing - hence an unfinished job becoming known as a bodged job. This fella with a beard is the bodger that inspired the garden. He does that job for real - in real life. I liked the little hut built in the hillside with the smoke coming out of the top and the workman in his rural setting turning the wood. Natural and scruffy - like me. Well scruffy like me. Not sure why the scarecrow was advertising back supports though - oh well.

So there we are. I had sore feet afterwards, but I was really restrained, I only bought a magazine. I have come away with inspiration instead. Happy to have stood in the presence of the gardening god that is Monty Don. Hail the Don! Hail the Don! etc. A grand day out Gromit.

Nets Done

Thought I'd share my cottage look front garden with you. We've got loads of bees. Scruffy is best for wildlife right?

The strawberries are starting to turn. Just made it in time to net them up and put the straw down today. It's more fun if you do things at the last minute right?

I've got some broad beans starting to come. Saved them for the kids to pick when we go up on bikes this week.

In other news I've bought my grow bags and my tomatoes are doing quite well thank you very much.

Sad news too though, my giant pumpkins have gone! Where are they? As if someone dug them up and stole them because they were so beautiful. Actually, I think they have been viciously eaten. Anyway, I might have to cheat now and buy a couple of squash plants. I've got one sad looking one left that is still in the greenhouse. Planted up some sweet peas today and finally strimmed the grass. Even treated ourselves to some new choppers so that there's more chance of the grass getting a trim (I also cheated and bought a courgette plant from the shops while I was there - mine are all dead, may they rest in pieces eaten to death by passing slugs).