Front lawn (1)

Are you going to scatter some wild flower seed and go for a full meadow look?

I have already scattered some, but lawn (1) is very full of moss - I scraped it off where I put the seeds, but I'll just have to see. The other "lawn" is actually prettier, I think. I'm not fully committed yet - I'm thinking of putting in lots of crocuses in the autumn. I'm just mulling it over (as I am prone to do!)

Am guessing that moss means it's damp. If so, how about candelabra primroses which naturalise easily in grass, as long as OH doesn't mow them down...

OH??? Mow??? !

Seriously, I am the only one who ever does anything in the garden. Well, he does sit! No - that's the way I like it, and anyway, the lawn is only small. I get help with any sort of DIY project when I ask for it. He really wouldn't know a dandelion from a hellebore.

Candelabra primroses sound like a very good idea. I think transplanting into the grass is quite a good way of adding to the variety - I've already done it with violets, speedwell and poppies.

I like your idea of a wild flower meadow. Do you think the neighbours will appreciate it. I'd be worried that they might not like it too much.

I don't think they can see it from their gardens - the hedge is quite high. Their gardens arer gravelled and paved respectively - I know them both well. I'm sure I'll find out if they don't like it!

Lets hope they love it. We really need to start appreciating our own wild flowers more. When you think all those expensive GC plants are some other county's wild flowers it does make me wonder how much we could save as a country if we used home grown plants. I mean I can not give up my hebes and phormiums from New Zealand or my bulbs from Europe but ....... lol.

All things in moderation...! It would be a shame to lose the exotica, and there's no reason why we should, as long as our native plants continue to exist. I enjoy seeing how many insects enjoy them. I have seen a lot of bees this year - perhaps the weather has just been that bit better for them?

Mine kind of lawn. :-)

I am still not convinced, Mouldy. Really, I should shave the whole lot, dig it over and start from scratch. I'm just not very good at all that - it's a problem of will, I think! Anyway, it'll be mown in a fortnight, and then we'll see...

Think of all the insects you'll make homeless! Lol.

Plenty of room for them round the back!

Yeah, make them use the tradesman's entrance. Lol.

They are welcome guests, Mouldy! A grasshopper landed on me today (I was sitting still, reading - Ian Rankin, if you're interested) and I realised it was the first one I have seen in years. I used to hear them quite often. I was pleased to see it. When it jumped off, it must have covered about 4 feet. Amazing!

We're having a dilemma over the mowing of our back lawn, as it is mostly clover and the bees just love it but the rest of the planting looks so much better when it has been done. Have decided to mow, leaving circles of clover for the bees to enjoy, as has been done by another Goyer whose name temporarily escapes me - sorry!
Which Ian Rankin is it, Mel, and are you enjoying it?

I finished it today, Tuesdaybear. It was the latest Rebus book "Standing in Another Man's Grave". I enjoyed it very much. I like Rankin's style. I also liked the fact that a lot of the action takes place on the Black Isle, where we holiday. I find a specific location enhances a story for me, even if I don't know the area. (It drives me mad trying to pinpoint Frost's "Denton"!) OH thinks this a very peculiar quirk, and I accept that it is probably a bit odd! But then, I often read the road atlas in bed... (I'm an exceptionally good navigator ;-) )

Back to the lawn-mowing. I agree about the borders looking better with a cut lawn. Mine in the back are such informal planting that I really need order in the centre of the garden. I've got a patch of yellow wildflowers in one part of the back lawn. I've hardly had to mow in all the hot weather, but now it's raining again, I shall have to mow soon. I might leave them and mow round them. I have had several thoughts about my front garden. It will be mown next week anyway, but I think I might keep one of the lawns cut next year - the one with the mossy thatch. Or I might just keep a small square or two long for a sort of patchwork effect. Anyway - I have all winter to mull it over!

Yeah, put your feet up with a few good books.
That's what winter's for. ;-)

Indeed ;-)

Good, aren't they? We have just ordered a collection of Anne Cleeves's books to take on holiday - there will be 7 adults, so I expect we'll be sharing them around. We're taking an Ian Rankin collection as well - I haven't read them all yet, but I think OH has. I think I shall go looking for a good short story collection as well - not so common, but I love them. If I can't find one, I might take Somerset Maugham with me. Have you ever read any of H E Bates's short stories? They are surprisingly downbeat, if not downright depressing. About as far from The Darling Buds of May as you could imagine!

Haven't read 50 Shades, though my daughter has. I might get around to it, but I might not. I hope your mother enjoys it!

My grandmother introduced me to Darling Buds when I was quite young. She loved them. I do too, but I have to be in the right mood. Sometimes, I find it's a bit like swimming in cream - luxurious and gorgeous and slightly decadent all at the same time. (Sounds rather good, now I think of it!)

I'm sure we'll have a great time. We know the house and the area well.