Pruning, selling Xmas Trees and reindeers

December and Christmas just around the corner - I haven't been outside too much lately - the rain and the wind are part of the reason but I've been busy trying to grow my various businesses. I still have to make an income and it's proving much harder than I expected.

Never mind, it will happen, I just have to have faith, which I do, in spades.

So, the only job I have completed successfully over the past couple of weeks has been to prune one of the fig trees, the one near the house. I know the more you prune the stronger the growth and these figs are aggressive in their habits but the one nearer the house is so dense now that it shades everything else, including my beautiful bay standard - so I cut it back to almost a third! Felt drastic but the tree will appreciate it - and so will everything underneath. I also pruned a hibiscus, white, in the front garden. It's a beautiful shrub and a prolific flower producing kind white petals, white stamen, so cool - at its height every branch has blossom, breathtaking.

Years ago I bought three cordylines in East Street market for £1.00, yes £1 for the three!!! I put two in the ground close together and one in a pot by the front door. The two I planted are now 10' tall and triffid like, they flower every year now. Luckily they have grown past the windows, for a few years it was a bit dark and dingy in the lounge!  I haven't the heart to cut them down and they make the best landmark for anyone visiting the house.

I trimmed down the grape vine that grows from next door, right over my back door and kitchen window, it will produce grapes every year, maybe next year they will be edible and not the sour offerings we have now. I pray every year that next door won't dig it out, I love it.

I've been selling all things Christmas at South Lambeth Road Library, the Tate. We are trying to get a new community street market up and running to help support the library and bring a bit more vibrancy to the surrounding area. The people who live up there are happy to hear there may be a bit of shopping available next year. If anyone is interested in having a stall or hearing more about it I can send on the details. No doubt as I am more and more drawn into 'helping; I'll post the information here. We are working on a launch day for early next year, possibly February.

Xmas trees are hard work!!!! Hope I sell them on Saturday - visit if you can - it's in Wilcox Close, right alongside the Tate Library.

Last Saturday I went to Covent Garden to buy stock and five little reindeers caught my eye, they were planted with apple sized berries, normally I avoid the twee but they looked in need of a friend. A lovely young woman bought them and wanted more........I'll see if I can get them next week.

Not my reindeer, this beautiful heart shaped climber is actually passion flower, a house near me made it happen, I like seeing it, especially in the summer.

The fig tree on the left, the grapevine in the foreground, before I pruned it. The garden looks very autumn.

Where did those weeks go?

The moment when you realise you haven't written your blog for so long!
Sorry to any avid readers....not sure there are any yet but sorry just the same.
As I shared in my last blog I gave up smoking after having a chest infection and fever, the greatest news is that I have remained smoke free since - so now I'm in my 11th week.
It has not been easy and continues to be a struggle sometimes but I have managed this far and I am so proud of myself.
It is a filthy habit and one that I realise was a MAJOR part of my life, my habit is still niggling away at me and the after effects are only just beginning.
I have put on weight but I can lose it, I can't get new lungs, or a healthy respiratory system but I can lose weight.
While I have been trying desperately to keep busy and keep smoke-free I have been doing the garden, mostly raking leaves and putting them in bags for leaf mould next year.

 

I have been selling plants but sadly have given up my two days in Brixton market - I may be starting somewhere else - there's a new street market opening in South Lambeth Road, next to the Tate Library. I fancy I might help that get of the ground.
I've been selling from my garden too, small but steady business so if you are one of my neighbours and have just joined me I'll be doing the newsletter very soon.
I have also done a course in myofascial release - an addition my growing massage repertoire.
I've been busy.............

 

making Kokedama moss balls, which I will be selling at Christmas and next year, I have a company called Kokedama London. Making these is such a meditation, I will become obsessed - they are so beautiful - here are some hanging ones.

 

Nature, you can't stop it

So, I was walking back from the local shop and spotted this courageous lobelia growing between the kerb and the road, in-between two parked cars!
Creation is a splendid thing, how it gets the nutrients it needs is beyond me but it grows and gives pleasure and I give thanks.

How my garden looks today