Dereks Diary Part 2

[derekbrooks]

I will now show you some pictures of my exhibits yesterday
Ref lex chrysanths Matlock


Bowl of roses Dorothy Cunliffe. This is now on our windowsill at home


Small decorative dahlias Sorrento flush


Vase of dahlis for effect Trouper Dan,Taratahi ruby and Garden friends

[derekbrooks]

Top vase class First and second


Three gladioli. Can't remember the varieties


Three min ball dahlias. Jomanda and Mary's Jomanda

[balc2]

Fantastic to have won so many firsts! You did very well to put up your exhibits in such a short time & still win so many prizes! Congratulations!

[derekbrooks]

Thank you,Balc2
A decent day today but I haven't been able to do many garden jobs. I had a flat tyre and this morning I had to go to a garage to get it fixed.They had to put a new tyre on.This afternoon I went to Blackleach with Janet to count the birds and record the wild flowers.This evening I went to the allotment just to water but I brought three sacks of weeds home to put in the recycling bin.

[derekbrooks]

A bit showery this morning but between showers I harvested the Charlotte potatoes from the six bags up near the greenhouse.I washed them at the kitchen sink after.It was dry this afternoon but I didn't know whether to risk going to the allotment.I did go and it stayed dry while I was there.I put blanching collars on three leeks which I missed when doing the others.I did some more disbudding of the dahlias,then I harvested the potatoes from three tubs.I washed these this evening.

[balc2]

What sort of harvest did you get from the potatoes? I once grew potatoes on the balcony but the yield wasn't worth the effort and I've never grown them again.

Potatoes need lots of room and they grow best in the open soil. I did get better yields when I used to grow them on the allotment I used to have & on the one I shared with a friend from church years ago.

[derekbrooks]

Hi Balc2
The yield of potatoes from the bags and tubs was not as good as usual and I still haven't dug up those on the allotment.I am going to another show on Saturday and there is a class for six salad potatoes but I couldn't find six the same size.Most of them were too small.
A day of heavy showers.This morning I fed the tomatoes and cucumbers in the greenhouse and between showers I fed the hanging baskts and other containers.Went in the greenhouse thia afternoon and took 12 cuttings from each salvia "Hot lips" and "Cerro potosi".

[derekbrooks]

I have another show to go to on Saturday (my birthday).It is at Tottington,near Bury and I started cutting the flowers today.Went to the allotment this morning and cut all I wanted from there,spray chrysanths, dahlias and some annuals.Went to Blackleach this afternoon for the art club.There is a class at the show for a vase of wild flowers and when the art club people were in I walked round the reservoir with my secateurs cutting them.I had taken a bucket to put them in when I got back to the visitor centre.There is also a class for a vase of perennials and I cut these from the border alongside the visitor centre.I regard this border as my own and they are all flowers that I had grown and planted there.When I got home I cut the chrysanths from my garden but there weren't many. Couldn't cut any this evening because it is pouring down.Hope it doesn't spoil them.

[balc2]

Best of luck at the show, Derek, & I hope you win some good prizes like last time.

Happy birthday for tomorrow as well - in case I forget tomorrow!

[derekbrooks]

Thanks,Balc2
Today I have cut more flowers for the show from my garden.I have also taken most of the apples off my tree and sorted three to take to the show. The car is loaded up ready for an early start tomorrow.

[derekbrooks]

I have enjoyed my birthday winning prizes at Tottington show.I entred 23 classes and got 12 firsts, 6 seconds and 3 thirds,2 silver medals and 3 trophies. One silver medal was for the best exhibit in the dahlia classes with Taratahi Ruby.The other was for the best exhibit in chrysanths with a vase of mixed sprays. I also won the best exhibit in the general flower classes with a vase of perennials.I also had most points in all the flower classes,like I did at Whitefield last week.I will probably show you some pictures tomorrow

[derekbrooks]

It is fine this evening but it has rained most of the day.Today has been the North West Counties chrysanth show at R.H.S.Bridgewater so we went there this afternoon.We all went for a meal this evening then Heather went home

[derekbrooks]

I am now going to show you some pictues of my exhibits at Tottington show yesterday

Taratahi Ruby.Best exhibit in dahlia classes


Vase of spray chrysanths.Best exhibit in chrysanth clases


Vase of perennials.Best vase in all the general flower clases.All these flowers were what I have planted in the border alongside the visitor centre at Blackleach country park


Vase of dahlias for effect


Two vases of mixed garden flowers


Vase of wild flowers,all from Blackleach country park


Six fuchsia florets,Swingtime

[derekbrooks]

Just one more picture

Medium cactus dahlia.Kenora Sunset

[balc2]

You did very well to win so many prizes! Congratulations! 👏👏