Baubles, Reindeers and more at the Ideal Home Show at Christmas

67,024 visitors attended the Ideal Home Show at Christmas and Eat and Drink Festival 2017 and I was one of them. Even though it felt like they might all be there on the same day as me, that number was spread over the four days. The show was smaller than the Ideal Home Show that's held each March/April but it was well worth a look round. I even left with my first Christmas present bought, and I wasn't expecting that.

Mostly because I'm either a last minute kind of girl, or an online shopper, but when I saw this gift I was sold, but more of that another day. Today it's another festive post, and yes I know it's still November, but I've a steady supply of Christmas posts to share with you, and let's be honest there'll be no use to you in the week before Christmas will they?

My favourite part of the show this weekend was the decorations section and wandering around spotting the trends - for me, it's reindeers, twigs fashioned into trees, cardholders and more and place holders, you read it here first...  I also couldn't help but fall a little bit in love with this army of silver Santas, and each seemed to have its own personality and were full of charm. 

I loved these decorations sitting down waiting for Christmas to arrive, and if I had a mantelpiece I'm pretty sure these would be on it, mainly because they just make me smile. I imagine them springing into action, sprinkling their Christmas magic as it draws closer. In fact I wouldn't have been surprised to have seen one of them with a cuppa...

And then there were the juggling - or are they waving? - Santas - this stall was a hit for me and I had to move on quickly.  It was popular with everyone else too, and having little patience for queues was a bit of a godsend for my purse, and helped me avoid the usual questions from MOH. He stayed home and spent his time making our Christmas puddings, time well spent and I'm looking forward to tasting those.

WAVING OR JUGGLING - YOU DECIDE

Reindeers were a plenty too, and this cheeky wooden chappie was my favourite. Clearly wooden decorations aren't new, but there was something about this one that gave it a more modern feel. 

A WOODEN REINDEER WITH CHARACTER

I've already mentioned wood and that was another theme I saw repeatedly through the show, these small festive message trees were popular.

WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY, TREE?

These garden ornaments reminded me of my agapanthus seed heads and sputniks at the same time, gorgeous aren't they?

THESE REMINDED ME OF MY AGAPANTHUS SEEDHEADS

We've already seen feathered birds in an earlier post and they were evident at Olympia too, this time in twinkly twiggy trees, which I would love to have as part of our decorations. But even I know that without a loft to store them in they're not practical, but maybe one day.

TWINKLY TREES AND MORE FEATHERS

The other thing I saw lots of was placeholders, maybe because we're hosting Christmas dinner this year, I noticed more of them than ever before. I was torn between a traditional wreath and a more modern bauble. I've an idea of how I can bring some of our garden onto our dining table and so I'm holding out for those, and will share how they turn out here nearer to the big day, as I'm hoping they'll be easy to do, as well as effective.

A WREATH OR..

BAUBLES - WHICH WOULD YOU GO FOR?

There were plenty of elves around the show, they're not for me, but I'd happily have this star - and I think it could be a year round thing, not just for Christmas, don't you?

One stall had faux Christmas trees of every size, including Christmas tree bunting, which I was very tempted by - complete with LED lights and a gingham bow the only thing putting me off was having to carry it home, perhaps I should have brought MOH along after all.

These jars complete with candles - LED or otherwise- looked great, and while they're probably not aimed just at carol singers, that's what they reminded me of - pretty aren't they?

So there's my pick of the decorations at the show this year, what do you think? Would your resolve have been weakened? 

Next week I've got photos of the Christmas room sets to share, and you know how much I love a room set, don't you?!

* This post is with thanks to the Ideal Home Show who provided me with entry to the show free of charge, but as usual all views are my own.

Dealing with the growing problem of Japanese knotweed

It's something we hear a lot about in the press, and something that's tricky to be rid of, yes the scourge of Japanese knotweed. And it makes for scary reading. I often wonder if I'd know it if I saw it, and if it really does march on as the press would have us believe.

After some Google image searching I was relieved to know I've not seen any nearby, but now I know what I'm looking for, I'm keeping an eye out. 

It seems it's no ordinary plant or weed. It's one that's incredibly fast growing so can easily take over an entire garden and scarily a home if it's left uncontrolled, causing serious problems to properties.  There's reports of it being hard to get a mortgage for properties with it in the garden, and can even send property values plummeting, which sounds crazy doesn't it...

So if it's so dangerous, how can we deal with it effectively?

Firstly - and this may sound obvious, but it's worth stating anyway - make sure what you're dealing with is actually Japanese knotweed. Perhaps you've suddenly noticed a new plant in your garden, and not something you planted. Often these can be gifts from the birds and wildlife, but as in life, not all gifts are equal.

I've already admitted I wasn't sure what it looks like, and it seems I'm not alone - less than 44% of us would recognise it according to one survey.  If you see shoots appearing in your garden, which are similar to bamboo then start to investigate more. When they appear, the leaves are slightly tear-shaped, or may even be described as a sort of oblong heart.

The real clue though in figuring out if you have Japanese knotweed growing is if the new plant starts growing like wildfire, no matter how much you cut it down. Which seems quite late, a bit like when MOH started joining in the gardening. He was a keen weeder, sometimes too keen and regularly brought a plant along asking if it was a weed or not, and let's just say it wasn't always a weed, but of course by then it was too late. And not matter how much he tried shoving it back in the ground rarely helped...

The experts say trying to eradicate Japanese knotweed on our own is largely a futile task. The problem lies in the deep and wide root system that enables it to grow and grow. So, simply slashing down from above ground doesn't do much to solve the dilemma, other than goad the roots to send up a new batch of troublesome shoots. Sprays bought from garden centres and home remedies are usually also ineffective. 

NOT JAPANESE KNOTWEED - IF YOU SUSPECT YOU MAY HAVE THIS WEED, DON'T TAKE THE HAZY, ROMANTIC VIEW...
Photo by A Fox on Unsplash

The recommended solution to effectively remove Japanese knotweed is to get the experts in. Companies in the UK now specialise in the removal of Japanese knotweed and have developed highly effective methods and equipment to kill it off for good. They use powerful herbicide treatments and dig-outs so the entire root system is removed so there’s nothing left to grow back.

The benefits of professional removal of Japanese knotweed means there's no future risk of damage to the property.  I didn't realise that if you have it you're legally obliged not to let it spread to neighbouring properties - what responsibility, but then again I'd be pretty annoyed if it came from any of my neighbours. To do so is an offence that could attract an ASBO, a fine, or even a jail term — it really is dangerous stuff, isn't it? 

So after learning more about this weed I'd recommend that if you suspect you have a growing Japanese knotweed problem, seek help — and professional assistance — before it’s too late. Look for the best firms specialising in the removal of Japanese knotweed, because they will be able to provide you with an insurance-backed guarantee for their work, and that means you won't encounter any problems selling your house at a later date, because your buyers will be able to secure a mortgage on your property.

Usually I'd ask if any of you experience anything like this, but I seriously hope you haven't as it sounds horrendous and I can't help but be reminded of The Day of the Triffids, which traumatised me for a long time after watching it way back in 1981. 

1981?!  How is that even possible?!

* This is a collaborative post but views are my own

A tidy up in the garden

After starting to put the garden to bed last weekend, when we spotted the sun shining again this Sunday we headed out to do a bit more. The plan was to put the umbrellas away, and move the hibiscus (finally). But as it was warm in the sun, as often happens a little bit more was done. I took the opportunity to plant out those Lords and Ladies from the greenhouse in my gabion basket planters - I think they should do pretty well in there, as that's the most woodland-like area of our garden.

As I was pottering about I couldn't help but notice that the chrysants are starting to fade - and I think they look better this way.  They are ultimately destined for the allotment, but we're enjoying the burst of colour they bring. Usually though they don't have much company for colour, this year with its wacky temperatures there's still some bedding about.

And of course the hibiscus. It still has buds. Bonkers hey?

We did move it though into a much more sheltered position alongside the agapanthus which have the shelter of the conservatory, and the warmth of two boiler outlets (ours and next doors, we don't have two boilers!)

There was also some time for some weeding. Remember my much loved corner from the summer? Well it looks a little different now - it looked different again before the weeding too!  The lavender has filled out, and the petunias are done. 

The lone strawberry plant growing between two paving slabs has filled out quite a bit too.

And the begonias seem to be in competition with the small Christmas tree.  Hiding amongst the begonias (on the right) are some more Lords and Ladies,  I hadn't seen them there before, so they must have been one of the tubers I planted hopefully.  I could - if I'm lucky - have a whole pot of them we'll have to see.

Further along the sleeper bed, I spied this pretty leaf and while these were destined for the compost, this sole pretty leaf gave them a stay of execution. I'm expecting to be repaid with more pretty leaves!

As I was clearing more weeds from around the circle I spied this discarded flower head and was struck by its vibrancy, even though it's clearly decaying.

The sedum are turning their jewelled colour and the winter jasmine is clambering through them - these are more usual plants for this time of year, and it's good to see them.

While I faffed about and took pictures, MOH was mowering up fallen leaves and feeling all smug with himself for using the lawnmower. It worked well, but won't be an option soon as the grass will be too wet. Which is a shame as picking up leaves is back breaking work, and something I'm happy to leave to him, which of course he's spotted.  

And still the fatsia wows me, with it's delicate bauble-like flower heads. I'm glad it's one of the plants we can see from the window. Exquisite isn't it?

But guess what? It was windy overnight and the cherry tree has deposited another dusting of leaves, all over the grass. I'm pretty sure MOH thinks the trees in collusion with the squirrels (who continue to dig up the lawn just to annoy MOH!)

How's your garden, have you ventured out there recently?