2026/18 - Naturalistic gardening

After 4 years of blogging about the same two gardens, there is a tendency to repeat myself. The foundation of the gardens stays the same, obviously, as in both I cannot change it. A balcony stays a balcony, and on an allotment you are bound to rules.

 But still, I do try to renew and rewild.

On the balcony, I have changed around the climbers in two of the planters, from cucumbers and tomatoes to roses and Achillea. I have decided to keep the veg to the allotment.

I've told you the frog pond is a failed project, right? So I have given up refilling it weekly, and now let it get naturally soggy by occasional rainshowers. It means the plants in there will change as well...I will miss my Waterlily, but I hope the Papyrus will stay. I have removed the two gutters I used to direct the waterflow from my water butt to the pond. At least I will not stumble across them anymore... always a good idea not to break my neck.

This is no more...

I'll see how it evolves now, and wish my salamander good luck!

 I promised you a better photo of the orange Broom, and here it is. A lovely colour, I think!

Its white sister has grown into quite a large bush.

One of the strong, healthy plants that provide colour alongside the Broom and Tulips, is the Centaurea. I started with just a single plant, and by now it has spread all through the garden. Bumblebees love it, and so do I. 

Another 'spreader' is the Euphorbia. Again, it started with just one plant, and by now it is slowly marching away from the Artichoke patch (and who can blame it?) towards the dead hedge. My Rosemary is in flower, but my neighbour has a Rosemary bush that makes my pretty one look like a dwarf!

How about this one then! The photo does not do it justice, it is as large as a Toyota Aygo.

The last of my Narcissi to offset the new Tulips I planted in November. The yellow flowers are two cabbages I left in that border last Autumn, to give some nectar to the bees this Spring. There is a mass of Aquilegia in this border as well, that's new too, originating from the plants near the greenhouse door.

Some more Tulips, Apeldoorns Elite.

The Bergenia is doing its best to stick its head above the grass that is trying to take over this border.

This Tulip is called Miranda.

And this one should be Apeldoorns Elite, but frankly I think they put the wrong bulb in the sack, as A&E is orange with yellow edges...

Now, off-topic, look what Puck and I walked into...The entire harbour was filled with these small fish, approx 3" long, and leisurely swimming around in circles. I was amazed. So many fish, it must have been thousands! My fish knowledge does not reach far enough to be able to tell you the name, sorry.

You'd think the seagulls that are always hanging around the harbour would have a party, a rave, but funnily enough there was not a gull in sight.

I'll leave you with a photo of Brielse Meer, just before sunrise. We stumbled across four hares who were chasing eachother, and who were so into eachother that they only spotted Puck right at the last minute. They raced off, but one got so confused it ran in the wrong direction and crashed into Puck. My dog (always on leash because of the nesting waterfowl and the beavers) was so flabbergasted she just stood and stared. Well, she'll have something to dream about today!

Puck and I wish you a good week, wherever you are!

Renée Grashoff 

2026/14 - Spring blossoms and early flowers.

 I know, I know, it happens every year...But to me it never gets old! When I walk my dog I enjoy the sight of all the trees and shrubs that have sprung into Spring with abandon.

The tiny white flowers of the Amelanchier, which we call krentenboom, are always the first. The cherries have the reputation for being wonderful, but I think this blossom is just as fine.

By the way, not a blossom tree at all, but look at this Willow. It has put on its spring finery as well. The wild mallards that use this 'sloot' like to fly up to the top of this particular tree, as it has a nice bowl-shaped top, which seems to be custom made for ducks. They made their nest there some years ago.

The Rapeseed under this bank of blossoms is just about to burst into flower as well. And when the Amelanchier has turned green, the Hawthornes which also live on this bank, burst into flower alongside the Cow Parsley. This is my favourite bank near my house, by far!

In Hunky Dory there is slowly some colour creeping in...I have two Broom bushes, the ordinary yellow one, which does very well, and a much more temperamental orange kind. Last year it hardly showed any colour, such a disappointment. But look at the buds on it now! It is very promising, and I will make sure to show you it in all its glory soon.

Next to the frog pond I have planted some Grape Hyacinths I had in pots indoors. They seem happy and are slowly spreading themselves out along the path.

The Wallflowers were some of the very first plants I planted in my garden 4 years ago. I planted 3 together next to my (tiny!) 'mound', and two have given up by now. But this one is still going strong. What I adore about this one is the variation in the colour, not one flower is the same.

Totally different from the one on my balcony, which is very uniform. It was sold to me as Erysimum yellow, well...It is very large, and has taken over the entire trellis planter; but the Clematis that is also in there takes no heed and simply climbs up from behind it.

Talking about the balcony, this Brunnera macr 'White Zebra' is showing her pretty leaves in between the Maroccan Mint. I thought I had lost it to the invasive Mint, but no, thankfully here it is.

And remember this plant? And me moaning about it, how I had lost all the seedlings of it three years in a row? It seems my Erigeron Profusion (Mexcian Fleabane) has taken a shine to this pot, for here it is, her third year in there and wow, covered in new flowers. Mind you, I made the soil in there extra gritty by mixing in sand, and then covered the base of the plant with 3" granite rocks that I stole from the boring ground cover next to my apartment. It seems to have done the trick.

The huge Grape Hyacinths never cease to amaze me. They are a bit later than their ordinary cousins, but when they do finally show colour, they look great, and they last for ages too.

I wouldn't mind this one in Hunky Dory, but my green gut tells me it will not appreciate the heavy clay and icy winds there. 

Despite near freezing temperatures and a storm, the plants I brazenly put much too early in the railing planters are doing fine. All my Pelargoniums have given up the ghost, so I had to get new plants. Oh well, I like a change from time to time. Now I simply hope my yellow Grape, which is against one of the trellis, has survived. The climbing rose Schneewitchen (the other trellis) is looking good, but the Grape looks...dead, frankly. I'll leave it for a bit though. After all it is early days yet.

Okay. Have a good weekend, take a look at my website Renée Grashoff Schrijft or subscribe to my newsletter by leaving me a message. 

Take care,

Renée Grashoff 

2026/10 - When Will Spring Arrive Syndrome (and other stuff)

 And here I am: the yearly Whenwillspringarrive-Syndrome has struck again.

At least the Narcissi bloom in Hunky Dory

My balcony garden looks a fright, and I am itching to clear the dead Pelargoniums and other sad debris of winter away, empty the planters and plant some fresh, cheerful flowering beauties in them.

But experience has taught me that it will be silly to do so (put fresh flowers in)  before at least the middle of April.

Firstly there are always spring gales. Secondly all that fresh earth will wash out of the planters. A waste of money.

Thirdly my new plants will take a battering by the cold winds, also a

     waste of money.

Yeah, yeah, the sky is blue...but that is for the first time in a fortnight. My balcony is in deep shade until 15.30...

Still. There is some compensation.

Until I can get them in their proper planter, these Cyclamen are doing their utmost to cheer me up. And I noticed my purple Clematis is showing new buds, yay!

And here you are!

Much better, eh? You can see the muck on the floor...always the case after the winter months.

I know, I know, it looks an utter mess. But I have cleared 3 planters already, carted the dead Pelargoniums to the compost heap in Hunky Dory, and will do the rest tomorrow.

Zwaartekracht 

Totally off-topic (yes folks, it is one of those blogs yet again, sorry), my book has arrived, physically.

Am I proud? I certainly am! Next Saturday, in two days time that is, I will be taking up my chair again in Hoofdstuk Een, the most wonderful bookshop of Voorne. (By the time you'll read this blogpost, that day has passed)

Where last year I was still slightly suffering from Impostors Syndrome, this year I feel totally validated. That is due to so many people telling me that I am 'actually a very good writer'. Mind you, quite a few of those sounded surprised, hahaha, those are the best! And they are even better for buying part 2 of the trilogy.

If you would like to read about that meet-and-greet, do visit my website at Renée Grashoff Schrijft , where I will tell you all the juicy stuff in the latest blog.

Santos

Off-topic as well, I visited the newly moved Fotomuseum Rotterdam, which is now housed in the old Santos warehouse at Rijnhaven. I was taken with the building, especially with those extremely sturdy wooden doors,  so took a few photos to show you.

I love that there is a cat door in that old door (middle photo). They used to store Brasilian coffee in this warehouse (shipped from the port Santos, hence the name) and apparently mice were an issue. I can see a big black and white cat in my mind's eye, prowling the 6 floors.

Right. I'll leave you with a photo of the front of my greenhouse, where the mini Narcisii are blooming amongst the fresh Fennel now. Better gardening times are coming!

Have a lovely week, wherever you are!

Renée Grashoff 

 

2025/15 Driest Spring in history

 One year ago I was complaining about the incessant rain we were having, months on end. Flooded streets, and my poor flooded flowerbeds. This year we are experiencing the driest Spring since weather recorded history. 

Hello, my little friend!

   My garden soil is parched. My water butt is almost empty (luckily I have 3 more). And, grumble grumble, it is hard to get a spade into to the ground already. That should not be happening before June!

   How I am going to get my seedlings into the ground, I don't know. For the time being they are still in the greenhouse, as we have frosts in the night. But they were struggling, because it already gets so hot in there! So yesterday afternoon I hung up a shade for them, I hope it is enough to keep them alive.

The first Tulips are showing colour, always a nice moment. I have various kinds, but they are mostly the shorter botanical ones. That wind that whips through my garden on most days has taught me a lesson in the first year I was gardening here.

Sorry about the sunglasses, but I need them

And the other bulbs are showing signs of life as well. My Alliums are up, only the green stems so far. The Grape Hyacinths are looking chirpy next to the frog pond.

I planted Camassia as well, they are above ground. I have high hope for them.

My pruning is almost done. Just one more bed to go, as well as the Teasels in the apple orchard. They can go now, there are plenty of other hiding places for the insects by now. I have three compost heaps, but two are already full to capacity. 

There is a bud! But you can see how dry that soil is, can't you?

Another thing I did was paint the two obelisks; I chose black, as the colour of the flowers that will (hopefully!) scramble up them will pop against the black. As I had some leftover paint, I also painted the top of my rickety wooden fence. I am already looking forward to the dark yellow of the Tansy against that black.

The previous colour (grey) disappeared next to the Artichokes, this is much better.

Oh, I have two flowers in my struggling Viburnum, two! As it seemed doomed last year, this is a happy event!

Right. I'll be leaving you with a photo of last summer, just to give you an idea what Hunky Dory can also look like.😎

We'll have to practise patience...

Have a lovely weekend!

Renée Grashoff 
 

153 - Thank Chloris, enough energy to garden!

 Nee joh, heeft niets te maken met Glorix toiletverfrisser, Chloris is de Griekse godin van de lente en lentebloemen. De Romeinen noemden haar Flora (kijk, dat zit vast al wat meer in je comfort zone). Aangezien ik deze week eindelijk weer de puf had om te snoeien in Hunky Dory, vond ik een klein dankgebedje wel op zijn plaats.

Mooi he?!

   De Grieken waren er nou eenmaal eerder dan de Romeinen en ik heb net Stephen Fry's 'Heroes' gelezen, vandaar (niet aan beginnen als je allergisch bent voor Griekse mythologie!).

Het was droog, maar grijs, typisch lenteweer dus en ik moest nodig beginnen aan dat snoeiwerk dat ik noodgedwongen al weken had laten sloffen. Wanneer je er een tijd niet geweest bent, zie je pas goed hoe hard alles weer uitloopt! Om mijn Narcissen hun ereplaats te gunnen, ben ik begonnen bij de voorkant van de kas en heb ik alle dorre stengels van de Verbena bonariensis daar weggeknipt. Die stengels zijn hol en vierkant, eigenlijk heel handig om een insectenhotel mee te maken, dus dat heb ik gedaan. De rest van de stelen  heb ik kleingeknipt en in mijn bed gestrooid, instant mulch. Behalve een paar flinke blaren (niks meer gewend en mijn leren handschoenen zijn versleten, die plastic dingen zijn duidelijk niet dik genoeg) heb ik er een heerlijk tevreden gevoel aan overgehouden.

Sneeuwklokjes langs de Veste

Zo'n ochtendje op de tuin geeft onmiddellijk energie en zin om weer van alles te proberen. Die energie had ik overigens hard nodig, want mijn kikkerpoel lag vol met blad van de bomen langs de Langesingel en het 'snot' is door het gebrek aan vorst deze winter vrolijk doorgegroeid. Mocht er een kikker in overwinterd hebben, dan kan het arme beest nauwelijks boven water komen, zóveel troep ligt er in. Daar moest dus wat aan gebeuren! Maar mijn Helleborus staat ernaast te pronken, prachtig. Ik kreeg drie stekken van de Prikneus (Silene coronaria) van buurman Hans, die ik daar ook geplant heb. Ik hoop dat het witte zijn, maar okay, die felroze zijn wel erg vrolijk.

Look at me!

   De Silene zaait zichzelf behoorlijk uit, maar dat mag van mij. Ik ben dol op planten met grijsbehaarde stengels/bladeren, geen idee waarom.

   Andere buurman Leo troonde me mee naar zijn al uitlopende aardappelen, waardoor ik meteen zin kreeg om zelf ook weer aan de aardappels te beginnen. Dit jaar ga ik ze in groeizakken zetten, kijken of dat beter werkt dan in de kasgrond, die niet zo best is. Bovendien werd ik verleden zomer gek van het onkruid in de kas, daar was gewoon niet tegen aan te wieden...Het is een zaadjes wegschietend klaverachtig onkruidje (deze verdient zijn naam!), lief om te zien, maar allemachtig wat een zooi. Ik had het gevoel dat hoe meer ik wiedde, hoe meer van dat spul er op kwam. Leo had ontzettend lief mijn hoge uitlopers van de appelbomen gesnoeid; ik had ze op mijn snoeidag laten zitten, omdat ik niet meer op de hoge ladder durf. Eén keer goed vallen en een half jaar ellende heeft me valangst bezorgd waar ik nog niet vanaf ben. 

 Aan de positieve kas-kant: deze week heb ik al twee keer mijn eerste verse veldsla uit de kas geplukt. Dat is zooooooo bevredigend! En lekker.

Rozemarijn in bloei

Ik had in oktober mijn uit zijn krachten gegroeide Rozemarijn overgezet van de kruidenbak op het balkon naar de tuin en zag tot mijn grote vreugde dat ze deze verhuizing overleefd heeft en nu bloeit. Daar kunnen de vroegste hommels dan fijn van profiteren. Aankomende week schijnen we goed lenteweer te krijgen, joepie, dan ga ik de overige balkonplanten overzetten. Na een paar jaar balkon knappen ze enorm op van een verhuizing naar volle grond.

Goed. Ik wens je een heerlijk lenteweekend!