Tuesday 2 June 2015

Kokedama and going wild.

 Strong winds and heavy rain hit the UK last night.    Today is much the same.     Along with many others, I signed up for '30 days wild' with the Wildlife Trust.    Each day in June I shall engage in a random act of wildness.    Laying in bed last night I was thinking what I could do today.     Last week Gardeners World showed the Japanese art of Kokedama (moss balls)
 Instead of the potting shed I decided I would attempt to make them on the deck of the tree house.    Outside, with the drizzle and strong winds, is surely a bit on the wild side.   I do really have a wild side :)    I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.    To be so close to nature, instead of tucked up in the warmth of the potting shed, opened my eyes.    Putting the balls together, and listening to the sounds of the wind in the trees, and birds calling ........just being still, was beautiful.
Whilst the moss balls have not quite turned out as I expected I do love them.      I am no artist but they  fit in perfectly with this wild landscape.    I shall make more, as the season progresses and my little string garden will remind me of the time 'I went wild'
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23 comments:

  1. Cheryl2 June 2015 at 06:46

    I will not post 'acts of wildness' every day.....but here and there you will see my wild side.

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  2. Rowan2 June 2015 at 07:06

    The moss balls look rather nice - I can imagine that any bird making a nest would appreciate all this free material too.

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    1. Cheryl2 June 2015 at 07:16

      Hopefully Rowan they will take the moss in the lawn.....if they take it from the moss balls they may just fall apart :)
      They are not easy to make but I am sure the more I make, the better they will look :)

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  3. Rowan2 June 2015 at 07:06

    The moss balls look rather nice - I can imagine that any bird making a nest would appreciate all this free material too.

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  4. Jo2 June 2015 at 10:08

    I saw this on Gardener's World last week and thought how great they look, I quite fancy having a go myself. Yours look brilliant.

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    1. Cheryl2 June 2015 at 10:16

      To be honest Jo, I struggled with these. The problem I had was getting the string around, and holding it together at the same time. I needed another pair of hands.
      To be truthful the ferns were really too large for the job. I wanted them to hang from the trees in the woodland area and felt small ferns would disappear into the surroundings. Not so sure now :)

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  5. Lisa at Greenbow2 June 2015 at 11:50

    You are one of the "In Crowd" by doing these Kokedamas. ;) They are interesting. I don't know where I would get the moss around here. I would have to order it. Bah humbug. That is ok I probably wouldn't keep it watered. I have some coconut fiber lined baskets I have never used. I could pot them up. The birds love to tear away the coconut fiber for their nests. Fun to watch them do that but the liners don't last long. Have fun with your new kokodamas. It will be interesting to hear how they fare this summer. They look great. I don't know how you got them tied together without another set of hands.

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    1. Cheryl2 June 2015 at 22:09

      It was not easy Lisa. Holding everything together, and then trying to get the string around it all was hilarious. I wish someone had been around to film it :)
      I local nursery sells moss, so it was easy for me.......and I had the ferns in the greenhouse, ready to go into the garden........
      I will post here and there to show everyone what happens to them.

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  6. Lisa at Greenbow2 June 2015 at 11:51

    P.S. Is that a Dappled Willow I see in the second to last photo? Pretty shrub/tree.

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    1. Cheryl2 June 2015 at 22:11

      It is a salix integra Lisa.....I believe it's common name is the flamingo tree, it has pink in the leaves.

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    2. Lisa at Greenbow3 June 2015 at 09:24

      This looks like my Dappled Willow Sauce manchado 'Hakuro nishiki'. Mine also has pink edges of the leaves in the spring. I have to keep it trimmed to encourage the pink; which I don't always do. Next spring I will trim mine. I also think more sun gives it more color. Since half of the Locust tree died this winter there is more sun in this area.

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    3. Cheryl4 June 2015 at 23:49

      I have several in the garden. The dead tree I showed was a Salix integra.........
      I trim mine in March and June, that is what they recommend here ?
      Is your specimen large?

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  7. Julie 2 June 2015 at 23:21

    Lovely post.. I like your moss balls. I love being amongst nature, listening to the birds sing and the bees buzz.. what could be better :o)

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    1. Cheryl3 June 2015 at 00:35

      Thank you Julie.
      Nothing better for sure :)

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  8. grammie g3 June 2015 at 06:33

    Hi Cheryl...Thanks for the info. about the lamb pellets. Slugs are so destructive.

    Your wild side huh ;} Well a challenge is always good, and this sounds like it would be fun!
    I do hope you get success with the moss balls. Ferns should do well in them>

    Have fun
    Grace

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    1. Cheryl3 June 2015 at 07:49

      You are more than welcome Grace. Slugs are very destructive.

      It is good to be a little wild now and again. Most of my time is spent outside, so it comes easy to this nature loving woman......I know you are the same my friend :)

      I am hoping the ferns will thrive ...........we will see :)

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    2. Lisa at Greenbow3 June 2015 at 09:28

      I just looked up Salix integra. It is the same. Maybe since mine was purchased in 2008 they have changed the name. Those plantsmen are always changing names of plants. I hate that. I think they are worse than the ornithologists.

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    3. Cheryl4 June 2015 at 23:47

      Couldn't agree more Lisa.......I have several plants in the garden that were purchased years ago, all of which have new names. I cannot remember half of the :(

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  9. NCmountainwoman3 June 2015 at 06:41

    I love the moss balls. And your wild side. I often put on my long raincoat and walk outside in the rain and wind. There is something refreshing about it.

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    1. Cheryl3 June 2015 at 07:51

      How lovely....thank you for sharing your wild side, I can see your image in my mind's eye :)
      I felt renewed working in the damp windy conditions. It is something I have not done for a long time. I will do it again, and soon.

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  10. Lowcarb team member3 June 2015 at 09:33

    I like your moss balls !

    Just wish our weather would improve. It's meant to be June !

    Hope your week is going well ... take care

    All the best Jan

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  11. Jo4 June 2015 at 07:29

    I've just had the most wonderful surprise, the postman's been and brought me the most exciting package. Thank you so much. Unexpected post is always exciting but when the package is opened and it contains plants, well, even more so. I've always lusted after auriculas, not sure why I haven't dipped my toe in to the water yet but now I have no excuse. Thank you again, you've made my day. xx

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    1. Cheryl4 June 2015 at 07:41

      It is an absolute pleasure Jo. xx

      I have not divided my double red auricula yet Jo.....when I do will send you one.....they are a bit special.
      The plants I have sent should be lilac and purples.........

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