I noticed a couple of weeks ago that this plant was looking like it might flower but I really didn't think it would as....
...my red hollyhock was planted in December of 2017 and only flowered for the first time last year.
Mind you, this new one is only about 60cm (2 foot) high and the older plant is about 8 foot or so high whatever that is in cm. Whether it will grow that tall this year I have no idea but that doesn't matter as I am so thrilled that is flowering at all. My friend who gave me the red hollyhock seeds at a Down to Earth Forum get-together in 2017 sent me some seeds later on which were for pale pink and pink flowers from memory so I am guessing this pink one is the pale pink variety. There is another one that looks like it might flower as well so I will be really chuffed to see what colour it is as well.
When I planted the red one I just scattered the seeds on the ground but this year I planted several seeds in little pots made from newspaper that I learned how to make from one of Millie Ross' books and if you would like to make some then check out Paper Pots on Gardening Australia. I ended up with about ten plants so planted the pots in the ground and they all grew well except for one that disappeared one night for some reason.
Unfortunately they are growing inside the fence and the CEO tells me that when he eventually decides to get the front fence replaced then the tradies will probably walk on the plants so I will have to plant more seeds when these have finished flowering and gone to seed. They do make a nice show though as they tower over the fence.
I was in the library a few days ago and came across this book in the 'New Books' display section and thought I would give it a quick read. It is a great book for anyone who wants to start being serious about creating less waste and there are heaps of hints there for families with children to get them involved. The Carters live a zero waste life now after undertaking a sustainability challenge in 2015 and reduced their energy consumption by more than 60% as they transitioned to living completely waste and recycling free. They live in Tasmania and are founders of Zero Waste Tasmania. You can also find them on Spiral Garden. Of course living waste free is much easier if everyone in the family is on board. Also that is not the case in a lot of families. Don't ask me how I know.
There is a section in the book on the clothing we buy and it is recommended to choose items made from natural fibres if possible. I was taking a short cut through H & M yesterday and saw this sign on some gym clothes and was a tad gobsmacked to be honest as I didn't think companies would advertise that some of their clothing is actually made from recycled PET bottles.
I have clothes that I bought from Op Shops (where I usually buy my clothes) and most of them aren't made from natural fibres as I wasn't really aware of what our clothes were made from several years ago but I will probably continue to wear these clothes for many more years to come as I don't need many clothes now that I have retired. Now I keep an eye out for clothes made from natural fibres in the Op Shops but they aren't all that easy to find and in some shops they are as scarce as hens' teeth.
Well I had better head back to the lounge room and move everything out in preparation for the painters who I found out today are now coming on Monday instead of Wednesday. That will teach me to procrastinate. I just want to remind anyone reading this who lives in Australia that the giveaway for one of these two lovely mug-rugs made by my friend Judy finishes on Thursday 31st October so you have to be in it to win it as they say. Just leave a comment below and I will put you in the draw.
You are right, Chel. It’s really hard to find good cotton clothes at thrift stores. Most my clothes are made of synthetic fabric, but I wear them for years. And I don’t have to iron them, and that saves electricity. 😊
ReplyDeleteNil, I have had many of my clothes for years and will wear them for years to come too I am sure. I am a bit more careful about what I buy now.
DeleteOh I love the mug rugs! I am making mug rugs out of old clothing and selling them at our local market. The proceeds are funding my 15yr old daughter’s trip to Nepal, where she has committed to community service in rural schools.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter did volunteer work in the school holidays as a teen in Vanuatu and India. She just loved it as I am sure your daughter will too.
ReplyDeleteI also try to buy my clothes from opshops but mostly find they are artificial fabrics.I am thinking that maybe we need to take back some control of what we buy. I am looking at finding a local dressmaker to use fabrics I choose. I will be trying to learn some simple sewing skills to make cotton nighties as my first project. Sewing is a skill we are losing and I think its return would be the best way to reduce the waste of difficult to recycle materials. I will see if my local library has a copy of that book.
ReplyDeleteBernie, I know a number of people who sew their own clothes. Unfortunately schools don't teach sewing like when I was growing up and we made our own clothes. It is becoming more popular though thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteChel I enjoyed your post and I have a homemade pattern organised to make some sleepwear from cotton, hopefully I will get to it next week. I enjoy sewing once I start. I don't wear many synthetics during our summers, just too hot, so I am always looking for good quality cotton clothing. It's great that more people are becoming aware of wearing their clothes as long as possible and doing repairs. Love your hollyhocks and the beautiful mug rugs.Take care, Pauline
ReplyDeletePauline, a lot of people I know find suitable fabric from clothing at the Op Shops especially if they can find good quality material. It is good to see some of the young people teaching themselves to sew from YouTube tutorials.
DeleteHollyhocks are biennials, so they flower every other year I believe. Yours are unbelievable! The color and size are amazing. Save their seeds too. Great Blog.
ReplyDeleteAlison, my red one flowered this time last year. I am excited to see some more plants starting to flower so I might end up with three different colours. I did save the seeds last year and had a bottle full to give away.
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