13th February 2021.
Tomorrow is V-Day, but because Marion is in the habit of reading my Six-on-Saturday updates mid-morning, I’ve plans to ensure that she doesn’t. We don’t want the cat out of the bag just yet. I shall be so lovingly attentive all day today that she will want no further distraction elsewhere. Facebook, blogs and other unnecessary screen-time will be willingly ignored. I shall cook and clean, dust and declutter. Loving attentiveness is not just for V-Day. I’m sure I heard that somewhere before, and it sounds reasonable. Redimancy will win the day.
It’s an annual event, you know that. But what I’m revealing here now is that I’m inclined to buy gardening accessories for the special day. I’ve been saving up my Euros since Christmas to get a humble selection of six items that I know will be very much appreciated. Just so happens that I’m doubling it up with Six-on-Saturday. Six things, wrapped with love until tomorrow, in just the faintest hope that Marion might say:
“Ah shur, you’d probably make more use outta them than me.”
Join with me now in the Great Brownie Point Hunt and what better way to start than…
Un

Spear & Jackson are the bees knees of secateurs. Here we have a his and her’s combination. Which is which? ‘Tis very straightforward… whichever one she prefers is hers, and I’ll get the other one ceann eile.
Deux

It’s been many years since I enjoyed pressing flowers bláthanna, and although there’s nothing I’d like better right now, I’ll be adding this to my tokens of love for my Head Gardener. It’s Number 2 in the charts. I’ve started by including pressed bamboo leaves within. I’d have included roses if V-Day were in summer. I know that pressed bamboo doesn’t quite cut the mustard, yet she understands me. It’s as good as an offer to help with hoovering.
Trois

I just know she’s going to love this. I do not need to explain what it is. And because the box is also V-Day Red Dearg, we both win. I get double points, Marion gets a quality red box. I’ll be looking forward to baskets of fragrant trailing sweet peas in May. A scented posy for my love.
Quatre

She only has to give a once-off subtle hint about what she’d like. My ears cluasa are pricked and I never forget. This year, I was very surprised to hear from her very beautiful lips that black potato grow bags are all the rage. Here they are, a stór. You just tell me when you’d like the first harvest, and I’ll do the rest. I’ll also be happy to cook up colcannon, the traditional Irish recipe you love.
Cinq

Marion likes to know the overnight temperature in the glasshouse. It’s the first thing she asks every morning, particularly after hard frost. We did have a thermometer, but there’s nothing quite like getting a second one. This is an upgrade, as it shows multiple sets of information. The old one will likely be expelled outside, replaced by a younger model after years of faithful service.
Sis

I’ve saved the best until last, but I may need to explain it. In fact, I may need to explain it to my Head Gardener also. You see, this is a surprise item that she did not suggest, subtly or otherwise. I thought it up all by myself. It’s a seed-sucker! Some seeds are so tiny that it’s impossible to handle them. This picks up one such seed and puts it where I want she wants it.
Sis + un autre:
I’m going the extra step… The thought crossed my mind to dance a surprise Jerusalema, but I’d have ended up on my backside.

Powerwashing a year of grime from the concrete last week allowed me to add some graffiti at ground level. Knowing that Valentine’s Day was approaching, I doodled awhile before washing the evidence away. Gone but not forgotten.
Six-on-Saturday: Who are we?
We are a group of gardeners who write. We write about six items in our gardens, and we do it on Saturdays. I’ve been doing this since last June and I enjoy nothing more than reading about and seeing other gardens from as far away as Canada, New Zealand, Tasmania, USA and Britain and Waterford City. Lest we forget, hundreds more choose to publish on Twitter and Instagram. You can find out more about it here. You may read and follow, or like myself, you may choose to write and follow. Either way, it’s great fun!
Sin a bhfuil uaimse don seachtain seo. I’ll be back again next week with another Six-on-Saturday. Thank you for reading. Have a good week. Stay safe. Slán go fóill.
Pádraig.
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My, my! What a, erm… lucky lady? At least your chosen items will come to good use in your hands, should she not be as grateful you’d hoped. Full marks for effort.
Lovely artwork with the pressure washer by the way!
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I can’t ask for anything more than full marks… for effort!
Hope you have a great gardening week. We’ve moved on from snow warning to rainfall.
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Wow (especially to the powerwashed message!). I’m glad my wife doesn’t read Six on Saturdays. If she read yours my card and bunch of flowers would seem very half-hearted.
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Amazing isn’t it? A personalised handwritten message beats bought items every time!
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Full marks for effort. I took the lazy man’s way and ordered flowers online!
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You didn’t! Importing coal from Newcastle.
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At the risk of sounding ‘a bit flash’ I recently bought a set of two bluetooth thermometers for the garden (£20 for the pair). I can now stand in the back room and download readings from around the garden. I’ve never looked back!
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Flash all right! Catherine (I think it was…) wowed me with a duper duper weather station. I’ve always been tempted by gadgets….
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This seed sucker looks useful !(and fun …). What a lucky lady ! (plus she reads the Six on Saturdays… Happy Valentine’s Day!)
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I use it for seeds such as begonia, and the snapdragons that you sent me. This one has three interchangeable nozzles. Small, tiny and super tiny. Very effective. I used it yesterday for mixed lettuce, and my hands were cold.
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Oh my Pádraig, you get the gold star for Valentine’s Day gifts! Won’t Marion be surprised! And very thoughtful, you can use your gifts together! The best was your sentiment on the pavement!
PS I hope my sweet pea is doing well!
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Thank you, a chara. The worst of the cold spell has passed, and everything in the glasshouse is alive. I was seen with torch late one night checking the fleece. 😁
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Oh good! Keep my coat on!
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Well done to the lovers…of gardens! You are an old romantic!
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Could you edit out the old bit? 🤔😁
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Well done to the lovers….young love memories last for ever! Will that do?
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I feel rejuvenated! 😁
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Such a fun post! Please don’t threaten to be more normal next week.
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Needs must, a chara. This just cannot continue!
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I just hope GGHI has read this.
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I’m lost, or slow…. Or both.
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Sorry, Grannysgardenhimindoors is what my other half calls himself (GGHI for short).Since I do all the gardening, I would be delighted to have all those presents 🎁.
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Lucky, lucky lady. If Valentine’s Day was marketed like this, I would participate! Who needs chocolates and flowers when you can have potato grow bags?
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There will be updates. Early potatoes are due to be planted mid-March.
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Wonderful work on a gardeners Valentine’s Day to remember – Marion is lucky.
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Many thanks, a chara. I could also turn it around… I’m the lucky one! ♥️
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You are lovely..and I know a new word..a chara.
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What a lovely post, and very clever to combine Valentines Day into a gardening six! The seed sucker is interesting. Your message on the path is great!
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In recent years I had been put off growing seeds that are tiny and difficult to handle. The seed sucker is helpful and growing begonia seed etc is easier and less wasteful.
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Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I hope a fantastic day was had by both of you 🙂
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Oh thank you, a chara. We had a lovely celebration, and there’s even a special request for my tiramisu. ♥️👍
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