_{My mom, Hive account@lizziesworld who passed away on the 20th June 2020 joined this blockchain community in June 2017. Her blog posts were never long, but almost every single day for three years, she shared her gardening knowledge, tips and adventures. I have now decided to compile a few of these "snippets" randomly every week and re-share them with all of you on Thursdays... because that was "our day"... as most of you know.}

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LIZZIE'S SNIPPETS No. 4

A weekly gardening blog, with content originally written by and now dedicated to the memory of my beautiful mom.

The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God’s Heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth. - Dorothy Frances Gurney

The magic of marigolds

Published Jan 23rd 2019

I am not your average gardener following strict rules and keeping plants in designated areas. My gardens have always been like a fruit salad -mixing colours and varieties all together. I plant because I like plants and want them in the garden.

Many people frown on the fact that I will mix other plants in the same area that I have roses - but, to my mind, the roses do not seem to mind so long as they are fed properly and placed in areas where they will be happy. When it comes to vegetables, I also mix in flowers and herbs and this works well for both the flowers and veggies.

Marigolds are great for veggies as they improve the soil and attract beneficial insects to pollinate the vegetable plants such as tomatoes, zucchinis,chilies etc., as well as giving off a strong odour that deters the bad bugs. This year, I planted heirloom varieties of marigolds and they have proved to be absolutely amazing -my containers of veggies have never looked so great and are thriving alongside the marigolds.

Planters Wart? - use the Pig's Ear

Published Jan 29th 2019

The Pig's Ear is the common name for Cotyledon orbiculata - a beautiful succulent plant that is great for those hot spots in the garden and as a container plant too. The name of Pig's Ear is easy to understand as it looks just like one. However, there is another thing about this wonderful succulent that not many people are aware of, and that is that the leaves of this plant will get rid of planters wart.

I heard about this some years ago and so I bought the plant and put it to the test - and yes it worked. Just peel off the skin on one side of the leaf and place this side over the planters wart. Fix in place with plaster and after a day or two repeat if necessary. The leaf draws the planters wart out completely.

Such a useful little plant

Published May 11th 2019

Alyssum - one of my favourite annuals and with so many benefits. Most people just think of this bedding plant as a nice annual to have on the edge of a border in the garden, but there are many reasons why you should have this lovely plant in the garden.

Firstly, it attracts all those beneficial insects that pollinate our other plants - especially our veggies - I sprinkle the seeds in amongst all my veggie containers for just this reason. Then, this wonderful plant helps to keep aphids away and is used by many organic growers to keep the little critters away from their crops. The scent of the flowers is lovely and if you are into scented garden plants, then this one is a must.

It is lovely to plant in containers with other plants in a nice sunny location. A hanging basket would not be the same without some alyssum. And of course, it makes a wonderful border plant - and the bees love it.

Alyssum grows in most soils but prefers a well drained fertile soil - it is a hardy little plant and will self seed easily ensuring that you will always have it popping up again.