Sunday, September 3, 2023

Thoughts on gardening....and a tasty pork tenderloin


Our neighbour gave us a pretty bouquet,
the cut flowers are from her new garden.
 A thank you for the fresh garden produce we shared with her.

Gardeners share...
We share seeds, plants, flowers, fruit and produce.

Gardeners collect ideas when visiting other gardens.

Cultivating a garden is an incredibly rewarding hobby.
There is a shared kinship in the gardening community...

If you've ever attended a garden club meeting 
or a garden show you will hear an abundance of chatter.
Gardeners are not at a loss for words where plants are concerned.


I've visited the local garden centres twice in one week looking for more Hostas.
We are going to be involved in a garden tour and I have some plans.
We are not sure if it will be June 2024 or June 2025.


In the meantime,
 I am looking for a water feature, some more black planters and pots.

We'll be putting the garden to bed as soon as the weather changes.
So these ideas will percolate and be revised and refined over the winter.


Romneya Coulteri Poppy


This plant likes to be grown in a rocky gravelly soil.
It doesn't transplant well.
I've tried digging it up and sharing it but the cuttings have never survived.


Our plant is not very large...
I've seen huge Romneya Coulteri plants thriving on my drive around town.

We are pleased that the Hollyhock from Ross Bay Villa has thrived.
I have tried growing Hollyhocks for many years 
but had always planted them in the soil which is heavy with clay.

The clay soil is great for roses but not all plants like to have "wet feet!"


The BIG Hosta to the left is Sum and Substance.
In the low bowl ~
Variegated grass, Hosta, Agapanthus and the silvery Centauria Chrome Fountain.
To the left of that planter is a pot of Black Mondo Grass.

I have a crush on the Mondo Grass and have it growing all over the Humble Bungalow Garden!


David Austin Rose Jude the Obscure.
It has been flowering for months...
it is a repeat bloomer.

The roses have not been as prolific as usual and I am thinking it is the drought.
We've had lots of sunshine which they love and we have watered 
carefully by hand but I suppose it has just not been enough.

There is a bumper crop of tomatoes, both beefsteak and cherry types.
Lots of zucchini, lettuce and cucumbers.

The apple trees are loaded with fruit...
in a few weeks they will be ready for picking.

The garden keeps my husband VERY BUSY!
He's taken over a lot of the jobs and seems to be enjoying his time outdoors.

Do you have a garden?
Or do you garden with a deck or patio of Pots and planters?

We are very fortunate to live in an area where there are lots of gardens.
People are quite passionate about gardening here in Victoria.
It used to be known as The City Of Gardens.

I want to share a recipe that I got from a friend...
it is an easy and very tasty marinated pork tenderloin.


~ PORK TENDERLOIN ~

Marinate a pork tenderloin in the following:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup soya (I use Braggs)
1 clove minced garlic
3 tbsp. honey dijon mustard
salt and pepper

I mix the marinade in a ziploc bag then add the tenderloin.
Put in the fridge for about 4 hours.

Heat the BBQ and grill the tenderloin
 (baste with marinade) 
cook until it is no longer pink inside.
This cooks quite quickly so keep an eye on it!
Let it rest for a few minutes then slice on the diagonal.
I have served it with boiled baby new potatoes and a fresh green salad.

~ Bon Appetit ~


Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.

I'm planning a visit to Butchart Gardens soon to see what they are growing.

Until next time...

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

10 comments:

Jeannine said...

I've not heard of "soya" and had to look it up. I see I can substitute soy sauce. Thanks for the recipe - sounds delicious and one to try, for sure! Your plants are lovely and how wonderful you'll be on a garden tour. I love to do garden tours - always something new to see and learn. You've mentioned black mondo grass many times (and shown it). I need to get some for myself. I, too, find it a beautiful addition. In looking it up, it appears I can grow it in my cold climate. Something to find for next year!

Latane Barton said...

Those roses are so gorgeous. I can tell you have a green thumb!! I never was that fortunate.

Laura J said...

Black mondo grass is lovely but so slow growing! I’m curious what you will do with the host as…do you know of any variety that has white flowers? Jude the obscure is gorgeous

Anonymous said...

I’ve had good results spray painting plastic or composite pots with flat black paint. Seems to hold up well throughout the growing season.

Sheila Bell said...

Your garden looks wonderful and your recipe makes me feel hungry! Cheers, Sheila

Patricia said...

What a lovely chat about your garden, and so nice to see Jude the Obscure, the most gorgeous rose. We have been on garden tours and loved them, and this week are going to our first local Garden Club meeting. We love the garden but are far from experts and there is always something to learn. The garden was 'inherited' from previous owners, and was well planned originally. I love the colours in your bouquet from the neighbour, so bright and Summery. The marinade sound delicious and I have jotted that one down for the future. Lovely post, thank you.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Jeannine ~ The Black Mondo grass is so versatile! It looks great with chartreuse and silver foliage! It makes a great filler in a planter. I am not sure why I wrote "soya" as it is regular soy sauce!!

Latane ~ I think the green thumb came from my mom! I have learned a LOT over the years that we have had a garden and still am learning more! It's a learned skill like anything else...hope you are keeping well!

Sheila ~ The lean pork tenderloin needs a bit of spice and oil to keep it moist and this marinade seems to do the trick. Fall is in the air here today! I bet you are going to be wearing some fun autumnal outfits soon.

Patricia ~ Our daughter and SIL are heading to NZ and Australia. Hope you are enjoying your spring weather...it is feeling like Fall here and we'll be putting the garden to bed for the winter soon.
Almost Time to swap out the linen clothes for the wool and fleecy clothing.
Take care

Sheila said...

I do not own a single plant - there are NONE in my home. I seem to have missed the gardening gene (my mom has a massive garden, and her house is full of plants, and my brother has an amazing green thumb).

I love seeing gardens and plants, though. Walking around the city and parks, and admiring them in other people's gardens - that's how I like my plants!

LadyJicky said...

Its spring here and my roses are budding up and if one rose does not look good this year .... out it will go and in with Jude the Obscure !!
I have rose envy when I see your garden!! lol

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Sheila ~ I don't think we cat owners can keep many indoor plants...our cats eat most of the regular ones but they leave the orchids alone so I have a few of them and the cactus is on a very high window ledge that they can't get to!

Lady Jicky ~ Hope your roses thrive and are happy...if you have any spare space you might consider squeezing Jude the Obscure into your garden!!