Menopause Matters Forum

General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: bramble on April 11, 2013, 04:01:19 PM

Title: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on April 11, 2013, 04:01:19 PM
Thought I would start a thread for all gardening stuff!

The year is marching on and I have just this week started on the garden. It is much later than normal - by this time all of the garden has been tidied up but the weather has been against me this year and I suppose for everyone else as well. I have a large garden with a pond and greenhouse so it takes me quite a while to get round it all in the spring. Amazing just how much you have to pick up even when you tidied up at the back end. I only have about a third of it done so far - I try and spend a few hours every day until it is finished. The days of spending a whole day working in the garden are past - I am not fit enough to do that now so I just take it in stages. Today I spent an hour clearing up one of the borders and then another hour digging out some Miscanthus grass that had crept too close to a path. It was a tough old job but glad now that it is done. I had been meaning to do it for a couple of years and never gotten round to it. So a big tick! But sore back now! Tomorrow I have a day off as too busy with other things but will continue on Saturday.

How is everyone else getting on with their gardens?
Bramble
Title: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 11, 2013, 06:11:01 PM
Slowly  :thankyou:.  Apart from Hellebores which have been OK, Spring flowers have been late opening as have the frogs been late arriving, there are several plops of spawn but I fear some has been frosted.  I expect the fish will eat most of the tadpoles  :o.  Birds are pairing.  DH dug over the remainder of the garden on Monday, he had done the rest earlier in Jan. when there were a few nicer days.  We drove through MK this morning and there are banks of primroses, they do well on banks especially if, like those, they have leaf cover in the hotter months.  My polyanths etc. never do well here  :-\ ....... and I LOVE them.

DH put the bamboo canes in where heplans to grow runners and peas but the ground is too cold and solid to consider putting any seeds in.  There has been a belter of a rain storm just now  :o - the first real rain since end of Jan.!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 11, 2013, 08:12:11 PM
Hubby and I tidied our very small garden last Saturday and on Sunday we made a start on the allotments.  Not a sign of blossom anywhere and I LOVE blossom.

I've not sown or planted a thing on the allotments yet- unheard of at this date.

I want to change my garden planting to something more drought proof . Maybe more evergreen things of different colours. But having said that, I looked at a photo of my garden from last year and it was full of pale pink Japanese Anemone's, purple Verbena and cerise Dahlias and it looked lovely. Maybe I shouldn't change it after all  :-\

Slightly off the subject - last year after a particularly long session with the shears, my right elbow was very painful and when I looked, it was red and swollen - hot too. It took quite a few days to go away. It has never bothered me since. Now again, after hoeing and digging at the weekend, my right forearm was aching and hurt to touch. When I looked, it is red and slightly swollen. What is this? Is it arthritis or just muscle strain?

ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Blue on April 11, 2013, 08:53:28 PM
Sorry can't help Ariadne. I have arthritis and I do hurt after a few hours in the garden, could be a bit of both, strain from work which has made joints worse.

OH has decided that I have to grow our own veg this year, and has set aside a bit of ground. I can only do short stints as well Bramble.

Pigs were electric fenced in and have done all the hard work ;)

But ground is soo wet and sticky he hasn't been able to rotivate with his minature tractor. 
I have planted seeds which are sitting next to radiator. Hopefully germinated by time we come back.

Did manage to get shrubs trimmed in back garden tho.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on April 11, 2013, 09:43:54 PM
We have not touched our garden at home but have been busy at our allotment.

We garden on raised beds and also have an inside bed in a polytunnel.

So far I have sown chard,beetroot, carrots and spring onions. Also tomato seeds are in as are a new variety of sweet peas for hanging baskets. I have also got sugar snap peas and mange tout sown.

We have covered the outside bed with polythene to try and get the soil to warm up a bit.

My seed potatoes are not in yet.

We have been busy bunnies and I just love my garden although like the rest it can only be done in short bursts as I am just not fit any more.

Honeyb
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 11, 2013, 09:58:33 PM
Oh HB - you have been so industrious. I'm very envious. I must get a move on. Have only bought onion sets so far  :(

This will never do. I must get a move on.

ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on April 12, 2013, 08:29:50 AM
I've done even less, I've picked up a few twigs off the lawn.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Pennyfarthing on April 12, 2013, 10:57:54 AM
I've not done a thing outside either.  Hubby cut the grass last weekend though.
We had our garden redesigned last Autumn so this will be our first proper year. I waited 22 years for this!! ;D

We have a large raised bed all down one side which is full of daffs, crocus and snowdrops which I planted last year.  There are also some shrubs in there.  At the back of this is a nice hedge which hubby keep very neat.

The other side is walled and has cotoneaster, honeysuckle  and rambling roses growing on it.
The third side has a fairly low (4 ft?) fence which another large bed all the way along with more shrubs etc.
In the corner is our summerhouse which we love and use a lot.  We have a large oval lawn which is completely surrounded by very nice sandstone pavers so we have 3 lovely corner areas where we can have chairs, benches, tubs etc.  Our garden is an absolute suntrap so we are very lucky.  It is also not overlooked so it's very private. There are loads of bird feeders and a bird bath and a double retractable clothes line, so it's only out when linen is!
The patio doors lead straight out from lounge.  Round the back of house we have THREE sheds which we can't live without (bikes, tools, junk etc) but these will all be hidden from view. Hubby has erected the frame and then there'll be panelling and a private gate.

I am hoping it will be fairly low maintenance now because I want to sit and enjoy the garden rather than seeing jobs to do.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Rowan on April 12, 2013, 11:13:20 AM
Going to try Dwarf Sweetpeas and see if I have more luck then last year, just stocked up with more Lavender from Garden Centre, my other herbs look as if they have survived the Winter, they just need some warm sunshine now.

It rained here yesterday, the first time for over a month, the birds have started singing and hopefully the leaves will staring bursting through on the trees, everything is late this year where we live.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Greyhoundgal on April 12, 2013, 12:20:26 PM
Our back garden is mostly lawn - turned into a greyhound track with my two loons charging around on it ::)  Hubby is the gardener - I just potter and do little odd jobs.  He's already sown tomatoes, beans, peas, cucumbers and herbs but at the moment they're all up in the spare room.  I think he'll be out there this weekend as well digging up one of the beds ready to plant.  We have quite a large patio with a permanent gazebo on and lots of pots for flowers - lovely sitting out there in the warmer weather :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 12, 2013, 01:08:45 PM
Tennis elbow?

Lots of stuff going on in our various gardens then!  Heavy overnight rain will have done some good.  Everywhere is now too muddy to do much with  ::) but the ponds are topped up and the birds taking advantage of standing water around the plot.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on April 12, 2013, 07:24:24 PM
We have had no rain here for the past month - snow yes rain no. I had to top the pond up and then fix the electrics before I could switch the pump on. Felt guilty today as I was with a friend and so did no gardening. Same tomorrow so hoping Sunday is a good day and I can get started again. Feeling my back today after the digging yesterday.

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on April 12, 2013, 07:26:30 PM
One of these years I am going to treat myself and get someone in to do a full day in the garden tidying it up in the spring. Then I can sit back and do more of the fluffy things like planning and planting etc. Dream on girl!
B.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: lily on April 12, 2013, 07:31:28 PM
Our garden is quite big, but mostly large patio, two beds of pebbles, steps down to grass, shed and greenhouse.  We have one veg patch next to greenhouse which we are going to put seed potatoes, carrots and onions in.  The greenhouse will have our tomatoes, chilli's, cucumber, leeks and bedding flowers.  Hubby does most of it though, I just enjoy!  Love to sit out in better weather with chiminea lit and cook burgers on it like a mini bbq.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 13, 2013, 03:43:27 PM
This morning I shed several layers of jumpers as I spent 2 hours weeding - then my back began hurting so I came in, donned the layers and sat by the TV.  Now it is pouring so not a lot will be done! and I was doing so well  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on April 16, 2013, 06:29:18 PM
I have filled 3 wheelie bins with garden refuse in the last week. Have to stop now until they get emptied tomorrow then start again. Am about 2/3 of the way through the garden tasks not counting the grass! According to the forecast it is going to be rainy for the rest of the week so my next foray will probably be at the weekend. Onwards and upwards. I will be glad when it is all done.
Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 16, 2013, 06:45:15 PM
It never is all done though ?  I've had a pottering day in the garden.  I have to treat the pond water as one of the fish has lifted scales, so we have been measuring and working out the area of water and how much liquid it will need.   ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on April 17, 2013, 07:54:45 AM
... reading this thread has made me realise why I like the Winter....  :yes:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 17, 2013, 02:46:28 PM
 :na:  ......... today the daffs are blowing in the wind  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on April 17, 2013, 03:10:36 PM
My tomato plants are just showing through.

It's supposed to be warmer here today.....ummmmm no.

Honeyb
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Meggie on April 18, 2013, 11:03:07 AM
Ariadne - the problem with the elbow is, most probably, a repetitive strain injury.  My OH had a similar problem when using a strimmer for lengthy periods.  After a visit to a specialist because he was in so much pain, he was told to "pace himself" with the strimmer and only do a little at a time with gaps of a week or so between - allows the arm to recover.  Just be careful.  I'm not sure, but is "Tennis Elbow" a similar condition?

Meggie
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Meggie on April 18, 2013, 11:09:30 AM
I just love this thread ...... because I love gardening.

This year we have built raised beds for our vegetables to grow in as the soil in our region is predominantly clay.  Although potatoes are happy in clay soil except if there's a long wet spell when spuds rot), most other crops struggle.

We should have built raised beds years ago - they are so much easier and in fact we have more produce in the garden now than we have ever had.  If I knew how to add photo's I would......can anyone advise?

I have planted and very well established:-
150 Seed Potatoes               
145 Onions               
30 Strawberry plants (in flower)
Carrots
Swedes
Parsnips                 
3 varieties of lettuce & salad leaves
Tomatoes
Butternut Squash
Rhubarb
Raddish

Meggie
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 18, 2013, 11:37:46 AM
Thanks Meggie. The problem with my elbow was last year. This year it was my forearm that ached and went red and swollen. Tennis arm?  ;)  Yes, pace myself is the answer no doubt but when you can see things that need doing ............

Still haven't planted anything on the allotment - getting a bit panicky about it now reading all the things you've planted.

ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on April 18, 2013, 01:12:49 PM
Meggie,
You must be down south as it is too cold here yet to plant anything not under cover.

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 18, 2013, 01:49:59 PM
Meggie is even further South than you imagine  ;)

April showers today   >:(  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Meggie on April 18, 2013, 02:07:13 PM
Correct CLKD - South West France to be precise ........ much warmer here

Keep this thread moving - learning all of the time

Meggie
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on April 18, 2013, 03:32:49 PM
We do have stuff planted ( West Scotland) but it's either inside or covered over except for our potatoes. I watched the farmers plant theirs locally so decided to take a chance.

I am trying bedding plants from seed this year. I get fed up with the same old same old so giving different things a try. We have one very shady area of garden under two very large trees. I found a woodland mix which if it grows will look lovely.
I also have blue bells and Fox gloves in the same area.

My Kilmarnock willow is coming into bud now.

Slow but things are growing.

Honeyb
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on April 30, 2013, 03:45:05 PM
Have spent quite a bit of time in the garden in the last week. Also bought some seeds of delphinium and lupins to plant, once I found out the garden centre wanted £6.99 a plant!! Holy moly! Also bought a packet of chilli peppers - Demon Red - sound hot don't they? Am determined my greenhouse will be more productive this year. Swithered over buying a mini cucumber plant. Didn't do it but wished I had now. I'll maybe have another trip to the garden centre this week. Hasn't weedkiller gone up a lot in price. It wasn't that long ago it was 4.99 a packet - now 9.99! Now that's something I can't grow!
Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on April 30, 2013, 03:53:19 PM
I have treated myself to a passion fruit plant. I will grow it in an inside bed in the poly tunnel at our community garden. I hope we get lots of fruits as I love passion fruit.

Our sugar snap peas and mange tout are doing really well and will need hardening off soon. The broccoli seedlings are also doing well. I have chard beetroot and spring onions up and our snowball turnips are needing thinned out.
No sign of our potatoes though.

Things are really starting to get going now.

Honeyb
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Joyce on April 30, 2013, 04:26:40 PM
Well one of my plants was totally consumed by rabbits! Grrrr Wish they put notes on plants when you buy them. Anyway have bought some new ones. Plants in back garden are all in containers. Keep telling hubby that they would possibly be better in the ground. I'm the one who has to re-pot them all. I'm scared to plant though in case the frost gets them, though they have exposed to the elements in pots so think I may be safe enough, apart from the rabbits.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Blue on April 30, 2013, 04:56:25 PM
We are still getting overnight frosts, so I can't put anything out yet. :'( :'(
Seeds are sitting on window sill.

I bought a Whitebeam tree from Morrisons, didn't water it and hoped I'd have it in ground by now.
Its in almost full leaf, in a plastic bucket, in my sitting room.
It looks really nice. Its on a Rowan root stock, must be to keep it small. I may just keep it inside. ;D

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Meggie on April 30, 2013, 05:41:48 PM
10 days ago, just before going on holiday, I planted 10 kidney beans assuming they would take 2-3 weeks to germinate. How wrong was I?  Returned Sunday to find that the beans are now 1" high and need something to climb up .... very soon !  The purple sprouting broccolli seeds are also 1" tall so I have to pot on ready for planting in their permanent position next month.  The weather has been strange but something is making the veggies grow.  I'm putting tomatoes into the garden next wee !!!

Happy Gardening

Meggie
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 30, 2013, 09:14:57 PM
Far too cold to put anything out yet.  Here in the Midlands we are threatened with frosts  :o - DH has beans and peas under glass which are growing like fury daily, but need covering at night.  Out with the newspaper then  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: purplenanny on May 03, 2013, 05:25:36 PM
Has anyone grown morning glory from seed? Mine germinated in just a few days and are really growing fast with huge leaves. I wondered how succesful they are and when I should plant out?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 03, 2013, 05:36:46 PM
They can be really successful and very very pretty - unless you put them out too early  ;) - end of May beginning of June in the garden, pot on if they are to be in a greenhouse or sheltered behind glass.  What colours?

I found a clematis in a pot which has 'gone' through the Winter unscathed, I think I've found aplace int he garden for him - but am in 'best' trousers so it will need to wait until tomorrow  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on May 03, 2013, 05:41:29 PM
Normally depends where you are PN as far as planting out goes. I would start to harden off 3rd week in May and plant out at the end of May. That's for us up north.  Down south can be up to 3 weeks ahead of us up north but they have had it cold this year as well so I would stick to the above time scales as well for down south unless you live in a really mild and sheltered part of the country.
Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on May 03, 2013, 05:50:18 PM
OH put a 'greening treatment' on the lawn last week. It has actually worked, looks really good.  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on May 03, 2013, 07:26:49 PM
I remember my OH doing that. It was a thing that you attached the hose to. He spent a lot of time walking up and down with the hose getting the amount just right. We waited for the lawn to look wonderful. Nothing happened.
We discovered that although the water was spraying through he had forgotten to take the cover off the treatment side.

Well watered but nothing else.

 ;D

It's not the only daft thing he has done over the years.

Honeyb
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Meggie on May 03, 2013, 07:30:43 PM
Bean Frame rigged up and Beans planted - still not put the tomatoes in as it's been so cold and wet - soon though.

Forecast improving for next week 25 +

Meggie
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 03, 2013, 08:25:58 PM
20+ is plenty warm enough for me  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: purplenanny on May 03, 2013, 09:28:23 PM
The seeds are from a purple plant CLKD - not sure if they grow true to original colour? I hope so as it is my favourite colour ( PN  ::) (http://::))!)
I only gathered them a while ago while taking the original plants dead bits off. I think they are an annual? I bought the plant last year and it was so beautiful, I am chuffed to pieces the seeds have grown so well. What colour is your clematis?

I am in the South Bramble, so hopefully end of May should be ok. I will have to support them somehow  in their pots until I can plant out then.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 04, 2013, 01:19:40 PM
I won't know what colour the clematis cutting is until I get it set into the ground so that it can flower ......... it's hailing hard so no outside jobs getting done  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on May 04, 2013, 02:59:38 PM
My passionfruit plant arrived this morning.

It is so cold today I have not even planted it in the poly tunnel. It's far too cold to be doing anything outside today.

Honeyb
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Rowan on May 16, 2013, 01:19:20 PM
Scented garden

This is what I aspire to but never achieve

http://www.quinessence.com/blog/how-to-create-a-scented-garden
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 16, 2013, 03:30:00 PM
Me too  ::) - well geraniums are out in pots; clematis is set into the garden in a sheltered place; bees are busy in the fruit blossom and I've spent 2 hours weeding this morning ......... I had to shed layers because the sun was lovely and warm  :sunny:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Meggie on May 16, 2013, 04:49:48 PM
We have had 2 boilings of our own "home grown" potatoes
Kidney Beans are 6 ins up their frame
Onions filling out at the base .... stalks 2ft tall
Tomatoes about ready to go into the garden
Purple sprouting broccolli now 6 ins tall too
Strawberries - picking off 25 a day and have another 200 at different stages of growth.
2 rows of Carrots doing really well
Parsniisp .... gone to Australia I think !!!???

OH is going to build another raised bed so we have 7

All well considering the strange weather we are experiencing

Meggie
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 16, 2013, 06:43:51 PM
POURING  >:(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on May 16, 2013, 09:12:17 PM
I've just put my sweet peas out to harden off after seeing them planting theirs in the Beechgrove garden. Tomatoes are planted in the greenhouse and only 6 ins high. I planted chilli seeds but they don't seem to have germinated. Drats!

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 17, 2013, 07:26:44 AM
Chillies can take ages  ::)
Rained heavily last evening.  Bright now ......... the plants are sparkling in the sun .......
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on May 17, 2013, 04:16:03 PM
Went to the garden centre. Bought the basket plants and geraniums (with garden vouchers I got at Christmas!). Planted up five hanging baskets - outside in the sunshine before the thunder and pouring rain! Now in the greenhouse to burgeon (!) and wait for calm warm weather .....

Had to beg tomato plants from neighbours this year and garden very behind as went on hols for over 3 weeks, so nothing else planted. They have usually been planted in the greenhouse for a month now - but anyway this year it was so cold they would have probably even died in there!

Belatedly put last year's lupins and delphiniums that I grew from seed, into front garden. Hard to find space because cornflowers, hollyhocks, forget-me-nots and columbines have taken over!

Hurdity  x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 17, 2013, 07:45:48 PM
OH another few weeks and it will be a riot of colour  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Meggie on May 18, 2013, 06:02:04 PM
Anyone grown dwarf sunflowers in terracotta pots - thought it might look good by the front door ?

Meggie
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on May 18, 2013, 06:30:01 PM
Tried that a few years ago. They were ok but didn't last very long. only a couple of weeks in flower if that. The idea was better than the actual!

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 17, 2014, 05:40:56 PM
Today we have picked chunky bright red raspberries, long runner beans, large carrots dug for tea; DH is picking hazelnuts ……… we have roses still growing, lavender and nasturtiums.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Dancinggirl on September 17, 2014, 07:03:53 PM
Hi CLKD - I was enjoying my garden today as well. I love sedum and they are looking wonderful at the moment. The hydrangeas and michaelmas daisies have that lovely soft pink of early autumn and my roses are doing another flush - this Indian summer we're having really extends the flowering.  I put in some winter pansies in pots and I've bought some lovely tulips from Morrisons ( only £2 for 12 bulbs! ) - to put in soon.  I've had some fab potatoes this year - Anja salad potatoes are really great. I must get some raspberry canes for next year - I do love raspberries. We have a glut of blackberries, plums and sloes in our surrounding area(not in our garden) at the moment - more liqueur making on the cards I think. Last year we made blackberry gin and vodka - just for medicinal purposes of cause!!! - actually gave most of this as presents at Christmas which went down very well.
I do love gardening but my 'back' doesn't - I'll be very stiff tomorrow.   DG x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 25, 2014, 02:00:04 PM
Spiders  :o ……. I've found a large dead one in a corner  :'( with all that is flying in and out it's surprising that any spiders die in this house  ::)

They scuttle.  They lurk.  They hide in the folds of the bath towels, under the settee, behind the kettle ….. so out with 'em, grabs a large pint glass, piece of card and catch 'em.  1 last night tried to climb back over the step  ;D ……..

Didn't see your reply DancingGirl! 

Apparently Indian Summers don't start until after the 1st sharp frost!  however  ::) ….. am enjoying the sunshine for as long as it lasts. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Joyce on September 25, 2014, 02:07:57 PM
I planted begonias this year, very sad & pathetic they've been, yet a couple of extra ones I shoved in a pot & they are huge.  Grrr

One hydrangea is planted in rockery & has abundance of beautiful flowers, another in a pot 1 single head of flowers. The potted one is getting put in ground next year, hope it thrives.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 25, 2014, 02:15:40 PM
Hydrangas can sulk if not in the 'right' place.  They like plenty to drink.  1 of mine has few flowers on but they are blowsy, white turning to pink as they die off. 

I don't do begonias, in fact very little bedding looks good here.   ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: purplenanny on September 25, 2014, 04:45:45 PM
 >:( (http://>:() I absolutely hate the autumn spiders!  I have been gardening today and the amount of webs I have put my head through is unbelievable! Their webs are so strong! I know they do good but it really does spoil my time in the garden. I never seem to see them before I am 'webbed'  :o (http://:o)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 26, 2014, 08:00:05 PM
Spider silk is supposedly the strongest ???? on Earth.
They usually spring them across the garden at gob height  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 17, 2015, 08:43:27 PM
Crikey - where's the Winter gone  ;)

In the sunshine on clay based soil we have lavenders and rosemary, roses LOVE clay ……. fruit trees.  Spring bulbs are up from mid-January and I add bulbs in the Autumn to fill gaps.  This year I bought 50 aconite corms which are being planted as gap fillers in groups of 5.  Nasturtiums are good but attract blackfly, hence they are used as companion plants on allotments.   They come in various types: climbers, ramblers, clumped in lots of lovely colours.  They can be eaten in salads too  ;)

Suggested: "Re cottage garden plants - haven't done it for years but, Lavatera, Godetia, Nicotiana, Night Scented Stock and Nasturtium all gave colour and scent. They did need re doing every year but worked well   â€¦â€¦. "

I have tried to grow wall flowers both in pots and the borders, they didn't thrive.  Would love a wall  ::).  Would hostas or ferns grow Honeybun, in that area - unless it gets hot sunshine all day.  [can't remember what you said that border gets … ] : may salads ?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 17, 2015, 09:05:14 PM
Too dry for hostas and ferns, got them under the trees. Garden is South facing but this border faces East.....does that make any sense.

Just want something that I can have for winter foliage but that I can add to in the summer for colour and scent.

Don't want much really  ;D. The other borders are good with rambling roses and climbing hydrangeas and a purple wisteria, oh and clematis. Masses of flowers and colour. This border is quite narrow and my problem.


Honeybun
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 17, 2015, 09:10:50 PM
Wish I could grow wisteria here - am trying for the last time in a large tub.   Yep, border faces East …….

Right - could the narrow border accommodate pots?  Remove soil, put down slabs of slate and stand pots on?  Spring bulbs which are then over-grown with …….. (camellias are lovely but don't like facing East as the buds open on freezing mornings then get browned).  Need to get my thinking cap on !

Jasmine; forsythia; under-planted ………. with annuals?  Fuchsias?  shrub and climbers.  Go onto one of the gardening web-sites, i.e. Sarah Raven, for inspiration?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dazned on March 17, 2015, 09:14:17 PM
I love stocks and godetia and nicotina,Hollyhock all the old fashioned cottage garden things too.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 17, 2015, 09:15:32 PM
Hollyhocks are OK but not foxgloves  ::) Night scented stocks, oh and tall yellow evening primrose which spreads ……. where it likes  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 17, 2015, 09:16:19 PM
Need to google me thinks. It's a border next to a dwarf wall that falls away to a path. Something that tumbles would be good.

Dont want much do I  ;D


Honeybun
X

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 17, 2015, 09:17:32 PM
So is the border above the wall?  Aubretia might do it, pinks/purples and white ……..
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dazned on March 17, 2015, 09:21:48 PM
Iberis white and its hardy,spreads easy.Think you can get a pinky mauve one too .
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 17, 2015, 09:37:50 PM
Grass, border, small wall of about two feet.Over the wall is a drop of about four feet to a path.

Going to look up all the suggestions, write them down and head for the garden center very soon.


Honeybun
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 17, 2015, 10:44:21 PM
Can I come with you  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on March 17, 2015, 11:53:59 PM
How wide is the border HB? And how long?

Have I got this right?

Border ? wide ? long between grass and 2 foot wall
facing east, dryish
scented if possible
Do you want something low growing? perennial?

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 18, 2015, 01:41:10 PM
The border is about 20 foot long and sort of curves out at both ends and narrower in the middle.

I don't want anything too tall but I would like some shrubs to give a bit of green in the winter.

I have a couple of small Hebes but they don't look right. Also had lavender which is not doing well and also a couple of large poppy plants. It's just been one of those beds that have had all sorts bunged in....things that people have given us and things we have moved from else where.

It all needs to come out and a lot more thought given to what will work.


Honeybun
X

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 18, 2015, 02:25:51 PM
The hebes and lavender will re-plant into pots, both will tolerate a hard prune but not into old wood.

Shrubs : holly, dark leaf and a variegated one?  underplanted with Spring bulbs.  Privet is old fashioned but slow growing with lovely small, scented flowers.  Ice plants [Sedum] ?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on March 18, 2015, 03:54:05 PM
The hebes should have been ok. However:

ordinary box clipped into shapes
winter box Sarcococca fragrant smallish shrub slow growing
epimedium evergreen ground cover flowers in late winter
London Pride evergreen, flowers in summer
Alchemilla mollis
Vinca ground cover. Minor is less than a thug than major.
lovely variegated ivies
Perennial geraniums
Dicentra spectabilis spring flowers
Pulmonarias -
Heucheras different coloured leaves all year
Hellebores spring
Bergenia summer flowering
Euonymus small variegated shrub
spring bulbs

Hope I have not bored you! All the above are as tough as old boots. I grow them all.
Bramble

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 18, 2015, 04:00:21 PM
Off to print out the last two posts..... :thankyou:


I don't have green fingers but I'm really keen. This is really the first garden we have had that we just have to please us. It's was for kids before. Tree houses climbing frames and even a putting green complete with holes  ;D
Those days are gone and I so enjoy being in the garden. It does something good for the soul.


Honeybun
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 18, 2015, 04:03:41 PM
I have lots of heucheras ………. but the vine weevil loves the roots so I dig them up every Spring to check!  Box is prone to disease.

I have Winter box too - which this year is sweetly scented

I am cutting down/digging up ivy  >:(  ::)  although the wrens love to nest in it.

MM Charabanc trip coming on  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 18, 2015, 04:09:43 PM
Long as I can sit up front  ;D


It's been the most beautiful day here. Just been down to our community garden. We started off peas last Autumn and they are now starting to flower. We got a lovely early crop last year as they are grown in a poly tunnel. We have also sown more pea seeds for our outside bed in the propagating tunnel.
Trying to decide what else to grow in the way of veggies. Think we have decided on kale, beetroot, carrots and of course the peas. Inside we will do tomatoes, chard, lettuce and spring onions.
Oh and a melon and I'm considering a kiwi if I can get one.

Quite a lot to think about.....as I said...I'm keen  ::)


Honeybun
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 18, 2015, 04:15:15 PM
Will kiwi survive so far North?  if so, how about a grape along your border, have a look at the NHS  ::) - nope, that's not it  :-\ oh Royal Horticultural Society  ;D web-site for advice on soil type, situation and pruning!

DH grows parsnips, carrots, purple sprouting broccoli in the plot protecting the carrots from fly or growing them higher so that the fly doesn't get 'em.  Apparently carrot fly doesn't go above or below a certain height ……. radishes, red beetroot, chives, rocket ………. cheaper to buy tomatoes  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 18, 2015, 04:20:14 PM
There is a kiwi growing succesfully in one of of the poly tunnels. Our melons did really well the last two years. There is also someone growing a lovely vine too.

Choices choices  ;D


Honeybun
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 18, 2015, 04:36:57 PM
Should do OK out of the wind with lots of sunshine ……. bees?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 18, 2015, 06:23:28 PM
It will be inside so no wind. Poly tunnel is 30 foot long so no problems. Bees, I go around with a tiny brush and pollinate things myself. Strangely restful  ;D


Honeybun
X


Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 18, 2015, 07:58:28 PM
Can you come down and pollinate our hellebores please …….. I noted a new variety in our garden today - deep purple on a cream background - apparently they are 'sluts' and pollinate freely ……..

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on March 19, 2015, 08:54:30 PM
Tried my hand at a spiral topiary recently. Needs a bit more work but quite chuffed with my effort :)

(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a152/plumsoul/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsbkwmtc8y.jpg) (http://s11.photobucket.com/user/plumsoul/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsbkwmtc8y.jpg.html)

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 19, 2015, 09:06:49 PM
Ooo impressed, want to dash up here and lend a hand  ;D



Honeybun
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on March 19, 2015, 09:16:08 PM
Wondering whether i dare try "spiralling" the two feature conifers in large pots in my front yard. Doubt i could make two look the same though  ;D

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 19, 2015, 09:19:41 PM
Maybe from a distance  ::)

I'm not good with symmetry ...no mater what I do no two things look the same. You should see my baking....

Give it a go, it looks brilliant to me.


Honeybun
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on March 23, 2015, 05:41:50 PM
Anyone else made a start on the garden? The weather has been great ie dry this past week and gardening work has started with a vengeance. I am three quarters finished clearing up after the winter. I need another few days but the forecast is looking pretty grim for the next week. But at least it is started. Hurrah! Just got to decide now whether to grow tomatoes this year or not. I didn't last year and quite enjoyed the freedom away from the daily tyranny of watering, feeding and venting.

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: thorntrees on March 23, 2015, 06:06:16 PM
We have decided to grass over our outdoor vegetable patch this year as no matter how hard we try we are plagued by pigeons who destroy everything . We have cleaned out the greenhouse though and will grow tomatoes, cucumber, salads etc. Hubby has been cutting back bushes this week and we have a  great pile of cuttings to dispose of now. Lots of bulbs out of all sorts and have bought seeds for salad leaves and marigolds so feel we have made a good start on this years gardening efforts, still some cold nights forecast though so mustn't get too carried away.

Thorntrees
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 23, 2015, 06:42:45 PM
Why not build a pond rather than grass? 

We've been gardening intermittently for weeks  ;)

Topiary - that's a really good effort well done! 

Honeybun - mahonia?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: thorntrees on March 23, 2015, 06:54:13 PM
We have an underground spring running across the garden and the lawn has sunk in several places over the years, not sure any deep digging or water would be a good idea!
Thorntrees
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 23, 2015, 06:55:35 PM
I would be utilising it! with advice from the local water board and a pond 'expert' ………. certainly it could be piped for incorporation into my scheme  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 23, 2015, 07:40:57 PM
I now have a green house of sorts. Frame up and attached to the wall but the door is still to go on....and it has still to be glazed  ::)

Can't wait......my tomatoes are already on order.


Honeybun
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 23, 2015, 08:17:57 PM
Yipee - how blue was the air  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: honeybun on March 23, 2015, 08:45:23 PM
It was actually fine.....until when he was clearing up he discovered he had lost one of his new spanners.....then he stormed around swearing and emptying things out of tool boxes. I asked if he wanted me to help. Oh if you want to, but it's lost was the answer.

I found it  ;D  ;D...on the garage window ledge....where he had left it  ::).

Tried not to be smug.


Honeybun
X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 23, 2015, 08:46:51 PM
 :rofl:  ………….. went away  :whist: then.  How exciting ! 

I've set some lavender plants this weekend and have 6 more to find places for.  I also have 4 clematis to root, I got a bit heavy with the pruners  :o
Title: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on June 21, 2015, 01:05:19 PM
I have had to water my garden these past few weeks. This is almost unheard of in Scotland. I don't normally believe in watering plants that are in the ground as I believe they grow too lax but I have put in quite a few new plants in the last few weeks so needs must! The grass even looks as though it could do with a water but I stopped short at that. Glad to report the new pond pump is working ok - still have to clean out the filter and make a new board for the new electrics to go on so hey ho..........
Bramble
PS And yes CLKD I do wish at times I had an OH to do all these messy jobs for me........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 21, 2015, 02:07:08 PM
 :medal: 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on June 21, 2015, 02:15:11 PM
Thank you - I shall wear it with pride!

B.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on March 16, 2017, 03:17:54 PM
Aha! Thanks Taz for posting the link to this thread!

Any more gardeners still out there? Yesterday we had absolutely glorious weather and I dug out all last year's compost from the greenhouse ( about 6 heavy wheelbarrow loads),  wheeled it round to the front garden and spread it liberally on the flower beds along with some soil conditioner. Now the greenhouse is ready to be washed down and new compost dug from the compost heap to replenish, ready for the tomatoes and aubergines (hopefully the latter anyway). Will do that at the weekend as not got much on...

I also visited the local (big) garden centre, bought some plants and put those in front garden - where daffs and primroses are looking a treat. Going to add some hellebores ( somewhat belatedly).

Broad beans are coming up, tomatoes sprouting on windowsill....

I love this time of year!!!

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 16, 2017, 03:22:12 PM
Feb. and March are my favourite months when everything is new.  I have pots of hellebores to set recently purchased; one is a peach colour with deep centre; amongst those that seem to take 2/3 years to get going then look splendid!  Early bees love 'em.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on March 16, 2017, 04:34:08 PM
I bought one last autumn, called Tutu, which has had no flowers  >:(  They should have been double frilly pink ones, naturally.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 16, 2017, 04:37:29 PM
Does the plant have new leaves?  If so it may miss a year of flowering.  Where did you buy it from, if from Hayloft Plants I would send an e-mail for advice.  Old leaves need removing especially if they are black, some flower a little later ...... young plants often put their energy into leaves rather than flowers.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on March 16, 2017, 04:42:58 PM
Yes, it has lots of lovely new leaves  ;D

I will plant it in the front garden and hope it flowers next year.  I put them on the outdoor table to look pretty this year - you can see the flowers better (if they have them).  The other one is very flowery.  It is called Winter Bells.  They are from BransfordWebbs.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 16, 2017, 06:38:48 PM
I would send an e-mail even so.  Like snowdrops, they should be grown high up rather than in the ground.  I am surprised that no one has built a special frame so that the flowers can be viewed  :D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on March 16, 2017, 06:59:56 PM
dahliagirl, I've often wondered........ are you dahlia girl because you love them, you grow them?

Just read through this thread, shame there's so many ladies who are now black. Honeybun seemed like a big presence on the forum, she seemed like a lovely lady. Still have some of the other members posting though. It'll be great to resurrect this thread, thanks again for highlighting it Taz.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 16, 2017, 07:01:59 PM
We love dahlias but they don't last long as we garden on clay and they need lifting - I remember my ancestors having them under the bed to keep them frost free and then planting the cuttings ......... along with spuds to 'chit'  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on March 17, 2017, 11:00:06 AM
Ah - I didn't read back on the thread (even though I posted when it was first started!) so didn't see that hellebores had come up before - I've only just discovered them really. The two I bought don't have a name - they are the standard type - one a yellowy green, the other a greeny pink with stripey veins in the petals - single. They were cheap ones - all the rest were very expensive named varieties and since I have tried twice in the past with just one plant which has died, thought I'd try the cheaper ones first. Not much choice being the end of the season for them really. Since I am retiring at Easter (yay!) I will have more time to nurture them.  ::)

Also anyone know anything about roses? I'm not a rose buff but we have just dug out the two wrongly placed ramblers round our cottage porch ( have been there for about 20 years!) and want to replace with traditional climbing "roses round the door" - what are long flowering. Anyone know what variety to recommend? I was befuddled with the choice at our big garden centre!

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dazned on March 17, 2017, 01:35:31 PM
I love a variety called Maigold,very fragrant and quite fast growing  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 17, 2017, 01:50:27 PM
Have a look at the David Austin web-site - many varieties can be shrub or allowed to climb.  If you send them an e-mail or telephone, asking what they would suggest ?  I took out a DA rose a few weeks ago, a real THUG. One I had bought cheap, it was full of mildew and spindly but with some TLC - had I known it was going to be full of nasty thorns  ;D.  It has tiny pink flowers on with a light scent.  Do you want something that flowers once in profusion or repeat flowering?

Clematis need their roots in the shade, hot sun dries them out too much. 

Hellebores like shade; apparently.  Ours do well where ever planted but don't get sun all day. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: catlover on March 17, 2017, 04:05:37 PM
Hurdity - re the roses around the door I can really recommend Gertrude Jekyll grown as a climber.  It doesn't get too large, is easily trained and is a lovely long flowering pink scented rose, followed by hips in the autumn.

I've also used ground cover roses as climbers successfully.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 17, 2017, 04:33:23 PM
I agree - that's one that we bought back from David Austin when we visited one June/July - we bought 3 different roses and needed to open the car windows because the scent was over-powering  :-*

It also 'takes' from cuttings which of course, can not be sold but it is handy to have several of the same in the garden.  The 1 that we bought that time is now 'weedy' so I feel the need for a trip to DA Nurseries this Summer  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on March 17, 2017, 10:59:32 PM
The David Austin site is a wealth of info as well as thefragrantrose site. They will list all the different types of roses as well as strenght of fragrance etc. Just sent away for my very first half standard. Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on March 18, 2017, 09:31:06 AM
Thanks for the info and tips re roses - as I said I know nothing about them. Our front garden is small and I have mostly perennials and a few shrubs, (for birds to perch and hide) and back garden is for veggies - but need a replacement. I definitely want a climber not a rambler from (failed) experience trying to grow Dorothy Perkins (over 25 odd years!) round the door. Haven't heard of David Austin but will have a look! I was looking for a pale peachy pink with traditional rose shape - ie not double and frilly, that is long flowering. Do I need to do bare root or potted at this time of year ( SW England likely to get quite dry...)? Was going to buy from local ( large) garden centre......

Thanks :)

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: catlover on March 18, 2017, 12:27:05 PM
It's a bit late for bare rooted, they really need to be planted when it's cold to establish their roots.  I'd go for pot grown, but check the one you buy has good root development in the pot as sometimes the bare rooted ones are potted up and you're essentially paying for loose compost.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 18, 2017, 04:11:12 PM
 :thankyou: catlover - you took the words right out of my mouth  ;D.

DA is worth a trip in June/July ........ I have tried to grow honeysuckle here but it doesn't like it, 1 will grow where it likes by spreading then the main plant dies back  ::), the other Winter scented 1 has taken 8 years to get settled - now it's lovely and the bees are in and out when the sun shines.

One shouln'dt plant roses where roses previously have been grown so Hurdity, make sure that the soil is dug right out once Dorothy has been hoiked out!  Buy a good quality compost plus some bone meal; put a small amount of bone meal below the roots of the new rose plant and fill in with compost.  Water gently to make sure there are no air pockets and keep adding compost until the hole is filled.  Sprinkle more bone meal on the soil which will wash in when it rains but not on the stem.  Stand back and admire  ;).
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on March 18, 2017, 08:16:32 PM
You have got until the end of the month for bare rooted. After that they will all be potted. Most garden centres don't have bare rooted roses, (unless they are an old fashioned nursery), you will need to send away for them.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 18, 2017, 08:41:33 PM
We have access to a proper Nursery who sell bare rooted stock between November-March.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on March 19, 2017, 08:38:42 AM
Yes, but will hurdity? And no compost for roses - either put them into the ground, or if in a pot, JI no. 3
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on March 19, 2017, 05:57:53 PM
........ are you dahlia girl because you love them, you grow them?

I did love to grow them, but he snails got them last year  ::)  This is because I have given up lifting them each year as they survive in our warm sandy soil, but it is always a fight with the wretched snails. I am trying to grow them in pots - letting them dry overwinter, then starting them off in the spring - need repotting and rearranging every couple of years though.

I am having trouble with allergies though, and the tree pollen gets me in the spring. :hotflash:<-------- This is me trying not to sneeze.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 19, 2017, 07:15:21 PM
We use home-made compost for most things or well rotted horse manure at the bottom of roses, then back-fill with earth dug out : another trick is to put a banana skin/s for the roots to feed on.  Apparently  ;D

As there is a rose already in situ (Dorothy) the soil will need to be dug right out B4 planting another rose so using good quality compost is important to avoid the disease that may be present.  Apparently bone meal is advised at this time and not general fertiliser  :-\

I do buy cheap compost to fill in borders when we run out of home-made ;-).
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on March 20, 2017, 09:45:06 PM
Oo-er it's complicated - I know now why I'm not a rose buff!!! Also garden isn't big enough!

Thanks for all the info. Dorothy has long gone - I cut the rambling mess of shoots to the ground both sides and husband dug out the 25 year old roots - too hard for me! Then he rebuilt the cottage porch. Now ready for more roses. I realise it's late in the season for planting them but hope to do so this week if I have time to get to garden centre. I have no idea if they do bare-rooted or not.

Thanks to your posts I googled a bit and came to rhs site where I discovered the difference between containerised and container grown. Now I know why the ones I looked at at garden centre were in shiny new looking pots with fresh compost - so I presume they were containerised so no good for me if I'm going to take them straight out again! Thanks for the warning catlover!

I was befuddled by the variety on the David Austin site and slightly worried about taking the plunge and spending all that money on two of them if I'm not going to like them......Must make a decision very soon while it's still cold!
We make our own compost so will dig out 18" cube of soil and put some in with a bit of fertiliser or bone meal. Shan't bother with rose compost as wouldn't use it again...

 :thankyou: all!

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Dorothy on March 20, 2017, 10:09:26 PM
I bought one last autumn, called Tutu, which has had no flowers  >:(  They should have been double frilly pink ones, naturally.

Hellebores often need a year or two to settle into the ground before they restart flowering, so don't give up on it just yet.  As long as it is healthy and growing new leaves, it should flower once it has a good root system in place.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Dorothy on March 20, 2017, 10:14:38 PM
BTW, I'm thinking of changing my user name...was quite worried reading through this topic by all the comments about getting rid of Dorothy and Dorothy being long gone  :-\   Very relieved to read back and discover you were talking about a rose  ;D  (I can second the recommendation for David Austin roses - they are brilliant, disease resistant, repeat/long-flowering, beautiful scent...  In fact, the only rose I will have that isn't a DA one is 'Peace' because it was my grandmother's favourite.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on March 20, 2017, 10:56:02 PM
SORRY Dorothy  ;D !!!! CLKD shortened the name so I carried on in the same vein!!! Please don't change your name!! Thanks also for the endorsement re these roses which I hadn't heard of until 2 days ago! 

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 21, 2017, 01:17:55 PM
Hurdity - pot grown roses can be planted at any time of year when the soil is warm enough.  Bare rooted need to go into the ground between November and March.  They are usually cheaper to buy as they are younger plants.  Pot grown may have been in the pot for several years, the DA one that I rescued which turned out to be a thug, was at least 10 years old by the time I resuscitated it  ;D.  Make sure that you dig out every bit of old soil where Dorothy was growing and replant into new to stop whatever disease might be lurking.

The important issue is to keep them watered, not standing in a puddle but not allowed to dry out.  Roses have deep roots eventually, seeking a drink  ;).  I usually dig out the hole and water into it, noting how long it takes for the water to soak away.  Plant.  Water gently from above and keep an eye for the next 9-12 months unless it's a very wet Summer.

Gardening is only as complicated as one allows it to be  ::) ........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on March 21, 2017, 06:10:49 PM
Thanks CLKD. :)  My local nursery has sold out of bare-rooted as they pot em all up and sell as containerised with a price hike. Not much variety of climbers. DA told me they sell bare-rooted until end of April and recommended I bought BR since they are £5 cheaper.  The container grown were potted last January ( 2016) but they said the BR would be fine and would flower this year..... I bought 2 of Shropshire Lad - a peachy-pink - in the end. They told me to dig out 2 foot cube of soil and replace with garden soil mixed with our own compost.

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 21, 2017, 07:05:42 PM
Job Done then !  Photos ?  ;D

We have roses all around, growing well in places not recommended  ::), good pruning and sunshine seems to keep them healthy.  I have some branches that I cut B4 C.mas in water, I will push those into the ground next week - they have two chances  ;): the 'thug' seemed to root quite easily  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on March 21, 2017, 09:58:21 PM
Shropshire Lad is a lovely rose with a good fragrance. You've done well!
Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on March 27, 2017, 07:00:03 PM
They arrived and they are in the ground. My husband dug the huge hole and we just bunged in our garden compost - which is quite soil rich. Didn't have any bonemeal but may put something around the top if necessary. Look forward to them sprouting - not sure how long it will be?

Washed down the greenhouse glass today inside and out, and various trays and pots - and my husband dug the whole veg garden over these last couple of days.....

Any gardening/gardens news girls?

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 27, 2017, 07:01:52 PM
There should be leaf buds on the roses now - the ones here have new green shoots or red leaf buds ......

I think that the tadpoles are leaving the jelly, hopefully the single gold fish in that pond won't eat them  :o
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on March 27, 2017, 07:35:05 PM
I am so disappointed that none of my fruit trees on the allotment have blossomed this year. Last year they blossomed briefly but it was all blown off in a gale and I had no fruit on most of them.

So no blossom means no fruit doesn't it?  And I absolutely adore blossom. It's my favourite thing.

And to make matters worse, 2 years ago I bought a Red Sentinel crab apple tree for my garden because I wanted to see blossom in my garden and although there was a little blossom last year, this year there has been none.

Why can't I grow blossom😭😭😭😭😭

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on March 27, 2017, 07:58:52 PM
I think you may still be a bit early for blossom. Have faith!

Spent 4.5 hours in the garden today - hard graft - cutting shrubs down that had grown too big for their boots and clearing out a part of the garden I have seldom been in for the past 5 years - and it looked it! Out with the pruning saw tomorrow to take the Photinia down and the branches from the twisted hazel that have reverted. May also take the saw to the eucalyptus. Have hired in a bit of muscle for half a day to dig out shrubs. My garden is a forest of bright pink canes where I want to do stuff. Reminders so that when the lad comes, I can point him in the right direction. I am determined this year to get back on top of the garden - it has been sadly neglected the last few years. I have redesigned all of my borders and the greenhouse is full of new perennial plants(94!!!) to go in so looking forward to the next few months.  The majority of my plants arrived last week so have potted them on. May pot them on again before planting out. Will wait and see.

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 27, 2017, 08:06:36 PM
It's early for blossom.  Don't lose heart.  Have a look-see at the ends of each branch, there may be small buds appearing which will suddenly erupt into either leaves or flowers.  Our almond has been out for 2 weeks but the silver birch is keeping it's buds to itself ...... there are tiny buds on the apple ....... but plum won't think about opening for another 2 weeks.  Neither of our crab apples have signs of buds yet ;-)

Eculalypts can take a huge pruning, they are like weeds  ::).  Our twisted hazel has straight growth from the ground which we take out every Autumn otherwise they would take over the tree.  It is HUGE! 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on March 27, 2017, 08:32:57 PM
The leaves are either out or budding depending on the tree 🙁
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 27, 2017, 09:06:19 PM
Still alive then, watch the bees as they arrive in your garden  ;) - you could also ask one of the local people from a garden centre to have a look-see!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 28, 2017, 08:28:48 AM
Morning! Pruning: between November and March: - never under-estimate the important of pruning!  Is there a gardening club in your area where you could ask advice, or the Garden Centre.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on March 28, 2017, 08:38:47 AM
Depends where you are in the country as well. No signs of blossom yet in Scotland.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on March 28, 2017, 01:41:36 PM
Dug out two Trachelospermum jasminoides: rather heartbreaking really as grown from cuttings and they were probably both 15 feet tall. Looks like Honey Fungus, but have to return to Wisley with bigger root samples for testing. What to replace them with??! :(

I cropped back a Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple, Cornus alba 'Aurea' and a Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' which contains them and stimulates bigger leaves: it's always reassuring to see them start to shoot after such a heavy cropping!!  :o

Lots of bald patches whilst waiting for the perennials to spurt, but a good time to fertilise the soil whilst we can see it. I've also taken the opportunity to move some shrubs that I'm hoping will rebalance the garden as we've had a number of mature shrub losses in the past few years. (Probably the pesky honey fungus!)

Just dug out an old hydrangea, supposed to be a Blue Skies but when it topped 15 feet we decided must have been mislabelled. Replaced with a totally gorgeous Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom' which I've been nurturing in a pot for the past three years. I'm praying that it does well in it's new less sunny position as I absolutely love it and will be well and truly heartbroken if I lose it. I bought a second one and potted it up last year so it will have matured before I planted out the big one. I had them on the patio area next to a massive pot of Agapanthus and they looked utterly amazing together, so beautiful.

Ariadne, our neighbours have three apples and none of them are in blossom yet, it is late for them as usually they are in blossom now. It's odd as everything around is blooming and breaking.

Off to Wisley again this week to take a bigger root sample, buy some new pots and to buy from their plant shop and to wander the gardens. Always a delight!

 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 28, 2017, 01:57:24 PM
Hydrangas aren't fussy where they are planted ........ they likes a certain amount of shade in the day when it is very hot.

Ask about what to plant there Elizabethrose it may be better to leave the area empty for a while. I can't grow Sambucus here  :(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on March 28, 2017, 02:09:50 PM
Thanks CLKD, the area is pretty shady I'm hoping not too much so. Certainly the hydrangea I've just removed absolutely thrived there as do a variety of smaller hydrangea and azaleas. We'll see!

Yes I'm going to ask for advice re the replacements. We bought and used a root barrier preparation last year when we replaced a Viburnum Davidii that we lost, but the replacement hasn't fared well (honey fungus?). It's the devil of a problem to deal with! One of our neighbours lost a pear to honey fungus which sat on our boundary and I fear the worst.

I've checked out the RHS honey fungus tolerant plant list but they always offer such good advice in the plant query area. x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 28, 2017, 02:10:25 PM
 :thankyou:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on March 30, 2017, 03:43:50 PM
Transplanted a huge pot of root bound agapanthus into an even bigger pot. Will have to wait till hubby gets home to lift the wretched thing though as my back is certainly not up to that. I've managed to keep them evergreen over the past few years by covering in fleece through cold winter spells and was rewarded with 23 flowers last year. Sadly the leaves went soggy this winter so I'm really hoping the flowers will be as prolific as last year.

Watered all transplanted shrubs, all look fine apart from a Mahonia aquifolium which has now lost it's flowers (droopy!). Probably should have waited till the flowers were spent.

Feels like a lovely summers day here, so many birds tweeting (and builders drilling!!  >:()
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 30, 2017, 04:24:04 PM
??  Agapanthaus flower best when pot bound  :-\ ......... make sure that there aren't those white mealy things in the soil [can't remember what they are larvae of but they eat roots] ......... are yours blue or white?  Apparently they grow wild in their Country of Origin  ::).

Been busy outside for 3 hours.  Pottering  :).  In warm sunshine!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on March 30, 2017, 04:32:30 PM
I know CLKD but they had got past the point of it being beneficial, there wasn't any soil left!

Didn't notice anything dodgy in the soil. They are blue, I can't remember the variety but are about 3-4 ft tall. Magnificient! We managed to find some spirally supports online which added to the drama. We've never had much luck with them in the ground. We're really sheltered here and sunny (weather permitting) but they've definitely preferred the move to pots.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 30, 2017, 04:36:33 PM
Photos.?  ;D ...... pink nerines {?} are lovely too but we don't have an appopriate site for them  ::).  Everything has sprung into bud this last 24 hours  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 30, 2017, 04:50:42 PM
Have a look at your local garden centre web-site or go to Buckingham Garden Centre - their web-site is easy to use as are the Royal Horticultural ones, i.e. Wisley.  We have hollies here, some are variegated.  Every-green, berries ....... we also have a yew tree which has grown like Topsy  ;D.  How high do you want them to grow? 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on March 30, 2017, 07:13:59 PM
Hah, CLKD, I have one but unfortunately I'm in it going 'Tah dah' at my magnificent display. I've been outed so many times on this forum but it's a step too far to post a photo!!  ;D Had a pal staying this weekend who outed me a while ago, mind you she's like Miss Marple and has 'recognised' others in her area.

I'll see if I can find a photo from the previous year and post that. (I sound like the proud mother but that's what gardening does to you!)

What height and spread do you want Stellajane?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on April 01, 2017, 08:26:44 PM
Sarcoccocco humilis is a nice evergreen shrub for a shady site. With the bonus of scented winter flowers. Aucuba japonica will do and it is variegated with red berries. And some Skimmias also. Quite a lot of shrubs wlll cope with shade.

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 02, 2017, 10:36:21 AM
The Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis is a lovely little shrub Bramble. We have one in a shady area and the early spring flowers are heavily fragranced. It's certainly a shrub group that I'd recommend.

Stellajane, I've just planted up a 28 foot shady bed along one side of my kitchen. We'd stripped out everything aside from a brilliant orange azalea that's been there for about 35 years and is to die for! We've planted; a Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom', which is a compact hydrangea with massive stunning white flowers that change to red, a new non spiky Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress' which has a lovely airy, fern like leaf, a Euonymus japonica 'Benkomasaki Erecta' which has a columnar habit and is a dense evergreen of long erect stems. All of these are small to medium shrubs that 'shouldn't' exceed 5 feet. We've interspersed them with three different varieties of fern that have individual interest; Pteris cretica Albo Lineata, Asplenium scolopendrium Cristata and a Cyrtomium fortunei 'Clivicola'. We have swathes of bluebells peeking through that have also been there for years.

All is looking great though it's early days! There is a lovely variety of textures and colours and growing habits. Fingers crossed all will look good as the bed matures.

A weekend of gardening, after another trip to Wisley on Friday. It has such a great plant centre with a really unusual plant offer. We've repotted herbs and sized up existing potted shrubs. Tied in various clematises and roses which seem to be making a dash for the Gods! In fact everything has suddenly splurged into life: it's amazing how it suddenly happens. The Viburnams, Ceanothus and Wisteria are heavily laden and just about to burst into flower.

Spring is utterly glorious!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 03, 2017, 04:52:43 PM
Lovely sunny day here and my Viburnum Judii has burst into flower: the fragrance is wonderful!  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 03, 2017, 04:53:14 PM
We have smell in the garden but haven't worked out what it's from as several plants are in direct sunshine.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 03, 2017, 04:56:31 PM
We had an Osmanthus Burkwoodii years ago CLKD. The flowers were so tiny they could be overlooked but the fragrance was all enveloping. The postman would walk up the path desperately searching for the source of the fragrance.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 03, 2017, 05:15:27 PM
In that area is a Winter flowering honeysuckle which the bees love as well as a form of 'Daphne' and a sweet box ....... take your pick  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dazned on April 03, 2017, 05:26:46 PM
My trays of down seeds are sprouting !  :)

Seemed a good idea at the time ,forgot about all that picking out though ! ::)

Sown seeds .....predictive b.....ks ::)

I have godetia,nemesisia,stocks,marigold,sweetpeas,sunflowers
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 03, 2017, 05:44:45 PM
Dazned what are downs seeds? Are they seeds you collected from the downs?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on April 05, 2017, 07:53:03 PM
Little teeny tiny red pimples on my new roses - showing that they are still alive and producing little buds. Hopefully they will burst forth soon :)

My husband planted all the broad bean plants  (that I grew from seed) as well as the onion sets and shallots. I repotted some of my tomato plants, chillis and aubergines. Carrying backwards and forwards each day from greenhouse (by day) to house (at night) until the nights are a bit warmer and I can plant them in there. I have 33 tomato plants this year including 3 heritage varieties!! Some will go outside in a few weeks...

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 05, 2017, 08:28:34 PM
I have blossom!!   I'm so pleased.  None on either of the apple trees though and leaves are out now.  Cherry, plum and pear have at last blossomed so you were right ladies - I was too impatient.

Ariadne xx

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 06, 2017, 08:50:36 PM
Don't give up on the apples, some trees put out leaves B4 blossom ..........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 07, 2017, 07:40:11 PM
I hope my two are of that variety then CLKD 😊  I do like apple blossom. One is white with pale pink and the other is a deep pink and I was so looking forward to seeing them😕.

Still, I have 4 trees with white blossom when I thought I had none so chuffed anyhow.

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 07, 2017, 07:42:06 PM
I thought of you when I looked at our apple blossom this morning  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 08, 2017, 07:14:23 PM
Well guess what?  What I thought were budding leaves on both apple trees, have begun to show signs of PINK 🤗🤗🤗.  i think I may get pink blossom soon, which I love even more than white.

It's definitely happening differently to last year though.

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 08, 2017, 07:27:19 PM
 :bounce: ariadne ;-)

Listened to wild birds.  Watched the over-night film of the hedgehog in our garden  :).  Watered sweet pea seedlings, planted more.  Nasturtiums aren't coming up yet  :-\.
Fed pond fish.  Fed wild birds.  Weeded between the slabs on the patio: again  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on April 09, 2017, 03:34:25 PM
The hosta's are getting ready come up.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 10, 2017, 11:12:50 AM
Hostas suddenly pop up don't they  :o ........ I had 3 pots of soil on Sat., this morning, HOSTAS  :D

Plum blossom is over.  Apple blossom on one tree is opening.  Blossom on the one used for jam (name escapes me) ...... or crab apple  ::).  Another lot of narcissi opened over the weekend, newly set in November.  Bees occasionally.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on April 11, 2017, 07:29:48 AM
Lovely sunny day here and my Viburnum Judii has burst into flower: the fragrance is wonderful!  :)
I have one in the garden as well. Love the fragrance!
Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 19, 2017, 10:15:54 AM
I feel like weeping! My fairly new neighbours are 'doing' their garden. They are stripping out all of the healthy mature shrubs, taking down trees that have suddenly died since they've been there (?!) and now chopping down a beautiful healthy apple tree that looks more resplendent in its canopy of blossom than it ever has. I feel bereft! Blossom is cascading down into my garden.

They have young (free range) kids who play ball sports in the garden morning, noon and night and the parents who we were told were keen gardeners, are putting in fake grass. I can't quite get to grips with it, I thought my neighbour was joking when she told me, thank God for my poker face! It's not a postage stamp lawn our gardens are a decent size. The neighbours around are all waiting to see if a pitch marking machine turns up next!

The chaps are literally chain sawing down everything growing, it is heart breaking to see it. I would have thought that professional gardeners would dig up and reuse/replant perfectly healthy shrubs but I suppose that would take time and time is money! It's a crime!

I truly wonder what the 'design' will be but sadly don't feel confident that it's going to have too much plant life in it. As I've typed this the whole canopy on the right side of my garden has disappeared. When hubby left this morning you couldn't see through to other gardens.

Sorry for the moaning rant, such destruction is so upsetting though! x

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 19, 2017, 10:43:15 AM
Now a beautiful olive tree has gone as well  :o Such destruction!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: AstroCat on April 19, 2017, 03:15:05 PM
I feel your pain Elizabethrose. It sounds devastating. In the house where I grew up there used to be an old oak tree. It was there since my dad was born but some of it came down back in the 80s after high winds and it became clear that it wasn't in such good shape. We had to get professionals in to take most of it down and I was so upset, even though in this case it was the right thing to do. If I recall, teenage me, in all my angst, even wrote a poem about it!  ::)
Strangely, writing this has just reminded me that I dreamed about that house and tree last night...
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 19, 2017, 04:01:28 PM
When we moved into this house there were so many trees that you could barely see the surrounding houses. Gradually the older generation have moved on, younger people have moved in with their families and the first thing they seem to do is cut down the trees. Jeez we live in a city, our gardens and the parks are the lungs of London!! Ooh I'm so disappointed but also really confused and really mad if I'm honest. It's their house and garden to do with as they please of course but why oh why buy a house with a bigger garden only to rip it all out.

Cut down a healthy apple and olive and replace them with fake grass. Really??!

Sorry AstroCat, rant over! x

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 19, 2017, 05:52:55 PM
I get SO ANGRY about this type of thing.  It is illegal to disturb nesting birds so contacting the Environment Agency, also they are not allowed to burn on site, it has to be taken away.

When the kids have got burns from the 'astro-turf' they may well regret it!  Apparently it's being banned in many football clubs because so many players have been injured!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 19, 2017, 07:13:51 PM
You and me both CLKD. There were no nests, the birds would have to be as daft as a brush to nest in that garden, it looks like a war zone. The garden company have been shredding all day at the front of the house so there's no burning. I'd throw a massive hissy fit if they tried that one. Spoke to the previous owner who was very sad, the garden was her husband's passion. She said he'd be turning in his grave if he knew!

I've been racking my brains all day about what I can do on my side to compensate for the carnage and destruction of our view. I think I'm going to have to be creative, which will probably cost me! I'll wait to see what the end result is then get cracking. It may be that I'll plant some sort of pollarded trees.

The olive that was massacred with a chain saw would have cost a small fortune to buy. If I'd known what they were going to do I would have tried to find a way to transplant it here. We seem to live in a throwaway society. So many of my shrubs started off as cuttings from friends and likewise we've passed on lots too. Its a crying shame! x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 19, 2017, 09:23:52 PM
What did they have that sheltered your garden that has been torn out?  I expect that some trees would have had Preservation Orders on them pity you didn't slap some on!  Could you plant an English hedgerow initially which will grow up; hawthorn, spindle trees, privat - have a look on the RHS web-site for ideas?  [Buckingham Garden Centre is also a good guide, not many 'centres' grow their own these days  >:(]. 

We cleared a lot of weed from the bottom pond recently and can now see the frogs and tadpoles ! 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 19, 2017, 09:44:07 PM
No they don't tend to do it with fruit trees CLKD, it's just the big beasts. We live in a conservation area and have a vary large tree at the back which has a preservation order on it but none of the smaller trees around do. I'm sure we could have made a fuss and reported them to planning but they'd have got permission in about 6 weeks so it would only have delayed it. It wouldn't have been worth the upset.

The apple was sitting on our boundary fence but on our side we only have climbers along the fence at that point which is the widest point of a large circular lawn, with beds in the four corners. I'm going to have to do some redesigning! Sadly my neighbour on the other side lost a pear in exactly the same position.

It's not the end of the world I'll get it sorted!

I think I've lost my agapanthus. They've succumbed to a cold spell when I didn't cover them in fleece in time. The bases became slimy and they haven't picked up. Spoke to the experts at Wisley about them. Shame, they were my pride and joy last year, utterly stunning. I think I might be able to save about 4 stems so I'll repot them and then plant up a new bunch in our massive new pot.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on April 19, 2017, 09:52:14 PM
Have to say I am on the other side of the fence. When I moved in here almost 20 years ago there were quite a few trees in the garden. First the 4 huge comifers in the corner were taken down. Light into the garden improved dramatically. Then the group of slightly smaller ones got taken down when I built my greenhouse. The scabby apple tree went next when I got the garage built. The massive pear tree was the next one when I got the conservatory built - it was planted within 6 ft of the house! Then the silver birch had to be lopped in half as it was interfering with the telephone wires although it still is a good 30+ feet. I have planted a multi stemmed rowan and a cornus and a amelanchier but all smaller manageable trees. I've also planted a hedge. So not all bad news.
We cannot manage our gardens to suit our neighbours - they are ours to do with as we like - regardless of current opinion or other people's ideas. Quite often trees are planted in back gardens that are totally unsuitable for them. And when they grow too high they either cannot be bothered to address the problem or they cannot afford to. For every tree in a back garden that is cut down 'unnecessarily' there are probably a 1000 more that are causing major problems to neighbours and should be cut down but aren't.
Each to his own - we all plough our own furrows.

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 19, 2017, 09:58:22 PM
Oh dear I feel suitably reprimanded Bramble.

However the trees were not causing any problems in any way, and they were healthy and stunning, I think they just want a football pitch. As I said, each to their own, it's their garden, their home to do with as they please. I haven't voiced my concerns or disappointment to them I've just got it off my chest on here.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on April 20, 2017, 11:10:44 AM
I'm watching a tree planted next door right on the boundary. It went in as a stripling a few feet high and in less than 10 years it is now 20+ feet! In a garden roughly 15ft by 30ft!!  New people have moved in next door so I reckon it will be coming down this year! It is a nicely shaped tree and golden yellow/green but just in the wrong garden.

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 20, 2017, 11:24:30 AM
These gardens were made for trees, they're about 110 ft long but the usual Victorian thin slice, with a width of about 35 ft. Most of the trees were planted at the ends so provided privacy. There was only one tree that caused a boundary root problem for a neighbour years ago. A walnut had self seeded and was far too close to the house. It was taken down.

I feel less sad about the next-door garden today as an acer has been left so something is visible. It is a deep burgundy and has a beautiful habit.

A couple of weeks ago I hard pruned an evergreen hypericum (can't remember which variety) which was looking very tired and ragged. It has sprung up beautifully and looks really lovely. There's always something to smile about with a garden.

No, sad again, the entire fence all 110 feet of it has been left bare of any foliage, not a thing peeking above apart from the acer. Hopefully that'll not go too.  :(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 20, 2017, 10:59:50 PM
Pity you couldn't dash round and rescue the plants  :o - local gardening club may well have found homes for them  :'(

Without trees the Earth will die.  I would be making my point, the other point would be "If you children kick their balls into my patch and ruin my garden, who will be paying for any damage now that you have removed the screening?" ..........

I was going to type something else but it's leapt out of my brain  >:(  :sigh: and it was really interesting  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 22, 2017, 11:09:26 PM
Lots of weeding done.
Plenty of sitting in the  :sunny:
Cuppa by the pond watching the tadpoles.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Evelyn63 on April 23, 2017, 01:51:54 PM
Thats awful Elizabeth Rose, it would break my heart to have to witness all those beautiful trees being destroyed.  Having said that I will put up my hand and say we have recently got rid of a lot of trees, they were the dreaded Leylandia, already planted when we moved here over 25 years ago.  My husband did his best to keep them under control but like Topsy they just " grew and grew" to the point they overtook the whole garden from three sides and it looked like a postage stamp.  We eventually had them removed and the difference is incredible , especially the amount of light we now have plus at least an extra 3 foot or more of border. Which brings me to my next question, we have put up fencing and would like to plant up the border at the back of the garden, the other side has small laurels planted and the opposite has three large raised beds in front a border at the back.  Could anyone recommend some plants and flowers for the border. I am hopeless and at a bit of a loss, I have delphiniums and low border plants in one area but this is a new border and I need something to fill it, now the daffodils and tulips are finished.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 23, 2017, 07:33:28 PM
Leylandia aren't trees Evelyn, they're a blot on the landscape!!  ;D

Yep, the butchery inflicted is a crying shame. When hubby returned on Friday night he noticed that a beautiful twisted fig had also been chain sawed as well as a gorgeous rose that we'd admired for years and tried to find out the variety. It's like the chain saw massacre! Still onwards and upwards, it takes all sorts.

Tell me how deep and long is the bed you'd like to plant. Are you looking for shrubs, perennials, annuals, climbers? Evergreen or deciduous? What is the aspect, which way is it facing, is it sunny, shady etc? How tall would you like the plants to grow to? Oh I sound like Percy Thrower?
x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on April 25, 2017, 06:27:06 PM
My new roses have grown since I've been away (despite lack of rain)!! None of the shoots are more than 2 ins though... hopefully they will shoot away soon as I was assured they would flower in the first year.

Tomato plants are enormous in the greenhouse, but the onion sets outside have barely grown. Broad bean plants also suffering from drought but we had a welcome shower tonight :) . All too brief though...

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 25, 2017, 07:57:34 PM
Glad that your plants survived whilst you were away!

Moved tender plants inside due to cold weather forecast.  My roses are slowing up but should give a good show eventually.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 26, 2017, 02:07:07 PM
Typical, no rain forecast this week again and as everything is so dry outside, this morning I sprinkled the lawn which is looking quite sad and fertilised my pots. The heavens have just opened!

I have an utterly gorgeous azalea that's just about to bloom. We inherited it many years ago and have never been able to discover what it is. I've bought others in the hope that we can replicate it somewhere else in the garden but the varieties are always wrong. It is a stunning orange flower and the leaves turn green bronze as the summer progresses. Nearest to it I've found colour wise is Gibraltar but that's not what it is. Anyway hubby will arrive home just as it bursts!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jenna on April 26, 2017, 02:25:30 PM

I have an utterly gorgeous azalea that's just about to bloom. We inherited it many years ago and have never been able to discover what it is. I've bought others in the hope that we can replicate it somewhere else in the garden but the varieties are always wrong. It is a stunning orange flower and the leaves turn green bronze as the summer progresses. Nearest to it I've found colour wise is Gibraltar but that's not what it is. Anyway hubby will arrive home just as it bursts!

Hi Elizabethrose - that sounds like 'Glowing Embers' to me. See what you think!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 26, 2017, 02:28:42 PM
If it's an old variety the name may well be lost.  I remember going to Kelling Aviaries as a child and the azaleas along by the path were stunning!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 26, 2017, 03:49:16 PM
Jenna, thank you for your PM, you are a star, that may well be it. Blimey I've searched for years and bought a number. I'm going to buy another and find a spot for it. Thank you Miss Marple!! xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Mbrown001 on April 27, 2017, 01:34:20 PM
Going to get my seed potatoes in later today. We are late this year but they are main crop so should still be fine.
My greenhouse is packed with things that really need hardening off but it's just too cold.

I bought a climbing jasmine the other day. Can anyone give a bit of advice on whether I can grow this in a huge pot. I want to train it along a sheltered west facing fence but I don't have room to put it in the ground.

Mrs Brown.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 27, 2017, 01:42:48 PM
Is it a summer or winter jasmine Mrs B or a star jasmine (Trachelospermum)?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Mbrown001 on April 27, 2017, 01:52:03 PM
It's a Trachelospermum (jasminoides)

That's a summer flowering one I think...hope lol.



Mrs Brown
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 27, 2017, 02:20:07 PM
Oh they are fabulous. We have loads of them, though we lost two really mature ones this winter, I suspect to honey fungus but awaiting the results form Wisley.

They grow beautifully in pots, just as long as they are big enough, well watered and fed regularly. We've planted them in all aspects, against fences, up walls, over pergolas and they thrive. They can be big beasts but will be contained if in a pot. We have had a problem occasionally with sooty mildew but if sprayed in July it normally sorts it for the following year.

I love them, they are such good value plants and smell wonderful! x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 27, 2017, 05:01:48 PM
Really dull day here today with the most pathetic half hearted attempt at rain, so I saturated the lawn and beds. Tied in clematises and golden hops which were reaching for the heavens. Pruned back Akebia quinata which was also making a dash for it. Love that plant, love the foliage especially in a light breeze, though it is vigorous!

There's a real chill in the air here today though we haven't had the frosts experienced elsewhere. It's been so dry that lots of the shrubs have halted themselves. I think all it needs is a decent amount of rain and a sunny spell and all will take off again. The lawn is looking particularly sad thus my intense watering. After a light cut this weekend I'm going to fertilise it and see if it picks up. Anyone else noticed that turfs now seem to come growing through some sort of plastic chicken wire. We repaired some edges last year that overhanging perennials kill off each summer and the edges are bald again but have tufts of plastic sticking up through the still growing bits. (if you can understand what I mean!) It is ridiculous! x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 29, 2017, 05:56:04 PM
Elizabethrose I have akebia quinata too but it has been disappointing. I've had it for at least 5 years and although it has grown vigorously, it never produces many flowers. It is planted in shade. Could that be the reason? Any advice?

Ariadne xx

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 29, 2017, 06:20:42 PM
Hi ariadne,

Ours is placed along a south west facing fence and gets full sun for much of the day. We have clay soil but I dig in lots of compost (homemade) and also liquid feed throughout the growing seasons. This year it was smothered in flowers, quite wonderful but we've never had any fruit. We planted about three years ago (I think) so maybe it needs to settle before it fruits.

Does yours get any sun on it? I don't think they mind semi-shade. Why don't you try a liquid feed this year, I think it's recommended that it should be trimmed after flowering in the spring rather than later in the year so maybe it sets it's flower buds early. Feed it all summer and wait and see come spring. At least you have the lovely vigourous foliage. xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 29, 2017, 11:12:29 PM
 It does get some sun but not all day. I have never fed it so I will try that. it has had a few flowers this spring but I had to look hard to find them. Until last year I had never even trimmed it so it was quite rampant but I had to trim it because hubby needed to repaint the fencing.

Thank you for your advice, I will feed it and mulch it with some leaf mould I've got.

Ariadne xx  :thankyou:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 30, 2017, 09:12:52 AM
I moved mine in the Autumn after 5 years of it growing amongst other climbers: a) I couldn't see it and b) it never flowered. It's now racing away, root in the shade, climbing towards the sun.   The wisteria however  >:( - grown in a deep pot hasn't flowered in 4 years >sigh<
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 30, 2017, 06:32:58 PM
Hmmm maybe that's the problem then as mine is also amongst other climbers.

My husband is hankering after a wisteria but although I love them, I wouldn't like to wait years for the flowers. I read that you should buy one in flower to avoid this but are they ever sold like that?

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 30, 2017, 06:46:16 PM
Ariadne, we bought quite a mature wisteria, very unusual, sorry can't remember the variety off the top of my head, but it's white and the flowers erupt before the leaves grow. Essentially, it is covered in pure white flowers and then when they start to fade the leaves quickly replace them.

Ours flowered the first year it was planted but it was quite tall. I suspect you can buy with flowers on, now would be the time to check. Why don't you call a garden centre and ask them. x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 30, 2017, 07:09:38 PM
I like the white ones Elizabethrose, bit different to the usual lilac colour. I'll have a look in my local garden centre just up the road.

Thank you  :thankyou:

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 30, 2017, 07:12:54 PM
One buys wisteria in flower usually, they are grafted so don't take as long to flower.  They do need specific pruning, twice a year; immediately after flowering and again in late Jan./early Feb..  It hasn't made any flowers again this year  >:( - it will get a telling off!  There are now various colourations and some are scented: the Cotswolds is the place to be now as they are all out!

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 30, 2017, 07:19:02 PM
Ariadne, have a read of this;

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9288012/Wonderful-wisteria.html

Ours is an early flowering one, it's just finishing now, whereas all the blue ones in the neighbourhood are just kicking off. Sorry I can't remember which variety it is. Have a look too at the RHS site, they list the varieties that they'd recommend. x

I do love them CLKD, so beautiful! x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 30, 2017, 07:20:02 PM
Like Cathedrals, I love following where wisteria are growing, there's a huge one in Banbury and several around the Morteon in Marsh area. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 30, 2017, 07:37:15 PM
Ariadne, have a read of this;

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/9288012/Wonderful-wisteria.html


Oh I had just read that article Elizabethrose, then I saw your post 😊 Ive googled a few and I like the sound of Shiro Kapitan.

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on April 30, 2017, 07:45:51 PM
I've just looked at it and it's a stunner. Good luck x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on April 30, 2017, 07:50:49 PM
 :thankyou:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 30, 2017, 07:57:00 PM
Off to the garden centre tomorrow then  ;D - the garden is so dry, my barrels are empty, I'm having to use the hose on potted plants and those newly set  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Evelyn63 on May 01, 2017, 02:52:20 PM
Elizabeth Rose, sincere apologies , you asked me the dimensions of my border and I thought I had replied, so sorry.  Anyway it's approx  1 1/2 feet deep and 15 feet long.  I just need some ideas of what to put in.  I think after some discussion we might be better off with shrubs or plants that are permanent rather than keeping putting in different ones each times, I love camellia bushes and rhodenederrons but don't know if they would suit a border.  I will put up my hands and say I am hopeless when it comes to this type of thing.  I love and admire other people's gardens but haven't a clue when it comes to my own.  We have some laurels where we took out the first lot of Leylandia at the other side and they have done well ( despite me !) but that is a much longer border and suits them better.  Thank you .
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 01, 2017, 04:40:52 PM
That's narrow and long then.  In mine [30 feet long] I have : a Winter flowering honeysuckle; a sweet smelling 'Daphne' which is out from mid-Feb. to now and attracts bees; an almond, a silver birch and a rowan; Berberis are nice too as they have lovely flowers followed by berries in the Autumn.  Hawthorn/may blossom is lovely and again, birds like the berries. 

Camellia need to be grown where the flowers don't get early morning sunshine the idea being that flowers that have frozen in the night will brown and fall off without opening unless allowed to open once it's warmer.  They as well as rhods require ericaceous soil as they usually live in the Hymalaya which is high up and peaty.  Mine single camellia is on the West side of our property and gets quite late Spring sun so has flowered well for several years.  I top it up with ericaceous compost several times a year and it requires watering from the barrel and not the tap. 

Have a look-see in the neighbours' gardens?  Is there a gardening club in your area or a good garden centre.  My go-to web-site is Buckingham Garden Centre as the Company still grow their own, we went there years++ ago and I was impressed. I still get their e-mail newsletter. Sarah Raven has a good site too.   There are other Companies that sell 'whips' for UK hedging which might be another idea interspaced with fruit trees ....... Evenlyn I'll spend your money for you  ;)  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 01, 2017, 06:08:06 PM
No problem at all Evelyn!  :) Few more questions; is the bed in sun, semi shade, shade? Is it sheltered? The bed is 1.5ft deep but is there an overhang, i.e. is it alongside a path or grass etc? x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 01, 2017, 06:09:48 PM
We need to go over Elizabethrose ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 01, 2017, 06:10:38 PM
I love a project!  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 01, 2017, 06:10:57 PM
So do I  ;D. ...........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on May 01, 2017, 06:11:01 PM
Evelyn. A border only a foot and a half deep is a bit small for shrubs unless you can train them to the fence. You can get small shrubs such as euonymus, hebe and small azaleas and rhodies. You could train a ceanothus against the fence, climbing roses and loads of other climbers. You don't really want a row of little soldiers going along the border so I would think about widening it in places or at one end so you could have a group of plants or one decent sized shrub.

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 01, 2017, 06:12:03 PM
I LOVE hebes - there are so many sizes and colours ........ wish I had more space here  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Wrensong on May 01, 2017, 07:31:24 PM
Hello ladies, wondering if anyone can give me some advice.  Have today taken out of large terracotta pots two apple trees sold as suitable for growing in patio tubs and planted them into the ground in desperation.  They are on dwarf root stock & we have had them 2 years & followed planting & siting instructions, but they have never thrived.  They flower beautifully in spring, then each summer quickly succumb to greenfly to the extent they lose nearly all their leaves.  Have sprayed with an organic bug repellent, but the trees never really recover and produce small misshapen fruits that are inedible.  I wouldn't expect much of a crop so early in their lives, so am not worried about that, but I do want to protect them from deteriorating should greenfly target them again this year.  I try to keep on top of watering, but wondered whether in their sunny position they were being baked in their terracotta pots, but the advice was to plant in sun.  Unfortunately the only spot we had room to move them to is in shade a good part of the day, though this should prevent the roots being baked I suppose.  Any advice as to how I can keep them healthy in their new location please?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Mbrown001 on May 01, 2017, 07:42:11 PM
We have had mixed luck with our dwarf fruit trees. I have an apple and a pear in very large terracotta pots. Our Apple flowered and fruited from the first year and has lovely blossom at the moment. Our pear struggles. Only once have we had blossom and then no fruit. This year the leaves are curling and are sticky....not all but a good few. I put on my glasses....always helps I find .... and discovered little bug things. The tree has been well sprayed but I still don't have any blossom.
Ours are on south facing walls.
In theory you should be able to grow fruit trees in a semi shaded position but they do best in full sun.

Give them a good feed and keep them well watered and they should be ok.

Mrs Brown

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Wrensong on May 01, 2017, 07:46:31 PM
Mrs Brown, thanks for the thumbs up about the partial shade!  Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 01, 2017, 07:57:11 PM
Wrensong, I've never grown dwarf trees in pots but have a read of this re position and watering. If you can identify why they failed to thrive in the pots you may be able to introduce some changes now they're in the ground

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=321
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Evelyn63 on May 02, 2017, 08:00:39 AM
No problem at all Evelyn!  :) Few more questions; is the bed in sun, semi shade, shade? Is it sheltered? The bed is 1.5ft deep but is there an overhang, i.e. is it alongside a path or grass etc? x


Its beside a path and in full sun .  It is quite small now when I think about it but as its directly opposite the conservatory its the first thing you see when you look out !
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Evelyn63 on May 02, 2017, 08:03:55 AM
Evelyn. A border only a foot and a half deep is a bit small for shrubs unless you can train them to the fence. You can get small shrubs such as euonymus, hebe and small azaleas and rhodies. You could train a ceanothus against the fence, climbing roses and loads of other climbers. You don't really want a row of little soldiers going along the border so I would think about widening it in places or at one end so you could have a group of plants or one decent sized shrub.

Bramble


Thanks so much Bramble, lots of food for thought , Ive made a list and will have a look in the garden centre.  Really appreciate your time to reply.  Its great we have so much expertise on the forum  , I have never come across a more supportive site, everyone tries to help each other in all manner of ways.xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Wrensong on May 02, 2017, 10:07:44 AM
Elizabeth Rose, thank you for that - very helpful, will have a read later as must rush off now!   :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 02, 2017, 11:46:32 AM
Evelyn have a peek at these, maybe something will take your fancy.

1.   Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Helmond Pillar' brilliant plant, deep burgundy leaves, small yellow flowers in spring and abundant berries in winter, which the birds adore. Very spiky but has an upright habit and doesn't spread too much. Low maintenance and likes a sunny or partly sunny situation.

2.   Euonymus fortunei 'Silver Queen'.  We have one of these in a very narrow bed against a fence. It has trained itself width ways and sort of climbs up the fence but only in its habit it's not a climber.  Dense bushy habit with dark green evergreen leaves outlined with yellow in spring and white later on. Totally maintenance free. Sun or partial shade.

3.   Cistus x corbariensis. Lovely little compact plant covered in an abundance of white flowers in the summer. Forms a mound of greeny-bronze leaves. Will eventually spill out over the edges of bed. We had one under a bay window in a similar depth of bed and had to take it out after about 10 years as it became too wide. Easy maintenance likes full sun.

4.   Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens This has deep green evergreen leaves and abundant brilliant blue flowers in late spring. We have this planted under a window and it pushes itself up the brick and has spread width ways along the wall. Again this has the potential to spread but small beds can contain it and ours has been there for 5 years + and it hangs over the path but has not outgrown its position yet. Totally maintenance free likes a sunny spot.


5.   Euonymus japonica 'Benkomasaki Erecta' which has a columnar habit and is a dense evergreen of long erect stems. We have just planted one of these, found it at Wisley. I love it. It has dense columns of evergreen leaves. Brilliant structural plant.

6.   There are a number of low growing hypericums, some semi evergreen. I'm desperately trying to remember the name of one we have planted that hubby calls the dinosaur plant as it has a very interesting leaf structure and habit. I'll let you know if I can find the variety.
 
All of the above are shrubs that are very low maintenance and can be trimmed as required. Most plants will outgrow narrow beds but can look fab overhanging, paths and gravel. If they outgrow the situ they can of course be replaced, but if you get 5-10 years out of them, that's fine.
We recently planted a narrow bed and interspersed the shrubs with 3 different varieties of fern;
Pteris cretica Albo Lineata, Asplenium scolopendrium Cristata and a Cyrtomium fortunei 'Clivicola
They look lovely, all three very different textures, colours and habits.

I sunk a rusted obelisk into one of our narrow beds and grow Clematis Fuji-Musume through it. Oh how I love it. It has blue flowers the size of your hand, is compact so perfect for obelisk growing and you get two show of flowers. The obelisk adds interest to a narrow border too.

We have a number of Dahlia Mystic Spirit which are perennial and are just growing through now. They have deep burgundy leaves and stems and an abundance of apricot flowers from July through to Oct/Nov. These are so easy, are bushy with an upright habit, don't need to be lifted I just feed them plenty of liquid feed once the foliage is growing.

Oh I'm envious, I love a gardening project. Have fun with it!! xx

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 02, 2017, 12:30:27 PM
Evelyn, this is our hypericum, Hypericum androsaemum. See the Australian link below which shows photos of it's stages through the annual growing cycle.

https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/hypericum_androsaemum.htm

It's pretty amazing in that it can have all stages of growth on it at the same time i.e., new acid yellow leaves, red tinged leaves, and dark green leaves, flower buds, flowers, green, red and black berries. It's semi-evergreen and some times in spring it starts looking a little tatty and I just prune it hard and new shoots spring through the soil almost immediately. It's such good value and always interesting! At the moment, after a hard spring prune it's just an abundance of acid yellow foliage swaying in the breeze. xx

Here's another compact one too, Hypericum x inodorum 'Magical Red'
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 02, 2017, 12:44:39 PM
Ask at a Garden Centre, if possible the one from where you sourced the 'patio' fruit trees.  They need lots of watering if in pots as blustery wind and terracotta can soon dry them out.  Pruning may be an issue too so seek advice at a good fruit tree centre - can be found on line.

I've been to the garden centre this morning  :whist:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 04, 2017, 09:53:27 PM
Has anyone got rid of their lawn or greatly reduced it's size since the kids have grown or flown? I'm thinking of making some design changes to our back garden, prompted really by the nightmare that is the garden developing besides us now.

We have a long skinny Victorian garden (no garages for obvious reasons) which we have visually divided into circular areas. The centre two fifths are lawn, again in a large circle that's edges would slip the boundaries of the adjoining gardens, if there were no fences there. It creates an optical illusion that the garden is very much wider than it is.

We have many mature shrubs and climbers in beds around the circles with trees at the back in the section that is totally screened off from view and where we keep the compost bins, sheds etc.

Anyone not have a lawn anymore?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 05, 2017, 03:34:13 PM
Haven't had a lawn for over 24 years.  Working full time and the garden getting hot sunshine made it impossible for me to keep up with the mowing.  Put patio slabs plus 3 ponds in the back garden having decided how much areas we needed a) to sit and enjoy the  :sunny: as well as how much fruit and veg. we wanted to grow.  There is a pergola covered by climbers for shade.

The lawn out the front was replaced by camomile which was my most expensive gardening mistake followed by gravel on top of matting.  I wouldn't bother with the matting next time.  I have two beds of shrubs and lavender and large stones on top of some of the gravel ..... which still requires weeding regularly!  Especially as I feed wild birds in parts so grain etc. germinates below and every year I swear I'm not going to feed them there again  ;D

Someone else has put patio down in the front and stood large pots of shrubs however, 1 has to get planning consent in order to put down a patio (which they didn't  >:( ) to avoid flooding - it has to be porrus apparently to allow rain to soak rather than run!

Statement trees ?  Fruit trees? 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: cubagirl on May 05, 2017, 04:35:09 PM
We had ours landscaped in stages. Grass was a nightmare, having to continually treat for moss, then cutting was back breaking.

We occupy a corner site. Back garden was done first, then side the following year, front the year after. Cost a small fortune. Still planting at the back. Bushes at side becoming more established now, though think we'll be gone before they reach full size.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 05, 2017, 05:09:16 PM
In a garden centre this week I found a lovely Daphne with delicious smell and variagated tiny leaves: however, it would have cost me almost £40.00  :o.  The label states 'plant in shade' but this was in direct sunlight  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: ariadne on May 05, 2017, 06:37:36 PM
My small garden is an odd narrow triangle, wide at the top tapering to just 9 feet at the bottom. We have grass but it's more like a path with wavy curves in it than a lawn, flower borders each side. We have a small conservatory, a patio and steps leading down to the garden.

My husband is bored with the slabbed patio and is thinking of having artificial grass instead but I'm not too sure this would look right outside a conservatory.  He did want to replace the grass in the garden with artificial too but because curves are cut into it, it would be very wasteful and therefore expensive. The only thing would be to completely change the lawn shape and borders but not sure I could face that.

Opinions on atificial grass anyone?

Ariadne xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Mbrown001 on May 05, 2017, 07:19:46 PM
One of my older neighbours has artificial grass and it looks brilliant. Unless you knew, you would never know   :). I've been very impressed.
I have a weeny lawn but I like it. Hubby says it takes him longer to take the mower out and put away than it does to cut the grass. It just makes things look more lush somehow. I also have a dog who likes a sniff and a wee  ;D.
I like to watch the birds go after worms. It's a personal choice though and it's whatever suits your lifestyle and also the style of your garden.

Mrs Brown
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 05, 2017, 07:29:44 PM
Artificial grass need hoovering  ;D and can cause burns if one slips upon it  :o

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on May 05, 2017, 10:03:35 PM
Not these days! Artificial grass has really improved in the last few years and is a viable alternative to real grass. For those with a small lawn it really is a godsend. And like everything else you buy, it goes from cheap and cheerful to something approaching Wilton.

Bramble

PS Long skinny border in sun - big line of lavender.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: cubagirl on May 06, 2017, 10:54:36 AM
Someone around the corner from me has artificial grass. Her main problem is still moss though, it's growing right through it.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 06, 2017, 11:27:25 PM
Was talking the subject of fake grass through with another neighbour who was saying that her daughter has it on a postage stamp size garden but that the foxes seem to want to poo on it. Almost every day they discover new droppings. It seems they are having a heck of a time clearing it off.

Tomorrow is a garden day as the forecast is better, apparently! Dead heading viburnums and sweeping up wisteria blossoms that stick like glue to window ledges and turn paintwork brown if left. Pottering day with lawn care, tying in, watering pots, fertilising sprouting perennials.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 07, 2017, 05:05:06 PM
Seven hours spent in the garden, absolutely pooped!

We seem to very suddenly be plagued with black fly, the viburnums are smothered. Such a pain! Was going to attempt the fairy liquid approach but hubby has sprayed with nuclear killer  >:(

There also seems to be white mildew on one of my clematises, so that had to be sprayed too. This is all very early!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: cubagirl on May 07, 2017, 05:21:20 PM
Too much dry weather ER? My roses are covered in greenfly. Been spraying weekly. My hosta is coming to life & I've smothered it in snail pellets before they start chomping their way through the leaves. I have a pirus which was doing well, suddenly this year it started dying. I thought 🐱 but chopped dead wood away & it still wasn't thriving, so much so I decided to dig it out to discover roots hadn't spread. Remains are now in a pot in the hope it comes back to life.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Lanzalover on May 07, 2017, 07:02:21 PM
We arrived home at tea time to find next doors front lawn has been taken up don't know if they are having a new lawn laid/fake grass or something else ?

Lanzalover x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Mbrown001 on May 07, 2017, 07:16:33 PM
It's been so dry here I've resorted to having to get the hose out.
My miniature pear tree is being eaten by something. The leaves are curling and there has been no blossom at all. My minature Apple has fruited well the past few years but can I get a pear....can I heck.

I going to plant my different varieties of tomatoes in our community garden poly tunnel tomorrow. I'm keeping three for my tiny greenhouse and the rest will go to the poly tunnel. I just hope this year we won't be plagued with blight. I've actually complained which is something I rarely do. We have three huge poly tunnels.  People start off being very enthusiastic and plant all sorts. Then they walk away and disease takes over and spreads.  Drives me nuts. Oh well will have to wait and see I guess.
My blueberries and gooseberries are doing really well. They have blossom and fruit already. This is very unusual for Scotland. We are way ahead of where we normally are.

Mrs Brown
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on May 07, 2017, 08:17:41 PM
Absolutely exhausted from a day in the garden....like everyone else! Well I went to our fairly nearby big garden centre this morning as I had some garden token for birthday a few days ago - and bought 4 lupins, 2 delphiniums, 2 achillea, 1 erysimum, 2 campanula. Then spent the rest of the day digging out errant perennial cornflowers, aquilegias, yellow loosestrife and yanking out forget me nots which smother the garden . Dug over the various patches in the beds, then carried 4 heavy buckets of compost (which I dug out) right from back wild grassland where compost heaps are, through veg garden, past cars and yard to front garden (my husband was blocking the way with giant wheelbarrow full of half-dug out sprouting broccoli so couldn't use a wheelbarrow for my compost!

In between cooking roast pheasant I then planted and watered all these new plants - doesn't sound like much (ie the digging composting and planting) but they were all in large pots not tiny plugs. The delphiniums were in huge pots and really hard to get out as completely pot bound! Also watered all round (we've had virtually no rain for weeks), repotted chili plants and a few extra tomatoes, as well as aubergines into their final large pots. Tomatoes are looking amazingly healthy and getting quite big - soon be flowering!

Managed to get some sun tho' too - vest top and short shorts at one point :) (important to top up the vit D levels  ::) ).

I ache all over now and can barely walk I've done so much digging and bending - despite Pilates on Thursday!!!

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 07, 2017, 08:36:59 PM
Yep cubagirl and Mrs B, think you're right, it's been so dry here. I started watering the gardens last week and the ground was terribly dry. Grrr, so annoying at this time of year though: the battle with the bugs and mildew normally starts later.

Today we moved a rose into a pot that really hadn't thrived in it's position, planted last year. The roots hadn't spread at all. It's going to get tender loving care in a huge pot before we find a more suitable position for it.

What a good idea Mrs B, a community garden poly tunnel. Are you allocated a certain area? How is it managed? Are you just growing, toms, gooseberries and blueberries in it? I think your weather has been better than ours of late, today has been better but it's been desperately chilly here. x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Mbrown001 on May 07, 2017, 09:36:31 PM
It's not quite an allotment as everything is grown in raised beds. The area was an old boat yard so there was a level of ground contamination.
For the princely sum of £25 a year we get an outside raised bed and a raised poly tunnel bed.
There are about 80 inside and 130 outside. It's a big area.
We are an organic gardening group although slug pellets do get smuggled in on occasions  ;D. We get a lot of grants from various sources and we also do a lot of fundraising as a group. There is a huge barn for events and meetings. We also have a vast range of tools to share.
It's such a social thing. Always someone around to chat and have a cuppa with.....we all have the use of a kitchen too. We all share seeds to seedlings and  cuttings.  I've learned such a lot. The gardeners also make compost and grow comfrey for fertiliser.
I am just going to have tomatoes inside this year. I did melons last year.
Outside is for my fruit bushes and also a crop of peas and beetroot.
The beds are not that big which makes it a pleasure rather than really hard work.
It's right on the beach so it's very pretty. We have ponds and a wildlife area too.
As you can probably tell I love it  ;D
I always feel relaxed there. It's such a peaceful place to go and forget your troubles.

Mrs Brown
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 07, 2017, 10:33:59 PM
Hurdity - sounds like a usual day in the garden from where I'm sitting ....... a sense of achievement?  Lupins get eaten if I don't grow them in pots, also green/black fly love 'em  ::).  Never enough ladybirds to cope so I've never been organic ..........

I have emptied 3 out of the 5 saved rain-water barrels in the last couple of weeks  >:(.  I tend to carry cans round for the plants in pots as it's part of my exercise regime (cheaper than the gym attitude) but when tired I use the hose particularly when the ponds need topping up.  Certain plants have to be watered from the barrels ........

Mildew is due to a lack of water at the roots. Or because plants are too close so that air doesn't circulate.  Clematis and roses are particularly thirsty so regular soaking at the roots as well as feeding can ease symptoms.  I drag out the forget-me-nots once mildew takes over, I noticed a patch of plants in the front this evening and have no idea what I've sprinked there  :-\.  Odd oil-seed rape plant too from the bird seed. 

Peach leaf curl affects pears too ;-).  It's a grub which curls the leave around itself for protection from the birds.

Deadheading viburnums - is that from last year, it's surely too early to have had flowers on?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 08, 2017, 01:22:01 AM
No this year CLKD, my viburnams judii and carlesii have always flowered and turned by this stage. Both have wonderfully fragrant pompom heads but April's their flowering month here. Carlesii is prone to black fly but if they appear here it's usually later, mine was smothered yesterday.

The clematis has been root watered regularly by hand but it really has been dry here so maybe not enough. The rose was planted next to a large wisteria and I think that sucks up any moisture in the soil thus the rose was parched.

Mrs B that sounds wonderful, gardening therapy by the sea - I could live with that!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 08, 2017, 11:37:05 AM
Out with the buckets again then Elizabethrose?  (cheaper than the gym ;-) ) ....... my wisteria failed to flower *again*, plenty of fresh leaves and it's growing away nicely.  Camellia has had a gallon bucket of rain water with 'feed' this morning.  Took cuttings of a very ****ly rose and have given them a good watering, they have 2 chances!! 

Dull.  Not as cold.  Plenty to do, so little time  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Smalltownok on May 08, 2017, 09:47:28 PM
Our garden is completely planted - and now is the hard part, waiting for everything to grow and produce!  We've planted tomatoes (about 30), okra, banana peppers, bell peppers, jalapenos, yellow squash, cucumbers (pickling and regular), onions, garlic, black-yed peas and both bush and pole green beans.  I love to can, so I am really excited!  I also love flowers - this year I am going to plant a lot less though.  Last year it was a lot to maintain.  I love potato vines.  The azaleas are finished blooming at least until later summer/fall and the hydrangeas are just now getting started!  I have enjoyed everyone's posts about their garden and flowers!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Mbrown001 on May 08, 2017, 10:01:30 PM
Whereabouts in the world are you Smalltownok.
Your veggies sound really interesting.


Mrs Brown.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 08, 2017, 10:05:34 PM
 ;D. Now I have an ear worm  :D ....... 'wind comes rushing down the plain' ........

Great to hear about your gardening Smalltown - when you said about black-eyes peas, sort of gave it away.  What type of soil do you have, is your plot sheltered by walls, hedges, fences ......... do you share produce with neighbours, do you bottle/can lots for Autumn?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Mbrown001 on May 08, 2017, 10:08:07 PM
Just looked....I'm nosy lol.

Oklahoma......gosh bet it gets warm there.

Is canning....the same as bottling.


Oh and  :welcomemm:


Mrs Brown
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 08, 2017, 10:12:24 PM
Nope.  It's in the name  ;D .......... same principals, different type of preserving ........ my family have bottled for years i.e. pickles, jams, but I don't remember anyone canning ......... I remember Kilner jars in the oven being sterilised  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on May 09, 2017, 07:37:56 PM
Certainly in the Waltons, that font of all things American, when they said canning, they were using Kilner jars. Don't suppose many folks apart from the die-hard survivalists would have canning machines at home.

Bramble
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Mbrown001 on May 09, 2017, 08:01:50 PM
I have a few kilner jars. They make lovely ornaments.  ;D

When I make jam or chutney I use old jam jars that have been sterilised.


Mrs Brown
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dulciana on May 09, 2017, 09:16:18 PM
It's good to read all about everyone's gardens, on here.  We haven't had a garden since we moved back up north 17 years ago.  We're in a nice double flat, a couple of floors up and we share a communal garden, but we can't just pop outside and I miss that.   Not that I'm green-fingered or ever really did any gardening when we did have a garden...................!  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 09, 2017, 10:02:26 PM
Apparently it's been the driest March on record - won't be long B4 there's threats of a hosepipe ban  ::).  We save as much water in barrels as possible, 6 all told and a deep tank ........ but they don't last once I begin watering the heathers, camellia and bilberry plants.  Our camellia looks decidedly sick, yellowing leaves although the flowers are OK.  I gave it a gallon of rain water yesterday with lots of feed ....... and topped up the ericaceous compost under neath.

We use both jam jars and Kilner or Kiler-type jars, seals can be purchased from Lakeland.  I have got and given away jam jars via 'freecycle' ........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 10, 2017, 05:25:35 PM
I've just ripped out three ailing lavender (in a position that is simply too wet) and replaced them with Perovskia atriplicifolia. I love them but have never had them before. They are next-door to a patch of Alchemilla mollis, an acid coloured hypericum, red and green sage and a Hydrangea paniculata 'Phantom. Love blue flowers!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 10, 2017, 08:34:37 PM
Does anyone know how I insert an image?  ???
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Smalltownok on May 11, 2017, 04:24:28 PM
Whereabouts in the world are you Smalltownok.
Your veggies sound really interesting.


Mrs Brown.

I am in Oklahoma  :)

;D. Now I have an ear worm  :D ....... 'wind comes rushing down the plain' ........

Great to hear about your gardening Smalltown - when you said about black-eyes peas, sort of gave it away.  What type of soil do you have, is your plot sheltered by walls, hedges, fences ......... do you share produce with neighbours, do you bottle/can lots for Autumn?

My garden is a fenced off section of the pasture.  We raise and sell cattle...  The soil is a dark rich brown, I'm sorry I'm not sure of the exact type.  No hedges or walls - just a barbed wire fence.  Our Jack Russell keeps all the critters away.  ;D

Just looked....I'm nosy lol.

Oklahoma......gosh bet it gets warm there.

Is canning....the same as bottling.


Oh and  :welcomemm:


Mrs Brown

I am not sure.  Canning is cutting up fruits and veggies (and other things) and processing them in either a water bath or by pressure canner.  I'm not sure exactly what bottling would be. :-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 11, 2017, 04:29:57 PM
>wave< - bottling is in glass - look up Kilner jars if you get a spare moment.  I remember Mum washing them with hot water then drying them and the rubber seals in the oven to sterilise. Then the prepared fruits/veg would be spooned into the bottles to be ket for later.


Had a few busy hours in the garden ........ took a hydrangeas from a pot into the garden ......... it's got 2 chances ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 16, 2017, 04:31:30 PM
Finally received my analysis from Wisley on my Trachelospermum - Honey Fungus!!!! >:( :cuss:

We've lost a number of shrubs in that bed and our lovely neighbour lost a pear tree from it last year. Now the battle commences!! We took out an ailing Viburnum Davidii and potted it up and already it's picking up. We planted in it's place a Mahonia Aquifolium and that's now dying a death too!

I think sarcococca are quite resistant so I think that may be a plan. Anyone have any hot tips. The bed is in the sun up until about 12, soil clay, plant ideally 3-4 ft high and wide. Pref evergreen! xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 16, 2017, 04:42:46 PM
Does 1 have to dig lots of earth out to destroy any spores?  Maybe leave it barren for 12-18 months and keep turning the ground?  Did Wisley make any suggestions  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 16, 2017, 04:44:35 PM
Have a look-see at the RHS site for 'honey fungus' - quite informative!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 16, 2017, 04:49:14 PM
Yes they are brilliant. They have suggested digging in tons of well matured compost and keeping the area very moist in order to try to save the other shrubs and climbers there. They made some suggestions but for trees and shrubs that weren't suitable size wise so I need to do some homework.

We had a Schizophragma planted adjacent to the pear that succumbed and thought we'd lost it as it very suddenly dropped all it's leaves last year. I dug it out and put it in a massive pot and it's resurrected itself.

It's such a pain, especially in an area where there are lots of trees! x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 16, 2017, 04:52:45 PM
Did they suggest removing affected soil though?  That would be my first job, to take off a layer of earth in that area - about 2-5" deep.  Then leave for a couple of months to see what happens under the remaining trees.  I don't know if there's a best time to buy well rotted?!? ...... is there any rush to re-plant?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 16, 2017, 05:21:07 PM
No I thought that but they said it was unnecessary. (There's not a little symbol for shrugging of shoulders!!). If I'm honest CLKD, it would be exceptionally difficult anyway as we have four climbers, five shrubs and some perennials in that bed. The spores will probably be everywhere now anyway. Interestingly, the trachelospermum were either side of a large pergola with a gravel and granite set path in between and both died. They were next to clematises, roses and surrounded by mature shrubs.

I've decided not to replace the trachelospermum or any other climber in the same position but have to attend to another shrub that's dying in that bed. There is a particularly tricky spot!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dolphin63 on May 16, 2017, 07:28:44 PM
Anyone able to recommend native plants that will do well by the coast.  Other half is making flower beds up at the Northumberland house and I'd like to have a native plants area (wild flowers) but not sure which plants would do well, green fingered I'm not sadly :( 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 16, 2017, 10:18:48 PM
Have a look-see what other gardens have in them and maybe search for a garden centre local to where the cottage is?  I am always amazed at what grows in Craster right on the harbour so perhaps a google map 'walk' round the village ?  Roses seem to thrive there and hydrangeas ........ lavenders.  Poppies. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Wrensong on May 17, 2017, 09:37:43 AM
Brilliant suggestion about the Google map walk CLKD, would never have thought of that. :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 17, 2017, 09:39:54 AM
I am nosy and love spending time on google maps having a look-see - first thing I do when friends move is to 'search'  ;D

Have done a 'walk' on Dunsterburgh Road directly next to the beach and can see alcamilla mollies [which spreads], roses, geraniums ......  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on May 17, 2017, 12:20:57 PM
Anyone able to recommend native plants that will do well by the coast.  Other half is making flower beds up at the Northumberland house and I'd like to have a native plants area (wild flowers) but not sure which plants would do well, green fingered I'm not sadly :(

You asked about native flowers rather than garden ones, so I suggest you contact the local wildlife trust (Northumberland Wildlife Trust http://www.nwt.org.uk/ and peruse their website. There should be advice on wild gardens and seed mixtures and possibly a local supplier for native seeds local to the area. If not on the website I am sure there will be someone who works for them that could help if you contact through their website. :)

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 17, 2017, 03:09:24 PM
Oh great idea !  we are a Mine of Info. on here  ;D. 

I want a view  :'(  :-\ ........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dolphin63 on May 18, 2017, 11:58:58 AM

You asked about native flowers rather than garden ones, so I suggest you contact the local wildlife trust (Northumberland Wildlife Trust http://www.nwt.org.uk/ and peruse their website. There should be advice on wild gardens and seed mixtures and possibly a local supplier for native seeds local to the area. If not on the website I am sure there will be someone who works for them that could help if you contact through their website. :)

Hurdity x
[/quote]

Thanks, hadn't thought of contacting them
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 18, 2017, 04:18:57 PM
Barrels almost re-filled ........ drizzling again!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 30, 2017, 03:16:28 PM
Roses!  Everywhere  :-* - I need to get out with some scissors but all the blooms are too high  ::). 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on May 30, 2017, 04:02:44 PM
So excited to see my new climbing roses have got buds on even though the shoots are not very tall yet! Also the first tomatoes have now set and even though I was only away for 5 days their side-shoots went completely mad and some even outgrew the lead shoot! Hollyhocks have doubled in size I swear!

Hurdity x

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Elizabethrose on May 31, 2017, 02:52:58 PM
CLKD, you asked ages ago if I had a photo of my agapanthus. Found one from the year before last when I think I had about 16 blooms with the spiral supports we were discussing. Last year 23, this year it's going to be rubbish as lots of them rotted over winter. Think I may replant the pot with lots of new ones and replant the existing in a smaller pot.

(https://s30.postimg.org/ebj1mhz6l/WP_20160827_13_50_29_Pro.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/ebj1mhz6l/)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 31, 2017, 06:17:58 PM
 :thankyou: [there's clever ;-) ]
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 16, 2017, 08:14:19 PM
Anyone watch Gardeners World this evening, a real step back in time  ::) - now watching a programme about hippies  :D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Mbrown001 on June 16, 2017, 08:51:00 PM
Yes I watched it.

My favourites are Nigel and Nellie.....missed them a bit tonight  ;D

Crazy paving....now that's a blast from the past.

Mrs Brown
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 17, 2017, 10:36:41 AM
Also the walls made of concrete blocks with holes in  ::) ......... as well as planks on the patio.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: breeze on June 17, 2017, 10:45:04 AM
First broadbeans and cucumbers this week.

Watering is endless. Not that I do any  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 17, 2017, 01:57:42 PM
Raspberries (tart), strawberries (sweet), red currants ( :-X) ripening ready to pick for breakfast  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 04, 2017, 10:29:32 PM
As above  :) plus white currants ......
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CaroleM on July 17, 2017, 10:20:47 PM
I'm setting our hens a challenge.  Will they live up to their reputation for being weeding experts!  If nothing, they will have great fun finding out.  Using glyphosate has been suggested for the mare's tail, but we'll go with hen power first.

PollyMarie has volunteered for the front garden tilling.  She enjoys digging out snails, rolling slugs and having a very accurate  spearing of slug by beak ;D 

Have a pain free evening ladies.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 17, 2017, 10:23:00 PM
If you have mare's tail  you need pigs! and then take every bit of root out and burn it!

Everywhere is SO dry - out with the hose tomorrow as another hot one is forecast.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on July 21, 2017, 12:09:10 PM
Our veg garden is burgeoning! We have our usual glut of courgettes ( made lots of soup yesterday), tomatoes already outstripping our ability to eat them fast enough, picking peas, broad beans (nearly finished), mangetout, climbing French beans, beetroot, lettuce, radish, spinach, coriander, and still eating purple sprouting broccoli from one plant of a late variety that gives and gives... I love this time of year feasting on fresh veg!!! :)

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on July 24, 2017, 10:52:51 AM
Did anyone see Gardeners World last week  link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08y6792/gardeners-world-2017-episode-16

It featured a lady called Helen Dillon who had an amazing garden with a collection of many unusual plants but decided to 'downsize'.  She is obviously someone with a great deal of character, and her comments about the juxtaposition of builders and plants which made me grin from ear to ear.  ;D

What she said about tending the garden for 40years and it turning to constant maintenance struck a chord with me.  What she said about being forced to choose which plants to take with her made me think of my entire life.........mindblowing  :o  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 24, 2017, 11:03:07 AM
It's sad - I would like to move from here but won't leave my garden and ponds  ;D but eventually, push will come to shove.  I didn't see the link you mention but read over the weekend about how someone needed to leave as the garden was becoming a chore.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on July 24, 2017, 11:16:12 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08y6792/gardeners-world-2017-episode-16

It didn't work very well because I glued 'link' to the url  ::)

I want to put new shrubs in but my husband doesn't because they will cause work in future years...........  I think he wants a flat lawn and a wall.  :(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: purplenanny on July 24, 2017, 11:33:10 AM
dahliagirl, thank you for posting the link. It was so interesting and very thought inspiring. She is so right about the builders feet - made me chuckle!
PN x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 24, 2017, 12:54:43 PM
Do you need your husband for the digging part, if not .........  ;) I am 'into' hydrangeas currently  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on July 24, 2017, 01:58:22 PM
I need him to take the old ones out too  ;D  (leylandii, mostly  :sigh: )
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 25, 2017, 12:17:44 PM
Oh get rid of Leylandi certainly.  Then decide ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on July 25, 2017, 03:06:13 PM
Oh I can't wait  :bounce:

The downside is that it will reduce our screening from next door considerably until something grows.  There are old deciduous shrubs staying there - Philadelphus, Weigela, and Deutzia.  I am hoping to do it in Sept, give the new ones some time to establish then hope they romp away first thing in the Spring.

I have lined up: ligustrum (privet, but you can get some nice varieties and it will grow fast where needed), Viburnum tinus (Eve Price), Eleagnus (variegated), irish yew (might be a bit slow) and I have already planted a Pittosporum with bright green variagations which is about 3ft now.

I need to think of some smaller, pretty, evergreens now.  If any one has any ideas it is for Really Dry soil.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on July 25, 2017, 05:25:56 PM
Once the conifers are out, dig plenty of compost or manure into the soil. It will have become impoverished with the conifers.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 26, 2017, 11:07:10 AM
I agree bramble.  Don't plant too close to the other shrubs as they will spread, I made that mistake  ::). Hostas do well in shade/damp but disappear in the Winter and I forget and generally put a fork through them ......

Is there a fence between the gardens?  I have 2 spindle trees which are good for the birds, our Yew tree was rescued from a hedgerow years ago and is now huge!  Needs taking down by half but haven't had time.  We have privet in flower right now, bought for the stick insects 15 years ago but they didn't like it  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on July 26, 2017, 01:32:03 PM
We have a see-through wire fence between us and a six foot panels next to the house.

My garden designing friend wants me to plant them closer to each other so that they merge and to 'layer'

Husband wants to plant them far apart and for them not to grow more than 6 feet, so that they do not need pruning. Ever.  ::)

I want a nice garden.

We have Hostas in pots.  They are very pretty.  If I plant them in the ground, the snails are so desperate for green juicy stuff, they eat them before they get out the ground  >:(

I would build a pond for frogs to eat the snails but it on the end of a very long list of all the things I would like to do........ :whist:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 26, 2017, 04:49:19 PM
Frogs don't eat snails - ducks do but they are messy  >:(  ::)

Plants don't layer.  They get wild and woolly and .......... wigellia are nice, fast growing - I have two, a dark leaved that has dark red flowers and a variegated ...... with pink/white flowers on.

A hop plant would ramble along wire if you keep it twined in or it goes upwards.  It dies right back though in the Winter.  Roses are OK but again, need things doing to them.  Have a look-see in gardens in your area ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: bramble on July 26, 2017, 06:02:41 PM
I know what your friend means when she says it would be nicer if the shrubs were layered ie higher ones at the back to medium ones down to smaller ones at the front. What is it with men that they want to have acres of bare ground between plants - I have a neighbour just like that. In my garden it is very difficult to see any bare ground at all.
I think now that the conifers have gone and esp if you dig in lots of compost and/or manure in the autumn, you will find that the ground will return to a more normal state - it has just been very dry because the conifers have sucked all the moisture out of it.
 
Smaller growing shrubs that will require minimal maintenance would be euonymus, hebes (bonus flowers), viburnum judii with equisite scent, philadelphus Belle Etoile, rosemary, lavender etc.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on July 26, 2017, 07:59:47 PM
I like that viburnum and hebes grow very well round here.  I didn't used to like them, but they are growing on me ( ??? ) and there are plenty sizes and colours.  I have some in the front garden and they seem to be doing ok.

CKLD, roses do not do too well round here, although I have a Gertrude Jekyll that I am nurturing on the other side of the garden.  It is new.  I was wondering if I could get (very tough) rambling one to grow up a tree, but I need to get the trees sorted by a tree surgeon first (another one for that list  :o )
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 26, 2017, 09:11:27 PM
If they don't 'do' then don't bother.  We tried roses in the front garden 25+ years ago and they sulked  ;D.  Not too bad in the back garden which we spent hours digging over and putting home-made compost and spent mushrooms on . 

Hebes hail from New Zealand and there are now lots of different sizes and colours available here. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 08, 2017, 02:00:19 PM
 :'( 15-20 mins. weeding and I have to sit down for 2 hours.  Fortunately it's warm enough to sit outside.  But this means that I can see all the chores that I haven't the energy to get on with  :sigh: and there's a greenfly on the screen!  A few wasps are about, lots of greenfly in the air, a large Autumn spider keeps spinning her web - we spend hours each week watching her. 

I can see a honey bee :-).  I can hear tits because I am sitting close to the feeders  ::), the spindle and rowan have their Autumn berries on show. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: groundhog on October 08, 2017, 02:09:31 PM
It's my birthday next week and I'm having gardener in for a day to sort my patch out.  Since becoming unwell it's looking unloved with many shrubs overgrown and showing signs of disease.  OH knows nothing about gardening and I'm not much better plus I haven't the strength to cut stuff back .  Can empathise with you CLKD - 20 minutes  weeding and sit down for 2 hours xx
So I'm quite looking forward - he said he will write down the names of the shrubs for future reference and give everything a good cut back and mulch.
At my age I have everything I need so for me better than gifts I won't use.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 08, 2017, 04:04:22 PM
What a FabULus idea groundhog!  There is so little info on many plant labels these days because they come in from Belgium etc., that I rarely know after a couple of years what I have set as the labels become lost or crack in the sunshine, rendering them useless. 

Photos .?   ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 31, 2017, 07:20:59 PM
BUMP
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on January 05, 2018, 03:41:43 PM
There is a purple Hellebore coming out  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 05, 2018, 04:39:04 PM
We have a cream one and a deep purple one so far: yellow jasmine, Winter flowering honeysuckles and clematis 'freckles' - for the first time in 15 years they are out at the 'right' time  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Spangles on January 12, 2018, 08:32:17 PM
I re-designed and re-planted my garden last year. I have snowdrops and hellebores out, also my Daphne is ready to burst as are my Hamamelis and Sarcococca. The fragrances will be amazing 🌷🌺🌻
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on January 15, 2018, 05:13:11 PM
I think winter gardens are so lovely.

I saw one in Anglesea Abbey in Cambridgeshire, quite a few years ago, when they first made it.  I have been inspired ever since.

Unfortunately the snow drops and aconites weren't so keen.  >:(

I have some Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price' which is proving to be a good buy.  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 15, 2018, 05:30:35 PM
I found 2 aconites earlier today.   I can smell something, most be from the Winter flowering honeysuckle  ??? ....... more hellebores open as well as a few snowdrops peeping up.  Birds are singing, nights are pulling out  :) [sorry Taz]
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Spangles on January 18, 2018, 05:30:08 PM
Found a big fat juicey caterpillar today😊
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 28, 2018, 12:29:23 PM
What did you do with your Juicey Caterpillar ;-)

I'm finding plenty of slugs hiding under leaves  >:( ... I've been cutting back the leaves from hellebores plants this week.  The sun is warm on my back today  :).  Birds are singing.  Sky is blue.  Lots to do once I get to ground level, looks like a 'quick 5 mins. outside' until I get on my knees  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Spangles on January 30, 2018, 06:16:25 AM
Hi CLKD,
I left the caterpillar to do his thing!
xXx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 30, 2018, 12:10:54 PM
Wonder what it will turn into ?

Been out in the sunshine this morning, it's quite warm whilst working.  Off to fed the birds!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Spangles on January 30, 2018, 05:30:50 PM
I think it was a moth caterpillar.
I had a few hours in the garden on Sunday, it was lovely. Did me the world of goo xXx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 25, 2018, 09:23:38 PM
Sunny
Tackled a lot of chores that had got buried in the recent snow falls
Sat in the sunshine listening to the birds, frogs, dogs barking  >:(, saw a mouse .........
Birds about picking up nesting material or food for their females on nests
Daffs out.  Spaces to fill, I feel a garden centre trip coming on: better than an egg 4 Easter  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 08, 2018, 06:12:15 PM
I don't water until late evening unless plants in pots are wilting.  I can see two shrubs that are desperate, hopefully they will have set seed B4 this drought began.  Otherwise the hose goes out twice a week, I find it therapeutic.

Picked peas, raspberries, red-currants, white-currants - with the male blackbird looking at me with daggers drawn  ;D. Freshly dug Spuds boiling gently with freshly picked mint  :-*

The ground is solid and beginning to crack  >:(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Spangles on July 24, 2018, 11:19:44 AM
Garden is almost dead!
Tried to put some plants in yesterday but ground is like concrete!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Joaniepat on July 24, 2018, 11:41:55 AM
Are you not watering it at all? Mine would be like that if I didn't. It's only small though, so I don't feel too guilty. The lawn doesn't look too good, but it's had some 'grey' water and is just about surviving. I don't intend to let my plants die (sometimes they can do that without the help of adverse weather  ::)) so the newest ones get a slosh with the watering can most nights.
JP x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 24, 2018, 11:58:42 AM
I would never feel guilty about using a hose, washing up/bath water - we live on an Island.  Also the water Comapanies are getting fined huge amounts all year round for not mending leaks.  Watering in the early morning or late evening, particular underneath any leaves onto the root area helps.  Not a little but lots each time, our pots have lasted 2-3 days Between each watering. 

Neighbours have taken down a tree and tried to put 3 shrubs into the ground, well they haven't bulked it with anything that will feed the plants which will need watering 2/3 times a day  >:(.  I would have left them in the pots, in the shade and watered as necessary until such time as the ground has had a very good soaking.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Spangles on July 24, 2018, 07:06:58 PM
Hi Ladies,
As for my garden, my pots and baskets get watered most evenings but my borders haven't had a drop for about ten weeks now, hence dead plants!
I had a very expensive garden makeover last year too.
People think I'm nuts having had so much work done and not watering, as a fully trained horticulturist and garden designer it does somewhat go against the grain.
However, the survivors will survive no matter what the weather and most of my stuff is herbaceous anyway so it will just go back into dormancy, I don't do annuals either, except for my hanging baskets.
My reason for not watering? I like to think I'm doing my bit and that there will always be enough water to go around. If everyone did this we wouldn't have to worry about bans, etc.
I'm sorry if this sound harsh but that's how I feel.
Love
Spangles
xXx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on July 24, 2018, 11:46:33 PM
I water each evening for the wildlife as much as for the plants. The blackbirds and robins are straight onto the soggy bits. The worms are so far down now!

Taz x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Lanzalover on July 25, 2018, 06:03:09 AM
We have had a few showers in the last few days and although I do water the boarders,pots,tubs and hanging baskets I haven't bothered with the lawn and it was looking completely scorched but I was amazed this morning to see that after those few showers both lawns now have patches of very green grass on them.
However the forecast is for very hot weather over the next few days so it may be short lived but it's certainly brightened my morning.

Lanzalover x




Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on July 25, 2018, 09:17:20 AM
It's amazing how quickly lawns do begin to recover. So pleased you've had a few showers Lanzalover. Bet it smelt wonderful!

Taz x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 25, 2018, 11:41:31 AM
Lawns have a very short root base.  Hence the quick recovery.

I have spent £thousands over the years and refuse to lose it.  I will use the hose as necessary.  Watering cans closer to the house.  It is cruel not to water when plants begin to wilt, they have feelings too!  I had a sensitive plant for a while but killed it by over-touching it, the grease on may fingers ruined it.   :'(

I also try to keep one area really well watered, it's under some shrubs and the blackbirds soon find the cooler area.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: jillydoll on July 26, 2018, 08:31:40 AM
Our acre tree has gone barmy since this hot weather.  ???

It's grown so big, too big in comparison to the size of our garden!
But I can't cut it yet can I.? ??? ???

Don't like it that big....it's gonna have to be cut right back.... :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on July 26, 2018, 09:34:16 AM
Do you mean Acer tree?  You need to wait until the winter to give it a good cutback I think https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=126

Taz x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 26, 2018, 12:43:24 PM
Acers hail from Japan/Asia apparently and can take off ......... there are so many types!

Dry.  Ground cracking in places.  Put the 'can round where necessary B4 the sun moved round. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 26, 2018, 03:46:11 PM
...... and?  So are we.  When it was fitted in the 1990s we got £62 back  ;D.  I bath every night.  [shower is broken].  The dishwasher and laundry machines are on daily.  I used to wash up in a bowl to throw the water onto plants, must start again, thanks for the reminder of a bowl. Most plants look OK this morning will check again in the early evening.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on July 26, 2018, 04:19:15 PM
My dishwasher and washing machinr are only on two and three times a week! You must generate a lot of washing up and washing for just two of you? 🤔

Taz 😂
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: jillydoll on July 26, 2018, 09:37:21 PM
Yes Taz2.
That's what I mean, Acer.

It's gone mad...lol
We've really got to chop it right back come the winter...
They ‘bleed' don't they if you cut them now in the summer , and die ?

Oh well, I ent got the energy to do it now anyway...lol
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 27, 2018, 10:11:01 AM
Time to browse the net - have a look-see at garden centres that specialise in Acers? there is one in Outwell not far from Wisbech.

Our garden will require watering if the forecast rain (yesterday) doesn't arrive!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on July 27, 2018, 11:56:38 AM
We're metered too but still pay much less than when we were un-metered. Does it depend on which part of the country you live as to charges?

Taz x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 27, 2018, 01:01:52 PM
I find that a bit harsh Stellajane.  It was well known when we had our water meter fixed in the 1990s, that charges would be cheaper.   For 1 think we don't look at what we use for any of the utilities, apparently paying by DD is a little cheaper; my plants require watering as and when. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: jillydoll on July 30, 2018, 06:08:21 PM
At least our gardens had a good watering... :)
At long last...
Only had a little rain today though.
Soon be back watering the pots ourselves, it's going hot again
end of this week ent it..?
Oh great..... :bang:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 30, 2018, 08:24:57 PM
Our garden hasn't had much benefit even though it has drizzled, hard at times.  Under the shrubs it hasn't touched the ground, nor under the leaves of those plants in pots  :-\ so will require hose pipe tomorrow unless it rains over-night.  Rain ran straight off the leaves and into the drains ..........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Shadyglade on August 06, 2018, 08:49:42 AM
Went to Sissinghurst Gardens yesterday, which is a regular visit for us as we don't live far away.  We were last there about five weeks ago and it was beautiful.  Yesterday, however, was very sad.  Very little colour and if it wasn't for the heat you would think it was a late September garden.  I know we moan about rain but it just shows how the gardens and countryside we love depend on a reasonable amount. :(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 06, 2018, 10:37:53 AM
Some plants in our garden have died right back  :-\.   Park lands will recover but they look yellow right now.  Are there any hints at Sissinghurst about water saving?  I have moved bucks of water from a collection barrel into another holding area in the garden, ready to re-fill the collection barrel when it does rain. 

Is there cake there ?  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Shadyglade on August 06, 2018, 11:01:29 AM
Didn't see any water saving tip but oodles of cake 🎂.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 06, 2018, 11:32:48 AM
 ;D > hands over plate <

Am I correct, it's National Trust?

I'm trying to read a book written by  Vita-Sackville's son, Nigel Nicolson.  It's a coffee table book so not suitable for in the bath  ::).  I think that there is a connection?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Shadyglade on August 06, 2018, 12:16:24 PM
Yes it is NT.

Some of the family still live there, as did Nigel.  Saw him there, many moons ago, but he has been dead a few years now.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Shadyglade on August 06, 2018, 12:23:28 PM
Oh, yes. Definitely flesh and blood.  :lol:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 06, 2018, 10:44:08 PM
I was trying to work out earlier how old Nigel might be ......... now I need to look up his obituary  ::)

Sat in our garden at dusk, it was lovely and cool.  Frogs croaking.  Fish gulping ..........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Lanzalover on August 07, 2018, 07:18:38 PM
I have planted some plants bought at the garden centre recently it was hard work as the ground is so hard I did try to water the places where I was planning to put them but the ground is so hard the water was just running off I ended up digging small holes then filling with water letting that soak in and then digging again and refilling the hole with water over and over again very time consuming but their done now thank goodness.

Lanzalover x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 07, 2018, 10:49:57 PM
They will need watering early in the morning and again at dusk.  Even our established trees are wilting now, so out with the hose! 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Lanzalover on August 11, 2018, 08:50:11 PM
Haven't needed to water very often as we have had rain at various times over the last few days.

Lanzalover x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 12, 2018, 02:17:00 PM
Same here but I don't think that the water is going far.  Ground has been too hard.  Frogs are loving it  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on August 14, 2018, 07:52:56 PM
Finally can stop watering - at least the flower and veg garden. Only the pots and tubs, outside toms and greenhouse to do now - and not every day thank goodness. Ground is lovely and wet :)

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 15, 2018, 03:59:18 PM
Any pots with flowers, i.e. lobelia, hanging over are dry  :-\ so out with the hose.  Saving the stored water for the heathers, camellia which means lugging round buckets but it's better than the gym  ::)

The duck weed grows fast  >:(  :o
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 20, 2018, 11:29:08 AM
Picked the Discovery and plums today  :).  Another apple tree is almost ready.  Cut back raspberry canes and shrubs.  Busy, busy, busy  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: katsclaws on August 20, 2018, 04:38:26 PM
Our apples are still very small, plums rock hard and raspberries just starting. Fed up of courgettes, we have so many.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 22, 2018, 05:16:13 AM
Let them grow into marrows? which can be stuffed with a pre-cooked mince mixture.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: katsclaws on August 22, 2018, 07:53:35 AM
I've just picked another 6 courgettes. 3 small enough to eat.  I will use the other three in marrow recipes.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 18, 2018, 04:45:38 PM
There is quite a bit in the gardening and national press about brought in diseases, the latest tree to be affected is our Oak.  How many of you check the bio-security of the centres that you visit and buy from?  I need to up my awareness otherwise many of our native plants will die due to bugs, moulds etc..  :'(

I think it should begin at Chelsea Flower Show and the Gardeners' World Live Show!  No plant swapping!!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: jillydoll on November 18, 2018, 05:21:32 PM
Got out into the garden yesterday and gave it
a real good clean up, got all the fallen leaves up, cut back plants,
and threw old stuff away...... :o
I'm really pleased with it, looks lovely n clean now.....
Except for the wooden table, which looks like it's falling to bits...lol  :'(
Might have to buy another one next spring, ready for the summer....
It's all in the bin waiting for the council to empty, which hopefully, will be this week sometime. 
I love it when a plan comes together........lol  ;D ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Lanzalover on November 18, 2018, 08:28:18 PM
Well done Jillydoll 🌾 🍂 🌹

Lanzalover x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: jillydoll on November 18, 2018, 08:51:52 PM
Thank you Lanza.....lol.    ;D

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 25, 2018, 05:42:17 PM
My forsythia is in full flower ........ roses need pruning but I can't reach  ::).   
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Krystal on December 01, 2018, 07:40:10 PM
My forsythia is also in full bloom. The yellow flowers are so uplifting during the poor daylight we have had recently. The hanging geraniums are still flowering despite the frost we had last week but I doubt they will survive another frost. Surprisingly the fushia and roses still have flower buds on them. Spring blubs are poking above ground but I do not want them to arrive too early as they should be for spring. When I was little my mum always used to take cuttings of the cherry tree branches, stand them in water in the house and we always had cherry blossom around Christmas Day, a simple thing but it is a lovely memory.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 01, 2018, 08:18:26 PM
How lovely. I have a shrub that should blossom between Nov and Jan., but I can't find it  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 28, 2018, 11:01:32 AM
I have hellebores in flower  :-* and a small patch of green shoots through which white snowdrops are showing  :-*  :-*

Hellebores in bud, must get out and cut back the leaves surrounding the plants.  The shrub that should be in flower is in bud.  The clematis 'freckles' planted over 25 years ago, has at last lots of flowers  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Spangles on December 31, 2018, 07:37:28 AM
My hellebores are in flower, I have bulbs coming up including alliums.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on December 31, 2018, 08:57:08 AM
I've got a beautiful pink shrub which, not being a gardener, has been allowed to grow huge. I think it's a Veronica as it hasn't got leaves or maybe it's a Viburnum. Can't remember but its been great for the winter flying moths and the occasional bumblebee which thinks it's spring already!

The ivy has also been allowed to ramble around everywhere and the blackcaps, blackbirds and wood pigeons are enjoying the berries. The robins, dunnocks and wren also roost in their.

Taz x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 31, 2018, 05:27:18 PM
Two more groups of snowdrops peeping through.  Another hellebore flower, open.  One flower on the 'Daphne' and I found the small tree which has buds but not open yet.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on December 31, 2018, 07:50:42 PM
I think mine is a Daphne not a Virbunum. Masses of pink flowers?


Taz x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 31, 2018, 08:02:18 PM
The 1 I have is white and opens into small pink flowers, with a deep perfume.  It's grown to 4 feet tall in 5 years.  They can be delicate but it's sheltered here.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on December 31, 2018, 08:24:07 PM
Yes. Smells lovely. Mines almost finished now. It's grown to around 15ft as I haven't done anything with it  ;D

Taz x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 31, 2018, 08:31:28 PM
I also have 'box' which has a scent at this time of year but I rarely smell it  ::).  Slow growing in a pot by the path .......... I notice it more when the black berries appear.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 04, 2019, 05:22:30 PM
Crocii  :o  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 19, 2019, 11:11:59 PM
Snowdrops are hanging their heads.  Crocii have begun to wilt B4 opening up ........ silly to poke through so early then!

However: I have 2 aconites in flower and looking closely at the Earth: that's on hands and knees this afternoon: I can see more  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Gangan on January 20, 2019, 10:30:50 AM
One south facing daffodil now out   :)  part of our small host on the tump we sit on .

Gangan x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 20, 2019, 11:57:33 AM
'tump'  :-\ predictive text ?

Birds singing :-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Gangan on January 20, 2019, 12:06:01 PM
'tump'  :-\ predictive text ?


here 'tis  https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/tump

what's predicitive text ??  ;D  my mobile is steam driven !

Gangan x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 20, 2019, 12:08:56 PM
Oh for a view  :'(  :-\ .........

Kind of explains it, thanks.  Bit like 'dwile' and 'troshle'  ;) [we had a thread about that somewhere years ago]
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Krystal on January 21, 2019, 07:54:21 PM
CLKD and Taz2 I have a large shrub in my garden now in its third year, I bought it as a Viburnum for  the winter flowers. I have had a beautiful pink display since November and more flowers appear daily. A silly question about this bush " Is the mild winter the reason for the beautiful flowers or is it because the shrub has had time to establish itself?" (I have no experience of Viburnums).

I too have many bulbs coming through and several clematis with buds.  Someone told me they cut their lawn before Christmas but I am not sure if this was a joke.

Yellow Forsythia in my garden has given a wonderful show since October and has flourished. 

Gardens can be cheerful even in the winter if your have a variety of seasonal perennials.

Best wishes x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 21, 2019, 07:57:08 PM
Hi I have bought lots of plants that supposedly spread scent across the garden from November onwards  ::) certainly here in ours it takes 4-5 years for plants to become established.  We are on heavy clay.  Maybe the hot Summer had some influence too.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 27, 2019, 06:08:11 PM
I had a whiff of 'box' yesterday as I wandered to and from the compost, couldn't locate the perfume immediately as I was the other side of the garden.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Krystal on January 29, 2019, 08:03:44 PM
Thank you. We too are blessed with heavy clay and have found home made compost works wonders on plants. The best organic matter I had was from a work colleague who had a horse whenever she came to my house she bought a car boot of bagged manure with her, Wonderful stuff it was. Sadly her horse passed away and she could not afford to buy another horse so that source ended. The manure I have seen for sale is more straw than anything else. Never mind have a smaller garden now so no worries my compost is sufficient. ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 29, 2019, 08:12:27 PM
One has to put fresh manure through the compost first as it can be too acidic.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Krystal on February 02, 2019, 07:59:59 PM
Yes the manure did go in the compost bin first much to my neighbours disgust. Compost Bin was away from her house and stood well away from everything and everyone yet she complained. Even without the manure in the compost bins there were complaints. With hindsight we should have got a beehive. BZZ BZZZ.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on February 03, 2019, 03:42:21 PM
On top of the compost?  Ours never smells and if it begins to whiff we put a shovel of clean earth over it.  My family has been composting for over 100 years  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on February 13, 2019, 07:32:55 PM
All the bulbs are up in our hanging baskets.  Spring is on its way  :banana: :banana: :banana:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: AgathaC on February 13, 2019, 10:23:32 PM
Yes, Littleminnie, the bulbs are coming through now. The first (and my favourite) is the Snowdrop and we have a lot this year. In France, we used to have a couple of names for them. My favourite was clochette de neige, the little bell of snow. The Latin name is galanthus which is actually Greek (!) and means milk-flower. I haven't noticed this thread before. More from me on bulbs as they emerge! Great for mindfulness for menopausal ladies xxxxx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on February 15, 2019, 03:43:24 PM
Without our garden I would be totally lost  :'( - not much sitting gets down as I'm always pottering  ::)

Welcome AgathaC !
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 11, 2019, 10:36:17 AM
Snowdrops almost gone.  Daffs being buffeted by the wind  >:(
Almond blossom FabULUS  :-*
Forsythia almost opened
Spawn everywhere ........
Hyacinths: planted from indoor pots years ago, suddenly up and in flower.  I had forgotten about those so a welcome surprise - pink
Violets of several types all over, the one thing that self seeds here
Off to look at my planting calendar for borage etc..


Found a blue hyacinth, up and open since earlier on.   :-*. Perfume across the garden is lovely.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 05, 2019, 07:41:03 PM
Daffs
Almond blossom gone
Plum blossom glorious
Winter flowering honeysuckle still wafting perfume
1st blue bell open
Hosta poking up
Roses look healthy with new leaves
Honeysuckle creeping with new growth
Hydranga climbing all over
Peony 4" high
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 08, 2019, 01:04:31 PM
Spent several hours at the weekend moving hebe plants in order to clear weeds from a border.  This afternoon I have put a line of mixed: poppies, borage, carrots ........ and covered over with a light layer of soil.  Sun is out so hopefully it will encourage germination  ;) and hopefully, birds didn't see me nor the local mogs  :cat88:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on April 09, 2019, 07:12:10 PM
Yes it's been good gardening weather intermittently. After the rain finally stopped at the weekend I put in most of my perennials and the odd shrub that had been hanging around in pots - some since growing from seed last summer ( Delphiniums) and others bought from various plant places over last few weeks. Then yesterday I planted all my (seed grown) tomato plants into the greenhouse soil and repotted the container plug plants to grow on ready for my outdoor tubs and pots later in the year. Also sowed courgette and squash seeds.....

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 09, 2019, 07:48:20 PM
Lots of massage required now?

DH has helped me do a lot of moving shrubs and today planted seeds into toilet roll holders.  He did tell me what he was planting but meno-brain here  ::) but I will benefit in the Autumn  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Krystal on April 27, 2019, 06:28:56 PM
Our wisteria has wonderful blooms on it this spring and this makes a lovely backdrop against the brick wall. There are also many flowers on the one strawberry plant we have, the crop was good last year so looks promising. The trees in the garden are coming into full leaf and greening up very nicely. This time last year was not good for the sweet peas we tried to grow from seed and they ended up being thrown onto the garden as mulch. We now have a surprise two sweet pea plants have emerged at random looking really healthy despite having had no attention.  In September 2O17 we bought some Wallflowers which turned out to be the most spindly plants ever, anyway they were planted around the garden and left to their own devices. The orange blooms on some of the remaining plants is outstanding and vibrant. People used to tell me some plants thrive on neglect, the sweet peas and wall flowers certainly have. The rain we have had is greatly valued and for :) :)tunately the winds have not been as bad as other parts of the UK..
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 27, 2019, 06:31:45 PM
DH has had to re-stake a spindle tree and rose which are on the same stake, twice today.  I plan to move both in the Autumn once I've decided where in the garden will suit them.

Our wisteria hasn't.  3rd year, no flowers  :'( but it is still alive as there are leaves.  Wallflowers are strange things, they really like to self seed - not much does that in our garden: pansies, wallflowers, violas .......... celandines however  >:(.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Dierdre on April 27, 2019, 06:44:12 PM
I've got some bushes that are too big for the pots and want to put in the garden (no idea what they are), when is the best time to do this please?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 28, 2019, 09:21:47 AM
Depends what they are.  Do they have labels?  When digging a hole it needs to be half as deep again and half as wide as the root ball.  Remove plant from pot and shake gently.  If roots are white and tight, losen them a little.   Water into the hole and allow to drain.  Place plant into hole and back fill with removed soil, removing any slugs!  Make sure plant is upright and stable.  Water gently.

I would go to a Garden Centre to see what is there and ask ......... in the main bare-rooted plants need putting in between November and March, i.e. roses: plants bought in pots can be set any time when the Earth is warm enough.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Dierdre on April 28, 2019, 07:21:15 PM
Thanks, I'll done that. I saw the same plants today at the garden centre and was told they can go in the garden so I've put them in, ground was nice and soft now with all the rain we've had so should settle in nice.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 28, 2019, 08:09:49 PM
Well done!  Feet up, Prosecco ?  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 30, 2019, 06:34:13 AM
Watching a gardening programme yesterday afternoon with Charlie Dimmock and the Rich brothers: they were buying slate.  It was cheaper to hew it, face it, transport it to the UK from Brazil to Southampton and buy it than it was to buy Welsh slate.  The former was £900 the latter £1,500  :o   It was the same with coal: cheaper for the UK to import it from Poland.  Car industry the same, cheaper ...........  :bang:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Two hoots on April 30, 2019, 07:59:24 AM
Its because of the low wages that are paid in some countries, how is it possible to buy a tee shirt for £3 the fabric, shipping and wages to make it  :-\

Our tulips survived the gales on the weekend, they are beautiful, I love Spring  :)

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 30, 2019, 08:22:43 PM
It's a huge difference on the slate issue.  I don't know which way I would have gone  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 01, 2019, 05:23:59 PM
National Gardening Week.  Apparently.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 05, 2019, 03:17:56 PM
I have sweet Williams in flower so have picked some for the house.  Will the plants continue to put out flowers, anyone know?  I need to buy some packets of seeds to encourage new plants next year.  Everything here is lush  :-*  :) ........ hostas are up, hydrangeas seem to have survived, foxgloves from Mum's have appeared in pots we brought back from her garden ...... roses look lovely.  Welsh poppies are cross-colouring so we have a yellow plant with orange edges to the petals; and an orange flower with yellow tinges in the petals.  Bees round the mimulus growing in the pond .......... but no one to share it with  :'(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 20, 2019, 01:35:54 PM
Two huge rose - trees? - 1 is about 5 feet tall the other 15 feet - were blown over last week so have been staked in, have cut roses for the house.  Went to a Herb Garden and came back with lots ....... so will be finding places for those plants once I've dug over a waste bit of ground.

Roses; vebena bonsiosis; orange blossom; rasp and strawberries; black/white/red currants and gooseberries; sweet Wliiams; poppies - everything is lush  :-*

Have pruned back two wiegela which didn't get touched due to last year's heat wave.  They have been taken back hard.  Will let more light into the garden, the property next door is empty, another reason that they got missed; every time last year I went out with the loppers, neighbours were enjoying the sunshine  ::).  I feel GOOD!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: katsclaws on June 20, 2019, 03:25:36 PM
Your garden sounds wonderful CLKD. We have a 12 week old Springer Spaniel who has already started digging and trampled a lot of the perennials. Thankfully our fruit and vegetable garden is fenced off. Our other two dogs are 4 and 7 and thankfully don't dig.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 20, 2019, 03:38:06 PM
 :rofl:  my friend's springer picked out the daff bulbs as fast as she was planting them  ::) he thought he was being So Clever.  How do the other 2 put up with a pup?  Which colour did you go for?  Is he/she going to work?

Our cocker used to eat apples; Russetts; she would run into the neighbours' orchard and help herself, she loved raw carrots too.  Caulie, cabbage, a piece of banana .........

What will you do to dis-encourage the pup to dig?  Maybe get a kids' paddling pool/sand pit and fill one side with water the other with sand?  Kept ours busy for hours  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: katsclaws on June 20, 2019, 03:58:55 PM
Hello CLKD, our previous Springer dug up our daffodil bulbs and placed them in a neat pile.
Our 7 year old female chocolate labrador is nervous around our puppy and barks if he comes near. She rarely barks and is a very kind dog. She wasn't like this around the 4 year old dog.
It sounds as if your cocker spaniel had a healthy diet. 
Our puppy is liver/white. A paddling pool sounds a good idea. He is very energetic and will be a working dog.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 20, 2019, 06:33:45 PM
Great 2 hear that he's going to work!  My show cocker: who couldn't abide puppies or children  ;D: did enough putting up to be fun but was not intense. Her attitude was 'you shot it, you fetch it'  :D She would eat most things but would 'go off' tinned food periodically.  Usually after I had bought a bulk load  ;D but knowing what I do now, I would raw feed.

Rose petals falling in the hearth - should I put them in my bath later?  Will cut more for the house if it remains fine enough at the weekend.  Picked broad beans earlier, they were really tasty.  A little butter and black pepper over them.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: daska86 on June 21, 2019, 07:05:26 PM
Veggies not doing as well as last year. Tom's and cucumbers are slow, peas and potatoes ok. Lettuce doing well. Weather all over the place.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 21, 2019, 10:26:54 PM
Our peas are sulking  >:(

Do you grow toms and cucumbers in the same environment daska86?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 22, 2019, 11:22:27 AM
Everything is lush. I will have to put off digging until later as it's in a hot spot in the garden  ::)

Will have to put the hose round the pots this evening too  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Foxylady on June 22, 2019, 02:26:25 PM
Been out weeding! My peas looking a bit forelorn too CLKD, think they are needing more sunshine & better temperatures.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 22, 2019, 04:08:51 PM
Do U have a composting system foxy?  Something has nobbled our runners over night  >:( .........

Sitting here with scents wafting across the garden: honeysuckle from one side, orange blossom the other.  I cut more roses for the house earlier, avoiding lady-bird larvae  :o of which we seem to have about 20 thus far.  I set the 5 campion plants during the afternoon and gave them a Very Good Watering.  Warm breeze is drying the pots already  :o  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Foxylady on June 23, 2019, 08:52:54 AM
CLKD, yeh got three composting bins (various stages of decomposition). Used to grow alot of veggies, few flowers but since I changed job, working 9-5 mon-fri not got the same time to spend on it so it's flipped the other way more flowers, less veggies. It's apity cause I do find it relaxing & enjoyable but the Scottish weather is so unpredictable its not like I can get out every weekend or after work!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Sparrow on June 23, 2019, 09:23:49 AM
Everything growing really well here, even in the 'peat free' compost.  This surprised my husband as when he tried it a few years back he was not impressed.  Apparently the peat stuff may be phased out as early as 2020.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 23, 2019, 01:56:26 PM
Shame that.  Until there is a good alternative provided - I saw pots for all kinds of seedlings/plants that are put into the ground so that they rot down in about 2 years, giving plants the chance to get a good root system going.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Krystal on June 26, 2019, 06:54:00 PM
I have two very productive strawberry plants this year due to all the rain we have had. The strawberries are flourishing, just one problem those sneaky slugs have taken to gobbling the fleshy inside of the strawberry from underneath, so when you go to pick one which looks OK from the top, you only have the outer skins left. I have never seen slugs do that before. Just before the heavens opened last week our grass was cut, scarified and given a feed of seaweed fertilizer, result grass nearly 12 inches long. Oh dear!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 26, 2019, 10:12:18 PM
that's what you probably need then: a deer ;-)

Slugs will go up underneath strawberries, what I hated in the Fens was picking what looked like a nice fruit to find a slug curled up inside  :sick02: .......  we used to put thick straw under the plants as they were fruiting up.  Have you got any straw?  A layer of slug pellets with straw on top ;-).

Not been into our garden for 2 days not even to feed the birds - wet yesterday and away today.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: daska86 on June 29, 2019, 07:01:40 AM
CLKD got tomatoes in one plastic greenhouse and cucumbers in another. Tomatoes are Ok but cucumbers very slow. Picking first peas and potatoes are flowering so should be getting some soon. I'd love to grow roses but they always get aphids or blackspot.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 29, 2019, 08:15:13 AM
There was never any blackspot B4 we had the Clean Air Act  ;)

We have blue-tits and still get greenfly.  White fly.  Blackfly but I don't think much eats the latter.  I ignore blackspot.  Cut more roses in the last couple of days.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Krystal on July 06, 2019, 04:01:34 PM
With regard to my strawberries being eaten from underneath, I do not have any straw to lie the plants on and have a conscience about slug pellets. I used to throw them in abundance until someone told me that even the bird friendly ones can make our feathered friends ill. I have bought a strawberry planter from Amazon and plan to use it for next years crop. The strawberries are still flourishing at the moment, but no cream teas for me as I cannot stand Wimbledon (owing to the fact that I could cannot play tennis very well).

The rain did the garden some good this morning, but I am regretting that hubby put that seaweed fertiliser on the grass the other week as it keeps growing at such a prolific rate. The compost bins are overflowing so residual grass cuttings are in black bags to rot down and them to be mixed with other composting matter.

The birds enjoy the water in the garden especially the bird bath. The cheeky pigeon drinks out of the water intended for the cats that visit.  It has been a good time for all in the garden.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on July 06, 2019, 04:41:04 PM

We have blue-tits and still get greenfly.  White fly.  Blackfly but I don't think much eats the latter.  I ignore blackspot.  Cut more roses in the last couple of days.

Blackfly are a huge part of a wasp grub diet which is why it's a shame they get such a bad press.

Taz x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Sparrow on July 06, 2019, 04:58:50 PM
With regard to my strawberries being eaten from underneath, I do not have any straw to lie the plants on and have a conscience about slug pellets. I used to throw them in abundance until someone told me that even the bird friendly ones can make our feathered friends ill. I have bought a strawberry planter from Amazon and plan to use it for next years crop. The strawberries are still flourishing at the moment, but no cream teas for me as I cannot stand Wimbledon (owing to the fact that I could cannot play tennis very well).

The rain did the garden some good this morning, but I am regretting that hubby put that seaweed fertiliser on the grass the other week as it keeps growing at such a prolific rate. The compost bins are overflowing so residual grass cuttings are in black bags to rot down and them to be mixed with other composting matter.

The birds enjoy the water in the garden especially the bird bath. The cheeky pigeon drinks out of the water intended for the cats that visit.  It has been a good time for all in the garden.

Hi, for next year get some straw from a pet shop. It's not very expensive and we find a bag last two years.  Also you can get slug pellets made from wool, which are non toxic. Don't ask me how they work though.  ???
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 06, 2019, 05:00:10 PM
Slugs can't climb over them.  Apparently.  Being dry, wool works until it rains ;-).  I tried egg shells years ago but the blackbird pecked them away to see what was underneath  :(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: katsclaws on July 15, 2019, 03:53:35 PM
We have grown two types of cauliflower this year. One type looks a bit like sprouting broccoli but is white. I did a google search and it's sold in one of the supermarkets at £12.50 per kg. I have not seen this type of cauliflower before. We had no idea when we bought the plants that it was a sprouting cauliflower
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 17, 2019, 01:33:55 PM
Is it a romain? all knobs and tight 'curds' - it'll eat, whatever ........ raw or boiled lightly?

Picking soft fruits, peas and broad beans
Runners still sulking  >:(
Roses - stunning
No one to share it with other than each other  :'(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: katsclaws on July 17, 2019, 02:48:20 PM
Hello CLKD, no it looks just like broccoli. It is possible to get white broccoli but it's definitely  sweet sprouting cauliflower. It's used in chinese cookery and has a sweet taste. I'm cooking some tonight.
Your garden sounds lovely CLKD.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 17, 2019, 02:51:08 PM
 :thankyou:  it is lovely.  I wish I could share it ........

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 17, 2019, 02:52:38 PM
I like greens raw ......... got myself round some freshly picked peas about 20 mins. ago, pods will go into the compost.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 21, 2019, 11:16:38 AM
To encourage Local Councils to grow more wild flowers in verges there is an on-line petition hosted by 'plantlike'.  I signed earlier ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Pennyfarthing on July 21, 2019, 11:31:09 AM
I tied up my hollyhocks this morning, they are massive.  the other day I had just a huge red one and a couple of flesh coloured ones.  We had a good downpour yesterday and this morning I woke up to pale pink ones, dark pink and also some bright yellow.  They look gorgeous. When we sold Mum's house I found boxes of hollyhock and poppy seeds and have scattered them all over our garden.  Still loads in tins for another year.

I also picked loads of parsley and put it in the freezer and dead headed my yellow climbing rose.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 21, 2019, 12:03:28 PM
We don't like parsley  ::)

Can't grow hollyhocks here, the garden is surrounded by trees.  Mum's garden however is full although they have rust.  Colours are great, aren't they!

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: jaycee on July 21, 2019, 04:29:56 PM
I have hollyhocks and i am surrounded by trees, so not sure why the wont grow in your garden,CLKD ,mine are just beginning to bloom,
I have some lovely roses too, and a lavatera which has spread all over one corner,
My two Buddleas are lovely purplish pink on one and very pink on the othe, which actually collapsed last year, but is still blooming laid on the ground
I have two rowan trees full of red berries,which the birds seem to love,
This is in my back garden,
Lots of roses in thr front garden, and a very large and high bush rose, peonies have bloomed and gone,they dont last long, a massive pink hydrangea in one corner
I didn't plan it this way, but everything in the garden ,back and front is pink, apart from a couple of lovely peach ,and cream rose bushes  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 21, 2019, 05:03:03 PM
I tend to shove plants into gaps  ;D.  They take about 5 years to settle as we are on clay.  Once settled they are OK.

Phloxs are in flower now.  I need to get some more but as we are having some building work done in the next couple of years, they will stay put for now.  Hellebores have self-seeded  :-*.  Poppies fell in the rain  >:( .........

I have a white budleaj with tiny lemon centres, the purple one has long flowers on and smells this year - it's black jack.  I cut them back in the Spring and the bounce back.  Another here is a paler purple, attracting hover-flies.  They take really well if stuck into the ground.

I have a rowan yet to fruit this year though the neighbours' has - the almond tree needs to come down by about half already  :o.  Waxwings love rowans and small apples ..........

I found two small hydrangeas, buried in the shrubbery this week  ::) so cut back round so that they get more sunshine and rain.  The blue one in a pot is vivid.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Pennyfarthing on July 21, 2019, 05:29:53 PM
My garden is walled and completely private as we are not overlooked.  It is lovely and quiet as we are beside a churchyard.

We have a good sized oval lawn with natural stone paving all around. We have chairs in one corner with a birdbath and loads of tall shrubs.  In the other corner we have table and four chairs and more pots of large plants.  In the third corner we have my beloved summerhouse which is a soft green colour.

There is no fourth corner as the garden then goes off behind the house where we have a large bike shed, son's DIY shed and a potting shed.  We also have a store for sun loungers, cushions etc. And we keep the garden bin round there.  Hubby got as far as putting up lovely fencing to screen these sheds from the main garden, all he has to do now is put up a gate and its completely done.

My garden is easy to maintain as I have packed the raised borders now so hardly any weeding.  I have a large silver birch, buddlea, hollyhocks, peace lilies, foxgloves, ceanothus, flowering currant and too many shrubs to name.  We have cotoneaster, honeysuckle and climbing roses up the garden walls.  i have passionflowers and honeysuckle growing up trellis either side of the patio doors.  the doors are about 12 wide and can be slid opened either side.  I have a rocking seat just outside there.  the garden faces south west and we get the sun all day until it goes down in the evening.  i nearly forgot .... I have countless pots with geraniums, white daisies, strawberries, a twisted bay tree and masses of herbs.  On the front of the house we have two 13ft window boxes under either window full of marigolds and pansies.  they look lovely at the moment.     That's my garden!  I am no expert but I love colour and pottering about out there.  In Spring the garden is full of snowdrops, daffs, crocus and so on.  Most of our pets ..... two dogs, a cat, countless goldfish, terrapins, mice etc are buried in the garden.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 21, 2019, 06:05:03 PM
Holkham Hall then  ;D .........

We have a silver birch, a walnut which is huge ...
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Pennyfarthing on July 21, 2019, 09:51:17 PM
Holkham Hall then  ;D .........

We have a silver birch, a walnut which is huge ...

Ha ha!  i love my garden as it was big enough for the kids and their friends to play in when they were young and now its manageable for us oldies!!  ;D. My friend comes over and says she would love a garden like mine .... hers is about a third of an acre and its now too much for her and she says she can never sit and enjoy it as there is always work to do. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 22, 2019, 06:33:49 AM
Does your friend live near a school or old folks' home - so that she could share it?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 24, 2019, 08:00:19 PM
I cut back some hellebore leaves and found 3 babies in flower  :-* such a surprise.  I was watering the phlox next to them and decided to cut back leaves ...... the phlox leaves were drooping, the salmon pink glows in the evening light as does the blue hydrangea in a pot  8).  Purple loose-strife gone mad all over and I think I've found some fox-glove seedlings.  When the air cools I will pot them up as they are growing in the wrong place.  Same with evening primrose which are attracting insects as I type.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 02, 2019, 02:12:06 PM
Roses going over so I can cut hard back so they should flower again at least once more  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Krystal on August 06, 2019, 06:11:54 PM
At least half of my roses have blackspot this year. I cut them down about three weeks ago with the diseased cuttings not going in the compost bin. When we had our first garden we have a lovely neighbour from whom we had a lot of gardening advice. I always think of her when cutting the roses this time of year as she told us how to do it. She said cut it now to have the last roses of summer. A throw away comment to most people but it holds special memories for me.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 06, 2019, 09:08:28 PM
My Dad showed me how to care for roses when I was about 11.  Special memory because he didn't do much with me, Mum wouldn't allow it.

Black spot is OK.  In the years prior to the Clean Air Act roses etc. never suffered because the smoky surroundings didn't allow the spores to spread  ::).  I managed to get a lot of rose pruning and cutting back done this morning and can see new growth already  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 28, 2019, 07:33:14 PM
Autumnal  :'(

Have been cutting back budlea, council bin was emptied today so have almost half filled it. 
Roses are in flower again after a severe hacking 3 weeks ago, too high to pick any - I can see them from the  kitchen or bathroom windows. 

Bees everywhere.  Butterflies .......... huge moths last night at dusk with bats close behind  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on August 31, 2019, 05:40:08 PM
The impatiens are dying off
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 31, 2019, 07:38:45 PM
Things are fading aren't they  :-\.  Except our Alpine strawberries  :-* and some late raspberries . 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on August 31, 2019, 09:45:45 PM
My cyclamens are out.  Their babies are old enough to flower now.  They are becoming quite a patch.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 31, 2019, 10:11:46 PM
Oh I'll go and look for ours ........ not right now though  :D

We sat out earlier, listening for bats - we have a detector  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 01, 2019, 04:58:22 PM
A few cyclamen are through.  I have spent most of today moving hellebores and self-set foxgloves to a different part of the garden.  Fed pond fish and wild birds.  Had a light lunch then set to again.  Had vanilla ice cream with marmalade mid afternoon in the sunshine.  More weeding.  Knackered  :D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on September 02, 2019, 09:50:24 PM
I have 15 cyclamen today.  ;D For years I just had three bulbs (or whatever they are) and am overexcited that they have multiplied.  Still, it is the little things that make one happy  :)

I have a few little foxgloves growing so I will take a look at moving them.  I have bought a Rudbekia, so I need to look at that bed a little.

The trouble is that I plant things and watch them and expect them naturally to grow in a pleasing manner, and am learning (a little late) that you have to jump in and tweek them a little (or quite a lot actually).  I have a lot of hardy geraniums that I have cut back, but I think I may have to dig them up every couple of years and replant bits of them to keep them under any sort of control, otherwise that is all I will have.  Likewise the Japanese anemones.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 03, 2019, 11:32:54 AM
Those geraniums have a name but can't remember but some go wild: I bought Johnson's Baby Blue years ago but it took over.    Pelagoniums are what most people call geraniums, those that one sees in window boxes in Swiss chalets.

Pottering earlier.  Now stopped for lunch.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on September 03, 2019, 05:37:04 PM
I have loads but I have lost the names for them  ;D  The macrorrhyzum grows everywhere but likes shaded dry places which is very useful.

I have some scented pelargoniums and some regal pelargoniums with lovely purple flowers with white bits.  I want to keep some in big pots next summer,so I will have to try not to kill them over winter.  I saw some lovely ones at Kew a few weeks ago in big terracotta pots.  Also some Coleus - you don't see them much these days. 

There were some lovely pink flowers with grey leaves in pots mixed with Verbena bonariensis at Cambridge botanical gardens that have stolen my heart  :love:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 03, 2019, 09:59:06 PM
cranesbill?

I have lots of that verbena - spreads everywhere  ::).  Coleus have to be protected from frosts and I don't know whether they go through Winter as pelegoniums will?

You can't remember the name of the pink flowers with grey leaves though  :D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on September 04, 2019, 12:54:01 PM
They were pelargoniums too  :)  Pelargonium sidoides  (I took photos to remind me - found a use for the mobile phone at last  ;) )
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 04, 2019, 09:15:03 PM
I saw a 15-25 foot row of coleus today - about 8" tall packed tightly together, looked fab but won't last once the frosts arrive.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: dahliagirl on September 04, 2019, 09:36:32 PM
No they don't last, but they are pretty while they are there.  Some of the colours are quite gaudy  :-X

They used to be quite fashionable, but you don't see them much now.  Maybe I will get a packet of seeds next year and see what comes out (if they still do them)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on September 15, 2019, 07:17:42 PM
Spent £70 in the garden centre.  ::)
Bought 2 new hanging baskets and the plants to fill them.
A box of white violas and 6 purple pansies
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 15, 2019, 09:25:33 PM
That will look lovely - I can't grow pansies here  :-\ and I love their little faces and their faint perfume.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 16, 2019, 08:23:49 AM
I have stood for an hour with the hose in a part of the garden where plants are dying due to lack of water, the earth has dried in the high winds of last week.  Hopefully they will revive ..........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 23, 2019, 07:36:55 PM
They did. Revive.  Drying winds  ::)

First thing to build is a double compost: one for building, the next for turning into.  We make good compost, it takes about 2-3 years as we have deep bins with lots of air rather than a closed hot system.

2nd thing: consider water collection as many plants require lots of drink.

DH will be taking down the very old raised beds: those are planks fixed 12-15" higher than the ground which gives plants deeper root runs. 

We grow: carrots, peas, all types of beans though the runners didn't get away this year  >:( ....... spuds are as cheap to buy.  Leeks sometimes; always parsnips, red beets and Welsh onions.  Asparagus bed will remain intact and requires regular weeding.

Peas and beans need quite a lot of space which is sheltered from wind but gets plenty of sunshine.  Bamboo poles make good wigwams for legumes to run up.

We have apple and plum trees, the squirrel gets the walnuts and cob nuts  >:(  ::). 

We have tried various types of squash: corgettes soon grow into marrows  ;D and we had a squash that rambled around the garden a few years ago - followed closely by slugs  :D.  Our garden is too over-hung by trees to be successfully with tomoatoes, that doesn't stop DH trying each year  ::).    Squash etc. keep well in a cool place once cut. 

I moved the chilly plants inside this afternoon in case of frosts, they need a Very Good feed of baby-bio.  Job for tomorrow.

Never grow what you won't eat.  Grow what you use a lot of.  Make a list and check either on-line or on seed packets or catalogues when to plant etc.; I have a specific calendar for gardening.  Lots of plants can be grown in layers, i.e. staggered in age in order to get repeated pickings [clear as mud?].   Garden centre often have education evenings/afternoons for beginners.  Some villages have gardening clubs to join. 

If things don't grow we buy plants from garden centres, I don't have the energy to pick out seedlings any more.  Once you get going and find out what grows well then experiment: for example if you like beans, try a different type along with what you know will survive.  Make sure you have plenty of space in the freezer for good years ;-)

I do remember Grandad digging a trench in the Autumn into which all the peelings from the kitchen went covered by newspaper/cardboard to make a base for the next years' beans or peas. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Foxylady on September 26, 2019, 08:22:07 PM
Spent 5hrs on Sat (beautiful day 8)) gardening, weeding, planting, in agony with back since!! Too much at once this is the problem in Scotland you end up doing crazy amount cause you never know when the next dry day will be >:( ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 29, 2019, 10:56:12 AM
GP Surgeries are usually full on Monday mornings due to excessive gardening exploits  ::)

Get some gentle exercise, it will relate those muscles!

Have spent hours at Mum's - cutting back a budlea almost to the ground, shredding, pruning roses .....
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Two hoots on September 29, 2019, 11:01:19 AM
My next door neighbours are not gardeners, they pay some people to come and tidy up, they prune everything and I mean everything including a lovely little conifer which was a pretty shape with a huge petrol powered hedge cutter  :'(

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 29, 2019, 01:17:16 PM
Did they pay that person or where they, like a friend, conned ........... the bloke concerned took a chain saw to all her new shrubs without asking, then demanded money  >:(.  'If you don't pay me I'll ....... ' she was tamping.

My shrubs are WET  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Foxylady on September 29, 2019, 07:42:12 PM
Thanks CLKD, back much better after a week of co codamol, ibuprofen weaned to paracetamol instead of co codamol and today just one dose of ibuprofen (after bike ride). Back much better. I don't do anywhere near as much gardening and growing veggies as I used to since changing job (working mon - fri, 9-5pm) not as much opportunity to be in the garden giving the west of scotland climate!! x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 30, 2019, 08:24:02 AM
Compost shouldn't smell if it's made correctly.  People don't layer therefore anything wet goes rancid.  The idea is to grow a compost onto bare earth with a frame around: wire, wood slats etc. but always allowing air to circulate to aid rotting.  Some used a hot bed closed system but as 1 has to store the compost and build it all at once, we can't be bothered.  A layer of newspaper or cardboard on top of bare earth then load.  Veg peelings, card, paper, kitchen roll - our bin is 4 foot deep and 5 foot across.  It takes a year to build then we turn it into the spare bin until we reach the rotted soil, full of worms.  If one has mowings from a lawn always put a layer of newspaper down first and again on top.  We don't have rats either.  My family has been growing home made compost for 150 years thus far ;-)

Your plot sounds lovely McKay - Open Day soon?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 05, 2019, 12:27:55 PM
No hedgehogs on night film  :'(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 28, 2019, 04:21:34 PM
DH has pulled all the tomatoes and is boiling them gently with home grown chilly peppers  :o

Lots of roses still.  Soft fruits to pick.  Autumn colours lovely. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 12, 2019, 04:47:01 PM
7 pink roses, high up
Spindle in full colour with lots more berries every year  :-* - it needs moving in the Spring
I have an orange blossom to move, it was planted 25+ years ago  :-\.  I may take half down to see if it 'takes'
A winter flowering shrub - name escapes me but daphnia springs to mind - has it's first flowers on
An anemone had put a flower stalk up  :o - they usually flower in May.  All pots have new foliage, the first time I've ever got them through!  Do I need to bring them into the porch?
Lots of duck weed needs clearing .......

The tomatoes mix [above] is tasty with a hint of home grown chilly  :o  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 23, 2019, 05:22:54 PM
Any 1 grow figs ?  Advice please  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on November 24, 2019, 01:47:31 PM
Bought some Asters in the summer.  They have stopped flowering but haven't died down. Do I leave them as they are, cut them back or compost them?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 24, 2019, 03:51:53 PM
I love 'em but have never had success here.  Maybe look at the RHS web-site or the label in the pot?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on November 24, 2019, 06:35:42 PM
Will look.  Lost the label.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 24, 2019, 06:38:50 PM
Or leave them and see what happens?  If it's a mild Winter they may well survive, perhaps they die right back like fuchsias?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 02, 2020, 06:09:05 PM
A pale lemon hellebore in flower
A dark magenta hellebore in flower
Snowdrops 2" tall - need to check those tomorrow to see how much they have grown
Other hellebore buds are healthy
Forsythia yellow against a fence
A small winter flowering honeysuckle flower tucked away out of the wind :-)
Sweet box in flower but I can't smell it  >:(
 :-*. Birds are singing

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on January 02, 2020, 06:31:00 PM
Bulbs are coming up
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 02, 2020, 07:05:16 PM
Great ain't it!   Spending a few moments looking at the Earth at this times of year relaxes me  8)  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 06, 2020, 10:17:53 AM
Yep. It's my Haven that's for sure.

2 aconites peeping up, now sulking. Do they know it's going to get colder?

Cleared up lots of leaves.  Filled bird feeders.  Several trips to the compost with kitchen/bathroom rubbish.  Paused for a cuppa, I have cuttings to plant ;-).

Where my 3 cats and 2 rabbits are resting there are snowdrops - those too seem to be sulking.  But it's a sign of Hope  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 16, 2020, 02:47:22 PM
Snowdrops  :ola: open  :bouncing:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 21, 2020, 02:32:26 PM
More hellebores in flower  :-* including 1 that I transplanted in November.  Pure white.

Found 3 more aconites - I put in over 50 3-4 years ago and they disappeared  >:(
Wall flowers are picky too even in pots  :-\
Sunshine should encourage them  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 22, 2020, 10:57:54 AM
Despite using very hot water, a brush and tweezers this:

Phycomyces species, a pin mould, such as Phycomyces nitens

remains in two of the sunflower heart feeders  >:(

Looks like a toupee  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 22, 2020, 02:39:41 PM
1 tiny 'geranium' in pale lilac in flower this morning, two Devon violets and more snowdrops up  :-*

Nights are pulling out  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Sparrow on January 24, 2020, 10:49:10 PM
Anyone see Monty Don's American Gardens.  Excellent.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 25, 2020, 02:47:33 PM
I liked the 1st programme better than last night's.  I LOVED the cactus gardens :-).  But felt that in many things State-side, 'English'-type garden are OTT  ;D.  Loved the Spanish moss although it's quite sinister  :-\. 

Spent 2 whole days at Mum's: pulling out grass which was over-whelming the beds and found snowdrops and hyacinth  :-*.  Cut back a couple of fuchsias.  DH pruned some apple trees.  I moved 8 hellebore plants that were covered in long grass, once I clear that bed we can keep it dug over.   Neighbour has taken the hellebores as she has a new garden.  Pressure-washed the path ways ......... both have Very Muddy Jeans  ::). 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Lanzalover on January 25, 2020, 04:30:19 PM
We've just got an Allotment I'm so excited 😆

Lanzalover x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 25, 2020, 04:41:17 PM
So am I  ;D - what you going to grow?  Don't grow anything that you won't eat or make use of.  Waste of space.  Is it ready to take over or grubby?  Old carpet is good for weed suppression ;-)

Nights are pulling out - best time to start .........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Lanzalover on January 25, 2020, 06:48:04 PM
Grubby at the moment lots of work to do but really looking forward to it.

Lanzalover x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 25, 2020, 07:57:56 PM
Oh - you want any help, gardening energises me  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 28, 2020, 01:16:11 PM
Hellebores.  Snowdrops.  The hyacinth bulbs that I set 4 weeks ago haven't moved ....... mayB they can feel colder weather on it's way  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on February 06, 2020, 03:28:11 PM
WEEDS  ;D - rain and then sunshine makes 'em grow.

Been on my knees for 2 hours getting up plants that I don't want 'there'.  Listening to the birds.  Finding worms for the robin. 

Hyacinths still not moving.  Hellebores doing well.  Wall flowers sulking :-(. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 18, 2020, 10:16:59 PM
Snowdrops are over.  Daffs out.  Small red blossom opening on the upright honeysuckle opposite the kitchen window  :) and 3 clematis have flower buds on.  Can't wait for warmer weather so I can get stuck in, though yesterday I fell forwards whilst weeding and hurt wrist and shoulder  :(.  I was kneeling at the time  ::), grabbed a root and it didn't pull as easily as I thought it might do!

Hyacinths now flowering :-).
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Barnacle on March 18, 2020, 10:35:14 PM
I noticed some blossom on one of my peach trees today.  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 19, 2020, 07:47:19 AM
 :-* oh must check our plum  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jari on March 19, 2020, 08:15:31 PM
Barnacle, I have 4 peach seedlings that I have grown from seed. Did you grow yours from seed? Do you think it would be ok to move them into individual pots to start them off? Do they grow like actual trees, like apple tree size?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 19, 2020, 08:29:55 PM
How tall are they, do they have branches/leaves yet?  What medium are they growing in.

Peaches are mediterraeon [never been abroad, me  ;D] so need shelter.  They don't tolerate frost or cold.  Not the time to put seedlings outside.

I use the 'coir'-type pots or rolled newspaper or toilet roll inners for seeds - making sure that the roots don't get broken eventually you could put one in each pot of your choice.  The above will rot into the ground so no need to re-move.  They would however probably prefer to be in a pot on a sheltered patio that can be moved inside in the Autumn. 

Our plum has blossom :-). 



Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on March 20, 2020, 07:09:28 AM
Barnacle, I have 4 peach seedlings that I have grown from seed. Did you grow yours from seed? Do you think it would be ok to move them into individual pots to start them off? Do they grow like actual trees, like apple tree size?

Peach trees grow quite large like apple trees. My mum grew one from a pip and it was over 50 years old when she moved house so they are long lived. It was a lovely tree. Blossomed well each year but only had peaches twice due to peach trees needing really warm summers as CLKD has said.

Taz x  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jari on March 20, 2020, 10:54:51 AM
Thanks for advice. I also have apple seedlings that I've grown from seed. About 20-30cm high currently. So, I should not plant these directly out?
At the moment they are in pots of 2 or 3. I was thinking maybe to put in bigger individual pots?
I had thought I would plant a couple of apple seedlings outside, but sounds like that is not a good idea for the time being?
I will put the peach in a pot and keep in sunroom for now? X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 20, 2020, 12:39:33 PM
Into slightly larger pots, probably for years depending on how fast they grow.  The apples may not fruit as the trees that we buy are grafted.  I have a self-set plum which put out 1 fruit last year, it has shot up towards the sky in the last couple of years and I expect it will fruit: right at the top  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Barnacle on March 20, 2020, 12:43:44 PM
My Dad planted them in my garden about 20 years ago. Like Taz said, they grow like apple trees and do need to be in a sheltered position.You don't get that many each year, plus the birds love them.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 20, 2020, 12:45:26 PM
Birds loved our cherries too  :-X  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on March 20, 2020, 01:59:40 PM
My broad bean seeds are just beginning to germinate in greenhouse, tomato seedlings fast growing on kitchen window sill, coriander peeping through.

Helllebores magnificent in front garden, forsythia been in bloom early this year - out for 2-3 weeks, forget-me-nots just coming into flower, fuschias in full flower in pots at the side of the house :o

If you're stuck at home - get thee some seeds, compost and a few pots and get sowing and planting!

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 20, 2020, 03:05:40 PM
At least while Garden Centres remain open  :-\

I have 1 large clump of blue forget-me-nots but the pink aren't showing yet
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on March 20, 2020, 08:48:07 PM
Good news is you can buy all that online through the main seed companies, and including pots and compost so can be ordered from the comfort of your own home. OK I'll name some companies. Thompson and Morgan, Suttons for starters.....

Garden centres have not been told to shut and since they are mostly outdoors (except for the seeds bit!) then hopefully one can still go and shop but keep once's distance! For the time being anyway. Come on CLKD - be positive :)

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jari on March 20, 2020, 09:01:33 PM
I will go tomorrow and try to get potato growing bags.. 👍
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Tc on March 20, 2020, 09:36:49 PM
Hiya,ladies. My first visit here.

I have a very small balcony at my flat.  It's dreary concrete. With iron railing.  I've decided during this isolation to try to make my flat more homely.  Ive lived here 18 months and it's the first time I've felt mentally able to even care.

So......any tips for someone with zero gardening experience on something I can do now. Or plant now that wont take forever to  took pretty.

The floor of the balcony floods a bit when it rains and it lays there for a while. So I dont know if that makes a,difference to what I could do.

Absolute gardening dummy here  :)  but I would like it to look less depressing for spring. 🌷🌻🌱
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Tc on March 20, 2020, 09:41:05 PM
P.s I'm on a tight budget x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jari on March 20, 2020, 09:44:17 PM
Hi TC, could you do a mix of edible and flowers?
Like a couple of tomato plants to grow up the metal posts? Hooks over railing to carry hanging pots of herbs like basil?
And a couple of hanging flowers in between maybe? X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 21, 2020, 09:13:36 AM
My thoughts with the hanging over the balcony.

Firstly - how much sunshine does it receive and during which hours?
2ndly - if you water from above, who will you hit below ;-).
3rdly - don't fill too many pots in case the balcony can't support it all
4thly - do you want a statement plant or several small ones to eat - i.e. a rose that will flower for weeks or pick and come again to eat?

Nasturtiums don't need much soil, i.e. a grow bag for the tomatoes if you can carry one to the balcony and nasturtiums in between; they ramble but are prone to blackly.  How high  :o up are you ?

I hope to get some weeding done later.  Going to put on a wash, feed the birds, walk to the village for the paper and that will determine how many layers I will need to wear in the front garden
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jari on March 21, 2020, 06:43:18 PM
Good points CLKD. Especially who will get watered below!! 😂
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 21, 2020, 06:48:27 PM
 ;D.  it's happened to me with an automatic watering system from a Pub  >:(.   ::)

So keep an eye on how much sun the area gets and when; good excuse to sit and watch if you are isolating ;-).  If possible take the temp during the day as you don't want to scorch plants.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jari on March 21, 2020, 07:21:43 PM
I went to garden centre today. Bought a pot ( smallish medium size) and two 'duke of York? potatoes with root things coming out of them. The name is not good 😂 but they were the best looking on photo. Most appealing.

The pot has two layers so you can lift out the inner layer which has big gaps in sides to make harvesting easy. Hmmm
I'm going to give it a try on my patio. It said plant late March for harvest may/June!

I am starting small but it will be fun to learn about it and see if I get any potatoes to eat! 😊
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 21, 2020, 07:36:57 PM
You know how spuds grow?  They probably have eyes which have chitted [look it up ;-)].  Spuds are water hungry.  If they show above the ground  put more soil over them or they will turn green and not grow properly below ground.  When it's nearly time to harvest I can never resist poking a finger into the earth to see how many have grown  ;D.  Eventually they will put leaves up and should have flowers, either white or pink ..... if you do a google for the name of the spud ..... try Buckingham Garden Centre or Wyevale ......... RHS is also a good site for advice.

Keeping spuds frost free is important.  ? photos ?  ;D can you tell that I'm excited
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 22, 2020, 12:30:42 PM
 8).  Spring in the Air  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Sparrow on March 22, 2020, 02:43:44 PM
First lawnmowing today.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Countrygirl on March 22, 2020, 03:08:45 PM
It looks so nice after that first cut of the year and the sun shining x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 22, 2020, 03:44:06 PM
You and half the World  >:( ....... supposed to be a peaceful Sunday ....... people now have ALL week to mow  ;D

Spring in the Air ......... I've been weeding and neighbours have chickens so there they will get grass etc. to colour up the yolks ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jari on March 22, 2020, 05:46:30 PM
I have planted my two duke of York potatoes. (Unfortunate name i know) ;)
Can not wait to start to see them grow!
Also repotted my apple and peach seedlings into individual larger pots and will keep them in sunroom for the time being.

👩‍🌾
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 22, 2020, 07:43:24 PM
You have been busy.  What does it suggest about earthing up the potatoes initially, I can't remember  :-\

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jari on March 22, 2020, 08:06:26 PM
I just have two potatoes planted in an average size patio pot. I think it's 35cm wide and probably 40cm deep.
I looked up on YouTube how to plant potatoes in pots.

So, I put multi purpose compost a quarter full in pot, then put my two potatoes on top with the little growths facing upwards and then covered with more compost and watered it. Then I have to leave until I see leaves come through. Wait until 5 cm or so high and cover again with compost, not completely covering leaves. Keep going with this top up until reach the top. Let the leaves grow and keep watering. Then when it flowers I can feel and see how big the potatoes are! ‍
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Two hoots on March 22, 2020, 08:20:41 PM
With potatoes I think we wait until the vegetation starts to die back before we rummage  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jari on March 22, 2020, 08:52:39 PM
Thanks two hoots. I am looking forward to see them start to grow! :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 22, 2020, 11:18:19 PM
 :thankyou:  I'll be expecting photos of progress  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jari on March 23, 2020, 09:11:43 AM
I will take photos but I do not think it works on here? 👩‍🌾
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Two hoots on March 23, 2020, 09:48:53 AM
It's exciting when we decide to collect the potatoes with lots of ooh and ahh when they appear  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 23, 2020, 09:53:33 AM
U wait until the flowers arrive  ;D


An ENORMOUS bumblebee tried to get into the kitchen via a shut window yesterday - if it didn't have a headache B4 it began tapping, it will have this morning  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Tc on March 24, 2020, 07:11:43 PM
Thanks CLKD and jari. I didnt have notifications on and didnt realise youd both answered me.

I'm on 3rd floor.  It doesnt get sun down to the floor. Also the concrete is waist height but the railing bit is about a,foot tall.

I can just about fit a small chair out there but it's not exactly uplifting out there the way it looks now.

Thanks for the tips xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 24, 2020, 08:27:23 PM
I wouldn't even step out at that height  :o  ;D

You may find plants grow leggy towards the light.  It's all about trying though and there will be shelter from heavy rain and wind. 

DH and I have been busy today  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Tc on March 24, 2020, 08:58:56 PM
What have you been doing in garden today?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 24, 2020, 09:15:41 PM
Us - yesterday DH moved a lot of allium bulbs which I relocated.  Today he planted up that reclaimed bit with strawberry plants which had been in large tubs for 3 years but were getting straggly.  When I went through the earth in those tubs I found lots of vine weevil grubs  >:( which I gave to the birds and gold fish.  That earth has been spread over a part of the garden to allow worms to take it down.  Peas will be planted there soon.

Then we sat.  With a cuppa by the ponds B4 getting on again.  Generally pottering.  More tomorrow, weather allowing.  Then sitting watching the Brimstone and comma butterflies  :-*. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Tc on March 24, 2020, 10:30:28 PM
Sounds lovely CLKD  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 24, 2020, 10:41:37 PM
It was. I love my garden, it's the main reason that we haven't moved from here - have thought about it for 5 years, I WANT a view but can't leave why ponds.  One fish is over 28 years old  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Tc on March 24, 2020, 10:54:18 PM
Crikey CLKD.  That must be one well looked after fish🐡
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 25, 2020, 09:36:01 AM
He/she is lucky  ;D

Originally we bought 12 golden orf, we got home with 9.  They grew for years until 1 night a HUGE storm sucked the air of oxygen and 7 died.  Eventually, apart from this one ............ I am quite fond of him/her

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 10, 2020, 12:57:39 PM
Today is apparently GardenDay so taking a snap and upload to gardenday.co.uk to share.

I have rose buds
Poppies which self seeded into an area where I don't want them but they look lovely  :-*
I will spread them back into the border int he Autumn  ::)
Drizzling now so things will come on
Hardening off beans, peas etc.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on May 10, 2020, 01:25:06 PM
Every day's been a garden day since lockdown, pretty much! Dragged out half the self-seeded forget-me nots from front garden. I never like to see them go while a little bit of blue is still visible but the leaves start to go mouldy. Have left lots of them in though so front garden is a haze of blue and purple from all the columbines, as well as lots of other flowers. Climbing rose now well in bloom....Tomatoes growing really vigorously in the greenhouse. Nearly finished (eating!) the first lot of radishes. Coriander too. Courgettes and french beans ready to go out but need to wait until later in May and after the promised cooler weather, when it comes! Broad beans a bit slow but starting to flower.

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 10, 2020, 01:50:18 PM
Our radishes never do well here  :-\ - never seem to put a firm root down, remaining stumpy and going to seed quickly.

Watch the bees with broad beans, they have a nasty habit of drilling into the side of the flower rather than pushing down to get the pollen therefore ruining the bean.  We are still hardening off ........

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Hurdity on May 10, 2020, 01:55:14 PM
Thanks CLKD. Our broad beans are always fine in the end. Never had a problem with bees  :-\

Radishes don't usually do well but I grew them in the greenhouse and watered them frequently and they have been the best ever! We even ate the tops when we ran out of lettuce! (I don't go shopping very often, only every 10 days!). The ones outside are also doing well this year, probably because we have the time to water them. When its too dry they get stunted by fleabeetles eating the leaves before they ever get going.  Every day I'm staring at something or other this year, seeing how it's getting on!

Hurdity x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 10, 2020, 01:58:32 PM
Yep.  Taking time to smell the roses ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Penguin99 on May 10, 2020, 03:49:53 PM
I'm getting my tomatoes & cucumbers used to being outside, I put them in the garage overnight. Every day I do my " hunt for lily beetles :sigh: they absolutely destroyed my lilies last year. Have found a few and they are soon got rid of. Every saturday I spray with neem oil mixed with washing up liquid & water, not sure it's working, and the rain seems to wash it away :-\ I'm grateful if anyone has any better cures for lily beetles.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 10, 2020, 04:34:51 PM
If U recognise them, a good squash between the fingers  ;)

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Barnacle on May 10, 2020, 04:53:44 PM
I have never had much luck with anything i have tried, including olive oil. AS CKLD said, squish em'.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 10, 2020, 04:58:44 PM
Those alliums that I moved in March are flowering.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 15, 2020, 08:40:11 AM
Vine weevil  >:( ........ in the pots outside which I have pulled apart this week.  These haven't been moved/weeded for about 4 years so it's been therapeutic.  Weevils into the bucket to take to the chickens .........

We have been to 2 garden centres this week, the 1st had a really good system in place.  The 2nd were trying but there was space to move trolleys by others so not a problem but the signage wasn't clear.  As I was unloading my purchases at the first Centre into my car, a woman approached "I'll take your trolley back, they don't seem to have any left".  'nope'.  "It will save you having to walk over there." 'nope.  the company are wiping down each trolly between customers'.  "I could do that." 'nope.  have a walk over to see how their system is working, 1 has to queue and there is a 1-way system.' 

I expect that she had driven in and seen a lack of trollies and thought we were back to normal  ::).  When I left she was standing at the back of the queue ........... hey ho!   Aged about 70 I suppose she didn't seem to have 'got it'.   ::)

I still haven't sourced lobelia: yet  ;D. We spent 20 mins last night putting new solar lights around the ponds, removing those that need new batteries ......... which are often more expensive than the original unit ......... I have 5 more to site this evening.  It doesn't take much to keep me calm ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Penguin99 on May 15, 2020, 10:01:26 PM
We did our solar lights last week. I bought some lovely little tiny lights and have put the round the rope on my decking and some along my back fence. I love solar lights. I have some crackle ball lights, I normally take the batteries out & put them in the garage in october but I didn't last year, some have given up :(
I hope you get the vine weevils sorted,  I'm still checking my lillies every day,  they are so much better than last years :)
I love gardening, I used to grow lots of veg but only doing tomatoes &  cucumbers, this year.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on May 16, 2020, 08:09:28 AM
Going to attempt the Garden Centre next week
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 16, 2020, 09:15:59 AM
I can feel the excitement from here littleminnie ;-)

My lights looked lovely at 3.00 a.m.  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on May 16, 2020, 11:36:18 AM
Not bought solar garden lights for years.  The last ones I bought were rubbish, they hardly threw any light out.  Are they better these days?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Sparrow on May 16, 2020, 12:25:46 PM
Yes, they are much better.  Also, as with everything,  the more you spend the better they perform.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Penguin99 on May 16, 2020, 12:39:51 PM
Definitely agree with the more you spend. I bought a solar security light ( ?30) which I put out the back, great for when the dog goes out at night for her wee, I also bought a pir light (?10) for a side bit at the back of my house for when I go into the garage, as it's really dark down that bit, doesn't work anywhere near as good as the other one. Theres a fantastic range of lights now
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 16, 2020, 03:03:36 PM
More turning out of pots and putting plants into fresh soil.  It's beginning to look colourful again  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 29, 2020, 06:55:00 PM
I picked a mix of sweet Williams and astrantia this morning for vases: all pinks/reds/carmines/white ...... no idea how long they will last in a vase.

Two small strawberries turning red, all sheeted against the birds ......

Flowers on broad beans and peas  :-* and sweet peas climbing the bamboo poles. 

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 30, 2020, 04:15:02 PM
Ours looks FabULUS and I have no one to share it with  :'(

Last year I sprinkled a packet of something that grew tall white flowers [3"] - I pulled it out earlier and it looks like it will be a thug  :o so it's gone into the Council bin.  Then I put borage, poppies and cornflower seeds in the gaps : watch this space  ;)
Title: !! courgette warning !! : All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 14, 2020, 02:13:27 PM
A batch of courgette seeds sold by a major supplier has been recalled after producing crops which made people ill.

Mr Fothergill's seed company, based in Newmarket in Suffolk, issued a warning against eating the bitter fruits.

It said some seeds produced courgettes with "abnormally high levels" of a naturally occurring chemical which caused nausea and diarrhoea.

Four families in Castle Acre, Norfolk, reported feeling unwell after eating the produce they had grown.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Cazikins on July 14, 2020, 03:44:55 PM
Thanks for the heads up CLKD.
I've just checked ours & we have Cucumbers by Mr Fothergill, but not the courgettes so hopefully they're ok to eat (when they're ready of course).
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 14, 2020, 03:46:50 PM
Maybe check on their web-site?

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 18, 2020, 06:03:49 PM
It's 4 years since I did any pruning of two roses which I can see from the kitchen: so took the shears to them and the rosemary tree that had grown round the roses. 

Once I had cut back the roses, I tied in the clematis which I think is 'bill Mckenzie' ...... 1 of the roses has been in for over 30 years, stuck in the 'wrong' place and has thrived but I think it's on it's last legs.  It's yellow and smells lovely.    Several years ago I took a piece off and it struck but is a different rose al2gether  ::) and now that needs moving as it doesn't get enough sunshine.  Tomorrow's job.

There is a deep apricot 1 which smells delicious beside it, I cut a lot of flowers for vases.  Hopefully it will shoot again by late August.  It has large flowers and I have no idea where it comes from.  That too thrives on neglect apart from lots of water when we haven't had proper rain as both roses and clematis are thirsty plants.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 19, 2020, 11:35:12 AM
Another dragon fly spreading it's wings  :-*

6 more patio lights to site during the day so that they charge ready for this evening
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 20, 2020, 04:06:56 PM
A gatekeeper butterfly here earlier  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Two hoots on July 21, 2020, 06:50:50 PM
I love roses, Gertrude Jekyll is my favourite, a beautifully scented pink rose, we have a dark red that doesnt have much scent but the petals are velvety I cant remember what its called. 

We have a large conifer in the garden , it looks like a christmas tree, today I’ve watched a little mouse run along the bottom branch to get seed heads from the grass to eat.  I dont mind it living outside but there would be mayhem if it came in  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 21, 2020, 07:04:34 PM
We have a mouse living in the rocks over the pond. 

I have a very small sample of Gertrude Jekyll which is a bit I struck a few years ago, the Mother plant was bought from David Austin years ago and finally gave up this year.  I need to go to David Austin next June/July for a restock ;-).

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 21, 2020, 11:16:56 AM
For 6 months I've been watching small self seeded hellebores growing quietly, now we need that area of garden I have this morning gently lifted them - 9 small ones - about 6 months-2 years old; have gone into a large tub, the remaining 5 older plants need separate pots. That's a job for later when the storm goes over  ::)

French and runners are benefitting from the rain, carrots come out of the ground - washed and eaten immediately.  A few strawberries around the garden.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on August 21, 2020, 05:34:19 PM
Some plants in tubs took a battering today with all the wind. 
Need to empty a couple of pots, they are past there best.  Autumn is approaching  :(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jane50 on August 21, 2020, 06:39:36 PM
I love autumn. I love the softer light and beautiful colours. Yes I agree, a lot of my pots are also past their best. Might be ruthless tomorrow with the lobelia and cosmos. Some of the bright annuals look wrong somehow in the autumn.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 22, 2020, 07:15:25 AM
The fuchsia pots blew over but I can't see any broken branches.  I have found a tiny white flower which I haven't idenfied yet :-).  Another heavy shower last night but it seems calmer now.

DH has picked several tomatoes from self-set plants: I put lots of uneaten toms into the compost last year and they have gone through the process and germinated.  Like tryfids  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Two hoots on August 22, 2020, 09:40:41 AM
We have tomato blight on ours outside  :( the weather has been so damp, but in the greenhouse they are ok  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jane50 on August 22, 2020, 09:58:20 AM
I've had opposite problem with my tommies. Blossom end rot on ones in greenhouse but ones outside are OK. No doubt it's something I'm doing as Alan Titchmarsh I am not!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Two hoots on August 22, 2020, 11:54:53 AM
Ohh I think its to do with watering, did Monty have the same problem with his tomatoes. His new dog Pattie was on lots last night  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 22, 2020, 01:19:25 PM
 ;D apparently those tomatoes with end rot can be eaten  :-\ - due to not watering often enough.  Patty was sleeping in the shade, lifted her head then went back to sleep without opening her eyes  :D.  Who ever thought Monty would have a Yorkie ........ maybe he's babysitting!

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jane50 on August 22, 2020, 05:57:03 PM
Ew I wouldn't fancy eating them, they look grim! 😂 I'll pass off Aldi's as my own I think 😁
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 22, 2020, 06:15:03 PM
I suppose if the ugly portion is cut off into the compost?  Once fried, who would know ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jane50 on August 22, 2020, 06:59:47 PM
That's very true. At least the courgettes  and peppers look and taste edible. Two out of three ain't bad 😊
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 04, 2020, 11:20:51 AM
Cyclamen - to be put round various parts of our garden to brighten up dark corners  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 30, 2020, 03:00:26 PM
I bought Spring bulbs on Monday.  I was preparing the area in which to plant them: 12 ft long, 5 foot wide : and getting on well removing creeping ivy and weeds: when it began to drizzle.  Hard  >:(.  DH was sawing wood.  Now we are both inside ...........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on September 30, 2020, 06:26:57 PM
All the winter pansies, cyclamen, hebes and bulbs are in.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Foxylady on October 02, 2020, 03:49:20 PM
Did some planting a week last Monday on the public holiday, garden looks much better for it some cyclamen, hebe's, white hydreanga etc. Still got lots of bees and butterflies about. x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on October 12, 2020, 01:22:20 PM
I have two potted tropical hibiscus that I have to bring in the house soon.  One is a bush, the other is a standard about 3 ft tall. The temps are starting to get consistanly cooler and soon (hopefully not too soon!) we'll be getting frost in the mornings.  I have never had hibiscus before and they need to be repotted before I bring them in for the winter. Do I need to prune them now or do I wait til they go back out in the spring?  I bought insecticidal soap to spritz on them before they come in, don't want bugs in the house.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 12, 2020, 02:00:08 PM
I saw hibicos growing in Bergerac, S France in the 1980s.  Some people grow them in parts of England and leave them out.  How about looking at the Kew Garden web-site to see if it says, also, try RHS Web-site.  Or 'hibicius growing' to see if your area pops up?

We were busy this morning but it drizzled again  >:(.  Not cold but DH was sawing wood and I have transplated a shrub.  I need the space for a wisteria and the shrub is getting woody, it's got two chances.  No opportunity of putting the Spring bulbs in yet.  No real rush but I would like to get them set .........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on October 13, 2020, 12:34:08 PM
If I had the hardy type like a Rose of Sharon, I can leave that out all winter. I'll check out my region's horticultural resources and see what is recommended. I would think pruning in the spring would encourage fuller growth once they're back outside in the warmth and sun.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 13, 2020, 12:52:47 PM
You can have our Rose of Sharon she spreads everywhere  >:(  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on October 13, 2020, 01:29:02 PM
lol, no thanks. ;D I had one growning on the side of my porch and had to take it out a few years ago.  It was causing the railing wood behind it to rot over time. It blocked the sun and wouldn't allow the wood to dry out.

I'm going to attempt the hibiscus transplant this afternoon.  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 13, 2020, 02:08:05 PM
Mind your back  :o
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on October 14, 2020, 12:37:59 PM
It turned out ok, the pots weren't that heavy  :).  They seemed to have not been bothered by the transplant at all, both are flowering this morning.  Actually, the bush that has yellow flowers, the blooms have now changed to a lovely reddish orange colour! Who knew? lol
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 14, 2020, 12:50:27 PM
Oh well done, did you 'tease' the roots? 

I did some cutting back earlier. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on October 14, 2020, 01:29:34 PM
Yep, roots were teased, and not that pot bound either. I also watered, fertilized and mulched. That should keep them going through the next 7 or 8 months.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 14, 2020, 01:41:32 PM
 :medal:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on October 16, 2020, 12:35:41 PM
Now that they've been inside for a few days I've discovered the blooms aren't falling off after one day, they seem to be staying put! 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 16, 2020, 03:16:58 PM
How lovely :-).  Any colour at this time of year is a bonus.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 07, 2020, 09:56:43 AM
I've watched a flock of starlings in the neighbours' rowan tree, amongst them was a greater spotted woodpecker  :-*. Usually they are flighty but when the starlings flew away it stayed around, searching through the bark  8)

A row of pink roses in full flower that I can see from the kitchen window :-).  Autumnal colours are FabULUS.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 17, 2020, 02:27:45 PM
The blustery wind has brought down leaves everywhere  :o we are surrounded by trees, have roses and shrubs plus a large walnut tree in our garden  ;D.  Sweeping them up on2 the compost is better than going to the Gym  :D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 28, 2020, 04:23:41 PM
2 years ago I planted a small shrub which should flower November-March - it has two branches of tiny pink flowers in bud  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 29, 2020, 06:44:18 PM
Country File are leading a tree planting campaign.  OK until something like HS2 is driven through  >:(.  We have anceint woodlands that are being decimated!!!

In our garden we have: 1 Discovery apple over 11 years old; 1 very large walnut, 5 years old; 2 crab apples planted 4 the waxwings 2 find in cold weather; a plum 7 years old; 1 plum 5 years old; 1 almond; 1 rowan; 1 silver birch all 3 years old.   2 spindle, 1 which has fruit this year, the other is sulking.  Colours are lovely though.

Curly hazel nut which has lights woven through, switched on in December - over 25 years old and has grown TALL  ;D and has catkins which turn into nuts which DH makes into brittle  :-*

Yew tree.  Holly tree which is full of berries :-) and looks FabULUS  :-*.   Both rescued in 1978 into small pots and grown on.


A small tree which flowers at this time of year through to March. There's a quince which creeps under the fence from the neighbours' ;-)

Behind the fence there is a corridor owned by the Council mainly maple and cherries.   


We have winter flowering shrubs i.e. honeysuckle and clematis.  Heathers are beginning to open.  Ivy along the fences but some will be pulled off when we renew 1 fence. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 08, 2020, 03:17:00 PM
I have hellebores in flower  8)  :-* . 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 15, 2020, 10:55:33 PM
Spring bulbs are peeping through  :o - a sharp frost will put a stop to them!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 11, 2021, 02:55:03 PM
We have hellebores and polyanthus in flower as well as some snowdrops showing white through the green leaves  :-*.  The winter honeysuckle has very small flowers on but there's no sign of life  :-\ on the wisteria in the large pot at the front of the house. 

Birds are beginning to chase each other cross the garden  :o  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on January 11, 2021, 06:13:40 PM
Bulbs are showing and the roses have flowers
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 11, 2021, 06:49:26 PM
Will the roses open?  I have a few buds that look a little weather beaten  ::).  In a few weeks I will prune hard back. I need to buy more roses this year: David Austin 4 the day anyone  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on January 12, 2021, 08:49:47 AM
Not sure if they will open, I suspect not.  Love David Austin roses.  They are definitely worth the extra money. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: befuddled on January 12, 2021, 10:40:35 PM
CLKD, are your hellebores normal height this year?  My flowers are on really short stems, only a couple of inches above the ground whereas usually around 5 or 6 inches.  Not seen them that short before.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: befuddled on January 12, 2021, 10:42:38 PM
And why does this thread have a smiley face next to it, most of the others have a couple of sheets of paper.  And i've seen a few with a question mark.  Just wondering.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 13, 2021, 09:38:26 AM
They begin short then when the sun shines they grow a little.  The buds on 1 of my large plants have stopped for a while, they will be deep maroon when they eventually grow.

I've cut most of the old leaves off so that I can watch the flowers.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 13, 2021, 09:41:24 AM
It's a kind of avatar befuddled - mine used to be a kitten  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: befuddled on January 13, 2021, 09:59:14 AM
I'm in the south and the flowers are fully open now, looking at their best.  Just very much shorter than usual.  Strange!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 13, 2021, 10:41:00 AM
1 of mine opened in November  8) and still has flowers on, must cut the old ones off.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 15, 2021, 02:40:48 PM
I have walked round the plot and noticed that some of the hellebores are much shorter this year, good healthy buds which seem to be pausing: do they know something about the weather that I don't  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on January 27, 2021, 07:49:10 AM
And why does this thread have a smiley face next to it, most of the others have a couple of sheets of paper.  And i've seen a few with a question mark.  Just wondering.

Whoever starts the thread off can choose a symbol   :)

Taz x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 13, 2021, 01:23:51 PM
We have hazel catkins going over, been in flower for 5-6 weeks
Lots of birds
A few hyacinths but I can't smell them  :-\ - 1 pink, the rest a deep blue in various parts of the garden
Almond blossom opening slowly as from yesterday afternoon  :-* - it's very tall so needs the branches trimming back
A type of shrub with deep green leaves and a red flower, beginning to show signs of enjoying the  :sunny: - a kind of honeysuckle
Winter flowering honeysuckle and heathers attracting honey bees  8)
Frog spawn EVErYWHERE  ;D
1 camellia flower blown off in the gales last night  >:(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 24, 2021, 02:21:56 PM
I have been busy weeding, splitting, cutting back, tying in for several weeks: every morning something new is in bud  :-*

2day I stood the plants from the porch so that I could water the pots - fuchsias, pelagoniums, a couple of herbs ......... as well as the new 3 Daphne plants which will be potted on once it's warm enough to leave them outside. 

Knackered  ;D in a weary kind of way  8).  I have Plans 4 2morrow if the weather holds. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: daska86 on March 24, 2021, 09:24:12 PM
Cleaned my little potting cupboard and washed trays and pots ready for planting seeds over the next couple of weeks.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 24, 2021, 10:20:26 PM
We said to each other whilst sitting with a cuppa by the pond, how lovely it would be to have acres of land in order to have a shed with everything on a shelf appropriate to it's use  ;D.  Here we have corners with pots/watering cans/potting compost etc. ........... and shelves in the utility room with items that we can no longer access due to stuff on top of stuff  ::)

We've also found a garden centre which recycles pots and compost bags I may have said.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on March 26, 2021, 06:47:18 PM
Growing Cosmos from seed.  Just potted on 8 plants.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 26, 2021, 07:16:49 PM
I love them, have no patience with seeds - how long B4 germination littleminnie?

I will be planting up dahlia cuttings tomorrow - 4 have good healthy shoots thus far. I over wintered the plants, they look like spuds.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: daska86 on March 26, 2021, 09:25:25 PM
Any advice little Minnie as I'm growing them from seed for the first time ?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on March 27, 2021, 08:29:30 AM
Cosmos seem quite easy to grow from seed.  They started showing after about 5-6 days. I don’t normally bother with seeds but lockdown has been so boring I decided to give them a try.
They came up quite quickly and turn towards window every day so you have to keep turning them.  I kept them covered until they got their 2nd lot of leaves then left them uncovered.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 27, 2021, 09:23:34 AM
In a plastic bag kind of 'covered'?

Monty was doing dahlias last night on BBC, his tubers are much larger than mine  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on March 27, 2021, 06:44:25 PM
I have a plastic lid but you can use cling film
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 27, 2021, 08:24:02 PM
We did it all years ago: the greenhouse, the under-tray heating pads, windowsills .......

I bought some carnations a few weeks ago and they were full of side shoots which DH removed, stuck into compost and covered with a plastic bag.  Usually the side shoots are removed B4 sale ..........

Dahlias put into 3 pots of compost, well watered and will be stood in the warm spare bedroom 2B turned daily.  I need to check the remainder of the tubers to see if there is likely to be any growth.  I was surprised at the roots already!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: daska86 on March 27, 2021, 09:36:58 PM
Thanks littleminnie
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 11, 2021, 03:05:26 PM
We have beautiful roses
A few clematis
Picking straws., rasps., red currants every morning 4 breakfast and mid-afternoon treat
Schuwanne pepper shrubs look healthy
Daisies every were ......
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jellyb on July 12, 2021, 01:42:07 PM
I got an allotment at the end of last summer, mainly for flowers but a little bit of veg for the 2 of us.  Spent the winter starting everything from seed on windowsills and the into a plastic greenhouse.
Everything is blooming now and it's so amazing to see the things that you started from seed.  I have flowers in the house all over the place now and can pick them regularly for family & friends.  I'm already planning what to grow & where for next year.  Love it, it's my happy place!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 12, 2021, 02:30:19 PM
A great sense of satisfaction.

Do U share crops/advice with other 'holders'.  Some begin broad bean seeds in November.  Also sweet pea seeds.  Some plants can go in a little later than suggested as most catch up.

I don't do well with sweet peas ............ not enough light.  The thing is to grow stuff that you eat for a while, see how others near your patch do with things that you might fancy and arrange swapsies ;-)

Is there a communal composting system?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Jellyb on July 13, 2021, 11:13:33 AM
Other plot holders will offer you surplus stuff and there's a centrally placed table to leave stuff that you don't need, others can help themselves.  We all have our own composters (or some choose not to) and a few times a year the council will drop off a load of leaf mulch or bark chipping for everyone to use.
I only grow what we like, and this year is really to find out what grows well and what doesn't, how much space I have and if i can use it better next year.
For instance, for only 2 of us, 1 courgette plant is enough, as I'm already seeing that I'll have far too many with 2 plants.
I started pretty much everything from seeds/bulbs, starting last November for Sweet Peas, but am looking at the layout of the beds and ways to make it work better.  So, I'll be planting a couple of rose bushes and dedicating 1 bed to spring bulbs, which I can then use for annuals when they finish in early summer.
I like planning, so that's part of the fun, as well as seeing all the flowers blooming!🌻🌼🌷🌹🌺
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 13, 2021, 12:23:55 PM
 :medal: :hapij:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 10, 2021, 09:31:18 AM
The Discovery apple tree has gone along with 2 very old roses.  That area will be topped up with soil improver and left fallow over Winter.  We may put a couple of rows of peas there next year.  The plum in the other border has silver leaf so will be hoiked out, again the ground will be topped up and left.  The walnut tree requires a Very Hard Pruning, as does the almond tree.  It's drizzling.  Hard.  So it won't be today ;-)

How's it going Jellyb?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on September 12, 2021, 01:12:06 PM
Now is the time when my lilacs and peonies are showing signs of powdery mildew. I spent the morning yesterday spraying them with antifungal sulphur.  I had to cut the Ninebark all way down because it was practically all white, the spray doesn't seem to do much anymore.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 12, 2021, 04:26:05 PM
Mildew is a sign of a plant under stress.  Usually due to too much or not enough water/feed at the correct time.  Our 🎃 leaves are mildewed.  DH cut a lot back, the fruits are fine.  I note that our clematis this year have it, never previously.  Although they like a lot of rain, I think it was too much at the wrong time!  I will cut them back to the ground eventually but they are still flowering  ::)

I removed several shrubs from pots and planted into the border yesterday :-))).  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: VictoryV on September 17, 2021, 01:16:17 PM
I’ve got a mountain of hard gardening this autumn which start with trying to control a Kiwi vine which has reached about 60 feet up a Beech. I regret planting it as it’s as vigorous as Russian Vine which I also have the pleasure of. Then there’s the Ground Elder which I’m trying to fall in love with as I certainly can’t control it! Then the leaking pond whilst trying to protect newts.
I sometimes dream of living in an apartment!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 17, 2021, 02:36:15 PM
 ;D

Start on the pond.  After going 'cheap' , 5 years ago we emptied the water, mud and found stones/pots/bricks at the bottom.  Put the fish into a large tank, set the frogs free.  Took out the old liner.  Mud has a characteristic smell  ;D.  Sand.  Newspaper .  Thick double butyl liner.  Water poured back slowly, everything else replaced.  Job Done.  I was surprised at the different colours that frogs come in.

Does the kiwi live in the Winter, does it shed it's leaves; usually easier to remove trees, shrubs etc. in the dormant state so that 1 can see where 1 is cutting.  Do you use a shredder? 

I love Russian Vine but it's another thug! 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: VictoryV on September 20, 2021, 01:15:29 PM
Hi CLKD, before the pond work starts I need to remove a large area of bamboo which is the cause of the pond damage, thankfully I’m on sand so it’s a little easier to dig.
The Kiwi will die back but it’s impossible to untangle the vines at height. I will cut it at around the 6 feet mark and what’s above will eventually drop off. I planted it to create a “room” in the garden which it’s certainly done although it’s now trying to build a 15 storey high rise block!
Russian Vine has it’s uses but it’s hard to control. The ‘garden’ is looking very tropical and needs a lot of time, it will never be formal!

I think there may be a snake in the pond as the fish have gone and something big is disturbing the silt!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 20, 2021, 04:24:34 PM
Where do you live  :o so that I can run the other way ....... I don't do snakes.

Been busy in the pond today: split an iris into about 6 pieces it's a pale lilac when in flower.  It had spread to the edges of the pot so the middle was empty, it's been sorted now. 

Chopped the plum tree into the council bin, apart from the stump which needs digging out.  Fed pond fish.  Sat in the ☀️
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 27, 2021, 02:01:00 PM
I have cyclamen: which means that I need to trim back; hard; a couple of climbers so that the light gets through
Clematis which is a thug has pale lilac flowers which attract insects from now until November  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 01, 2021, 05:10:28 PM
Nowt done today due to April showers  ::) other than nipping to and back to the compost with rubbish.   

Squirrel was chased off earlier whilst attempting getting hazel nuts  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 05, 2021, 02:58:49 PM
DH picked the marrow: 6lb :  :o. 

DH chased the squirrel. Again  >:(

Roses, dahlias and a thug of a clematis in flower for the insects  8)

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on October 05, 2021, 07:22:48 PM
My passion flower is still flowering and dropping it's fruit all over the doorstep. It's grown a "fringe" this year in front of the door rather than growing along the guttering and up over the roof. I keep waiting for a good time to trim it a bit. Being under five foot tall it doesn't bother me but everyone else has to duck under the "fringe"  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Pennyfarthing on October 05, 2021, 07:44:21 PM
i bought two trays of cyclamen today … pink and white.  I have a trough on my parents grave and it looked lovely with begonias in it and then muntjacs came and ate all the flower heads. I hope they don’t like cyclamen.

I bought two echius plants (sp?) in the summer and they are growing like mad.  My hollyhocks, buddlea and golden rod have all been cut down now but my ice plants are out a lovely shade of red.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on October 05, 2021, 07:55:38 PM
I love the autumn colours. My buddleia stays up all winter as a food plant/insect hideout and I cut it back in February. It's still flowering at the moment but watching the blue tits, great tits, robins and sparrows foraging amongst the dead flower heads each morning sets me up for the day. It does look untidy though. My small garden looks like a forest this year having decided to let everything have its rambly way.

Taz x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 05, 2021, 08:22:37 PM
DH hates budleah  ;D.  Occasionally I find ladybirds sleeping in the dead flowers ........... all cut back this year and will get a hack back in the Spring as they are outgrowing their place.  I have a white with tiny yellow centres; a deep purple and the usual purple.  I would have more if I had space  ;)

I had forgotten my ice plants.  I have a small white but the flowers haven't opened  :-\, as well as the usual deep red which need the Chelsea chop next year!



Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 06, 2021, 03:25:54 PM
3 trays of violas bought, two planted into pots.  1 to do but too weary now.

Runner beans cut down, roots left in the ground, the rest on the compost.  1st artichokes and sweet potatoes dug, will be cooked with chicken later  8).  Bird feeders re-filled. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 22, 2021, 02:19:08 PM
Some of those 'rot down' things take a while, dependant on how hot your composting system is.  Let us know how you get on?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 22, 2021, 03:26:13 PM
We don't eat oranges.  Everything goes into ours except meat products, tea leaves get tipped into the camellia and heather plants ..........

We tried one of those plastic turning efforts years ago, a complete waste of time! I couldn't turn it even when empty!!!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 23, 2021, 03:23:28 PM
Something is nibbling the petals on my violas, set into pots around the patio.  Could it be ear-wigs?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 23, 2021, 04:16:41 PM
We saw 4 snowdrops out yesterday in a neighbour's garden and I found 4 small hellebore flower buds under some leaves - I will need to cut lots back once the weather is less dank.  It will be good to get outside  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on December 23, 2021, 05:27:51 PM
In the fall I pruned back everything to the ground to prepare for the winter. The ground is now frozen so nothing is growing. We may get a thaw on Saturday, rain and 5 degrees.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 24, 2021, 04:00:03 PM
I haven't yet, over the years, not found labels that keep their lettering .......... I have a pretty shrub which flowers now, but the label has faded  >:(. Others rip off or blow away .... I've tried writing on lolly pop sticks, doesn't last.  Fades or washes off.  Copper with a special pencil get grown over during the Summer.

Any hints would be useful :-)  :thankyou:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on December 30, 2021, 08:53:08 AM
I use a Sharpie pen on plastic labels like my mum used to. Not that I garden much but when I do I'm always worried I won't know what's a weed and what's not  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 30, 2021, 09:34:39 AM
 :thankyou:  too wet to tackle anything out there. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 30, 2021, 12:48:11 PM
Same here and it's too wet to 'get on'  ::).  DH is digging parsnips a couple of times a week to roast, they do well here.  Gave up with carrots.  He will set broad beans and sweet peas around end Feb/March. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 31, 2021, 04:38:25 PM
Nights are pulling out  8) - light until 4.15 this evening  :bouncing:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Two hoots on January 03, 2022, 06:36:54 PM
Beautiful bull finches back eating the buds on our flowering plum tree, not going to get flowers again this year  ::)

Lots of life stirring in the pots of bulbs we have, spring is coming  :gym:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 03, 2022, 06:42:24 PM
I saw crocii pushing up in a pot this morning :-))).

Bullfinches - love 'em or hate em but the colours make up for the bud nipping  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 08, 2022, 08:04:31 PM
I would love space in which to grow heritage apples and plums.  There was a programme on TV this week, can't remember which  >:( - probably farmers' show down - where a couple. had bought an orchard which had been planted by her Gt Gt aunt.  That is somewhere I would be happy to work for nowt as long as I had somewhere to live.   :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 08, 2022, 09:10:39 PM
Truly scrumptious - now I've got an ear worm  ;D

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 09, 2022, 12:42:14 PM
Hazel catkins opening where they get all day sunshine
First aconite peeping through  :-*. 5 years ago I planted 50  >:(

1 snowdrop up, not open.   Yet  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Ju on January 14, 2022, 07:23:26 AM
Tidied up bit of the garden the other day, which feels good once I made a start on it....looking forward to see tulips just starting to sprout out, love seeing tulips! So beautiful and colourful, but that won't be until around March time, something to look forward to... weather has been bit grim with showers but when we do get the odd dry day, it's good to get outside, walking the dog and tidying the garden...

Hope everyone is doing ok, what with the pandemic, perimenopause and winter, we need to do things that make us happy 😊 thinking of you all out there....🥰🥰🌿🌷🌷🌷🍃
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 14, 2022, 09:35:40 AM
 :thankyou:

I have blue bell leaves showing - already  ::)

Every morning, somethings new ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Gracie on January 14, 2022, 03:17:52 PM
First time since being diagnosed with VA I did some gardening today. Tidying up ready for spring and first time in a long time that I didn't have any discomfort from lifting and bending down. Before I would come back indoors burning like hell and extremely uncomfortable.

What a blessed relief, Vagifem is working!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 14, 2022, 03:49:52 PM
It makes a huge difference to quality of Life!

I've pottered today - mainly clearing very damp/wet leaves where I found snowdrops leaves coming up  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 24, 2022, 02:38:22 PM
I've been advised over the years to cut off hellebores leaves between November and Jan., at the weekend I read an article by an 'expert', to leave them  >:(  ::).  When I pulled leaves last week there were a lot of slugs hiding as well as snow drops peeping through :-). 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on February 05, 2022, 01:49:09 PM
Hellebores - still have leaves to remove  :o
Snowdrops every where  :-*
Out of 50 aconites planted a few years ago, 5 plants have grown so won't bother with those again
Pulonmaria in flower,  Hopefully the others will struggle through the ground
Signs of growth on the clematis so have cut them back. Hard.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 13, 2022, 09:43:02 AM
Sounds pretty Minusminnie  8).  Are Bergenia known as 'elephant ears'?  Where is you Camellia, in a pot?  I have one of about 25 years old that is slow growing in the ground, it opened it's first flower 3 weeks ago.  The 1 in the pot sulks.  Both in the same area of the garden, out of the early morning sunshine.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 13, 2022, 11:16:37 AM
I believe that many are slow growing, after all, they are the original tea plant.  DH bought mine for £18.00 - it was 3ft tall then.  It has a mix of white/white pink/deep pink and pink - it can't remember which colour it should be  ;D.  I put cold tea/leaves/coffee grounds round the roots as well as keeping them well watered through the year, which helps maintain bud growth.  On Gardeners' World last week, we were shown a plantation of them, some really, really tall.  And he knew the names  :o

Do U get honey bees in the heathers?

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 13, 2022, 05:54:06 PM
It's a new series of G World.

Not early for bees.  Today we've had 5 large - in various sizes of large  ;D - flying around between the various plants, though no honeys today. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 13, 2022, 12:20:00 PM
Our pots have dried out due to heavy winds last week.  I gave them a good watering with the hose yesterday, this morning there were 20 small daffs, up :-).  Waving their heads in the  :sunny:  :-*

Spring has sprung  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on April 13, 2022, 03:36:38 PM
My tulips are up but the bunnies are snacking off the tops of the leaves, no blooms yet. My peonies have sprouted and are up about a foot, time to bind them.  I took out a potted hibiscus that had been wintering in the garage. It looks very sad so I've put it in the sun to perk it up and gave it some fertilizer and a good watering.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 13, 2022, 03:52:22 PM
In the last couple of years I have split a peony, oh they hate it  ;D so are putting up plenty of leaves.  If they never flower at least they fill a gap in the border with pretty leaves.

Fortunately bunnies aren't a problem here for tulips.  Sparrows however will peck the yellow polyanthus and crocii  >:(  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on April 13, 2022, 06:35:55 PM
The tulips usually bloom the first week or so of May and last a couple of weeks. The squirrels tend to grab the bulbs in the fall but past few years they have left them alone.  I guess I'm fortunate that my peonies flower every year  ;D The problem with the peonies is in the summer they get powdery mildew and I have to spray fungicide as soon as it appears.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 13, 2022, 07:06:39 PM
Powdery mildew is apparently due to lack of water 'at the right time' when ever that might be  ::).  Our grape gets it too.  Foregetmenots too, as they end their flowering season.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 14, 2022, 08:58:50 AM
When we were students we made wine, I sat in the sunshine for 2 days pulling dandelion petals off the flowers into a bucket.  Not really green to make it at home these days: sterilising the glass bottles, buying corks which are imported, using boiling water to 'start' the process, adding sugar .........  ;D.  When we moved in 1981 the robin was a little tiddly: rather than load the wine onto the van we tasted and threw first, onto the lawn  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 15, 2022, 07:29:40 AM
Nope.  There was a bare patch of Earth so we had somewhere that soaked away.   Everywhere looks bright this morning :-) Spring like.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 19, 2022, 08:10:54 AM
Well everything grows  8) as well as most pot plants requiring a Very Good Soak with the hose.

New shrubs pushing up daily.  Almost time to plant the sweet peas ............ another week under shelter, I will nip the tips out today to encourage side shoots.  Pond needs clearing of duck weed and petals.  It's All Go  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 23, 2022, 09:14:31 AM
The camellia in a pot - 3rd year - looks sick.  It has a 'mould' growing up the stem from the earth, I will be pulling it out later, disposing of the soil and starting again.  Apparently the plant may be too wet  :-\ and it hasn't flowered since the week I bought it.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 27, 2022, 10:11:34 AM
Morning.  For 4 days DH has picked raspberries, red currants, tay and straw berries; sweet peas for a vase.  I've pruned back and picked roses for the house.   8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 29, 2022, 11:35:55 AM
I've been weeding.  Many years ago I planted a small patch of rabbits ears grass which has spread  >:(.

It's warm but I carried on.  Everything is lush; picking fruit ++

The freshly picked sweet peas are scenting the whole house  :o
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 30, 2022, 08:07:18 AM
Our parsnips haven't germinated well.  I think they are over whelmed by other plants so haven't got enough sun  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Julila on July 08, 2022, 02:21:18 AM
Ladies, your gardening successes are awesome! I'm actually new at gardening, we've just moved in a new house and I want to grow some veggies for my family. To be more specific - we love potato, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrot, radish, brussels. Do I need a greenhouse for seedling these veggies? How do you get sprouts - is it OK to use these (https://www.backyardstyle.com/grow-bags/) grow bags for that purposes? Thank you in advance, wish you good crop!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 08, 2022, 07:37:16 AM
Hi welcome to the wonderful world of gardening.  1 has to accept that odd non germination or the fact that some plants won't like your soil.  If the plot is over hung with trees from a road side - as ours is - one has to plant with light in mind otherwise they go leggy towards the sun  ::)

Find a proper garden centre - take along a list of what you would like to grow and ask.  If U have time, read the backs of seed packets.  Grow what you will eat for the 1st 3 years, after which you will know your soil, how much sunshine you get - then it's time to experiment.

Gardening club - a good idea. Or your local WI, many will be gardening on a regular basis.  Some garden centres run 'how to' sessions. 

Raising from seed is the cheapest way to begin.  A greenhouse needs shade from direct sunshine, an automatic vent to air the area and plants will need watering.  That's early morning or at dusk.

If possible install water catchment barrels from the guttering. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 08, 2022, 09:05:13 AM
The larger the pots the better.  A good watering of a big pot goes further especially if you stand them into a 'catcher'.  I use either liquid or slow release pellet fertiliser when I remember  ::)

You may find lots of books in charity shops. 

We don't grow brassicas due to caterpillars, also the parsnips didn't germinate this year and carrots are prone to 'fly' - this insect keeps to a certain height from the ground, targeting the root of carrots.  it can be avoided by covering with netting or planting in a raised bed but quite frankly, they are cheap enough to buy.  As R potatoes as they take up a lot of ground and need regular watering.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Pennyfarthing on July 08, 2022, 07:54:23 PM
Last summer I planted some Echium. They were about 18” tall then. they are now about 5ft.  The leaves are enormous and they look really healthy.  No sign of flowers.  i saw some growing elsewhere today with their several feet of tiny blue flowers rising up from the leaves.  When will mine flower?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 08, 2022, 07:59:37 PM
R they really tall flowers which are successfully on the Isles of Scilly?  Deep purple/blue flowers from the bottom to the top of the stem?  Bees love 'em. 

I did a quick search on the RHS site - lots of info there.  I may give. 'em a go next year!
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on July 12, 2022, 01:45:43 PM
So I re-jigged my front garden by making it narrower. I bought 3 rolls of sod to fill in the bare areas. Little did I think about the local wildlife. The day after we laid the sod, I looked out the window the next morning and some little dickens had rolled over 2 out of 3 rolls, looking for grubs and worms.  We replaced the rolls and I put down garlic powder to deter the skunk/raccoon.  It didn't work...rained that night. lol.  I found some light plastic netting and pegs at the dollar store, laid the netting over the new sod, pulled it tight and secured it with the pegs. It sort of worked, so I added moth balls along the edges.  This morning it looked like the sod was untouched...keeping fingers crossed lol.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Pennyfarthing on July 12, 2022, 07:36:10 PM
R they really tall flowers which are successfully on the Isles of Scilly?  Deep purple/blue flowers from the bottom to the top of the stem?  Bees love 'em. 

I did a quick search on the RHS site - lots of info there.  I may give. 'em a go next year!

Yes. They fascinate me.  They originate from the Canary Islands.  I am hoping they will flower next year. Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 12, 2022, 08:41:04 PM
I haven't seen them growing for sale but will keep an eye out PF.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 13, 2022, 12:00:34 PM
Big Moon 🌝 tonight :-)))
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 04, 2022, 08:47:37 AM
We have 7 water butts which are now empty.  We have been putting the hose around the whole plot.  Shrubs over 40 years old began to wilt  :'( :'( and I am not prepared to lose anything if I can help it. 

For 3 weeks we watered at dusk.  Everything.  Hauling the hose pipe around is better than a work out!  Now DH waters the veg and fruit on alternate nights.  I keep an eye on anything that starts to wilt - astrantia soon go as do the herbs in the tower which aren't in very deep soil.  The wiegellia shrub gets a top up twice a week.  Roses and clematis are thirsty. 

The shower of rain yesterday filled the barrel up with 2".  I keep stored water for the heathers, bilberries and camellias. 

Once the rains begin I won't be using as much so costs will even out. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 05, 2022, 07:44:58 AM
Usually DH sieves our home-grown compost, I remove rubbish i.e. bits of plastic  ::) whilst he puts the sieved into compost/bird food bags and the rest goes back for another year to continue rotting.  We have run out of places to stand the bags though as well as it being too hot to be bothered.  So I've been watering shrubs B4 putting un-sieved compost around.  Trouble is, birds then rootle through it so it gets scattered onto the paths.

Had to put the hose round last night.  Cooler this morning. 

Our butts are run off two sheds as well as down pipes from the house.  Still a lot gets wasted.

I've never counted the cost of gardening as we grow stuff as well as enjoying it.  Whilst here we aren't travelling and using up fossil fuels ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on August 06, 2022, 03:22:57 PM
Guess some of it is about knowing when to hold your water  ;)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 06, 2022, 04:42:50 PM
 ::)

There's a lot in the National Press this weekend about how easy it is for the water companies to 'get' the householder for using their hose, cheaper than fixing pipes etc..  >:(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 09, 2022, 02:27:11 PM
On alternate evenings we are putting the hose at the root of any plants that are wilting . 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on August 10, 2022, 02:13:57 PM
Hosepipe ban here soon I think (Thames) but we are watching how much water we use and saving it where we can. OH is happy thinking how much we'll save on the water bill  ;D

Next door has a sprinkler back and front of the house which come on twice a day. His lawns are immaculate and so green and I'm not sure how he'll cope when they begin to go brown as he's so proud of them. Mine is brown and crinkly a bit like me  ;D

Taz x
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 10, 2022, 02:29:22 PM
We don't have lawn.  Got rid of it over 25 years ago.  Tried camomile - didn't like the smell  ;D

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on August 10, 2022, 04:55:56 PM
Our little bit of lawn is for the birds really. I've got a tiny garden but manage to squeeze a lot in. Trees, bushes, pond. The starlings love the lawn usually but have got corrugated beaks trying to dig stuff up this year!

Taz   :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 10, 2022, 04:59:46 PM
We R reviewing our water collection system.  Once it cools we are going to measure the garden to see if we can incorporate more types of barrels.  Those situated are in areas where they are required ......... we empty water into cans in case it rains and tops up the barrels. 

Birds get fresh water daily.  Pond and the 2 ceramic pots with water lilies in get topped up twice a week.  I think the snails have boiled .........  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: discogirl on October 04, 2022, 12:25:12 PM
I just started gardening this summer so I will be looking at these posts for tips xx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: discogirl on October 04, 2022, 12:36:53 PM
i have found it has helped my MH no end; really enjoying it xxx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 04, 2022, 02:01:21 PM
Welcome!  I've spent too long out side today  ;D although I can see more that needs doing  8)

Don't grow anything that you won't eat.  The time to trial is about 2 years in, once you know what your ground will grow.  Is there a gardening club in your area?  Always good for free advice, some Garden Centres run 'evenings' for a small fee.  We have a mix of fruit, veg., flowers, shrubs - a walnut tree that is far too large  ;D

My nails are currently grubby even thought I wear gloves.  8). Oh and my gardening jeans have a hole and mud on the knees.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: discogirl on October 04, 2022, 02:40:07 PM
hi clkd

no gardening club i know of however i did learn a lot from my grandfather.

i have two lawns at the front which i have flowers and a large back garden which i am in the process of sorting out and i am wanting to plant vegetables in the back. i was thinking of starting on potatoes onions and i am wanti g to grow tomatoes inside xxx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 04, 2022, 03:17:07 PM
I would build raised beds .......... easier to keep weeded !  At least 3 ??? high : can't think of the word I need  :-\.  Railway things ......... though avoid any wood that has been creosoted .  Or go to the local tip to see what's available, always remembering that they will need to fit into the car ;-). 

Tomatoes - too late to grow this year, need a deep root run and plenty of feed and water.  Potatoes are great for clearing the land as they require good digging, have deep roots and can be grown in bags or garden.  Don't harvest until after they have flowered.  Onions - we have Welsh type, which are dug into a spot and used as required: taken from the ground, split and the remainder dug back in.  A bit like Spring onions.

One day I'll remember the word that I'm searching for  :-\

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 04, 2022, 03:18:07 PM
Charity shops have plenty of books on gardening if you need something to do on a wet, windy day ;-).  Some have a month by month growing guide too; how long things take to grow to fruition and when to harvest. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: discogirl on October 04, 2022, 03:19:07 PM
we have railway sleepers and that's what i have hubby doing.

Thanks for some great advice xxxx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 04, 2022, 04:46:49 PM
That's they,  :thankyou:   3 high I would suggest ;-). 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: discogirl on October 04, 2022, 05:12:42 PM
yes thats what we thought xxx

it will look good when its all done and i really want to grow as much of my own stuff as i can xxx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: discogirl on October 05, 2022, 07:21:03 AM
That's great help minusminnie.

And yes we have quite a large back garden;

thanks xxx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 05, 2022, 08:34:19 AM
Don't try to cultivate all at once.  In the un-used areas throw wild flower seeds - I find borage sets really well for the bees.  Wild carrot, poppies ........ have a browse in the centres at seed packets to find out when things can be sown to insure germination.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: discogirl on October 05, 2022, 08:37:33 AM
I would eventually love a wild garden xxx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 05, 2022, 11:27:36 AM
Wild gardens take a lot of work to keep under control  ::)

I grow: Lavender; rosemary and other herbs; love in a mist; evening primrose which spreads, one can watch the flower petals unfurl in the evenings and moths/hover flies love them; poppies; borage which spreads gently; hollyhocks and foxgloves which seed, take 8-12 months to develop so open the following year.

Broad beans and sweet peas can be set in the Autumn, be aware of mice though  ;D. 

MayB draw a map of your garden and if there is room, make a wild life pond to encourage insects and dragon flies.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: discogirl on October 05, 2022, 11:41:05 AM
Some great ideas CLKD.

me and hubby have a rough sketch of what we would like;

I love evening primrose, such a lovely image you conjured, of petals unfurling the summer evenings and watching moths and hoverflies, lovely xxx

I am wanting to plant stuff ready for next year.

I have a ton of gardening books which I'm ploughing through xxx
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 05, 2022, 11:57:44 AM
Have fun.  Gardening is never a chore.  Unlike housework in this house  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: discogirl on October 05, 2022, 04:14:33 PM
I love gardening, so theraputic.

And I agree, it will not have on my grave-stone, 'wish I dusted more!!!'
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 25, 2022, 03:49:46 PM
For those not in the know: if when digging/weeding you see small wriggly critters, usually yellow or pale cream, put them to one side, carefully.  They live in the earth and do a lot of good.  Where I was weeding today I found 25 in one area ........... in various sizes, always thin: one was half an inch, the others a little longer. 

Slugs however  :-X
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 09, 2022, 11:12:40 AM
Small delphiniums in flower for the 3rd time  8).  Pruned more roses yesterday, some still in bloom.

Sorting through tender plants this morning ........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Taz2 on November 09, 2022, 11:31:08 AM
Have fun.  Gardening is never a chore.  Unlike housework in this house  ;D

I wish I felt that gardening wasn't a chore!  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 09, 2022, 01:02:37 PM
Housework is a chore here Taz ???? Swapsies ?????

Borage seeds sprinkled in August are in full flower with bright blue flowers : ??? Pimms anyone ???  ;D. A splash of colour  8)

A wild carrot is doing really well.  Again, seeds sprinkled a few months ago.  Hopefully it will spread .............

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: suziq99 on November 09, 2022, 03:25:18 PM
Ive been hacking down the spiky weeds, they are vicious.
Olive picking soon, but of a chore but the oil is worth it.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 09, 2022, 03:28:18 PM
Do you send the olives to B processed?  What 'spiky weeds' ?

The hollyhocks growing ready to flower next year are flowering  8)  ;D - large yellow flowers which attract the bees .  A long Autumn makes for a short Winter ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: suziq99 on November 09, 2022, 03:35:17 PM
Do you send the olives to B processed?  What 'spiky weeds' ?

The hollyhocks growing ready to flower next year are flowering  8)  ;D - large yellow flowers which attract the bees .  A long Autumn makes for a short Winter ;-)

Spiky weeds, don’t know what they are called but they are tall & have vicious spiky balls all over them. Worse for the dogs but stick to any & all clothing.
Yes we take the olives to the local co op. Usually around Xmas but might be earlier this year the trees are heavy with them.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 09, 2022, 03:40:58 PM
How many olive trees do you own?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: suziq99 on November 09, 2022, 05:18:19 PM
How many olive trees do you own?
Just a garden full, about 20. Not all in fruit this year.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 09, 2022, 05:19:31 PM
That's a garden full - how large the plot?  Ours is never big enough until it's time to dig it over  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: suziq99 on November 11, 2022, 08:42:10 AM
That's a garden full - how large the plot?  Ours is never big enough until it's time to dig it over  ;D

😂 👍🏻
About 3000m2 Way to big for me, I enjoy regular gardening not so keen on the rotavating.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 11, 2022, 09:47:21 AM
Might I suggest a couple of goats ;-) 🐐 s .........

Or allowing areas to become wild though that requires a certain amount of work. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: suziq99 on November 11, 2022, 10:04:12 AM
Might I suggest a couple of goats ;-) 🐐 s .........

Or allowing areas to become wild though that requires a certain amount of work.

Believe me we do have some wild bits 😂
Nice idea, I’d like to have some chickens, but
no more animals as we like to get away from time to time, the dogs come with us.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on November 11, 2022, 10:58:57 AM
I may had said already that 1 of next year's hollyhocks is flowering  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 22, 2022, 03:57:35 PM
Since the snow/frost disappeared I can see a large hellebore in full flower - white, as well as snow drops peeping through in the green.  Polyanthes seem to have survived, some plants however are gross - no chance of pulling those up without thick gloves!  I can see a label in one border, the plant seems to have disappeared completely  :o

A butterfly was about yesterday, flying so fast I couldn't identify it. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 27, 2022, 12:33:26 PM
Bought a large pot to stand by front door, large bag of compost ; daff bulbs in  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on December 27, 2022, 05:43:55 PM
The ground is frozen solid for now. Next week it'll be a different story and I'll be dealing with the wet and muddy.

You don't plant daffodil bulbs in the fall?
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 27, 2022, 07:31:23 PM
Yep.  Anytime after September, Tulips can be set as late as November/December. It's Winter here ;-).  Spring arrives in March.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Julila on January 24, 2023, 09:35:32 AM
Can't wait to garden again! Now I have to order flowers for celebrations on https://myexpressflowers.co.uk/. I like to grow them more, and also some vegetables that can be eaten right away.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 24, 2023, 10:13:33 AM
Ground remains solid  :o.  Several shrubs have disappeared complete, leaving labels  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Dierdre on January 24, 2023, 03:17:15 PM
Just had my overgrown bramley apple tree pruned, now we've got to shift all the branches to the tip.
Took down the 40 year old Wendy House as it was falling to bits and replacing with some corner decking for BBQ area, table and chairs. So sad to see it go, so many memories of the kids playing in it and then it becoming the cat house.
Can't wait for Spring now but we've still got February's harsh weather to come yet.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 24, 2023, 04:49:05 PM
Would not the tree surgeon cut the branches into logs or shred them?  When we employ some 1 to prune ours, they do all the shredding on site to take away.  Or cut them. into logs for us at an extra charge.  It's surprising how much light shows through :-))>.  Do you use the Bramleys?  Those sold in supermarkets wouldn't get a look in when we picked in the Fens, far too small.  A Bramley is huge, enough crumble to feed a family of 8 for a week  :D

MayB there won't be any harsh weather?  Does your decking area get the sun all day, evenings, mornings ? Oh! I'm so nosey  ::)

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Dierdre on January 24, 2023, 07:10:33 PM
No tree surgeon, just me and my brother so we need to clear up ourselves.
Yes we use the apples, I bag them and give to anyone that will take them off my hands. This year I had so many that went rotton or half eaten by birds and insects before they dropped off.  Some were the size of melons and had gone red but couldn't reach them. I've a horse field at the bottom of my garden and most of them ended up there, at least they wasn't wasted.
The decking will be in a shady area, just gets the sun midday till about 3pm so will be ideal for lunch time BBQs.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 24, 2023, 07:28:28 PM
Sounds great :-))).  Our garden has lots of sun/shade areas, even so last year we had to retreat into the hall way , the coolest spot. 

Crumble with custard or cream ? ;-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 25, 2023, 09:31:47 AM
I used to Freecycle lots of stuff until the group became a bit political and fussy !

Frost gone, ground looks damp  :-\. Birds around the feeders, water bowls still frosted over.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Dierdre on January 25, 2023, 10:25:29 AM
Dont think they collect garden rubbish, mines not logs it just thin branches so no good for burning.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 25, 2023, 10:58:59 AM
All cleared Deirdre? 

Soggy underfoot  :(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Dierdre on January 25, 2023, 08:35:47 PM
Not yet, will need a few more trips to the tip plus its wet now  :(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 26, 2023, 09:42:29 AM
That is so true  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on February 17, 2023, 01:28:52 PM
During the Heat Wave of last year I forgot to water the 3 heather and bilberry tubs ......... however, with some TLC in late August most plants have survived  8) and R in full flower.  Now what we need is some honey bees   :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on February 21, 2023, 04:56:56 PM
We set about a huge tree and cut a lot of branches, then I cut back some reeds in the pond; cleared out the ceramic tub of old water, it has a water lily in which hopefully will flower this year!  I could see water snails too which should breed as the water warms up.

One job lead to another  ;D
Title: Pot plants ( All things gardening )
Post by: CLKD on March 01, 2023, 06:24:20 PM
I'm into Air plants - any1 ? 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 12, 2023, 02:36:59 PM
3 hebe plants didn't survive the cold spell in late December  :-\ so out they have been hoiked today.  I will weed carefully B4 planting heathers. 

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on March 15, 2023, 01:19:51 PM
Enjoy your weeding lol, all my flower beds are buried under at least 3 feet of snow and ice.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 15, 2023, 03:09:39 PM
 :o  ;D

Snow gone from here.  For now  ::).  Yesterday was a success, however, I soon nipped back inside this afternoon as the wind is COLD ! 🥶. Every morning something else pops up or opens. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 22, 2023, 02:47:02 PM
More weeding/planting this morning once the cold wind swung round.  More spawn laid over night   8).  Birds singing, collecting nesting material .......

every day something new opens  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 27, 2023, 03:02:49 PM
Since we moved here in the 1980s the front border has had about 12 different ideas thus far  ::).  Hebe plants got caught by the cold spell B4 C.mas so those that died have been hoiiked out  :-\.  Spent some money on two small shrubs that are in f lower now, as well as 9 heather plants ...... all into the ground whilst removing celandines !!! which spread like Covid  >:( . 

Jeans muddy.  Knackered in a nice way.  Cuppa to hand  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 01, 2023, 11:46:00 AM
Earth is sticky.  Removed more celandines this morning B4 planting two shrubs that flower at this time of year  :) 8).  Jeans, shoes, jumper all muddied up  :-\.  Jeans will never see a wash as they lay under the radiator until dried, ready for the next trip into the garden. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 19, 2023, 01:31:17 PM
Every morning something new appears  8) - daffs and tulips long 4gotten about  :-*

Instead of chocolate for Easter I had a barrow load of plants, now all set - I can C gaps  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 26, 2023, 01:34:42 PM
The wisteria has flower buds  :ola: :banana:

This is the 4th plant we have tried here, in other parts of the village they bloom spectacularly.  Hopefully this 1 will get its feet into the ground - plants often take 3-4 years b4 they get bedded in - and take off up the apple tree :: watch this space  8)

Our garden is lush, I've had 2 compliments this week  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: C.C. on April 27, 2023, 04:59:46 PM
Finally, my garden is showing life.  My lilacs are budding flowers, my perennials are leafing (is that a word?), tulips are opening up when the sun gets to the front of the house, peonies are up, irises are ready to bloom.  I am going to do a once-over and see if I lost anything during the particularly bad winter we had. I usually lose something every spring and then I have to find something hardier to replace it.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on April 30, 2023, 09:45:19 AM
Lilacs are lovely - several showing buds locally, as are ceanothus which are in the main, blue.  Mine has large buds :-)

This morning I have tipped out 2 pots of old earth, put more crocks in the bottom and topped up: 3 sweet pea and  3 sunflower seeds in, once those germinate I may add nasturtiums in the same pots.  No sign of vine weevil though I must water all the pots soon.

Mason\solitary bees R investigating the 'hotels' which get all day 🌞 , some of the holes are empty so last year's young have flown  8).  Exciting  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 01, 2023, 02:02:58 PM
Have moved a pale pink pulmonaria today, it was getting overwhelmed by shrubs.  Dug out lots of celandines, putting back worms B4 re-siting the plant.  Very hot in the sunshine so inside now.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Emma74 on May 01, 2023, 07:23:28 PM
Gardening is my soul food. I don't have a very big garden but I find it so medative just pottering away. I would have gone mad many years ago if I didn't have my garden! Its been a slow start this year. I've a few veggie seeds coming up but not much. I don't mind though, its the hands in earth that matters.  :)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 02, 2023, 08:24:10 AM
Soul food - love it  8)

I have to wear gloves when gardening .
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 12, 2023, 08:44:33 AM
Cammasias [sp] are flowering, they were in pots last year which I split and planted around the plot.  Lush, a mix of 'weeds' for the bees, shrubs, Summer bulbs, wiegilia in flower ........ must B doing something right.

Moved a ceanothus on Wed., it wasn't getting enough ☀️.  Two more to plant ......... 1 has variegated leaves. 

As well as birds and hedgehogs  8)

I love lilacs - from our landing window I can see a very large deep purple and two white plants in various gardens down the estate. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on May 13, 2023, 04:58:10 PM
Thanks for the warning. 
We’ve been to a local village hall plant sale today which I find much the best way to buy any plants now.  You then get plants that generally will then do okay in your area. Can be a bit of a jumble sale tussle but hey ho !
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 13, 2023, 06:47:07 PM
Have U contacted Trading Standards jaypo, who may be building a file on this Company?  Do they advertise in the national press, if so a note to the advertising office?  I've given up buying from companies because I'm always disappointed in the sizes of the plants  ::).  Prefer to buy as seen ........
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on May 14, 2023, 07:55:05 AM
Haha was it elbows at dawn MM.

 ;D

I managed to get a tray with several Cerinthe which someone must have brought on from seed and a rooted cutting of Kerria Pleniflora which i can bring on. 
Another sale more elbows next week !
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 14, 2023, 08:42:26 AM
 ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 14, 2023, 10:37:52 AM
 :medal:
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 16, 2023, 02:28:16 PM
Busy++.  Now worn out!  DH keeps saying 'stop now' and I keep finding another bit to do.

He put a shove hoe along the front gravel B4 the ⛅️, so I've been sieving weeds to make sure that no worms go into the recycling bin!  Then I had him empty a heavy pot which I have sorted through: daffs and crocii bulbs : have added a heuchura and two variegated creeping plants with deep purple flowers. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 19, 2023, 12:56:54 PM
During the Heat Wave I almost lost a heather plant, it seems to have revived over Winter so this morning I carefully cut with scissors all the dead wood.  Flowers cut back a bit, in the wild they would be grazed by sheep and grouse, as I don't have those to hand ......... given a lot of water from the barrels, will need to mix up some heather feed for the next time.  Then it rained  ::)

Everything here is lush  :-*. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on May 23, 2023, 09:25:37 AM
Could do with a drop of rain here now to get young plants going and refill the butts.  Can't see much rain forecast here until early June.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on May 23, 2023, 11:39:23 AM
We garden on clay so it's either muddy or stiff.  Have spent several hours, over-doing it again  :-\ - watering the newly set ceanothus B4 covering with home-grown mulch.  Decided to hoike out the bluebells and found a struggling hydrangea so that's out, soaking B4 going into a pot for the Summer. 

Birds found me for meal worms  8)  :-*

Topped up pond ............ more blanket weed dragged out  :o
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on June 03, 2023, 04:28:07 PM
Trying not to get disheartened with the garden. 
Too dry for some plants now & there is a limit as to how much metered water we are prepared to use. Ordered a 4th water butt yesterday.  If this is the future we may have to stop growing things like runner beans.  :(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on June 03, 2023, 05:36:48 PM
Our garden is really dry   Our water butts are empty.  :(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 03, 2023, 05:45:45 PM
Is it your hobby Minusminnie?  Currently we have had a dripping kitchen tap for 2 years  >:( - hopefully next week the plumber will sort it. :-\  :-X  In the mean time we have the tap over a watering can which is carried out carefully twice a day and poured where necessary.  When push comes to shove we use the bath water unless it is really hot when I am too weary to cart it downstairs and out the front door.

When washing fruit/veg it's done over a bowl and carried to a waiting watering can outside the back door.  Our ponds require topping up at least twice a week so I remove two watering cans for the plants whilst gently letting the hose run. 

We have 4 water barrels to catch run off from sheds as well as a deep tank in the back garden which I fill with the hose.  At the front we have two barrels that catch run off from the down pipe.  It amazes me how much water gets washed away  :'(  :-\. 

I do miss the twin tub as I could stop the spin cycle into a bucket for the garden.  In the evenings we put the hose round once or twice a week, after the heat of the day, pointing it at the roots.  Yesterday I did the same with two newly planted roses and 3 ceanothus in the same bed.  Later I need to take the hose to one area which is wilting badly.  I am not prepared to lose plants - we should never be short of water, we live on an Island  :bang: :bang: :bang:

Sometimes I leave the bath water to use in the loo .......... which needs a steady hand  :D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on June 03, 2023, 07:31:59 PM
Our garden is really dry   Our water butts are empty.  :(

Certainly is  :(

Is it your hobby Minusminnie? 

Guess so CLKD.  Even when we had a small garden we had an allotment. Granddaughter has shown some interest and has her own pots in our garden.
I’m keeping plants that I’ve put out just about alive but reluctant to put much more out until we get some rain now.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 03, 2023, 07:37:12 PM
Larger pots for plants are better as they hold water for longer.  Also slow release fertiliser pellets can save on having to use water with plant 'food'. 

There are Mediterranean plants to choose - I think that many will have to rethink what we grow if climate change becomes challenging.  Also making sure that all plant pots have saucers underneath to keep as much water round the roots as possible. 

We use tea and coffee left overs for the heathers/camellias etc. as well as water from the barrels.  I have to beware that buckets can trap frogs with or without water!

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 09, 2023, 03:51:14 PM
I've been watching weeds growing in a pot so I know that I set a packet: they are corn cockle  :-*.  In another pot I have kidney vetch, again from a packet of mixed seeds.

Putting the hose round those roots that require it on alternate days unless something: i.e. astrantias : suddenly wilt.  Topped up the ponds.  Topped up birds water, again .
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on June 10, 2023, 12:23:36 PM
Hurray some rain overnight and a bit today.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 10, 2023, 12:29:44 PM
Storms 4cast across most of England later  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 13, 2023, 12:15:24 PM
I've found out something about a clematis this morning: which is rambling up and over a fence - but very weak at the root.  I needed to cut it back every Autumn but it's been difficult to reach ....... it's now climbing through an almond tree until September when I will cut it back to the ground and feed it properly.  In the mean time I have 7 pieces to 'root' ...... hopefully some will 'take'.

Pulled out ice plants from around the base of that almond to allow more air to the tree.  Compost is growing slowly  ;)  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 21, 2023, 08:21:12 AM
I was in a quiet corner of the garden and found a large wisteria flower  :o  8) :-* on a plant moved from one spot earlier in the year.  It gets more sunshine where it is . 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on June 23, 2023, 12:53:16 PM
Picking rasp/straws/Logan berries this week  8) a little sugar required  :o  ;)

Everywhere is so dry  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 12, 2023, 01:11:45 PM
The 1st deep cerise-coloured water lily with deep yellow centre has opened, done its time and sunk back into the water: the 2nd flower has opened this morning  8).  In the bottom pond a white lily has opened this morning, can't see its inner colour though it may be lemon.  Both are 3 years old so all is not lost!  Lots of leaves and not much flower, I don't have patience; at last we have colour  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on July 17, 2023, 08:17:19 AM
It lifts me to see colour in the garden.
One of the several Little Leo mulitheaded shorter sunflowers i planted has grown well.  Bright flowers coming on it now.  It is right next to our front door in the small border there. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 17, 2023, 08:30:49 AM
Great.  The self seeded sun flowers are now 4ft tall with flower buds  8). I need to check on those where I pushed seeds into the ground ...........  ::)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 20, 2023, 12:37:22 PM
Update:

1st flush of roses have been cut back
the 2 moved delphiniums - 1 from a pot, the other from a border, both survived the cold December snow/ice - 1 has a new flower growing  :-*

3 water lilies have flowered
wild flower seeds germinated in pots and have given a Good Show including wild carrot
3 peony plants moved from the shade, hopefully they will do better in the large tub

ferns looking healthy, some in a herb tower others in pots

the thug of a clematis which flowers from late August with tiny purple flowers is getting cut back regularly, trying to train it upwards rather than out!

soft fruits, peas and beans are growing well; fig looks healthy with 5 fruits hanging on

2 new clematis bought this. morning, a fiver each ;-)

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on July 20, 2023, 02:59:34 PM

2 new clematis bought this. morning, a fiver each ;-)

I head for the rescue/sale sections too !
Granddaughter delighted with bunny tails now up & fluffy in one of her pots. Got seeds for her after you mentioned them somewhere in this thread. Never grown them before.  We will put them out to reseed in the garden somewhere soon.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 20, 2023, 05:05:23 PM
They will spread every where  ::)

Sunflowers: love in a mist: cress on kitchen roll. Cornflowers.  Tulip bulbs - in the Spring these can be grown over a vase of water so that 1 can watch the roots grow .....  as can hyacinths.

Red Admiral Butterflies on the buddleah flowers  :-*

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on July 22, 2023, 07:20:28 AM
No gardening this weekend, none stop rain   >:(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Foxylady on July 22, 2023, 07:59:02 AM
Same here littleminnie, thankfully OH sorted the path during the week getting rid of bulk bag of chippings! Otherwise would still be on the drive.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on July 22, 2023, 08:41:01 AM
Began cutting back climbers on the pergola yesterday, they have to be removed as they are all leaf.  Don't know how the pergola still stands with all that weight  :o
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 02, 2023, 11:18:02 AM
Holly hocks growing 7ft+ tall and the bees love 'em
Self set borage - small clumps in the gravel which has been treated with killer: twice.  Hover flies love 'em
Various bees around the lavender and budleah  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on August 06, 2023, 05:51:12 AM

Self set borage - small clumps in the gravel which has been treated with killer: twice. 

I used to use a regular weedkiller spray once and that would be enough for a season.
 
This year finding that even after a second spray weeds around paths and drive are back.  A change in formula ? I'm considering using a tough killer really meant for brambles. tree stumps etc next year rather than waste money.

Runner beans now doing well.....yum.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on August 06, 2023, 08:00:36 AM
DH has found that weeds are more persistent, mayB due to resistance [as with antibiotic treatments   :o ]

Runner beans growing slowly, plenty of flower but not many insects  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 03, 2023, 03:12:03 PM
Runners and French beans, peas and a few late raspberries that were hidden by weeds  8) :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on September 03, 2023, 03:23:06 PM
I’m waiting on Akron & Beefsteak outdoor tomatoes to ripen.  Hot weather this week will help. A few that are beginning to turn have ripened in the cupboard.

Runner beans pretty much done now. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 03, 2023, 04:49:59 PM
Tomatoes across the UK are having problems with non-ripening tomatoes, apparently due to lack of sunshine.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 12, 2023, 06:09:52 PM
Roses having a 3rd flush; last of the runners 2 pick; tall [5ft] evening primroses; late flowering clematis which attracts insects, though it's a thug and each year I threaten to pull it out.  Astrantia need repotting. 
Title: Monty Don!
Post by: CLKD on September 15, 2023, 07:23:01 PM
These gardeners with their large plots and posh houses go on like we've all got space to store plants, have 3/4 greenhouses and/or cold frames  >:(.  I did stop watching for a while ..... they don't live in the real World  :-\. Like we have space to have pots of plants ready to go in 'elsewhere' whilst we rejig the borders.  I would love more space, however.

The walnut here as outgrown it's space so that will come down to be recycled in various ways, once the leaves have fallen, which will go into the compost.  MayB we can then put a growing roof onto the shed which will get more ☀️. 

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 16, 2023, 11:57:59 AM
I have had great plans for one border currently in the shade, which has a rowan tree, almond and silver birch in - I had intended to dig into the area to plant a rose  ::) but it's a non starter due to thick roots .  Well watered this morning, mulched, ready to throw hollyhock and poppy seeds there. 

Now that the sun has moved round we've come inside for a light lunch.  Archery from the Invictus Games to watch  8).
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on September 29, 2023, 01:53:49 PM
I've planted a wiegelia this afternoon, 24" tall with bronze/maroon leaves, a fiver in the garden centre  8).  Put some cyclamen around it.  Backed into a nettle  :o :( ...... I'll get my own back on that 1!

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 02, 2023, 11:49:45 AM
I've decided to grub out a lot of plants, i.e. pulmonaria.  So that I can get to the shrubs easier for pruning and weeding.  Potted up plants into large tubs which morning, began moving the tender geraniums inside. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on October 03, 2023, 06:16:59 AM
I recently halved a clump of Bergenia that had spread too much.  Not much in the way of weeds under that and it can take a bit of trampling on.

Two asters out in bright colours.  Have collected Runner and French climbing bean seed.  Also some Love in a Mist in case that doesn't self seed.  Honeywort still to do.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 03, 2023, 07:57:09 AM
What's honeywort?

LoveinaMist spreads in the gravel  ::) occasionally in white and pink  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 03, 2023, 12:12:31 PM
Cobwebs, all the way up the garden  :o
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on October 03, 2023, 02:02:50 PM
What's honeywort?

Otherwise known as Cerinthe. A new one for me when i picked up a tray of seedlings at local plant sale.  The bees really love it.  I've seen it in environmental /bee friendly flower beds about these parts too.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 03, 2023, 02:04:01 PM
Ahhh - purple flowers?  On long stems?

Pulled up plants, could hear the seeds popping every where  :o -  Can't remember the name, of course.  Pink and white and grow in hedgerows. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on October 03, 2023, 02:18:43 PM
Ahhh - purple flowers?  On long stems?

Pulled up plants, could hear the seeds popping every where  :o -  Can't remember the name, of course.  Pink and white and grow in hedgerows. 

Campions
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 03, 2023, 03:25:42 PM
 :bouncing:  you've been looking over my hedge  ;D
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on October 04, 2023, 06:29:09 AM
Anyone thinking of getting a water butt for the garden just a heads up to check first to see if your local Water Authority have an offer for a free one that you might want.

As luck would have it when i looked on our water authority website they were offering one at that time.  Yesterday i had an email from the company that delivered it.  The kit they sent us butt, lid, stand, diverter etc to buy would have been £70. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 04, 2023, 08:20:37 AM
That's a good reminder!    :thankyou: and do put the lids on as mozzies will hatch and swim around, those gnats that BITE.  Hard.  We have 7 barrels - 3 are joined onto each other.  Another off a shed at the back and two at the front: when the down. pipe has filled the larger of these two, DH buckets water into the smaller ......

 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 22, 2023, 03:18:10 PM
Roses: hollyhocks in 3 colours: autumnal colours lovely ....... and we need a new holding barrel  >:( all that recent rain, GONE to waste  :-\
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on October 31, 2023, 08:27:09 PM
Barrel brought and fixed in place: filled already  :o - the other will store logs close to the shed, ready to dry and bring inside.  Lid still fits.  Recycling: of course  8)

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on December 09, 2023, 11:48:12 AM
First signs of some snowdrops coming up.
Picked up 2 bags of spent coffee grindings from coffee shop today to go around camellia.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 09, 2023, 01:12:46 PM
I noticed daffs and crocus peeping through already in tubs, will be adding another layer of compost.

I put used tea leaves and coffee grounds round heathers and camellias. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 22, 2023, 12:38:39 PM
Hellebores buds appearing so I've cut back most of the leaves - instead of putting them into the Council bin I've stuffed them into a large tub on it's side as I found lots of ladybirds underneath the plants. 

A few daffs showing in the pots ....... need to top those up in case of snowy weather.

Milder.  Very blustery.  Wind across the plot in great gusts, quite scary  :o.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on December 23, 2023, 01:44:50 PM
Snowdrops - in a neighbours' garden which gets sunshine all day.  They were 1st up 12 months ago.  There are crocii and daffs peeping up in our tubs  :o
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 08, 2024, 09:08:04 PM
One aconite and a small clump of snowdrops  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 14, 2024, 04:15:18 PM
Our pink flowering Spring tree is in blossom  8).  Mid-Summer I pruned the tips of the branches so that it doesn't get too tall.  I'll probably leave it this year unless it 'gets away'.  Hellebores opening every day in various shades of cream, dark purple/black, reds, all with spotty centres.   :-*. They are promiscuous so once the platelets *predictive text*  ;D = plantlets are large enough, I put them into pots to grow on and in 4-5 years they will go into the main borders.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on January 24, 2024, 08:02:21 AM
First camellia bud open in our garden.  Snowdrops and a few hellebores out too.  Roll on spring/summer and more colour.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 24, 2024, 10:42:13 AM
Our camellia buds are small yet.  One bush is over 20 years old, the 1 in the pot about 5.  That has trouble with its leaves, some turn black on the edges so we moved it out of direct sunshine.  If I had space I would have an orchard of them.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 24, 2024, 01:05:00 PM
Heather in flower :-)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on January 26, 2024, 07:39:10 AM
the 1 in the pot about 5. 
All my pots apart from granddaughters few are going this year so that I’m just left with borders to do and any veg patch weeding. OH does the planting there. Nothing has done that well in pots recent years.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 26, 2024, 10:02:17 AM
Morning.  I tried to put all the plants into borders but when I saw something I liked, it went into pots due to lack of space.  Once they get pot bound they tend to fade ........


This morning I have moved some hellebores and dug out lots of celandines which spread too easily.  Lunch to hand.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on January 29, 2024, 02:37:24 PM
Been to a Garden Centre for light lunch then bought bean seeds and 2 pyracantha shrubs - 1 is in the border already .........  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on February 10, 2024, 01:33:50 PM
My Spring garden looks lovely  :-*  8) and I have this morning decided that this is what our garden is good at.  Roses don't 'do' well here, sadly.  I am filling the borders with more shrubs ...... have 2 to move from front to back as they have become overwhelmed by lemon balm  ::) so failed to thrive.  The earth however is sodden  >:(, sticky and unsafe to walk on.  However ........  :whist:

I have 1 pair of very old jeans that will never see the washing machine again, they are on the kitchen floor tucked under a radiator.  When I feel the 'needs must' to get into the plot, I don those and off I goes.  Our hellebores are spreading, the winter flowering honeysuckle and clematis 'freckles' are attracting the odd honey bee  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on February 12, 2024, 04:02:55 PM
I now have 3 more hebes in the front border: removed two prunus from there and dug into two places in the back 'spring' garden. 

More buds are breaking up on various fruit trees  8)  :-*
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: littleminnie on February 12, 2024, 06:33:06 PM
Did an hour in the garden today. First time this year.  The grass is very wet.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on February 12, 2024, 06:35:51 PM
Great time of year  8).  We don't have lawn.  Weeds come out of the ground easily after all the rain. 
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on February 26, 2024, 02:47:53 PM
Have spent 20 mins this afternoon removing any leaves/flowers from hellebores that show signs of disease, mainly blackening .... into the council bin for landfill, scissors in the dishwasher to be cleansed.  It spreads quickly - now that we have a lot of plants I am unable to keep up with cutting back the flowers, also I let them seed to get different colours.

Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 03, 2024, 04:10:34 PM
I have 4/5 less than 100 hellebores flowering this year  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 05, 2024, 12:40:28 PM
Plus 5 small plant-lets which are now set in a sheltered spot.  These will flower in about 4-5 years.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 17, 2024, 10:16:41 AM
Every morning something new pops out of the ground or blossoms  8)  :-*


On Friday afternoon I spent a couple of hours putting clematis cuttings into soil in pots, hoping that some will root. Stood in our snug which gets sunshine.  Yesterday I put hebe cuttings into pots with a mix of fine grit and soil, stood in a shaded spot - again, hoping that some will root.  The sunshine was warm.

Now it's drizzling  >:(
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 17, 2024, 04:02:56 PM
5 dark purple tulips popped up in the night  :o they are growing in direct sunshine

Bees around the various prunus trees/shrubs

Spawn has hatched  8)
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: Minusminnie on March 28, 2024, 07:44:10 AM
Few anemones that had started to flower now flattened by a smattering of overnight snow.
Title: Re: All things gardening
Post by: CLKD on March 28, 2024, 08:06:58 AM
 :o.

Heavy rain continues intermittently in the South Midlands  >:(.  Cameallias flowering.  Fruit tree blossom flowering.  Not many bees though  :-\ Heathers looking lovely. Daffs and tulips popping up where I have forgotten that they are there  8)