Planted the last of the dahlias,did some deadheading and then washed a load of pots. Looks like l have got rid of some pots on Freecycle, just waiting to confirm a collection day and time.
Had a few t-storms over the past few days, nothing catastrophic but it has done wonders...I have clay soil (don't we all?) so it's made everywhere nice and soft for weeding so everywhere is tidy once more. Now have to plan for some open spaces where I have ripped out some stuff that just didn't work, which means I can rest my aching back while reading gardening books! (My excuse and I'm sticking to it, Himself can brew the tea and fetch the biscuit tin...:) )
I did some planned and thought-through moving today, unusually for me🙂
I'd been waiting for two big pulmonarias to finish flowering and moved them to the back garden, shady side. Dug up and split into 3 a drumstick primula and planted them in the primula section. Found a frog when I was messing about doing that, don't know if it was in the mud or in a plant but glad I didn't prong it. Chucked it back in the border.
Found some sprigs of Yorkshire Fog grass, I'd been growing it as an ornamental also ok for caterpillars but they rotted over winter, (probably drowned) planted them elsewhere slightly uphill.
Planted out a sidalcea I potted up over winter, can't remember if it's pink or white but it doesn't really matter where it's going.
Staked a rose that was slavering all over a potted pieris, hopefully in time for it to straighten out before flowering, it's currently at a backward right angle.🤔
Oh also moved some Intrigue daffs, they are reverse bi-colour and I'd originally planted them with their backs to the fence.
I planted three more "Moonlight" runner beans,I will never grow these again,a lot came up very deformed,some just had two leaves and no tendrils,some never showed their faces.Red flowered ones from now on!! Other than that,lots of watering this evening!!
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
More weeding here! Nearly tackled the ‘no-man’s land’ at the back. Inspired by the deceased hedgehog (RIP) I found, I will make an up-graded shelter for future hogs to use. I will keep an area un-weeded and have a pallet and some curved roof tiles plus loads of sticks and bits.
I potted on several plants, moved some lobelia into another container, didn't like the result so moved them back again. Found a plant I was cultivating was actually a weed so that's got to come out tomorrow. Watered the long hedge that had been severely pruned last week so that the chicken manure pellets can hopefully start working and deadheaded the roses and irises.
More weeding........finally cleared one border. Planted rose Cornlia, primula vialii, white poached egg, sweet peas. Mover 2 self seeded sunflowers (first time this has happened), also moved 2 dahlias. I was so busy I didn't realise how hot the sun was and got burnt, sore now.
It's easily done @Mary370 , especially when you get so carried away with the gardening! Finally got the last of the cosmos in (eat your heart out Duke of Devonshire!), got rid of a load of tulip bulbs and some other small plants to a lady on Freecycle. Found a campanula hidden under a hardy geranium so moved it, trimmed back overhanging shrub on patio and did some more deadheading. Green waste bin full, and they don't come to collect for another week!
I picked up some Aquilegia Denver Gold from the garden centre today,to go with the Aquilegia Yellow Queen I'd bought on a trip to Great Dixter last month. I've been trying to reclaim a bed under a silver birch from a wild flower border that had become troublesome (see my very first post ). It's taking shape now with three allium varieties, some verbena hastata, stipa tenuisima. I'm still having to stay on top of the weeds there, as well as the very assertive wildflowers that are fighting back.
I also layered some strawberry runners to see if I can propogate some more plants. It's all new to me so we'll see. I'm nursing along some pak choy seedlings in individual pots on a sunny window sill.
I'm learning as I go on. Had the garden for years but only played at it until I retired, so am now really enjoying the challenge. My wife retires next month and she has her own plans for the garden. Should be interesting. The only other regular garden activity is following behind my two year old labrador, Ted, with a watering can for when he pees on the lawn. (or with a super-soaker for when he invades the new border!)
Posts
Tulips and daffs out! Out, I say! Into shed or hidden at back of garden, respectively.
Spread out my over filled areas of violas to cover the spaces made.
Moved sweet Williams to front garden pots.
Moved herbs and bits together into a new area planned to be a herb garden right outside the patio doors.
Watered everything with a good soak!
Still more to do, so I’m taking a drink out with me for the evening
I'd been waiting for two big pulmonarias to finish flowering and moved them to the back garden, shady side. Dug up and split into 3 a drumstick primula and planted them in the primula section. Found a frog when I was messing about doing that, don't know if it was in the mud or in a plant but glad I didn't prong it. Chucked it back in the border.
Found some sprigs of Yorkshire Fog grass, I'd been growing it as an ornamental also ok for caterpillars but they rotted over winter, (probably drowned) planted them elsewhere slightly uphill.
Planted out a sidalcea I potted up over winter, can't remember if it's pink or white but it doesn't really matter where it's going.
Staked a rose that was slavering all over a potted pieris, hopefully in time for it to straighten out before flowering, it's currently at a backward right angle.🤔
Oh also moved some Intrigue daffs, they are reverse bi-colour and I'd originally planted them with their backs to the fence.
Finally got the last of the cosmos in (eat your heart out Duke of Devonshire!), got rid of a load of tulip bulbs and some other small plants to a lady on Freecycle. Found a campanula hidden under a hardy geranium so moved it, trimmed back overhanging shrub on patio and did some more deadheading. Green waste bin full, and they don't come to collect for another week!
I also layered some strawberry runners to see if I can propogate some more plants. It's all new to me so we'll see. I'm nursing along some pak choy seedlings in individual pots on a sunny window sill.
I'm learning as I go on. Had the garden for years but only played at it until I retired, so am now really enjoying the challenge. My wife retires next month and she has her own plans for the garden. Should be interesting. The only other regular garden activity is following behind my two year old labrador, Ted, with a watering can for when he pees on the lawn. (or with a super-soaker for when he invades the new border!)