Added more leaves to the leaf mould heap. Fed the birds. Cleared up and composted a lot of dead and dying summer plants and perennials, leaving the nasturtiums, antirrhinums and marigolds which are still flowering. Lunch. Dug out the red-leaved acer which has never looked very happy in the north-facing border beside the hedge, and put it in the red section of the rainbow border. Transplanted some bulbs from the back garden to the front, and planted 120 new tulips: Cape Cod, Scarlet Baby, Candela and some purple ones whose name I disremember. Felt very pleased with myself. Watched Poirot, baked a quiche for our dinner, watched another Poirot and knitted. Told OH and ma that I would be very pleased if Santa brought me a second compost bin, but as time is short, it could wait for my birthday.
No gardening today but did have a good morning yesterday planted four rhubarb's livingstone, polish raspberry, stockbridge arrow and victoria should give us something from March to October / November.
Also rotavated remainder of plot raked over removed more rocks stones and rubbish old drinks cans, plastic bottles, sweet wrapper's, were just some items.
"You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
I transplanted a few more knapweed, mallow and teasel in the wild flower area, feeling pleased with myself although next Spring/Summer will be the time for these plants to show their true colours.
I ran out between showers and just potted up the 5 Hellebore Niger bare roots I received yesterday. I used one big pot with JI No.3/leaf mould and put pot under the eaves while I decide where to put them - another impulse buy I'm afraid. I also just had time to clear off mo
Sorry folks, that was an old post which seemed to have got as a draft and it didn't want to be deleted. I cleared the wisteria leaves off the iris bed underneath - found two clumps of snowdrops "S Arnott" coming through. Looks nice and tidy now although I still need to mulch the rose and clematis in that bed. Also raked the leaves off the bark mulch path, with difficulty, and started pruning the climbing "Claire Austin" rose. Found it has some lovely almost bright yellow hips on it so cut some for a vase indoors. Had my gel nails done in the afternoon ready for a big New Year's Eve do so I won't be doing any more gardening for a week or so!
I lied! Found my lovely plummy hellebores were budding well this morning so put my thick gardening gloves on and cut off the leaves so I can see the flowers better. I'm dying to see if my new yellow speckled one is going to flower this year.
Have had a busy old weekend but not much garden related 😴
Had a rose delivery Thursday and got them planted. Out of this tangle of briars I'm most excited about Amber Carpet. Although it was my third choice after the previous two were unavailable, I quite like the cut of its jib sail. Half the height I'd intended to get but I think it could work🤔 Other curiosities include Spice of Life and Burgundy Ice (who I understand is Iceberg's funky great niece), also bought Evelyn Fison who I hope will complement my other small red rose, Trumpeter, planted in the same border. Trumpeter is a lovely plant, healthy and no bother, hope EF is the same.
Potted up some daff bulbs and spread some manure around my new roses, mostly to cover up all the worms I'd unearthed.
Washed 3 bird feeders and moved a knautia, Mars Midget, as it was getting tangled up with an aubrieta. Also moved a poppy to create space for some penstemons.
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Merry Christmas
Also rotavated remainder of plot raked over removed more rocks stones and rubbish old drinks cans, plastic bottles, sweet wrapper's, were just some items.
"You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
I cleared the wisteria leaves off the iris bed underneath - found two clumps of snowdrops "S Arnott" coming through. Looks nice and tidy now although I still need to mulch the rose and clematis in that bed. Also raked the leaves off the bark mulch path, with difficulty, and started pruning the climbing "Claire Austin" rose. Found it has some lovely almost bright yellow hips on it so cut some for a vase indoors. Had my gel nails done in the afternoon ready for a big New Year's Eve do so I won't be doing any more gardening for a week or so!
gloves on and cut off the leaves so I can see the flowers better. I'm dying to see if my new yellow speckled one is going to flower this year.
Had a rose delivery Thursday and got them planted. Out of this tangle of briars I'm most excited about Amber Carpet. Although it was my third choice after the previous two were unavailable, I quite like the cut of its jib sail. Half the height I'd intended to get but I think it could work🤔 Other curiosities include Spice of Life and Burgundy Ice (who I understand is Iceberg's funky great niece), also bought Evelyn Fison who I hope will complement my other small red rose, Trumpeter, planted in the same border. Trumpeter is a lovely plant, healthy and no bother, hope EF is the same.
Potted up some daff bulbs and spread some manure around my new roses, mostly to cover up all the worms I'd unearthed.
Washed 3 bird feeders and moved a knautia, Mars Midget, as it was getting tangled up with an aubrieta. Also moved a poppy to create space for some penstemons.
Time for a glass of fizzy wine 😋