Yesterday I pruned the grape vine over the door to the garden. It's a bit of a monster, some had grown under the guttering, had to use the secateur on a pole. Also swept up all the leaves it had shed.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Dont have my own garden currently, just a very overflowing balcony in london - on which our pots of narcissus daffs are rapidly pushing through! but we have adopted my in-laws garden at their farm and spent some happy hours last week with the OH building a raised bed and an insect hotel, and doing some pruning of their sweet chestnuts which we want to turn into something like this: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-pollarded-horse-chestnut-trees-indre-et-loire-france-35324647.html. Also, pruning and moving buddleia, planting two new Mahonias, and a Magnolia in the new "formal" garden area (requires much imagination currently). was a lovely to be outside escaping "christmas". weather was mostly overcast, but not too cold 4-8 deg C. Soil looks to be wetting up at depth after last years drought but lots of bare batches still on the lawn. And compost levels are low...
@Rhubarb7, Nothing wrong with a balcony it's all we have here at our new home I have put troughs of bamboo along part to give more privacy and have spring bulbs lilies and clematis in other parts, we do have a sea view so did not want to lose that.
I also have a allotment that was new last June so been working on that and just planning this years planting.
It all takes time just a little at a time you will be surprised how quick it all starts to come together, I always take time at the end of a day's work to sit with a cup of tea and enjoy what you have achieved today.
"You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
Just been out to check my potted tree lilies Honeymoon and Purple Prince. Bulbs rooting already so a bit of new compost in the bottom of the pot and some blood fish and bone and now tucked away a bit more sheltered. Did a bit more weeding, spotted the aquilegia l had from Aldi bareroots last year growing back so pleased to see them return. They are the yellow long tailed ones, very pretty. Also spotted my hemerocallus , double yellow flowered, poking through. I thought I'd lost it to the drought last year. Potted on some helenium I have grown from cuttings and put them somewhere cosier. Made a list of what needs dividing a bit later on in spring. Astrantias , Francoa and geum Totally Tangerine. Also a few agapanthus will need splitting. Lovely to see blue sky and a little sunshine and to hear the birds singing, but had to remind myself there's the worst of winter yet to come.
Thanks for the encouragement and nice words @Hampshire_Hog and the cup of tea tip - . I shall make sure to do that. Its lovely reading what everyone is up to - very inspiring. Any other tips on flowering plants for the balcony in summer - we are facing due north. Sun is streaming in through the back windows today though
Yesterday I dug up rest of the Gladioli corms on the Allotment, pottered about the garden for just over an hour today. A bit of pruning and tidying, including taking leaves off the Hellebores. A lot of plants have buds showing, a bit of a worry as we have not had much of the really cold weather yet, no doubt as last year they will all take a check & come back if we do get some proper winter weather.
Did get to allotment continued to clear out and tidy Poly Tunnel ready for spring, sorted out electric propagator and table brought them home ready for first seed sowing in Feb
"You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
Cleaned and refilled bird feeders Me & o/h put new outside lights up in back garden Unfortunately have got a rotten little cold so not feeling like doing much
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I also have a allotment that was new last June so been working on that and just planning this years planting.
It all takes time just a little at a time you will be surprised how quick it all starts to come together, I always take time at the end of a day's work to sit with a cup of tea and enjoy what you have achieved today.
"You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
Lovely to see blue sky and a little sunshine and to hear the birds singing, but had to remind myself there's the worst of winter yet to come.
Try this site https://balconygardenweb.com/plants-for-north-facing-balcony-garden/
I have used it's quite good as a starting point.
"You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
"You don't stop gardening because you get old, you get old because you stop gardening." - The Hampshire Hog
Me & o/h put new outside lights up in back garden
Unfortunately have got a rotten little cold so not feeling like doing much