Nope. Fed the birds, admired a clump of primroses and some coum cyclamen flowering their heads off. My snowdrops are in a shady, cold, North facing corner under an acer, there are a couple of snowdrop noses showing so it is going to be some time before I see how many have survived. The tree heather is in full flower and lots of shrubs and perrenials are showing new growth which will very likely be hit during the usual Feb. cold snap. It was confirmed on TV a couple of days ago that Cornwall's hose pipe ban is still operational and we are being asked to continue being careful with our water usage. Very frustrating when I see torrents of water gushing down the valleys and out into the sea. The local reservoir is still only 85% full.
Just thinking about going outside to do a bit more cutting back. The grass could do with a trim but it's forecast cold this week so it should slow down. Maybe I'll leave it.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Harvested the last row of beetroot and sprouts before the real cold comes. Cleared out the polytunnel in readiness for the chicory and salad leaves seedlings to be transplanted out. Covered the Cypripedium orchids with leaves (yet again as the wind keeps blowing them away) and covered the pots with nets as they are sending up shoots already.
I started clearing some of the dead woody vegetation and thatch from the wildlife garden. I normally leave it in situ longer but there’s so much new growth already trying to come through. Also did a heavy cut back on a corkscrew hazel with my new pole saw (so tempting to go wild with a chainsaw!). I’m also experimenting with a mini container woodland this year in a sunny courtyard/patio area. Planting whips initially and seeing how they get on in containers around the edge of our outdoor eating area. Trialling field maple, Roman, Guelder rose and crab apple to compliment the native tree species already in the garden. Luckily I have a local nursery where I can but the whips for a couple of quid each. Got some Calluna to plant up in containers tomorrow.
That sounds good @AnguisFragilis. Will be interesting to see how you get on with the containers.
It does seem rather draft to have a hosepipe ban in this kind of weather @Joyce Goldenlily. As you say, water is cascading down the hills in this area. I found out this afternoon that our purple slate square which our Lutyens bench stands on at the bottom of a slope is thoroughly waterlogged so had to drag the bench further forward out of the water. it's solid clay underneath so it's not draining but it's not usually that bad.
I bought a new water butt, does that count? I'm quite excited about it. 😁
Firstly bravo on the username. I’ve just prepped for my 4th water butt in anticipation of needing that lifeline for my wildlife pond this summer. I managed to stop it drying out entirely with a water butt in 2022 but it was probably about 1/3 full.
No gardening today , went to Cruise event organised by Lincolnshire Co-op Note that we have a dry week coming , just blooming Freezing 🥶 Have covered plants in G/H with fleece
I bought a new water butt, does that count? I'm quite excited about it. 😁
Firstly bravo on the username. I’ve just prepped for my 4th water butt in anticipation of needing that lifeline for my wildlife pond this summer. I managed to stop it drying out entirely with a water butt in 2022 but it was probably about 1/3 full.
Thank you! 😊 The problem I have is that my landlord, for some strange reason, put in an extra down pipe which has no drain or soakaway, so it all just ran onto the patio, which doesn't slope away from the wall.. 🤦♀️ It's very handy for collection though, which is why I didn't take the downpipe out, lol!
I made a dash for a break in the weather to take my dog for a quick walk. Big mistake. We were caught in a vicious hail storm, the dog didn't know what to do to get away from the large hail stones, it must have been so painful for him. The village green was under water, even on top of the hill. Very cold.
Posts
Fed the birds, admired a clump of primroses and some coum cyclamen flowering their heads off. My snowdrops are in a shady, cold, North facing corner under an acer, there are a couple of snowdrop noses showing so it is going to be some time before I see how many have survived. The tree heather is in full flower and lots of shrubs and perrenials are showing new growth which will very likely be hit during the usual Feb. cold snap.
It was confirmed on TV a couple of days ago that Cornwall's hose pipe ban is still operational and we are being asked to continue being careful with our water usage. Very frustrating when I see torrents of water gushing down the valleys and out into the sea. The local reservoir is still only 85% full.
It does seem rather draft to have a hosepipe ban in this kind of weather @Joyce Goldenlily. As you say, water is cascading down the hills in this area. I found out this afternoon that our purple slate square which our Lutyens bench stands on at the bottom of a slope is thoroughly waterlogged so had to drag the bench further forward out of the water. it's solid clay underneath so it's not draining but it's not usually that bad.
Note that we have a dry week coming , just blooming Freezing 🥶
Have covered plants in G/H with fleece
The problem I have is that my landlord, for some strange reason, put in an extra down pipe which has no drain or soakaway, so it all just ran onto the patio, which doesn't slope away from the wall.. 🤦♀️
It's very handy for collection though, which is why I didn't take the downpipe out, lol!
Very cold.