Yes, do be careful with putting mulch too close to the base. I have managed to rot off the bark almost entirely on a tree that I have spent ten years growing. It won't grow back. 🙄
I must confess to being somewhat surprised when I went to get a barrow of compost from the bulk bag and found the top inch had frozen. Regardless, I managed to smash through the crust and continue mulching the second of the woodland beds.
It is nice to see that the rain is gradually washing the gypsum into the forked clay.
While I was able to break through the frozen crust on the bag of compost, getting a fork into the soil where I had used the board was all but impossible. So I gave up and just chucked compost on it regardless.
Three and a half bulk bags was sufficient to cover both of the borders.
While I was at it, I pulled back the compost from the base of the trees to prevent any rot setting in.
Now I just need to keep my fingers crossed that all four trees will still be upright come next weekend. So far, the stakes appear to be doing their job.
In terms of other plants, I did manage to pick up a collection of variegated ivy. 2 white and 2 yellow. The plan is to cover the fence on the left hand side in the woodland area (that's the fence I own). Should provide some nice cover for the wildlife once it is established.
Will order a load of snowdrops next weekend while they are still available and scatter them around the 2 beds. The rest of the woodland area will be planted up in April with a mixture of ferns, foxgloves, anemones and the like (will ask for advice on plant selection closer to the time).
Next weekend I begin forking and mulching what will become the rose border. That should leave me with all of February to select some nice bare-root roses from Buckingham garden center and finish off the pond.
@Colin-Jackson You do need to be careful when working in frosty conditions. It is like a permafrost where the soil traps the frost deep down. Ordering Galanthus nivalis after flowering can be cheaper. Sarah Raven only send them out after flowering a member of their staff told me only last week As long as you can see green leaves when you plant they should be fine.Sometimes it is good to water the area where they grow in summer as they can dry out. I am sure you have seen the rose thread if you would like help with selection. Some very knowledgable growers. Your Ivy plants look healthy. At first they need to form a good root system before they climb this will take time but just be aware they will break a wooden fence with ease once established. The plus Ivy is a haven for wildlife
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I've just started reading your thread @Colin-Jackson, it's great to see your enthusiasm coming through and I'm loving your determination come all weathers! As a gardener of the self employed variety myself, I have no choice in weather so nice to see there are others toughing it out! Best of luck, your obviously enjoying your creation enormously.... Please keep us updated with pictures of your progress and remember to be kind to your back and hands!!!
I would wait until April or so and plant snowdrops as whole plants "in the green". They take much better that way and are cheap to buy in bulk. The plants will have "gone over" for this year but should give a good display in future.
So 2 bulk bags was enough for a 6 inch mulch on one of the two woodland beds.
......I'm guessing all the people that recommend mulching the beds every year have vehicular access.
My back is killing me. The other side can wait until next weekend.
Well done on all you've achieved so far. As a fellow heavy clay gardener I know how much like hard work it is!!
Re the mulching in future. I think it is preferable to mulch just a part of your garden well every 2 or 3 years, than to mulch the whole lot too thinly every year. I mentally divide my garden into 2 important ornamental areas and give one half a 3"- 4" mulch one year and do the same to the other half the next year. I could go down to a three year / thicker mulch rotation if I wanted.
This regime on soil which was well prepped at the beginning (as your will be) plus adding compost and mulch when planting has been sufficient to yield and maintain good, fertile, crumbly soil.
Other, less important areas just get a bit of mulch when there's some spare or have to make do with added compost when I plant. There are even a couple of areas where hardly anything gets added and easy growers are just allowed to do their thing.
The difference between the little improved and much improved areas is amazing and very rewarding to see🙂
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
@Colin-Jackson I have just purchased six pots of Galanthus elwesii three bulbs in a pot for a £1.00 per pot. The flowers are just going over and this bargain was proving to be very popular today. Pots of the same snowdrop three bulbs still in bud were £3.50 per pot. This is a tall snowdrop that makes a statement. If you are out and about worth a look around for reductions after flowering.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Posts
I must confess to being somewhat surprised when I went to get a barrow of compost from the bulk bag and found the top inch had frozen. Regardless, I managed to smash through the crust and continue mulching the second of the woodland beds.
It is nice to see that the rain is gradually washing the gypsum into the forked clay.
While I was able to break through the frozen crust on the bag of compost, getting a fork into the soil where I had used the board was all but impossible. So I gave up and just chucked compost on it regardless.
Three and a half bulk bags was sufficient to cover both of the borders.
While I was at it, I pulled back the compost from the base of the trees to prevent any rot setting in.
Now I just need to keep my fingers crossed that all four trees will still be upright come next weekend. So far, the stakes appear to be doing their job.
In terms of other plants, I did manage to pick up a collection of variegated ivy. 2 white and 2 yellow. The plan is to cover the fence on the left hand side in the woodland area (that's the fence I own). Should provide some nice cover for the wildlife once it is established.
Will order a load of snowdrops next weekend while they are still available and scatter them around the 2 beds. The rest of the woodland area will be planted up in April with a mixture of ferns, foxgloves, anemones and the like (will ask for advice on plant selection closer to the time).
Next weekend I begin forking and mulching what will become the rose border. That should leave me with all of February to select some nice bare-root roses from Buckingham garden center and finish off the pond.
Ordering Galanthus nivalis after flowering can be cheaper. Sarah Raven only send them out after flowering a member of their staff told me only last week As long as you can see green leaves when you plant they should be fine.Sometimes it is good to water the area where they grow in summer as they can dry out.
I am sure you have seen the rose thread if you would like help with selection. Some very knowledgable growers.
Your Ivy plants look healthy. At first they need to form a good root system before they climb this will take time but just be aware they will break a wooden fence with ease once established. The plus Ivy is a haven for wildlife
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Re the mulching in future. I think it is preferable to mulch just a part of your garden well every 2 or 3 years, than to mulch the whole lot too thinly every year. I mentally divide my garden into 2 important ornamental areas and give one half a 3"- 4" mulch one year and do the same to the other half the next year. I could go down to a three year / thicker mulch rotation if I wanted.
This regime on soil which was well prepped at the beginning (as your will be) plus adding compost and mulch when planting has been sufficient to yield and maintain good, fertile, crumbly soil.
Other, less important areas just get a bit of mulch when there's some spare or have to make do with added compost when I plant. There are even a couple of areas where hardly anything gets added and easy growers are just allowed to do their thing.
The difference between the little improved and much improved areas is amazing and very rewarding to see🙂
I mailed Eurobulbs and they are sending out snowdrop plants now - before flowering. Cheap and cheerful. (I'm prepping my own order).
Pots of the same snowdrop three bulbs still in bud were £3.50 per pot.
This is a tall snowdrop that makes a statement.
If you are out and about worth a look around for reductions after flowering.