Forum home› The potting shed
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Since it feels like autumn already, looking ahead

Jess91Jess91 Posts: 159
in The potting shed
It seems to have rained non stop here in East Yorkshire for weeks. Tonight it has been torrential rain again, and it's really quite cool now.

Since I can't get out to do any tidying, pruning or mowing, I'm turning my attention to autumn and winter planning. Previously I've always had a late spring/summer garden, and haven't been very good at winter or early spring interest.

I've been trying to focus on improving that, so I've added some Pulmonaria, some Brunnera and a few different fruit trees for spring flowers. I'm also going to order some Hellebores, and in autumn I'll probably plant some crocus bulbs in and around the borders. I'm going to look into early flowering tulips as well, I've never really loved tulips but I think that's because I've always thought of them as the standard red ones, which I don't love. But there are so many more to choose from.

Would be interested to hear what others have planned for the winter months. 
Slowly building a wildlife garden, in a new build in East Yorkshire.
«13

Posts

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I think I'm glad I'm in France. It will be warm and sunny next week. This week we've had a very welcome bit of rain, probably not enough.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 344
    A new summer house. To replace the one I inherited when we moved in. Sadly no one can repair the wooden panels that have rotted. Work is supposed to start in November.
  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    I'm plotting the putting in of an irrigation system; trying to see how it might work. And trying to simplify my garden - less containers

    I have loads of pre-covid repairs to do but can't find anyone good or available locally to do them. Over the next six months I'd like to get all repairs done and dusted. Also maybe putting in a third rain barrell to get rain off my last surface not set up for rain harvesting.

    I have already sown some green manure as I am experimenting this year to see how evergreen plants like clover will be in my garden beds, and how floriferous. There is too much bare earth in my various spaces over winter.

  • Simone_in_WiltshireSimone_in_Wiltshire Posts: 1,073
    I have sown Lychnis chalcedonica seeds which germinated fine and are potted on in the meantime. I only have to take out some annuals. No further change needed.

    I ♥ my garden.

  • NormandyLizNormandyLiz Posts: 788
    It's the greenhouse for me this autumn/winter. It gets built in September when the friend who is helping me is back from holiday. 

    I've had a greenhouse before but it was very under used apart from for the vegetable fruits in summer. The plan now is to extend the growing season of various crops. There will be a lot new for me so I'm looking forward to learning. Including how to build a greenhouse!
  • Jess91Jess91 Posts: 159
    @NormandyLiz oh that's exciting! 

    I also need to lay a path from the patio to the shed, so I can actually get in there when it's too wet to walk across the grass in winter.
    Slowly building a wildlife garden, in a new build in East Yorkshire.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I have started trying to find a gardener to help me get my patch under control. I do not want a slash and burn merchant but someone with some plant knowledge. I have tried a website which advertises for local gardeners who are supposed to have some horticultural qualifications. 
    The first people coming to look at the garden are a couple who are supposed to have worked in Michel Roux and the Heligan gardens.  Too good to be true?
    The second is a chap who seems to run a team because they offer indoor renovations, using sub contractors,  as well as outdoor work. A Jack of all Trades perhaps?

    I am like a mother hen with my garden, I hate anyone touching or doing anything in it! I hope I do not turn out to be too picky. I am not looking forward to this venture.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Probably a silly question as you've no doubt enquired but do any neighbours use a gardener they have been happy with ?
    Alternatively, are there any Horticultural Colleges near you ?  Many students on these courses may be happy to have a few hours paid work and gain a bit of experience under your supervision.
    The other thing would be if you have an area which you would be willing to let a keen veg grower without their own space to use in exchange for some general help in the rest of the garden.
    You have my sympathy - it can be hard to find someone locally with at least enough knowledge to do a decent job.
    I think @GardenerSuze should "un retire" ( sorry Suze ) and @WonkkyWomble should go "national " - I'd have them like a shot  :D
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    When Possum was young and couldn't be left for hours unsupervised or even semi-supervised while I played in the garden I had a horticultural student come and help me out.  He was great so it's definiitely worth trying local horticultural colleges @Joyce Goldenlily .

    I am mostly sofa bound for the mo - new knee - so have all sorts of plans in my head for getting beds cleared of weeds and filled with plants and thus reducing my potted nursery but it'll be a couple of months or more before I can tackle those jobs.

    Meanwhile, after coming a cross a particular Italian chilli in a recipe, I went surfing the net for seeds and found an Italian site - loads of chillies in my basket now but over a dozen types of San Marzano tomatoes plus some heritage vatieties I'd like to try.   How is a girl supposed to choose??  And they have a courgette plant that produces more flowers than fruit which is tempting.......

    Like @Busy-Lizzie we have finally had some rain here.   Not enough but sufficient to grow an alarming number of new weeds in the rose beds which were pristine when I went in for my op.   Should be able to get those out easily enough to clear space for autumn planting of spring bulbs and more ground cover perennials in there.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    I've never found a "gardener" that knows more about plant basics than I do (not that I know a vast amount). Anyone I have employed (ad hoc, just for big jobs) that advertises as a "gardener", including students, is really just up to chop and lop, mow and blow. I must have paid 20 or so people over the years. It's always a bit of a disappointment. These days I assume they know very little and wouldn't know an allium from an astilbe. I work closely together with them and give very specific instruction. I go in on the understanding that I am paying them well for their energy, their strength and their back - not for any kind of horticultural knowledge.
Sign In or Register to comment.